10/10/10 to 10/10/11

On October 10th, 2010, at 10 a.m., I took a positive step forward on the journey towards biodiversity. I walked as a POWER (Protect Our Water and Environmental Resources) Youth Caucus volunteer for the Halton Hills Trek to bring awareness to climate change on 10/10/10, which is a global day of action on the 10th day, 10th month and on the 10th year of the second millennium. This initiative was organized by the Sustainable Halton Hills and POWER.

When I look back from 10/10/10 to 10/10/11, I feel proud of myself for the steps I have taken towards positive changes in biodiversity. Here are some of the actions I have taken:

On May 22, 2011, I spent the day at Georgetown Marketplace Mall celebrating the International Day for Biological Diversity. It was a fun and amazing experience. I asked people to sign a petition to support valuable species and biodiversity and also to stop the Quarry from damaging the environment. I handed out baby red pine trees in little environmentally-friendly pouches because they were made out of recycled paper. I also gave children activity books which had 52 actions everyone can do to help the environment. Some of the 52 actions in that booklet included turning your lights off when you are done with them, following the three R’s: reduce, reuse, and recycle, and turning the tap off when it’s not in use.

For those who did not want to sign the petition, I offered them buttons, calendars, and educational brochures that described Canada’s natural forests and biodiversity. I also gave out some youth caucus membership slips for those interested in joining the group and helping the environment.

Teachers were interested in the educational material designed to promote “green actions” in their schools and to discuss these actions with their “green team.” One green action was putting up little signs indicating what does and does not go in the garbage and recycling bin, which would be a tremendous action to boost one’s school’s eco level. Teachers can also have prizes to give away to classes that have the least garbage at the end of the week. These are just some types of green actions that can be done at one’s school.

I volunteer for POWER Halton and Willow Park Ecology Centre. Both groups, like most environmental groups, are always looking for volunteers to help with their organizations. You can volunteer too! It is very rewarding to know you are making a positive change and supporting the environment.  Make your community greener by joining local environmental groups and making small changes in your own life!