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roots & shoots

The YLC Blog:

Smells Like Progress

April 11, 2012

By Kelsey Dennison

It was five o’clock on a Tuesday and I was elbow deep in trash. Literally. The contents of every garbage bin in my school were strewn across a tarp in the parking lot. Half-eaten Styrofoam bowls of ravioli, paper towels soaked in yogurt, entire binders full of paper. We were almost finished sorting, first by location, then by composition. By conducting these waste audits, we were getting the data we needed to not only chart our next moves, but to prove we could change things. To everyone else, it smelled like rotting food.  To me, it smelled like progress.

This was the start of my school Roots & Shoots

group’s project to create a tangible change in a local problem that meant something to us.  When it comes to environmentalists, I’m more the “garbage-sorting” variety; my focus is on the human aspect. I look at the problems people are creating, and I try to create solutions. I deal directly with what I consider to be environmental empathy. When we think of empathy, we almost always relate it to people. But what about empathy in a broader sense, what about empathy for the environment? In some ways, caring for our earth is the greatest form of empathy because it affects everyone and everything.  Caring isn’t just about emotions though; it’s about taking real action to make a difference.

It’s easy to talk about the issues, to debate the right answer, to discuss what could be done. It’s another thing entirely to make something happen. I never thought I would be the first one wanting to immerse myself in a pile of garbage; but when our first waste audit proved that organic material overwhelmingly dominated my school’s garbage output, I knew it was time to get dirty. Through composting, not only could we cut down our contribution to the landfill by double digit percentages, we could stop that material from releasing methane into the atmosphere. I had two choices: step back and accept the findings, or step forward and endeavour to change them. The earth may have no voice, but I knew in that moment it was screaming at me to do something.

Two years, a restored recycling system, over 1000kg of compost, and plenty of waste audits later, we’ve cut our school’s waste in half. This change is as real as it gets – we were even able to stop using one of our three dumpsters.  The fertile soil we create nourishes the food growing in our new school veggie patch. We have proven that if a group of people, no matter what size, dream big and take the initiative to turn that dream into reality, then a community will embrace it.

A teacher once asked me how I retain such hope when the environment is shrouded in so much “doom and gloom”. My answer? Because I know there are people willing to extend their empathy beyond their own species, willing to not only seek understanding of the earth’s problems, but to apply that understanding to solving them. It’s happening right here, right now. One person may not be able to affect the entirety of a complex global dilemma, but one person can certainly change their own circumstances, and make a statement that change is within our reach.  I’ve learned that trying to make a difference, no matter how small it might seem, is never, never futile.  If every person had the empathy to impact the problems around them, maybe the whole world could change. This empathy is what inspires me.

Global Youth Biodiversity Organization

February 8, 2012

By Shailyn Drukis

In October of 2010, fellow YLC member Brooke, myself, and Jemima (an active youth from the Jane Goodall Institute of Uganda), travelled to Nagoya Japan for the COP10 meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Representing JGI Canada, as well as global youth, we worked together with young individuals from around the world to bring a strong youth presence to the various negotiation meetings and side events. During the final days of COP10, the CBD Secretariat signed a letter outlining his support for the creation of a youth focal at COP11 in India later this year. This youth focal will allow us to have an allotted time spot during the negotiation meetings for our feedback on the documents and protocol discussions.

Shortly after we left Japan, it was decided that there was now an increased need for a platform

where youth from around the world can collaborate and learn from each other about biodiversity and how to take an active role,  this platform would also act as a space where international youth opinion for the CBD’s can be shaped. From this, the Global Youth Biodiversity Organization (GYBO) was formed.

It has been an exciting process for GYBO, as our website is in preparation of being launched later this month, and our team has split into various sub-committees to make more efficient use to our time and skills. I will be working on the outreach committee, building support from active organizations and individuals around the world, engaging them in the CBD process, and increasing our presence at COP11.

Over the coming months, GYBO will be working towards creating a COP11 youth mailing list, securing a youth meeting room at the conference, organizing side events during the convention, creating resources for youth, securing funding, and conducting research for our statements, position papers and press conferences.

It is has been an exciting process to be a part of, and I look forward to seeing it progress. Dr. Jane Goodall’s message of hope - her belief in the power of an individual to make a positive difference in the world has inspired me to take this active role in GYBO. Bringing a youth voice to the United Nations CBD is my way of helping to create a healthy future for biodiversity and hopefully along the way I will help to inspire other youth to take an active role as well.

New Year's Resolutions

January 11, 2011

By Breanne O'Grady

January brings the beginning of a new year, and with it, the promise of future goals and resolutions. While many people choose goals like losing weight or reading more, one of the most important things to remember is to focus on what you want to accomplish within the year. My main goal for this year is to live a more sustainable lifestyle and to encourage my friends and family to do the same.

As a Roots & Shoots member, it is important to realize the contribution that awareness has in your community. The more that people know, the more they understand the impacts and consequences of their actions and are able to make better decisions. This is why I have chosen to read more journal articles and blogs, which I believe will help me to fully understand what sustainable living is and the means by which I can achieve it.

The next step in reaching your New Year’s goal is to create mini-resolutions, or stepping stones that will lead you down the right path to achieving your goal. I have recognized that a key part to sustainable living starts with my own home. Therefore, this year I vowed to reduce my waste by reusing bags and containers, especially by bringing them to the market to carry fresh local fruits and vegetables. In the springtime, I am going to start my own garden to grow herbs and vegetables using compost I collect in my house. I will reduce the amount of wasted “ghost” power (the electricity consumed by electronics while plugged in but not in use) in my house by unplugging electronics when not in use and using bees wax candles at night when I only need a little bit of light.

