Youth Climate Action Summit ignites passion and purpose for attendees
The Florence Filberg Centre was filled with energy and optimism as students from Grades 8-12 gathered for the Youth Climate Action Summit. Hosted by Comox Valley Schools and co-organized with generous support from the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD), this impactful 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 powerful welcoming opening remarks by Jessie Everson, setting the tone for a day filled with meaningful collaboration, learning, and connection. Participants engaged in dynamic 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.
“This summit was about creating a space where youth could feel supported and inspired to lead,” said Serina Allison, District Environmental and Outdoor Learning teacher. “We wanted to show them that their voices and actions matter and that change happens when we work together as a community.”
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 – Comox Valley
- Comox-Strathcona Waste Management – waste diversion station
The overwhelming support and participation from community mentors committed to environmental sustainability were evident throughout the day. Snacks were generously donated by Thrifty’s, natural decor by Garden Works, and stage decor by CV-Arts, creating a welcoming and inspiring atmosphere for all attendees.
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. This is the finished version of the song co-created by participants and song writer Luke Wallace.
- 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.
