An overview of the Power Shift Canada Program is now available online.

Here is an excerpt:

On October 23-26, 2009, Power Shift Canada will be coming to Ottawa to take a message of bold, comprehensive and immediate federal climate action to Parliament Hill. Power Shift will be three days of training, strategy and action and one mass lobby day to hold our elected officials accountable for their part to solve the climate crisis. We also will be building a cohesive and effective youth climate movement. This will be the largest-ever youth climate gathering of its kind in the history of this country.

On Friday, October 23^rd, we will be welcoming young leaders from all over the country as they converge in Ottawa. During the day, the Canadian Youth Delegation (CYD), representing our country’s youth in Copenhagen, will be meeting, collaborating and organizing for December. Concurrently, training will be held for volunteers in preparation for lobby day training over the weekend. These volunteers will act as lead facilitators during our preparatory session for our visits to Members of Parliament and Senators.

Read the full overview here.

The Eyes and Ears of the Green Economy

We are the eyes and ears of Canada’s new green economy.  Young people are calling for a historic effort to fundamentally transform the way our society produces and consumes energy– creating new social and economic systems with clean, just, and sustainable energy supplies.  We are ready to build a green jobs economy that provides stable employment while addressing our moral and legal obligations to reduce our emissions and address the climate crisis.

Everyone is talking about a need for a new economy.  As youth we need to be part of defining it.  It will be young people who work in that economy, and our children who live its legacy. Our answer to this challenge is green jobs. Show our elected officials that you’re ready for change, you’re ready for a clean and just future, and you want green jobs…NOW!!

Send us a photo with your message today!

How? It’s simple! Pose with a sign saying one of the following:

• I’m ready for green jobs, are you?
• The Earth is hiring, Green my Job!
• Time for Green Jobs (incorporate a clock in your sign!)
• This is what Green Jobs looks like
• Have another idea for a sign?  Show us what you’ve got!

Want to add some spice to your photo? Pose next to a place, space, or thing that symbolizes a growing green economy in your community.

What else can I do?

• Upload your picture as your Facebook profile pic with the caption: “The Eyes and Ears of the Green Economy – join the movement at www.ourclimate.ca“
• Bring your signs with you to Power Shift Canada to use on Lobby Day!

The rally begins on September 15th.  Snap a quick photo using your camera, phone or computer, upload, and send it to campaigns@ourclimate.ca. All submissions received before October 12th will be used for a slideshow and exhibit at Power Shift Canada. For more info, visit www.ourclimate.ca and www.powershiftcanada.org.

I’m going to Power Shift Canada because I believe in a sustainable future for this country. The COP15 climate change conference in Copenhagen this December will have lasting effect on our planet and the future of our entire global civilization. However, current Canadian development projects, like the tar sands threaten to undermine this deal.

I won’t allow my voice to remain silent as toxic tailings ponds which are already visible from space grow larger. I refuse to stand by and watch as downstream communities like Fort Chippewan are poisoned in the pursuit of profit. With climate change we are all downstream, especially young people, and therefore we all have the impetus to get involved.

This climate movement is full of bold and beautiful people who are creating the just and sustainable world I want to live in. By mobilizing around this issue I’ve lived unforgettable experiences; I’ve publicly challenged business leaders to take meaningful environmental action, learned valuable skills, shared the stage with personal heroes of mine and marched as part of a sea of thousands of people demanding change. Where will your environmental adventures take you?

The movement is building. Our voices are growing louder. I cannot wait to go to Ottawa for Power Shift Canada to connect the next generation of youth leaders. Will you be there?