I believe that it is much easier to achieve your New Year’s resolution when it is broken down into smaller goals. I hope that all Roots & Shoots members can take their New Year’s resolutions and use them to create a positive impact in their community and the environment.

My Community. My Home.

December 5, 2011

By Chelsea Raymond

With today’s advanced technology and transportation methods, distance is continuously being distorted, making travelling an international phenomenon accessible to almost everyone. There are three main reasons for why people travel: work, leisure and change. Those who travel for change do so to help those who are in need in other parts of the world by lending a helping hand.

Unfortunately, for many of us, travelling at any time of the year is not realistic. Perhaps because our lives are too busy, it is not affordable or we just ca not seem to plan it properly. However, as much as a tropical vacation or a voluntary exchange in a foreign country may seem tempting, it is not completely necessary. You do not need to go to a different country to make a change or to feel fulfilled. You can get involved right in your local community; you just need to take some time to

research what you really enjoy.

Personally, I have only been on a plane once to Disney World when I was younger and although I aspire to travel someday, I realize that it is not necessary to rush into things. I have been looking around my local community to volunteer my time to make a difference. I have encountered food banks, mentoring programs, tutoring, helping the elderly, planting trees or helping with a community event. Most of these programs need the time and support of volunteers. Volunteering locally is affordable, and seeing change in your community, where you directly benefit, can be even more fulfilling. Many people seem to prefer volunteering abroad, perhaps because it is an excuse to travel to a favourite country, or to help those in need. However, some who travel also seem naive of the issues that are prevalent in their own communities and may think that only the developing countries are encountering problems. Although this may be the case most of the time, many of the same issues encountered abroad, can be found in your local community.

It is not a bad thing to volunteer abroad, but we should not only look at other countries crises. You can continue to save your pennies to travel abroad, but while you are waiting you might as well affect some change in your local community. After all, change in your hometown will affect the world.

Be sure to check out Jane Goodall’s Six Degrees to Gombe for more information on how acting locally will be helping globally.

Keystone Moments

November 23, 2011

By Bella Zimbalatti

The last couple of weeks have seen many keystone moments.  To start off, this past weekend I experienced a personal, keystone revelation: representing Israel at the Secondary School’s United Nations Symposium (SSUNS) in Montreal, I realized how interconnected the world is politically, economically, socially, and environmentally.  That is to say, our actions here in North America impact the happenings of nations on the other side of the Pacific Ocean. Likewise, there are uncanny similarities in the challenges nations around the globe face – the balance between short-term economic growth and long-term sustainability, human rights, political stability, true democracy, and security within and beyond borders. 

This brings me to another “keystone” occurring on a much greater scale:  Barack Obama’s recent delay in releasing the U.S. Department of State’s ruling on the Keystone XL pipeline. This is a massive project to streamline up to 830,000 barrels of crude oil from extraction projects in northern Alberta, to refineries in Oklahoma and the Gulf Coast in Texas.

The original pipeline route went through several sensitive ecosystems which would have become much more susceptible to oil spills, such as the Sandhills and the Ogallala aquifer, which supplies water to two million people in eight states.  Re-routing to avoid these areas is underway, as is a study by the state of Nebraska into the environmental impacts of the $7-13 billion dollar project.  There are undoubtedly positive environmental effects of this “crisis averted”, but is the fragility of the terrain through which the pipeline passes the heart of this environmental debate, or are there underlying issues involved?

The more difficult, but more central question is around our dependency on crude oil extracted through the tar sands operation. Alberta has the third largest proven reserve of crude oil in the world.  The tar sands’ negative impacts are felt not only by animals and the environment, but people as well.  The Lubicon Cree First Nation’s people of northern Alberta continue a decades-long struggle over unresolved land claims in areas where intensive oil development continues to take place with government support. On April 29, 2011, a pipeline leaked 28,000 barrels of crude oil onto wetlands in Lubicon territory.  Despite consistent reports of higher rates of infectious diseases (tuberculosis), disproportionate miscarriage, still-birth, and high youth suicide rates—all symptoms of poverty, environmental deterioration, and destruction of cultural identity—the Alberta government has leased approximately 70% of Lubicon traditional territory for future resource extraction. 

The battle to put people, animals and the environment before resource development is not unique to Canada.  In the Niger Delta, a region home to a population of our beloved chimpanzee relatives, people are standing up against the oil company, Shell.  Shell’s oil extraction methods have led to pollution in the form of oil spills, waste dumping and gas flaring, damaging the air, water and soil. 

These similarities reinforced what I learned at SSUNS: many parallels exist between environmental issues in different nations; likewise, we have the opportunity to support fellow people in their stand to demand human rights through empathy and action.  By banding together, we can make this another keystone moment in environmental and human rights advocacy.  Please support the human rights stands of the Lubicon Cree, and the people, animals, and environment of the Niger Delta.You can make a difference for people, animals and the environment through your support of JGI's community-centered conservation in Africa.

Tackling Bushmeat on a Local Scale

October 13, 2011

By Katie O'Connell

As many of you know Dr. Peter Apell of JGI Uganda was here in Toronto recently.  I was lucky enough to get to attend a lecture given by him about the bushmeat crisis in Africa and how there is a story of hope that is intertwined with its gruesome past (and present). Bushmeat is described as any “meat” taken from the wild. In particular, when we discuss "the bushmeat crisis" we are referring to the flesh of endangered animals such as chimpanzees, and other great apes. During his lecture, Dr. Apell emphasized that just because we live in a big city, in a so-called developed country, doesn’t mean we are totally disconnected from the bushmeat crisis. We are very connected. We have access to the meat of endangered animals. You just have to know where to go.  

