Why I’m in Youth CAN

Introduction

This page is intended to provide a place where Youth CAN members can share information with other youth (either within or outside of the Youth CAN network) about why they got involved in the Youth Climate Action Network. Here you may read about the interesting things that have happened to kids since they joined Youth CAN, the successes they’ve had doing work to help address global warming, the ideas that they came up with to help that actually got implemented, the challenges they’ve faced and often overcome. The posts are intended to serve as an inspiration and guide for other students and groups who are just getting started with their own youth climate action group.

Take a look at some of the different reasons that kids get involved in doing global warming work and see why they stay involved!

“I believe that Youth CAN has shown and inspired me that kids just like me can do anything and really have a big inpact on the world. I, honest to goodness, didn’t think that kids would be able to do anything at first, but after we get started I really began to think we could do big things. Youth CAN has really inspired me. This is why I choose to participate. Thank you.”

Maddie J., 8th Grade, BLS

“I fully support the cause of Youth CAN 100%. Global Warming is an important issue that all people must take a stand against, especially young people. It’s a problem that affects everyone, not just certain people. I think that people should get involved and help put an end to this issue.”

Devin M., 8th Grade BLS

“I joined Youth CAN for a number of reasons, the main one being that after I saw Al Gore’s movie, and I was scared out of my mind. After seeing what might happen to our Earth I felt like there must be something I can do. So I decided to help create and join this club. Knowing that I am doing something to help the Earth makes me feel reassured. Another reason I joined is because it’s a great way to get involved in the school community as well as the greater Boston community.”

Katie W., 8th Grade BLS

“Why do I do it? Well, why wouldn’t I do it? It literally helps out just about everyone in the world, as well as me. Besides, have you ever thought about how good it would look on a college resume to be part of the beginning of the end of Global Warming!”

Elissa C., 8th Grade, BLS

“I do it so I can own a beach house on Cape Cod when I grow older. If Global Warming goes unnoticed then Cape Cod will slowly disappear. I want my grandchildren to experience Cape Cod, & Nantucket!”

Emily G., 8th Grade, BLS

BLS Youth CAN has been an experience I will never forget. As part of the Youth Summit Planning Committee, I have learned a lot about global warming, but I’ve also learned about creating a big event like the Youth Summit without any previous experience. I’ll admit, it has been a lot of work, but all of it has taught me important skills I will use later in life. I learned of so many things I can do to help the world and prevent a disaster like global warming, and I’m glad to be able to teach others during the Youth Summit. Everyone’s efforts have brought this club so far since the beginning of January!

Ava B., 10th Grade, BLS

Joining this club has really inspired me. Before, I didn’t used to think that I could make such a big difference in the world, but seeing the group’s progress has convinced me that there is so much that I can do. Any group or individual with determination can do something to help. To save the world is an awesome task and I think it is great that students are determined to do something and would do anything they can to help.

Dan T., 8th Grade, BLS

I cannot believe how far the BLS Youth CAN club has come in only just over three months. BLS Youth CAN started January 23 and 180 student joined…this isn’t just some little school club; this is a community of kids who want to save the world. Earlier in the year, after watching Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth,” Ms. Arnold told us about some things we could do to help fight global warming. I joined an online group, “Move On” and also took part in a virtual march. Even small contributions to preventing global warming can make a huge difference if everyone does their part.

Maya N., 8th Grade, BLS

Why I do it? I do it because I care. I care about my world and about my future and what others will need in the future. We only live once, but our impact lives forever: “The good men do is oft’ interred with their bones, the evil lives after them.” (Julius Caesar) But this isn’t how it has to be: “We can make a difference, it’s not too late, bring on tomorrow, we can’t wait” (FAME: “Bring On Tomorrow”). The fate of the world is in my generation’s hands.

Michael R., 8th Grade, BLS

I joined BLS Youth CAN because not only is it helping to save the world, it is also something all schools should be doing. To help teach others about global warming, we cannot simply rely on methods like documentaries, we also have to personally make changes in our lives and help others do the same. In BLS Youth CAN so far, I feel proud to have sold environmentally safe compact florescent lightbulbs to several friends and neighbors, and as a group we have raised over $5000 for the club. I feel proud to be part of something so great that will only get better in years to come.

Paul M., 8th Grade, BLS

I joined Youth CAN because I wanted to help the environment. We split the club up into committees that each work on separate aspects of preventing global warming. I have established a connection with other Climate Groups, like MIT’s environmental group. Since the start of Youth CAN, I have helped promote the awareness of global climate change within our school via school media like BLSTV and the Argo, Boston Latin School’s newspaper. The experience is truly incredible. To be able to help the environment and enjoy the work is truly rewarding. The club was a total success.

