Ashna Dodd
2024 Youth Climate Activism Award - Essay + Photos
Ashna with Ms.Meralli, a teacher at J.N Burnett secondary school.
Under the warm sun, floating on my paddleboard and feeling the lapping waves underneath gently rocking me back and forth. My dog, sitting at the front soaking in every moment. The beautiful landscape filled with biodiversity, gave me a sense of peace and amazement all at once. I long to keep this feeling forever, and wish for future generations to have nature experiences like this one.
My name is Ashna Dodd and I am in my senior year at J.N Burnett Secondary School. Since elementary school, I have worried about the effects of climate change and have been set on taking action since. I developed simple habits such as recycling, picking up garbage from our local streets and beaches, switching to a plant-based diet, and teaching friends and family the importance of the environment. My deepest sense of purpose comes from environmental activism, which drives me to be stronger and push for what I believe in. In grade 10, I initiated a club called Climate Action Now as I felt the need to light a spark in students at my school to take action on climate change. I felt like my peers didnβt care about the environment, so I decided to replace my feeling of hopelessness with determination to inspire my classmates. Taking this on with social anxiety was a challenge, but my urgency to take action pushed me through my obstacles.
Over the 3 years I have led this club, I have coordinated fundraisers for affected communities, like the Fraser Valley Flood victims in 2021 and environmental organizations, such as Greenpeace and the David Suzuki Foundation. I hosted climate action awareness sessions with various guest speakers, including students from the UBC Climate Hub and taught nearby elementary students. The most prominent event that I organized was the Youth Climate Conference. I invited students from the Richmond and Vancouver school districts. Guest speakers included David Suzuki, Parliamentary Secretary for Environment Aman Singh, the City of Richmond, and neighbouring high schools in Richmond.
I sent a letter to David Suzuki inviting him to speak at the conference and explained how saddened I was by the lack of interest amongst my peers. I was humbled when he accepted the invitation. The event was a success, uniting students across the city and giving them the proper information and resources to work together. David Suzukiβs message resonated with me deeply, as he spoke about the urgency of addressing the climate crisis and the role of young people in creating a sustainable future.
Following the event, my club spoke to Parliamentary Secretary for Environment Aman Singh and stressed our passion for the environment and are actively working on ways for students to be involved with environmental decisions and education. I plan to continue dedicating my efforts to the environment as I study at UBC in the faculty of Sciences in September, gaining more education and opportunity in the future.
As part of the submissions application we asked participants to answer these 3 questions in addition to their essay or video.
What future goals do you have around your environmental and climate work, and do you have any future projects in mind?
In September I plan to study Sciences at UBC, broadening my knowledge and opportunities to take action on climate change. I will join the UBC Climate Hub, and other environment focused clubs to support their work and eventually take on leadership roles. I hope to stay connected with high school clubs and support their endeavours. In the future I hope to find a career involved with climate action, innovating a future of sustainability.
If you could share with us one message of hope for our planet, what would it be?
Everyone has the right to a clean, safe, and diverse planet, and we have the capabilities to make it happen.
Who or what inspires you to work on climate change?
Since I was little, I have looked up to my mom and how she prioritizes helping others and making a difference in everything that she does. Her extended knowledge and expertise in the medical field have inspired me to do the same in pursuing my goals. I admire the way she is able to fulfill her duties as a doctor while taking on climate initiatives such as sharing in climate conferences, radio stations, and articles. Knowing that she can take so much on at once gives me the assurance that I can follow on the same trajectory.