**Kasey Chen, a 10th grade student, submitted this beautifully formatted document.**

**Congratulations on an excellent job Kasey!**

My Environmental Impact

Kasey Chen meeting with PM Justin Trudeau in April 2022.

When I entered high school, I had never heard about sustainability, youth activism, or climate protests. But in the last few years, the more that I learnt about earth's amazing biodiversity, and the more polluted habitats, endangered species, and broken government promises that I heard about, the more that I felt the need for urgent, widespread climate action. I also witnessed first-hand the influence that young people, as the inheritors of the earth can have on creating lasting change. That is why I've been volunteering on the school community, municipal, and provincial levels to contribute to the cause and amplify my views and desires.

Leadership in School

Kasey Chen and other students participating in environmental leadership.

As part of the student council in my high school's Environmental Leadership program, I lead a group called "BC Politics" where we focus on raising awareness for British Columbia's old growth and relevant policies; we've created an in-school display and presented it to a local middle school on the topic. I also routinely volunteer to work in the school garden, maintaining our native meadow and helping grow produce for sale, and to collect and sort the school's recycling. Up on Mount Tolmie, I've worked with peers to restore the Gary Oak ecosystem by weeding invasive species and planting native plants like camas. I've been part of this program for 2 years now.

Climate Activism

Kasey Chen climate activist in zoom meeting with MLA Murray Rankin

In 2021, I worked with others in the BC Climate Alliance to lobby Murray Rankin, the MLA of Oak Bay-Gordon Head and the Minister of Indigenous Affairs; we asked about increasing BC's carbon tax and applying the tax to all GHG emissions, as well as limiting fossil fuel subsidies. My role was to speak to young people's anxiety of the future and the need for strong action by a transparent and committed government. Since then, I've attended the climate alliance's monthly meetings, where we share news of environmental policies and issues and arrange new lobby meetings. In May 2022, I attended a discussion with MP Laurel Collins about including anaesthetic gasses in the federal GHG inventory.

I also became involved with the Victoria Climate Hub in early 2022. During our bi-weekly meetings, we discuss climate issues and news related to Victoria. With another member, I've been working on a project to implement air quality monitors at my high school to find "hot spots" and study whether there is a difference in air quality when students are frequently being picked-up and dropped-off for school and when school is not in session. If this project succeeds, I hope that its findings will influence my school and community to explore the impacts of cleaner transport.

Read this interview from the National Observer —

Student Kasey Chen schools others on all things green April 24th 2023