Our Approach
Y-CAT used an approach to youth engagement focused on small- to medium- size engagements and the amplification of existing youth organizing. This approach centres deeper, mutually generative engagement projects. We worked with partners to pilot a series of unique engagements over 2023 and 2024.
YCAT Pilot engagement projects
Youth Dreaming and Designing Relations to Lands and Waters
An afterschool urban land education program designed for Black and Indigenous youth ages 14 to 18 to come together, talk about the climate crisis, climate justice, and their desired climate futures. Youth created a podcast episode and participated in the design of land education programs. Run by the Tkaronto Circle Lab.
Finding Purpose, Nourishment and Solidarity in the Age of Climate Crisis
A documentary screening, book launch, and discussion of Britt Way’s recently published Generation Dread: Finding Purpose in an Age of Climate Crisis. An evening of holding space for hard climate emotions and leaning into meaning, purpose, and community in the face of climate anxiety.
Youth Leadership for Social and Environmental Transformation: Food, Climate, Justice
This project brought together youth working at the intersections of food and climate justice activism to co-develop a broad engagement and action strategy toward the realization of just food futures within the city of Toronto, and beyond. Through a series of community solidarity-building activities, youth co-developed objectives and goals for a youth-led food/climate justice engagement strategy.
Exploring Rest, Recovery, and Resistance in Pedagogy
This virtual event for educators was by the youth-led Shake Up The Establishment to launch and introduce their Climate Dreaming Journal. The prompts were framed to intersectional, decolonial, and encourage civic engagement.
Defending Democracy Workshop
A workshop on defending democracy with Lakeshore Arts and Climate Emergency Unit, including a collage making art session.
Climate In Cultural Hubs
A collaboration with the Toronto chapter of the Chinese Canadian National Council (CCNCTO) to explore cultural connections through the climate justice leadership of Chinese Canadian youth. The youth team that joined this cohort designed and facilitated an intergenerational community-based climate action workshop, titled “From Sewing to Growing: Taking ClimACTION with Chinese Youth in the GTA”.
Youth Climate Action Roundtables
The Youth Climate Action Roundtables brought together alumni from the Skills For Change: Youth Climate Action Initiative (YCAI) program and City of Toronto staff to discuss how the City of Toronto can support broader youth engagement in climate action
Move, Play, and Connect on Climate
A fun event was designed in collaboration with Nolan Gibot, Indigenous Youth Research Associate with the City of Toronto’s Environment and Climate Division. The event integrated sports, games, and meaningful climate conversations with University of Toronto students.
Just and Accountable Futures: Developing a Proposed Climate Policy Accountability Approach for the City of Toronto
In collaboration with the REACH Alliance, this pilot explored how the City of Toronto can be more accountable to youth in government-led climate action, with a particular focus on Black and racialized youth living or working in Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (NIAs). The study recognizes the importance of involving youth, given their disproportionate vulnerability to climate anxiety, which can have lasting effects on their mental and physical well-being.
Toronto Schools Youth Climate Leadership Group
This pilot brought together students 13-18 to draft, design and contribute to a submission for the new Youth Climate Engagement Action Engagement Strategy that will be presented to the City of Toronto.
Climate Hub Hike
Community climate leaders took part in a hike, facilitated by Let’s Hike TO, to discuss ideas for a Climate Hub or Hubs in the Greater Toronto Area to support youth work on climate action and justice.
Pollinator Pop Up Audio Experience
A playful interactive audio experience to help kids learn about and feel empowered to help pollinators and ecosystems.
Climate Action and Democracy Workshop
A workshop and study about how to identify and challenge organized climate obstruction and become powerful climate advocates!
Recommendations Workshop
Youth across pilot projects returned for this 3-hour workshop to further develop recommendations for Toronto’s youth climate engagement strategy. Participants collectively decided what they felt was most exciting and most possible as climate engagement strategies.
Youth Climate Action in Toronto 