The Youth Climate Action Summit held in November inspired passion and purpose for Comox Valley Students.
The Florence Filberg Centre was filled with energy and optimism as students from Grades 8-12 gathered for the Youth Climate Action Summit on Nov. 14.
Hosted by Comox Valley Schools and co-organized with generous support from the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD), this event, themed Ignite: Feed the Fire of Passion and Change, brought together young leaders to explore actionable solutions to climate challenges while fostering a shared commitment to stewardship and reconciliation.
The summit began with welcoming opening remarks by Jessie Everson, setting the tone for a day filled with collaboration, learning, and connection. Participants engaged in workshops and activities designed to nurture their leadership potential and inspire hope. A key focus of the event was empowering youth with the agency to take actionable steps toward a more sustainable future.
鈥淭his summit was about creating a space where youth could feel supported and inspired to lead,鈥� said Serina Allison, District Environmental and Outdoor Learning teacher. 鈥淲e wanted to show them that their voices and actions matter and that change happens when we work together as a community.鈥�
The event featured a variety of interactive community booths offered by:
- Lake Park Society
- Save Our Forests - Comox Valley
- Island Health & the Foundry
- C-Vox Radio
- Rowen Helliwell - Silk Screening
- BC Transit 鈥� Comox Valley
- Comox-Strathcona Waste Management - waste diversion station
The summit also showcased an impressive lineup of presenters who shared their expertise and experiences:
- Luke Wallace, a touring artist, activist, and speaker from Vancouver / Musqueam Territory, brought his unique blend of ecology, songwriting, and singing to help ground participants in their experiences and distill a shared vision of the future.
- Maya Willard-Stepan, a climate scientist and activist originally from the Comox Valley, shared her insights on human-environment interactions and renewable energy transitions.
- Ulwiana Mehta-Malhotra, a freshman at Claremont McKenna College and founder of several environmental initiatives, inspired attendees with her passion for environmental action.
- Joanna Linger, a biology and environmental science teacher at Claremont Secondary, emphasized the importance of connecting students to the environment and their community.
The summit concluded with a call to action: to carry forward the inspiration and passion ignited during the summit into ongoing efforts to care for the natural world and create a sustainable future. Comox Valley Schools extends its heartfelt thanks to all participants, facilitators, and supporters who helped make this day possible.