Dr. Peter Apell speaking at the Bushmeat Crisis in Focus: Photography Exhibition, Sept 2011

Recently there has been a lot of discussion and political chatter about the banning of shark fin soup in Toronto.  The ban will make it illegal for vendors to sell shark cartilage (or fin) and any derivatives (things made of shark cartilage). The municipal government is saying that a Toronto ban would not be effective, and that the ban should be implemented at a national level. This is because it would be hard to regulate a product that could be easily bought outside the city and then brought in. In other words, banning shark fin products at a national scale would make it easier to enforce.  

However, banning shark fin in Toronto would be a positive step in the right direction, especially since we are the biggest and most culturally diverse city in Canada. It would also help support the bans in surrounding cities (Oakville and Mississauga).

Please sign a petition in support of the Toronto Shark Fin Ban.

Why is this important? Between 75-100 million sharks are killed every year just for their fins. The rest of the shark is thrown back into the ocean as waste, the shark never survives this ordeal, as they require the use of their fins to swim, and they need to swim in order to keep breathing.  The cartilage in their fins is used to make many food and commercial products, but is most commonly known for its use in shark fin soup. The soup is a delicacy in many Asian countries, and is served at weddings to prove the wealth of a family.  The fin itself is said to have no flavour, it only adds texture to the soup. Sharks are an apex predator and control the populations of every species that lives beneath them on the food chain. Removing such an animal from the ecosystem entirely would not only result in catastrophic consequences for our food supply, but also for our climatic stability.

This shows that we can address the bushmeat crisis on a local level. We are tackling the very same issues that people in Uganda and those who live in the Congo Basin are facing: the loss of a keystone species. Both chimpanzees and sharks are integral parts of the ecosystem in which they reside. Their extinction would greatly affect the other animals, the environment, as well as the people that live in and around their home ranges. Changes would occur in food supply (for animals and humans), there would be population increases in animals that live below them on the food chain, and a change in the cultural behaviour of the people who live in close proximity to sharks and chimpanzees, just to name a few. Educating the public on these issues is of vital importance on our journey to the solution, and the story of hope that Dr. Apell teaches about.  

Please lend your support to JGI’s efforts to stop the bushmeat crisis in Africa.

Learn how you can become a Chimp Guardian today.

Launching the 2011-12 YLC Term: The Toronto Retreat

September 8, 2011

By Lauren Shanahan

Being named to the Jane Goodall Institute Youth Leadership Council was, by far, the highlight of my year.  Once the application and selection process was through, I wrote to JGI to officially accept and commit to my responsibilities as a council member, starting immediately!  For me, this agreement was not taken lightly.  For me, joining the council meant changing my life.

Every year, members of the YLC attend a mandatory Retreat.  The purpose of the Retreat is to become well-versed in the programs and missions of the Jane Goodall Institute, develop skills, begin planning a YLC National Campaign and form friendships with JGI staff and fellow council members.  For the 2011-2012 YLC term, the Retreat was scheduled for mid-August, exactly bisecting the month that I typically spend training in New Zealand.  Committing to the council, and thus attending the Retreat, meant foregoing this valuable time on-snow.  I chose change; I chose the council.  Best decision EVER!

 

Just packing for the Retreat was thrilling!  This was the first trip that I had taken without my 70 lb snowboard bag since 2007, I had never been to Toronto, and I had never been on a council before.  Prior to the trip, I had read the biographies of the YLC members and to say that I was impressed is hardly sufficient.

The first day of the Retreat was primarily dedicated to logistics and introductions.  We congregated, socialized and trekked across the University of Toronto campus to check into our dorms at Victoria University.  Let me just say, the UToronto campus is gorgeous.  Seriously, the student centre is a castle, lecture halls have stained glass windows and every building is covered with lush, winding vines.  I was awestruck, and this was just the beginning; just the aesthetics. 

Our work began when Sara and Abner walked us through our action-packed itinerary and introduced new council members to the story of Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots. 

Roots & Shoots began when a small group of high school students in Tanzania approached Dr. Goodall to voice their concerns about deforestation and the future of local wildlife (chimpanzees).  These students had a desire to create positive change and Dr. Goodall empowered the teens to take action by acting as a mentor while they planned and executed their own projects.

This year, the YLC is focusing on outreach.  Just as Dr. Goodall mentored the very first Roots & Shoots group, we will be sharing knowledge, fostering compassion and facilitating action across Canada.  At the Retreat, as cleverly designed by Sara, Abner and Alec, we experienced this Roots & Shoots model firsthand.

We capped the evening by listening to the “Chimpanzee Presentation” given by Alec and began the next day by diving right into skills workshops where we learned leadership, teamwork, project planning, and public speaking.  Between workshops we participated in experiential learning activities that allowed us to put our new skills to work.  During these activities, we really began to form friendships and get to know the unique strengths and personalities of the YLC members.  It was, and is, remarkable to me what a wide range of experience and ability we have as a collective.  When we began planning our National YLC Campaign, it also became clear how much energy, passion and enthusiasm we have.  Before long, the day had run out on us and it was time for our evening adventure! 

Dr. Brad Bass took us on a tour of the urban river systems of the UToronto campus, focusing on the history of Taddle Creek.  We learned how to find underground rivers and how simple bio-filtration systems are used to prevent groundwater pollution.  Underground rivers play a significant roll in the management of storm runoff and environmental contaminants.  As Dr. Bass explained, without urban rivers, cities would either drown or choke.  We continued on to explore the city.  We walked from campus down to the waterfront of Lake Ontario and back.  Toronto is a boisterous, stylish, swinging city by any standard.  When we returned to our dorms after midnight, we were all exhausted.  Though I can’t speak for my fellow council members, I swear my feet were bricks by the end of the night.  The tour was spectacular and any discomfort was well worth it.

