The government of Canada has announced that it will invest a total of $6 million toward a youth-focused climate change project, which will be led by the Discovery Centre in Halifax and other science centre partners across Canada.
The coast-to-coast project, known as GenAction, is expected to educate 200,000 young people across the country by 2024 with the goal to inspire youth about climate change and actions they can take to make their future more sustainable.
The communication manager at Discovery Centre, Leah Veinot said that the centre was known for its innovative way of thinking and it’s so exciting for it to be a part of the important mission.
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“They’re going to be our next generation of policymakers and engaged citizens who can help make a huge impact on our climate,” Veinot said. “We already are implementing workshops in some of our schools and schools can take them here in our centre.
Veinot noted that the summer program is about to kick off with our retreats and camps.
In her response, Nicole Jessop, who works as a staff scientist at Discovery Centre said that the effects of climate change on Nova Scotia’s aquatic ecosystem are concerning and the funding is crucial for educating youth.
“We really are a coastal community. We’re surrounded by the ocean and it is a part of our everyday lives and our economy, so protecting that in any way we can and spreading information on those topics is imperative,” she said.
A three-week-long province-wide educational tour on climate action is expected to take place at Nova Scotia public libraries starting in July.
Story was adapted from Global News.