Olive T., 8th Grade, BLS

I joined the club because I was interested in helping the environment and I heard that the faculty advisor, Ms. Arnold was really passionate about her Youth CAN club. Then I realized that this wasn’t Ms. Arnold’s club, this was OUR club. I do Youth CAN because it makes me feel important in a school of 2,500 and in a world of 6,000,000,000. In a club of 150 people, everyone has something important to add – something that makes the club so much stronger.

Megan S., 9th Grade, BLS

Why I do it? Because it’s worth it. We live on an earth with many problems and I know it won’t help to just sit around. I want to be part of the solution, not the problem. I am doing something to save our world.

Sophia S., 8th Grade, BLS

Preparing for the Youth Summit was incredible. It was a lot of fun to help raise money for it and help design fliers to hand around the school. I personally helped do a lot around the school because I care about our world. Thinking about the consequences that we would have to deal with if we don’t stop global warming just seems awful. I helped raise money to have the Youth Summit by selling energy-efficient light bulbs. I helped raise over $200! I also helped design some of the fliers, and made them colorful, and hung them around the school for kids and staff members to read.

Jennifer H., 8th Grade, BLS

First, I feel linked to the cause, because it’s the planet I live on and all. Second, I also am happy because I feel that I have a way to express my opinion. Third, I have something to do where I make an important difference.

Luke M., 8th Grade, BLS

When Youth CAN started out, I was just another of the 150 kids listening to Ms. Arnold talk about global warming. I thought that a global warming club probably wouldn’t do much, just sit around and talk about how bad global warming is. Then at the first meeting we separated into four committees (PSA, Activism, Recycling, and Energy). I was one of the lonely kids who didn’t like any of the four options. It seemed like there were many topics that weren’t covered by those four groups. So, I started my own committee, The Communications and Partnerships Committee. Although small at the time, it ended up making a really big difference. Our partnership with MIT was what made it possible to even have a Youth Summit. Choices that I made have had a huge impact on what others will do, which is why I continue to do it!
Melissa B., Grade 8, BLS

I want to help Youth CAN because I think it is very interesting to see how the club has evolved. The club began as an idea, but it has already become much more. I cannot go to meetings because of my dance classes, but I think that the entire concept is important. It is important for people to realize that anyone can make a difference no matter their age. I have helped with little things like decorating flyers and or making calls to schools, and I think anyone, who even does small things like these, makes a difference. Overall, I do it for the principle and the basic concept of Youth CAN, that everyone must do their part to help in this effort.

Elza L., 8th Grade, BLS

I joined Youth CAN because I was inspired to be part of something larger than myself. Adults are supposed to control the political decisions in every country, but when they’re making the wrong decisions, the children must take action. I love proving hat kids have moe sense and responsibilities than some adults, and that we can take a stand. I also love influencing people with more power and authority; we’re showing that the people AND their children hold th real power in the world – enough to make a difference.

Caytie C., 8th Grade, BLS

Why I joined Youth CAN? Let’s see… • It’s our lifetime that will be affected by global warming • Where else can you be with your friends and still be saving the world? • Sell lightbulbs and WIN an iPod shuffle • Help hold a Youth Summit! • Fenway Park photo op anyone? • We get to go to rallies • It doesn’t hurt on your college application.
Katie O., 8th Grade, BLS

We’re all in this club because we want to stop global warming. Of course we are… it’s a GLOBAL WARMING CLUB. But before people put us off as a group of tree-hugging kids, let us explain why we do these things. Not only is it to stop the Earth from being underwater, but it also helps us build our own image and stand up for what we believe in. If we don’t speak out now, we’ll never be able to do it when we’re adults. When we’re still young, most people say that we’re too young to make a difference. It was different in this club. There were people who encouraged you to try. Even if you didn’t get what you wanted the first time, you tried again. It was fun being involved in something that was actually going somewhere. There are some clubs that want to accomplish something, but they don’t have the power or the will to do so. We’re getting a gigantic push from the press, the mayor, and tons of companies. It’s exciting to be involved in something that’s so hectic. We’re a student-run club that started in January, and look at us now! With the help of some adults, we now even have a Youth Summit at MIT! It’s awesome!