Our final day began with an early breakfast and the final walk from Victoria University to the UToronto Earth Sciences building.  Throughout the weekend, each council member gave a short presentation on one of the JGI programs.  We finished up our presentations, blasted through our final workshops and produced our project plan for the YLC National Campaign: The Pollen Nation.

The weekend was all ready over.  At one of our activities, we wrote the YLC contract for the 2011-2012 term.  We began by assessing the challenges that the council will potentially face and then used this list as a basis for the terms of the contract.  The two most prominent concerns were commitment and scheduling.

When I heard Dr. Goodall speak last October, she told the (abbreviated) story of her life.  Her life is inspiring, certainly, but what truly amazed me was that as she was telling her story, she was actually talking about us:  People, animals and the environment. 

I will recall this moment and the collective force of our group whenever we face challenges.  I have high hopes for our council.  We are Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots. 

Change is in me.  Change is in you.  Change is in us.  Together we are making the world a better place.

Check out more photos from the Retreat on Facebook!

My Adventures Down Under and Under the Sea in Fiji

August 11, 2011

By Shailyn Drukis

This May, I began my journey to the Southern hemisphere - first stop- Australia! Using Perth, in Western Australia as a home base, I ventured out each day exploring various national parks and wildlife reserves to learn more about the local environment and the diversity of species that call it home. During my stay, I met up with members from local Roots & Shoots groups for a day out at Perth Zoo. We gathered in the morning to share our personal experiences with Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots program and exchanged ideas from our respective countries. The youth with whom I met came prepared with a number of questions

regarding the Canadian Youth Leadership Council- how it works and what is involved with membership. This meeting was a great way of making global connections between Canada and Australia, creating an environment in which to learn from each other and create lasting friendships. In the afternoon, we were let loose in the zoo where I had my first encounter with a Kangaroo. We explored the various areas in the zoo together, paying particular attention to the orangutans that this group holds dear to their hearts. Their group has actually made a long term commitment towards an orangutan sanctuary in Borneo.

Second stop - Fiji. After departing Australia, I ventured to Burarua, a rural village in Viti Levu, Fiji. I was living with a host family in this village, learning the local traditions, language, eating the local food, and drinking the rain water. During the days, I gathered with my fellow volunteers to begin our work on their local

      Shailyn and Australian Roots & Shoots members at Perth Zoo

school. Youth from six surrounding villages attend this school during the week, which ranges from Kindergarten (which my host 'mum' teaches) up to grade eight. During our stay, we completed the painting of eight classrooms. I spent a lot of my time helping fix up their library and I put a lot of my effort towards the construction of a rain water catchment system. The days were long, and extremely hot - on average 38 degrees Celsius, but seeing the excitement on the children’s faces, and hearing comments from the teachers about the increased energy the kids felt towards learning in the fresh rooms made the long days well worth it. To me however, the work we did is nowhere near completed. After working in the library and seeing the state of their schoolbooks - ripped, outdated and dirty from over 40 years of use - I plan to raise money to buy new books to send over, particularly storybooks for the young children.

   Shailyn and some young friends from Viti Levu

Staying in the village was an eye-opening experience for me. These villagers, although living with very little, had a strong grasp of the true riches often hidden to us - community and family. They understood the importance of living sustainably on their land. Even being one of their first visitors, I truly believe that I learnt more from them than they learnt from me. I will miss their friendly ‘Bula’ welcomes and their warm smiles and hope that one day I can make it back.

After our time in the village we explored the Yasawas Islands for a few days, snorkeling in the diverse coral reefs and learning about the local birds and ‘moco’- Fijian for lizard. Having experienced life in a rural village, I found the resort lifestyle rather bothersome. Meeting tourists claiming that they wish they could live in Fiji forever just enforces how resorts often mask the poverty that exists within a country.

Ali's How-To Guide for a Productive Summer

July 14, 2011

By Ali Damji

Congratulations on successfully completing another school year! Some of us may be elementary, high school or even university students, but summer means one thing to all of us: lots of time. During the summer, it’s pretty easy to put things off, so here are some tips for staying active and involved during these summer months so that when you return to school, you’ll be ready to change the world, and have a ton of stories to tell!

Set some goals! It’s as easy as making a little to-do list on your computer. Include everything you think you’d like to accomplish over the summer and don’t forget to throw in some fun ones as well!

Stay informed. It’s all too easy to place ourselves in a bubble when we’re in school, and if that was the case then now is the time to get reconnected with the real world! Read your local news, magazines, and international newspapers, watch some documentaries that interest you, and read all those books that were trapped under that mountain of homework!

Stay connected. Make time to see your friends over the summer, connect with relatives, and also your Roots & Shoots group members!

Travel. Use your summer as a chance to explore new places, even if it’s still relatively close to home! Now’s your chance!

Try something new. Whether it’s soccer or acrobatics, skydiving or Spanish, or developing some culinary skills, now’s your chance to explore! Take a class at your local community centre that you’ve always been interested in but never got around to doing.

Find a cause. One of the great things about activism is that you can make anything your passion! Find a cause that you really care about, and discover everything you can about it. Feel free to take it even further and design your own summer initiative! And believe me you’ll be sure to surprise everyone at the dinner table with all your expertise!

Lend a hand. Help out at a local animal shelter, volunteer at a hospital or a nursing home, or help clean up a local park, it’s up to you! Summer is as great a time as any for stewardship and without having to worry about your schoolwork, you can really commit to helping others, which is a really rewarding experience!

Don’t put it off! Believe me, it’s super easy to fall into the “I’ll do it tomorrow” routine and next thing you know it’s time to pack your bags for the first day of classes! What I like to do is make it a personal mission to get a task done a day (and don’t forget that many of these tasks are the fun ones!).

