Meet the young environmentalists holding Calgary leaders to account
“If we know the air quality isn’t good, we can make a change for ourselves and even for the world”
Age is not a limiting factor when it comes to making Calgary a greener city.
That’s what the annual Mayor’s Environment Expo would suggest, at least.
Students from across the city came together at City Hall in early June to showcase their environmental stewardship projects.
The EcoClub at Connaught School, for example, showed how their newly purchased metal spoons would save hundreds of plastic spoons from the garbage can. The spoons, engraved with the school name and purchased with a grant from the City of Calgary, will be used during the school’s weekly soup lunches and will be washed by EcoClub members.
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek speaks with students from Connaught school. (Connor O’Donovan/The Weather Network)
“We’re working on our journey into reducing plastic waste, because we have noticed that it has been growing a lot in our school since we have a lot of students,” said sixth grader Esabelle Yang.
“So we have raised money and bought custom-made metal spoons.”
At Apostles of Jesus School, meanwhile, eighth and ninth grade students spent weeks keeping tabs on Calgary’s air quality with a monitor supplied by Edmonton-based Inside Education.
The students were able to link changes in air quality to pollution sources like traffic and construction, as well as wildfire smoke.
“If we know the air quality isn’t good, we can make a change for ourselves and even for the world,” said ninth grade Helina Nigatu. “We can talk about it, and be open to how we can improve it for future generations.”
The results of the Apostles of Jesus School’s air quality monitoring project are displayed. (Connor O’Donovan/The Weather Network)
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2024 marks the 35th year of the Mayor’s Environment Expo, a three day event held at city hall that welcomes thousands of K-12 students who participate in workshops, attend presentations and take in performances that promote sustainability and climate action.
Students from certified “EcoSchools” present their unique environmental action initiatives, which are often months in the making, to the mayor, their fellow students and the public during the event.
“When we talk about the environment, if you can listen to kids and why it’s important to them, you understand why it’s important to make those strong commitments to sustainability,” said Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek.
“So I think the students here today are a very, very good reminder to us to stay the course and be good environmental stewards.”
