The National Youth Climate Activism Award honours students across Canada under the age of 20.

On October 25, 2019, Peter Allan, the Executive Director of I-SEA joined thousands of people marching for the planet’s health and to see Greta Thunberg speak on the steps of the Vancouver Art Gallery. Greta’s 10-minute speech was deeply inspiring, but more significantly, the passion and enthusiasm of the young people in the crowd were very moving.

“We’re starting to see through their lies and we will hold them accountable for their actions. We will be a constant reminder that they are failing and that constant reminder is what we are today, and every Friday, every single day that goes by without sufficient action being taken and when the science is being ignored. Because we are not just some kids skipping school or some adults who are not going to work. We are a wave of change and together we are unstoppable.” — Greta Thunberg

“My experience among 10,000 fellow humans and the power of Greta’s words, planted the seed for a passion project. In my role as Executive Director for the Institute for Sustainability Education and Action, I was able to manifest a literal dream.

It’s a simple idea but it’s a big idea: shine a light so that teenagers can see the positive efforts their friends are making. Shine a light so that adults, communities and politicians can see these young spirits on fire by virtue of an award that becomes a symbol of the power of youthful voices. These inspiring messages will populate out into the virtual world as good news stories that help us all push back against climate despair."

— Peter Allan