I hope this guide helps you have a great summer! As always, feel free to contact your YLC and let us know how you’re doing and what you’re up to! We’re happy to help!

All of us here at the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada wish you a safe, fun, and (now) productive summer!

All the best!

Ali Damji

Olivia's Incredible Adventures in Uganda

April 14, 2011

By Olivia Bonham-Carter

On March 10, six students and two teachers from Trinity College School in Port Hope, Ontario packed up their bags and were given the chance of a lifetime to travel across the world to the beautiful and lively country of Uganda. Though we all knew very little about the foreign country we were entering, we kept an open mind and ended learning far more then we could have ever hoped.

We stayed the first week at the Ugandan Wildlife Education Centre with seven other Roots & Shoots Ugandan High School students and their teacher, who like us, had a huge desire to make a difference for the environment and wanted to learn as much as they could.

Through this amazing opportunity we were able to talk to them about their culture, religion, school, families, sports, music and everything else under the sun.

They were so open to talking to us and so accepting, that we all got to know each other very quickly. While with them we volunteered at four local primary schools where we planted a hedge, took part in a garbage clean up, planted trees and learned how to make corkboards out of recycled paper (so cool!). The children at these schools were also incredible to talk to as they wanted to tell you just about everything and had dreams as high as the sky.

However the trip wasn’t all lets-plant-tress-and-have-some fun! We were given the opportunity to have some serious conversations about problems that Uganda is facing with both the Ugandan students, the JGI employees and near the end of or trip with a group of students who live in a rural area of western Uganda, where JGI Canada and JGI Uganda are working on a Sustainable Livelihoods Project. In particular, we spoke about Uganda’s environmental problems, such as water sanitation, poaching,  deforestation, litter and pollution. We were able to absorb so much from all of the individuals we talked to and we were all faced with ideas we had not thought of before.

Our trip would not have been complete without seeing some of the beautiful wildlife Uganda had to offer, especially the chimpanzees! While at the beginning of our trip we started by going to the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary,

seeing them there at feeding time, we ended it on safari by going Chimp Tracking and seeing them behave in the wild! We also saw giraffes, warthogs, elephants, waterbuck, a variety of monkeys, zebras, buffalo, and finally crocodiles and hippos on our short journey up the Nile River. The list could go on, but then it would get a bit ridiculous.

Our trip seemed to last much longer than it did in reality and it was odd going home where everything was clearly so different. No doubt it will be a trip all of us will remember and if there is anything that it has given us, it is the knowledge that throughout the world there are people trying to make it a better place. Thank you so much to all the individuals who helped to facilitate our trip.  Especially to the JGIs in Canada and Uganda. Without your help this incredible journey never would have been possible. 

Happy Birthday Dr. Jane! Pant Hoots!  - The YLC

April 11, 2011

By Katie O'Connell

On Friday April 1st, many Roots & Shoots groups and the YLC spent the day at the “6 Degrees to Gombe: Celebrating our Champions” Event!  It started with a cool tour from Professor Brad Bass to one of Toronto’s forgotten urban rivers-Taddle Creek called "Lost Rivers Tour".  Groups set up booths in the Earth Sciences building at U of T’s downtown campus displaying their various 6 Degrees to Gombe projects.  They ranged  from eliminating bottled water in their school, going to Costa Rica to do international volunteer work for people and animals, and raising money to adopt orphaned chimpanzees.  Members of the

YLC gave a presentation on what they have been up to over the past few years, and how being on the YLC and being involved with Roots & Shoots has positively affected their lives (even some of the JGI Staff were jealous of the YLC's journeys).

Jane Goodall ended the exciting day by talking to the youth about her life working with chimpanzees, and parts of her amazing story of finally getting to work with these majestic beings.  As always, the group left inspired to “get out there and create more positive change.”

On April 3rd, volunteers were honoured to get to spend Jane Goodall’s birthday with her at the annual volunteer dinner at the Delta Chelsea Hotel.  Jane and guests mingled, and speeches were given detailing the volunteers various connections to JGI (office staff, board members, office volunteers, YLC, and teachers who have been to Africa).  The YLC then sang Jane their own version of “Somewhere over the Rainbow,” with the lyrics changed to reflect her own life with the chimps!! It concluded with a pant hoot (Jane joined in too)!  Overall, a great time was had by all!      

Happy Birthday and Thank You Dr. Jane!

Pant hoots!

- The YLC

Our Forests and How We Use Them: A Recipe for Conscious Consumers to Take Two Steps Forward  

February 2, 2010

By Izzy Hirji

Sure I’ve been on trips and would love to write about

them, but I think there are certain things that are more important to the goals of the Planet Releaf campaign,

and I want to help you do something about them!

The first of these is palm oil and all of its infinite derivatives. Palm oil has been called the number one cause of orangutan population decline by numerous conservation authorities, and it’s not only our close relatives the orangutans. All the species that interact with them, and the entire forests, are destroyed to pave way for plantations the size of large cities. A roundtable on sustainable palm oil (RSPO) has been set up to green the extraction of palm oil but unfortunately these efforts cannot yet be trusted by the public, due to the many negative effects of palm oil production and the corruption rampant in the industry, as documented here.

Palm oil is ubiquitous, and its derivatives find their way into so many products we use every day. Its use in biodiesel is making it a green-washing tool for companies that want to seem environmentally friendly. Clearly something needs to be done before the Southeast Asian rainforests are decimated, along with our critically endangered and close living relative the orangutan.

