Project Earth

Student: Nila

School: Stouffville District

INSPIRATION: What ideas, projects or movements have you seen that make you hopeful about the future of our cities?

VISION: In what ways should we design our cities differently in order to have a sustainable future?

We should design our cities to stop relying on fossil fuels and instead make them rely on renewable sources. For example we could use solar energy to power cities. Another action we should take is to get rid of discrimination in our cities. We should inform others about the harms of discrimination through a course in elementary schools.

ACTION: What can your generation do now to bring us closer to this future?

  • Switch our energy sources into renewable resources
  • Have 0 tolerance to racist, misogynistic, or homophobic acts or remarks (adding fines, or jail time for discrimination)
  • reduce plastic use in products
  • provide equal opportunities for people from many different backgrounds

Be Green and Environmentally Savvy

Student: Ivy

School: Dr. Norman Bethune

INSPIRATION: What ideas, projects or movements have you seen that make you hopeful about the future of our cities?

VISION: In what ways should we design our cities differently in order to have a sustainable future?

I would like to create a greener city to help promote fixing climate change. Having eco-friendly energy sources would be a great, since it’s quite efficient as well. Slowly implementing the idea of solar/hydro power into our city, starting with businesses as well as new homes that are being built can be an easy start.

ACTION: What can your generation do now to bring us closer to this future?

  1. Since many of us are on social media, promoting being eco-friendly using that, is a simple yet effective way to get people informed and engaged.
  2. We can fundraise for charities and non-profit organizations.
  3. Be informed about global and national issues. Although we won’t be making a change, knowing about the world around you is important and can give inspiration as to what you can do to make aa difference.
  4. Walk or bike to school. It is one of the simplest things we can do and yet it can make a huge difference if enough people do it. Promote this idea at school and social media.
  5. Buy products from ethical and sustainable clothing brands, since, as teenagers, we do our own shopping. Have students donate clothing at school and we will donate them to a charity.

Renewable Energy Generation

Student: Eric

School: William Lyon Mackenzie

INSPIRATION: What ideas, projects or movements have you seen that make you hopeful about the future of our cities?

VISION: In what ways should we design our cities differently in order to have a sustainable future?

One of the largest problems related to climate change is creating and supplying electricity. In fact the best way to solve the problem is to stop relying on fossil fuels and instead use either nuclear, solar or hydrogen based methods.

ACTION: What can your generation do now to bring us closer to this future?

  1. Encourage more poeple to use solar panels.
  2. Have more strikes.
  3. Learn more about the field.
  4. Make solar panels and other electricity-generating methods more efficient.
  5. Vote for politicians focused on fixing climate change.

Use Less

Student: Elizabeth

School: Stouffville District

INSPIRATION: What ideas, projects or movements have you seen that make you hopeful about the future of our cities?

VISION: In what ways should we design our cities differently in order to have a sustainable future?

We should pretty much just use less. Use less of anything that creates carbon dioxide, the main air polluter that contributes to the greenhouse effect.

ACTION: What can your generation do now to bring us closer to this future?

  1. Use less single use plastics
  2. Cut back on meat consumption (primarily beef)
  3. Use less electricity
  4. Walk places that are close rather than driving.
  5. Cut back on water consumption (turn off tap while brushing your teeth etc.)

The Green Steps

Student: Mathushan

School: Stouffville District

INSPIRATION: What ideas, projects or movements have you seen that make you hopeful about the future of our cities?

VISION: In what ways should we design our cities differently in order to have a sustainable future?

Instead of building outwards we can build up to prevent deforestation. Electric forms of public transportation will reduce air pollution and public transportation being more accessible can also reduce air pollution. Ban all single use plastics and switch to more energy efficient materials and objects.

ACTION: What can your generation do now to bring us closer to this future?

  • We can promote these ideas on social media to get more people’s attention.
  • We can reduce single use plastics
  • Use LED lights because they use less power
  • Turn things off when we’re not using them (lights, tv)
  • Carpool more often and promote the idea of all electric public transportation