Since 1970, Earth Day has been an annual event held on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. In our ongoing battle against the climate crisis, relational organizing through these events has emerged as a powerful strategy to mobilize communities, connect individuals with shared values, and build a sustainable movement for environmental justice. Many youth-led community organizations are at the forefront of this fight working to leverage resources that engage and empower their networks. In celebration of Earth Day, this week in the mentoring circle, we learn how to join this critical movement with community organizations that make a difference using their digital platforms. With engaging and impactful content, their digital resources enhance our understanding of environmental issues and advocacy.
Environmental justice is a movement that addresses the unequal environmental injustices borne by systemically marginalized communities. It encompasses the ethical and political issues of the environment with an emphasis on fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens. Relational organizing refers to the strategy of building networks through personal connections and leveraging those networks for social, political, and environmental justice. It is rooted in the belief that personal stories and relationships drive people to take action more effectively. In the context of climate justice, it’s about creating a web of activists connected through shared experiences and commitments to the environment. The following short film Matagi Mālohi: Strong Winds pays homage to the resilience and relational organizing of the Pacific Climate Warriors on the frontlines of the climate crisis.
350.org works on grassroots campaigns across the globe, leveraging people power — individuals working together in pursuit of a common goal — to dismantle the influence and infrastructure of the fossil fuel industry and to power up clean systems rooted in justice. To build a more sustainable and just future, they collaborate with communities at the frontline of the climate crisis, those who have historically contributed the least emissions but are feeling the worst effects. Their art.350.org site offers digital resources including guides, inspiration and how-to’s for everyone to use the arts to protect our climate and communities and resist injustice. Their goal is to help massively utilize arts organizing—visuals arts, performance and music—and integrate it into the heart of relational organizing to strengthen movement-building, innovate new forms of resistance, and positive change.
Earth Guardians is a revolutionary environmental nonprofit that provides youth with the resources and training needed to create anti-racist, anti-colonialist environmental and climate-oriented projects and campaigns that make a real difference. On their website, you can get involved, connect with people, and become an Earth Guardian. The organization provides various digital resources that facilitate relational organizing and ensure that young voices are heard and amplified. By listening to & working directly with youth leaders across the globe, they offer tools and tips to further the environmental movement. They also have Action Now Project Guides crafted by youth leaders. These guides offer a comprehensive roadmap for impactful community projects by providing how-to insights, time estimates, & additional resources to inspire action at any level.
Ocean Wise is a global conservation organization on a mission to build communities that take meaningful action to protect and restore our ocean. Ocean Wise offers a plethora of digital resources that can be effectively used to teach concepts of environmental justice, particularly related to marine conservation. With Ocean Wise Education, educators can bring ocean literacy into their classrooms and empower students to take action while deepening their connection to the ocean. They have crafted education kits that address the interdisciplinary issues of climate change. Each education kit is available for elementary school, middle school and high school, and translated into both French and English. Their educator’s guidebook provides detailed guidance on how to conduct classroom activities and how the activities are linked to the concepts of their specific course curriculum.
The Great Bear Sea encompasses the waters that surround the Great Bear Rainforest along the North Coast of British Columbia. This region of BC’s coast is one of the richest marine ecosystems in the world, and has enormous cultural significance to the people who live here. The Exploring the Great Bear Sea Curriculum Resources are based on the film The Great Bear Sea: Reflecting on the Past, Planning for the Future, and can be used to engage students in an inquiry-based educational journey that explores Indigenous knowledges and environmental justice. Their digital resources are connected to the newly revised BC curriculum and include full lesson plans with film clips. Students explore the importance of this region – and our connection to both land and sea – through place-based stories, traditions and histories, bringing a diversity of First Peoples’ perspectives from this region into the classroom.
Forests and Oceans for the Future is a research group based at UBC that focuses on ecological knowledge research conducted in collaboration with north coast BC communities. Their research is intended to help incorporate core community values and knowledge in local sustainable forest and natural resource management. Their public education materials facilitate the understanding of issues, controversies and concerns related to forestry and natural resources. The key focus of these materials has been inspired by the experiences of students and community members living within the Tsimshian territory of the province of BC. The digital resources include curriculum material designed for use in the Province of British Columbia’s K-12 education system and are available for public access downloading. The following video is one of four Gitxaala community videos included in their resources.
Joining community organizations and participating in relational organizing for environmental justice is a proactive step towards making a tangible impact. By using digital resources to connect with like-minded individuals and groups, anyone can contribute to a larger global effort aimed at preserving our planet for future generations. In the face of the climate crisis, the collective power of organized, passionate individuals can indeed usher in significant change. We can mobilize and organize to advocate for climate justice with people all around the world. Start today by connecting digitally and watch how far-reaching your local actions can be! We can make a difference each day by choosing sustainable solutions and inspiring others to imagine a regenerative future. We all can be Earth Guardians!