Vivian N., 8th Grade, BLS

When I joined Youth CAN, or rather, when we started Youth CAN, I never imagined how we would expand so quickly and get so far in three months. Now it’s an important part of my life. I do it because saving the planet is a big deal to me. Not only that, but the club itself is a lot of fun. I’ve enjoyed working on the Recycling Committee. We’ve made countless posters, but we’ve also done bigger things, and have made a bigger presence. We have talked to the mayor, and Deval Patrick. One of us, Marie, wrote a letter to Leonardo DiCaprio. We’ve been in the Herald, the Globe, and even on the news. If we keep expanding at the rate we’re going, I’ll be able to say on my college resume that I was there when it all started. I was at the beginning of something big. We’re hoping to get other schools to start clubs. We’re joining together to save the world, but we’re also meeting cool people, getting publicity, going to cool places like Fenway Park to get a picture for the newspaper, and with a (hopefully) successful Youth Summit with important speakers, we will be big. That’s why I do it.

Tiffany F., 8th Grade, BLS

I am a part of the BLS Youth Can, because after watching Al Gore’s “Inconvenient Truth,” I’ve realized that global warming is a horrible situation that needs to be ended…NOW. We go to school for a brighter future, but without an Earth, there is no future. I hope that by participating in this group I can help in helping the future of my children and their children. I’ve helped out the group by making posters and promoting our Youth Summit. What’s so great about our club is that there’s so much that needs to be done. Everyone can find a task that helps the club and is enjoyable to them at the same. Hopefully my contributions can help in making a better tomorrow.
Helen Z., 8th Grade, BLS

I participate in Youth CAN for many reasons. Not only does it help the environment, but also I feel proud to be a part of the group. I sold over 40 light bulbs. Energy is very important to us. By selling so many light bulbs I was able to help people become more energy efficient. Getting a prize for doing this was also pretty cool. I participated in many events as well. I went to the Wake Up the Earth celebration and worked at the Youth Can table. This helped me become a part of the festival that I used to go to for years. I really felt like I made a difference.

Warren T., 8th Grade, BLS

I do it to make a difference. As a teenager it is so hard to feel as though you’re useful, but Youth CAN gives me that feeling. Things I say aren’t tossed aside. Every time something new happens I can actually feel as though I am apart of it, feel as though I am helping. It’s nice to know someone wants to hear what you have to say. Being one of the founding members of this group makes me feel even more accomplished when anything goes well. Youth CAN helps me make a difference.

Molly S., 8th Grade, BLS

I participate in Youth CAN because it would be great to live in a world that isn’t underwater. I can make an impact by joining this group. As a teenager it’s hard for me to get a job so that donating my time for the environment seems like my only option. I can’t donate all of my parent’s money, but I can make posters for the cause. I also sold light bulbs. I hope by doing this I can help spare the world from the bad effects of global warming.

Rachel S., 8th Grade, BLS

It is hard to explain the exact reason why it is that I decided to take action in Youth CAN. Aside from the fact that I don’t want to watch Boston go underwater anytime soon, I suppose that the real reason why I do it is because I want to feel as though I am doing something. In situations like these it is easy to feel helpless and feel like there is nothing to be done. Most people say to themselves, “I am only one small person. What can I do?” The truth is that there is a lot that one little person can do. It is better to try to do as much as possible-even if it is very little-than to sit by doing nothing at all.

Adriana L., 8th Grade BLS

I originally join Youth CAN because I was really concerned about global warming. Now, I am active because of how fun and interesting it is. One of the coolest things I’ve got to do was go on the school news program and talk about what the group was doing. I got to help make a Facebook group for our club and convinced my strict saxophone teacher to buy fluorescent light bulbs. I got my father to persuade his company to make the first corporate donation to Youth CAN. I have been learning a lot about global warming and public relations as well.

Jake G., 8th Grade, BLS

Youth CAN is important to me because it shows that kids can make a difference when they believe that something is wrong with the world. One of my many tasks was to help make the starter kits that we would give to students from other schools. This kit will be used to start up similar groups. In a way, since I made the kits, I feel as if I am part of the new groups too. Hopefully this kind of awareness can continue to spread until major changes are made.

Isabel F., Grade 8, BLS

I enjoy working with Youth CAN because I am able to work with people. I was surprised to find out that my idea of making a public service announcement was well received. I originally thought that the idea was kind of juvenile but Ms. Arnold always finds ways to incorporate different ideas.

Amanda C.

If you are interested in adding your own comments about being involved in Youth CAN, use the form below, and add your own post. Please keep your post general in nature and do not include personal information that identifies you or any other student beyond first name and school. The webmaster will withhold all posts that do not contain content appropriate to this venue. Thanks for participating in Youth CAN!