Another natural resource being extracted is coltan, a mineral being mined primarily in the D.R. Congo, Brazil

and Australia – however it is very difficult to source and many countries producing it may actually obtain it

from the D.R. Congo. The mining of this mineral has been implicated in fuelling the civil war in the Congo, with many severe repercussions. Why is this important? Coltan is mined to extract tantalum, which is used in capacitors in almost every electronic product from laptops to video game consoles and cell phones. Because of the high cell phone turnover rate, these communication devices have been the target of many anti-coltan campaigns. The miners must destroy immense sections of rainforest in order to complete their jobs, and not only does this wipe out species, but they are also hunting bushmeat due to being in very rural areas, decimating gorilla and other endangered species populations. The profits from the coltan industry are

financing military regimes, as well as providing the perfect setting for logging companies and bushmeat hunters to reap profits from their activities. Not to mention the incredible amount of suffering caused at the hands of rebel forces.

I have been to Indonesia and witnessed firsthand the sprawling palm oil plantations, and almost mistook them for forests upon first glance. They are so large you can see their demarcations from the sky, and can drive for kilometers without escaping them. I have also been to Cameroon, and actively engaged in taking care of orphans and adult gorillas, chimpanzees and other monkeys who had been victims of the bushmeat trade but were lucky enough to be rescued and provided sanctuary. So, what can YOU do? Avoid palm oil, write to companies like Unilever and Proctor & Gamble and tell them you do not support their use of Southeast Asian palm oil and want to see solid proof of sustainable sourcing. Don’t buy into their green-washing, investigate for yourself. Palm oil plantations outside Southeast Asia may not be sustainable either, so we always have to do our research. It’s easy to live without – I’ve been palm oil free for 4 years!

Finally, write to major electronics and cell phones companies and ask them what their policies are, write to

your political officials and ask them to do something about these issues. Demand of them recycled

(preferable) or ethically sourced tantalum (hard to call mining ethical), as neither of these is on the market as of yet. When switching cell phones, try to buy used rather than new – it’s the easiest way to avoid this problem. Support companies like Eco-Cell and their cell phone recycling programs. The most important thing is DISCUSSING these issues not just with peers but with the industries that are involved in these trades – many cell phone company employees aren’t even aware of this issue. After all, consumers hold the most power with our money and that power allows us to change the world. Let’s help our ape cousins and the forests they live in!

For more information visit:

http://redapes.org/no-palm-oil

http://wwf.ca/conservation/species/borneo.cfm

http://www.cellular-news.com/coltan/

http://www.friendsofthecongo.org/resource-center/coltan.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OWj1ZGn4uM

Becoming a Global Citizen: My Time in the Mata Atlantica

January 6, 2010

By Katie O'Connell

For the past year, the YLC and Roots & Shoots groups have been working hard on awareness projects centred on forests through this year’s annual campaign: Planet Releaf.  For nine weeks, starting on the first of October, I set out on my own personal forest project.  I travelled to just outside of Rio de Janerio, Brazil to help with an ongoing reforestation project with REGUA (Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu) in the Atlantic Rainforest or Mata Atlantica.  Nicholas and Raquel Locke have been running the reserve for almost ten years now, on land that was once the Locke’s family farm, and surrounding land that has been purchased.  We (Isabella, Robyn, Will, Holly and I) worked with their son, Tom, and the rangers they employ everyday during our volunteer experience.

Everyday we worked from 8am-4pm performing many different tasks,

such as raking, sorting, recycling, patrolling with the rangers, or teaching English, but we spent most of our work days working in the tree nursery, or doing other reforestation activities.  We were lucky enough to participatein almost every stage of the reforestation process.  We collected seeds which entailed hiking (and sometimes driving) to a tree with ripe seeds and collecting seeds that had fallen.  Sometimes

Maurico, (the man in charge of the nursery) would climb up the tree to

shake more seeds down).  Next we would sort and plant the seeds in planters.  We also spent a lot of time filling small plastic bags with soil so that we could plant the seedlings and move them into the bigger part of the nursery that was located outside.  Once the seedlings were big enough they would be planted in one of the many areas that were allocated by project managers for reforestation.  The last three weeks or so that we were at REGUA, we spent actually planting more the 6000 young trees on old pasture land.  This reforestation effort is responsible for much of the wildlife that has moved back into the area.  When the wetlands were restored the caiman returned, and once enough interior habitat was restored the wooly spider monkey also returned. We were lucky enough to see the caiman, as well as marmosets, three-toed sloths, lots of frogs and toads, and many species of bird including the Red Billed Curassow (which was once extinct in the area).    

Protecting the Atlantic rain forest is important because it is the second most threatened rain forest in the world,

with only 7% original forest left.  Being a part of its restoration was a life changing experience!  Becoming a global citizen was also a part of the experience. Learning and experiencing environmentalism in a different

country is truly an amazing experience. To me travelling and ‘doing good’ while you’re doing it is part of being a global citizen.  It is hard to understand large scale deforestation without seeing it first-hand.  It makes you appreciate what we have left, what we can do to preserve it and how we can help restore the rest.      

Thank you everyone who made this adventure so amazing!  

 Check out REGUA here: http://www.regua.co.uk/

 

Learn more about Forests of the World

COP 10

November 30, 2010

By Brooke Atkinson

On behalf of Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots, Shailyn and I had the honour of attending the tenth Conference of the Parties (COP10) Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).  We had very busy schedules, during our week in Nagoya, Japan: we attended working groups where UN decisions were discussed, we learnt about the work organizations are doing to protect biodiversity at side events, and we met with youth from around the world.

With the other youth delegates from around the world, we were there to make our voices heard. We worked very hard to ensure that the stake youth have in biodiversity was recognized. We told everyone we met why we were there, we wrote a youth statement, and we got our statement read in front of the UN at a plenary session.  All of the hard work paid off, because we finally got the President of the CBD’s attention, and it was decided that youth will be a focal point in future COPs.  This was an amazing accomplishment by all of the world’s youth who attended the conference, one that both Shailyn and I are proud to have been a part of.

