Tag / community resilience

by Champions for Change

SDG 15 Guardians of the Future. Young Minds Uniting with Nature’s Wisdom

Let’s roll up our sleeves, team up with nature, and learn from the past to save our future! 💪🌱 Remember, every small action can spark a big change!

🌿🔍 Are you ready to become eco-detectives for a day and delve into the secrets of Mother Nature? Today, we’re embarking on a thrilling mission to uncover how the ancient wisdom of First Nations Australians 🍂🔥 and the power of nature itself can help us tackle some of the world’s trickiest problems—natural disasters!

Let’s kick things off with a journey through the wilderness to discover nature-based solutions. Did you know that forests, wetlands, and even your schoolyard garden 🌳🌷 can be superheroes in disguise, fighting against floods and landslides? By protecting and nurturing these natural areas, we’re actually building our very own defence against nature’s fury! It’s like having a green army guarding our homes. 🛡️💦

But wait, there’s more! For over 60,000 years, First Nations Australians have been the guardians of this land, using cool techniques like controlled burns to prevent huge wildfires. 🌾🔥 They knew that a little fire could prevent a big one, and that’s some serious ancient science at work!

Here’s where it gets exciting for you: How can you, as a budding young scientist, help make these ancient secrets and green guardians a part of our modern world? 🤔💡

We’ve got some big questions to get those gears turning in your heads:

  1. Can creating more parks in cities help stop a storm in its tracks? 🏙️🌬️
  2. Could we help the coral reefs and mangroves protect our beautiful beaches? 🌊🐠
  3. What would happen if we all learned to use fire like the First Nations people do? 🔍🔥

Imagine combining the best of old-school wisdom with new-school tech to make our planet safer and greener. That’s your mission—to think, create, and innovate ways to protect our world. 🌏✨

So, let’s roll up our sleeves, team up with nature, and learn from the past to save our future! 💪🌱 Remember, every small action can spark a big change!

What do you say, are you in? Let’s show the world what young minds can do when we work together with nature!

#NatureHeroes #EcoDetectives #AncientWisdom #FutureInnovators #GoGreen #SustainableSolutions #YouthPower #STEMAdventures #ProtectOurPlanet 🌟🌍

by Champions for Change

Can Kids Change the World? Yes, They Can! 🌍💪

In today’s post we offer support for educators to empower young minds to tackle natural disasters.

In a world where natural disasters seem ever more frequent and severe, it’s easy to feel powerless. But history tells us a different story—a story where even the smallest voices can make the loudest echoes. Let’s dive into how young changemakers can spearhead initiatives for natural disaster preparedness and resilience.

Youth Power: Changing the Climate of Opinion 🌱☀️

Remember the Slip, Slop, Slap campaign?

 

Or how a single voice like Greta Thunberg’s can rally millions for climate action? These examples show us the power of youth-led campaigns in bringing about tangible changes.

 

The Blueprint for Action 📝🌈

Through engaging activities, students can explore how they too can become agents of change. By studying successful campaigns, students learn the ingredients for impactful action: passion, persistence, and the power of a united community.

Sparking Ideas, Igniting Action 🔥🚀

Embrace the journey of empowering young minds to tackle the challenges of natural disasters. By understanding the past and present, we inspire a generation of innovators ready to shape a sustainable future.

Here are some examples of successful youth led initiatives

  1. Youth Influencing Climate Action: This initiative showcases youth-led initiatives driving real solutions for a sustainable future. Young people are becoming catalysts for change in the face of enormous climate change issues. They are at the forefront of building a sustainable future with cutting-edge technology and circular economic models1.
  2. Youth Climate Action Challenge: This program is part of the Global Shapers Community, a network of activists who are leading initiatives in their communities to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals2.
  3. COPE: This initiative focuses on helping children and youth prepare for disasters. It aims to discuss complex topics like climate change with children and explain the recent increase of heat waves, the rise of wildfires, or the melting of the polar ice caps3.
  4. SEED: Australia’s first Indigenous youth ­led climate network. Seed are building a movement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people for climate justice with a vision for a just and sustainable future with strong cultures and communities, powered by renewable energy.

These campaigns are empowering young minds to tackle the challenges of natural disasters and climate change, inspiring them to shape a sustainable future. They are harnessing the strength of youth to promote climate action and protect the environment1.

Here are some more successful campaigns that students can study to understand the ingredients for impactful action:

  1. #Home2V8te: Student unions in the UK contributed to the campaign to legalize abortion in Ireland by offering financial support to students so they could travel home to vote1.
  2. Saving Bursaries: This campaign originated at Bristol University where students spoke out against plans to cut bursaries that helped students fund their studies. The campaign spread nationwide and resulted in bursaries being increased1.
  3. Period Poverty: Undergraduate student Rosy Candlin founded the organization Every Month, which donates 250 menstrual packs a month to food banks, aiming to end period poverty1.
  4. Going Green: Students around the world are campaigning to reduce their universities’ environmental impact. In the US, the 100 Percent Renewable Campuses campaign has had great results, encouraging Cornell and Boston University to buy energy from renewable sources1.

These campaigns demonstrate the power of passion, persistence, and a united community in driving change. By studying these examples, students can gain insights into how to plan and execute their own successful campaigns.

Tools for the Journey 🛠️🌟

  • National Geographic’s Guide to Natural Disasters: Learn about natural disasters and how they affect our world. Explore here
  • Australian Emergency Management Knowledge Hub: A treasure trove of resources on managing disasters. Discover more

Let’s Make a Difference Together 🤝💖

Remember, every big change starts with a small step. By equipping our young learners with the knowledge and tools to tackle these issues, we’re paving the way for a safer, more resilient future.

#YouthInAction, #DisasterPreparedness, #Changemakers, #FutureLeaders

by Champions for Change

Why Aren’t We Listening? Unpacking Apathy Towards Natural Disaster Preparedness 🌪️💧🔥

Are we turning a deaf ear to nature’s warnings? Recent surveys reveal a startling truth: 60% of people don’t believe they’re at risk from natural disasters, and a mere 13% have prepared an emergency plan. It’s a wake-up call we can’t ignore! 🚨👀

Despite the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, there’s a surprising level of apathy towards natural disaster preparedness. But why? Is it denial, a lack of information, or the assumption that “it won’t happen to me”? 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♂️

Let’s dive deep! Our communities are facing the brunt of natural disasters, with one in three Aussies worried about being forced to relocate permanently due to extreme weather. Moreover, two in five have already moved or know someone who has because of such calamities. The impact is real, and it’s widespread. 🏡🌊

Why the Apathy?

Apathy can stem from various sources – misunderstanding the risks, previous experiences, or even information overload leading to desensitisation. It’s a complex web of psychology and circumstance that we need to untangle. 🕸️🧠

Breaking the Cycle

Education and engagement are key. We need to shift the narrative from distant possibility to imminent reality. It’s not about instilling fear but fostering a culture of readiness and resilience. Together, we can turn apathy into action. 💪📚

Your Role

You can make a difference! Start with your home – talk about emergency plans, pack an emergency kit, and stay informed about your local risks and resources. Schools, communities, and individuals alike play a crucial part in weaving a stronger safety net for all of us. 🏫👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

It’s time to listen, learn, and lead in building a more prepared and resilient future. Are you with us? 🌍❤️

#NaturalDisasterPreparedness #CommunityResilience #EmergencyPlanning #ActNow #StaySafe #FutureReady #TogetherWeCan