Age: 21
Sponsor: Roots & Shoots Canada - facilitator
School: York University
City: Toronto, ON
Biography:

Hello! My name is Katie O’Connell. I am a fourth year Environmental Studies student at York University, studying environmental management and urban ecology. I am joining the PBI team through the recent collaboration with The Jane Goodall Institute and Roots & Shoots Canada. I care about the conservation of polar bears because I recognize just how important this animal is to the ecosystem it is a part of. By learning more about the polar bears and the effects that human-induced change (e.g., climate change) has had on them, you are also indirectly working to conserve that ecosystem. I also think that the results of this research will be beneficial in generating movement towards better climate change policies in Canada and worldwide.

My goal over the next five years is to encourage young people like myself to make change happen in their communities. It can be hard to feel like you are making a difference on a large scale, especially with big issues like climate change, but making smaller changes in local communities is the first step. Working with my Roots & Shoots group and with the Youth Leadership Council has allowed me to help make that local change. Making giant peace doves out of old bed sheets and flying them in Queen’s Park may not end wars, but it showed our city that young people care, and have an opinion about global political issues. It is local projects like this that have inspired me to continue to try and make change. I look forward to being a part of this amazing team!