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It was also wonderful to interact with youth from Japan and around the globe, who are just as concerned

about the loss of biodiversity as we are.  Everywhere we went we were making new friends.   We had the

chance to spend time with Apophia, a Roots & Shoots member from Uganda; actually meeting a member of

our Global Network from the other side of the world was great!  We weren’t there to just make friends

though, in the picture (left) Shailyn, Apophia, and I took part in a youth rally for zero percent loss of

biodiversity by 2020. We created an image of “0 % loss of biodiversity” with signs and by joining hands in

a circle to form the zero - a picture of all of us appeared in the Japan Times the next day!

Our experience cannot really be explained to you in full, that is why we both hope to see more of Jane

Goodall’s Roots & Shoots youth present at future COPs. You could be making change and talking to

world leaders about important issues that affect us now and in the future.  What we gained from this

trip will stay with us forever.  This trip was a learning experience for both of us and will be one that

Shailyn and I will remember forever. We cannot thank the Jane Goodall Institute enough for letting us

represent them. We were so proud to represent JGI and are both excited to share our experience with

everyone.

Up Close with the Polar Bears

November 3, 2010

By Olivia Bonham-Carter

For the majority of people it is probably hard to remember a time when they haven’t known what a polar bear is. It is one of those animals that everyone grows up learning about. However, in comparison, the number of people who actually get to see them in their natural habitat is probably very small. Three weeks ago I was given the chance, through Polar Bears International, to go see polar bears in their natural environment, and it was truly an experience of a lifetime.

Along with eighteen teen leaders from around the world, and a number of fantastic facilitators, I spent a week with the people and bears of Churchill, Manitoba. This amazing experience included learning about a new culture, learning about climate change, meeting new people and seeing many polar bears. Our time was divided up evenly between spending time in the town of Churchill (pop. 900) and spending time in the Tundra Buggies. While in town, we were able to visit local museums, go to the polar bear ‘jail’ and visit with two members of the community who have built their lives on being trappers.

 

The true inspiration of the trip, and the main reason for our travels to Churchill, was of course the polar

bears. By the end of the trip, we had lost count of the number of bears we saw.  Not only did we have

the chance to see polar bears up close individually, we were also able to see them interact with each

other and spar.

 

For me the real impact of this experience hit home on the final day. That morning as we were cleaning up, and getting ready to leave the tundra behind us, two of us found ourselves separated from everyone else, except for one polar bear right outside the window. As I quietly put the window down the polar bear moved closer until its head was under the buggy. The bear paused, stood up and was literally just over an arm’s length away from me. I was given the chance to really look into the bears eyes and began to understand the importance of the role I’d been given in helping protect these majestic animals.

Through this trip with Polar Bears International, I have gained knowledge and understanding of polar bears that you simply can’t learn in a text book. Connections I made on this trip, with both people and the bears, will live with me for the rest of my life. Now, all I have to do is think about the polar bears and I have all the inspiration I will ever need to keep going and do my part to make the world a better place.    
 

Update from Japan - Convention on Biological Diversity COP10

October 21, 2010

By Shailyn Drukis

Brooke and I have been kept very busy while here in Nagoya, Japan. We are currently attending the Convention on Biological Diversity, Tenth Conference of the Parties (COP10) to present the Youth Accord on Biodiversity, as well as encourage a youth focal point for future COP meetings. We have been spending our days attending various working group negotiation periods, side events, and global youth meetings.

Between meetings, there are many side events put on by various government ministries and organizations, covering a large variety of topics. We have attended seminars such as a Soil Biodiversity seminar put on by the European Commission, Agricultural Biodiversity by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Coral Reefs, Protected Areas, as well as economics of ecosystems and Biodiversity by UNEP, amongst others.

Attending these has been very beneficial to gain a further understanding on some of the negotiations taking place by the countries' delegates.

The big topic of COP10 seems to be the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) protocol, which may be passed during this event. Yesterday we had the privilege of meeting with the Canadian delegates to discuss the current negotiations surrounding this agreement, their views, as well as encourage them to allow a greater youth input into Canada’s decisions.

The Canadian press conducted an interview with the world youth last night, documenting our views on the negotiations, and the role that we play at this convention.

The global youth are meeting every evening. Currently we are finishing up the editing process of our youth statement to be presented tomorrow during the high level segment, as well as the combined statement to be read at the final negotiation.

I have been enjoying chatting with various government ministers, and various delegates, all of who seem very excited to have youth on board.

Aside from the meetings, we have been taking the time to enjoy the beautiful culture of Nagoya, often resulting in a 5:30am morning to go sight seeing before the working group negotiations begin!

Biodiversity in the Brazilian Rainforest

October 15, 2010

By Katie O'Connell

I've been here for 2 whole weeks now! Time is flying! This week was pretty relaxed as there was a national holiday on Tuesday - Children's Day.

Last weekend we went into Rio for a few days. We went dancing, spent some time at the beach (even though it was really cold), went to a big open market, and visited the little town of St. Theresa.
 
This week we spent a lot of time in the nursery planting and weeding saplings. These young trees are used to reforest REGUA's land (an old family farm of Nicholas'- they have been reforesting for about 14 years now).  REGUA's nursery also supplies 85% of the trees used in a regional project of  Guapiacu to renaturalize river banks to provide cleaner water for the community and a healthier ecosystem. 

On Wednesday we went on a 7 hour hike up to a waterfall where we swam and ate lunch.  We took Jorge with us, so we spend a lot of time looking at moths and butterflies...which I will never complain about.  We saw big hairy red caterpillars who will eventually turn into Silk moths...we asked Jorge if they we poisonous.  He said "no, but they will burn your skin."  We didn't touch them.

A lot of you wondered what I have been eating... they feed us very well here. We eat a lot of rice and

beans, steak, chicken, and lots of fruit and vegetables.

This weekend we are going camping... and by that I mean we are going to a house in the woods... far

away. Our number one goal is to see toucans!

They are very excited with the fact that I have a degree in Urban Ecology, and want me to help them

brainstorm ideas about how they could make their recycling program better.  Most of Brazil doesn't have

a great recycling program yet.  But, REGUA is slowing building the infrastructure required for a successful

regional recycling program.  They are also interested in Roots & Shoots, and may assist me in delivering a presentation. 
  
The bugs here seem to enjoy insect repellent.  I think my legs are permanently scarred.

Strangest moment of the week - the other night we were just about to start reheating dinner and a

bat flew into our pot of beans. He was rescued and escorted back outside. Thank goodness we hadn't

actually started cooking yet. Needless to say... we didn't have beans for dinner. Even stranger was

the fact that we shrugged this off as normal.

(... to be continued...)

Culture, Music and Humidity: My Trip to Louisiana

October 2010

By Shailyn Drukis

This summer I traveled down south to New Orleans, Louisiana with Roots & Shoots Program Coordinator

Sara Hsiao to attend the United States Roots & Shoots Youth Leadership retreat. This was my first time

in this part of America, and nothing could have prepared me for the culture, humidity, and music I was

about to experience.

Thursday:

Arriving at the airport, Sara and I were greeted by a soul-filled brass band, which lifted our spirits from the long journey, and created an overwhelming need to break into dance!

We hopped on a bus and as we drove to the University of New Orleans we traveled through areas still rebuilding from Hurricane Katrina, five years earlier. It gave us some insight into the tragedies that have shaped the lives of the individuals of this beautiful city. Water damaged houses lined the streets, many left empty with giant X’s painted on boarded up windows and doors. Throughout my time in New Orleans, I found that everyone was willing to share a story about their Katrina experiences, but what stood out the most, was how this tragedy brought together and strengthened the community.

Arriving at the University, we were greeted by members of Roots & Shoots Youth Leadership Councils from across the United States. I was all set for a weekend filled with leadership workshops, fun improv games, and the chance to finally connect with the individuals who I had been working with over the past months on the National Council.

 

Friday:

Chris Bashanelli, a young inspiring activist who started his own online television series called Bridge the

Gap, was the keynote presenter for the retreat. It was a joy to spend the weekend working with him,

and he taught all of us a lot about how the media can be a strong tool in our activism.

In the evening our group travelled into the French Quarter for a splendid walking tour of the city, guided by a local historian. We spent the night admiring the architecture and learning about the rich history of this fascinating city. We were enlightened by the beat of local street performers along the way.

 

Saturday:

We split into smaller groups, and travelled to various parts of New Orleans. Our groups worked on service projects for the Louisiana Bucket Brigade. This organization is mapping and documenting incidents that have occurred as a result of the recent Gulf oil spill. My group journeyed to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, where I had the privilege to interview a staff member who has worked extensively with sea animals, particularly sea turtles rescued from the Gulf.

Finally, that night we celebrated Jane Goodall’s 50 years of work in Africa. We had a lovely Gombe 50

dinner in the traditional Louisiana style. It was a great way to get to know everyone, and create lasting friendships. My time in New Orleans was a blast, and I look forward to continuing my work with the

United States Youth Leadership Council!

Cultural Connections in Costa Rica

September 2010

By Lauren Gibson, USA National YLC Member

Armed with a suitcase, jacket, minimal knowledge of the Spanish language, and high expectations, I ventured to Costa Rica with my family this July. My parents met while volunteering with the United States’ Peace Corps and used to work in rural towns in Costa Rica’s Volcano Arenal area. After much planning and discussion, our family decided to spend 4 days in one of these towns, San Marcos de Cutris.  When my parents worked here, over twenty years ago, the people of these villages traveled by horseback, had no electricity, had no public water system, and worked hard to get everything that they owned.

Upon arriving, my parents were shocked to see how much had changed. The slick red clay roads were

now covered with rocks or gravel. People had tile floors and concrete house foundations instead of the

old dirt floors. Although every building in the town still lacked air conditioning, most houses had indoor

toilets and a one-temperature shower. While most Americans or Canadians might not think of these as

luxuries, the Costa Ricans that we visited were very proud of their houses and the town. It really made

me rethink the way I live. Maybe we don’t really need a new cell phone, flat screen TV, or laptop computer.

After taking in our first impressions of the town, my two siblings and I decided to play soccer with the

boys in the middle of town. Even though we barely spoke any Spanish, we certainly made new friends

during that game. My sister and I proved that girls can play soccer too, even in the rain, without shoes,

and wearing dresses, while my brother and the Costa Ricans shared soccer tricks with each other

without speaking a word; everyone plays soccer in the same language.

We had the opportunity to spend the day with the tenth grade class at the town’s high school. There were a grand total of eight students in the entire grade.  We talked constantly about the differences between our two countries; my sister and I described snow to people who had never experienced it firsthand. A student sang us a traditional Costa Rican song, teaching us about Costa Rica’s music; we tried to explain dance music to them by playing a Lady Gaga song. Whenever we had a communication problem, we ran up to the chalkboard to draw out what we were trying to convey. Most of these illustrations were so terrible that they had all of us laughing hysterically. Everyone laughs in the same language, too.

By the end of our stay in San Marcos, I was truly sad to tell the town goodbye. This cultural exchange

was so mind-opening that I was left wondering if there was a distinct difference between the Costa

Ricans and us; if the difference between these two peoples was so slight, can we not assume that all

citizens of all countries are essentially the same? These similarities gave me hope that international peace

is achievable if we just stop and learn about other nations.