From Advocate to Activist: Inspiring Climate Action | Miranda Baksh | TEDxOakville Trafalgar HS

Climate Activism

• Climate activism is not limited to chaining oneself to trees.
• The speaker's personal journey of combining her love for dance and animals with her desire to make a difference in the environment.
• The importance of recognizing that climate change is happening now and the need for action.
• Participating in the Climate Action Catalysts program and the challenge of creating a solution to the climate crisis.
• The importance of young people participating in local government and advocating for climate action.
• The need for community resilience and building stronger communities.
• Greta Thunberg's first climate strike in September 2019 and its impact on mobilizing young people worldwide.
• Organizing a climate strike in Brampton, Ontario, and the positive response from the community.

Urgency of the Climate Crisis

• The Paris Agreement aimed to limit global warming to 1.5°C, but the world is currently experiencing temperatures between 1.5°C and 2°C.
• The inadequacy of individual carbon footprint reduction in addressing the scale of the climate crisis.
• The concept of a carbon footprint and the emphasis on individual responsibility were promoted by oil and gas companies to shift the blame away from their own emissions.
• The recommendation to use the website climatevillains.ca to identify and hold accountable the individuals and organizations responsible for fueling the climate crisis in Canada.

Local Action and Collective Impact

• Local issues, such as the protection of the Green Belt in Ontario, provide opportunities for tangible climate action and raising awareness within trusted circles.
• Activism can take various forms, including conversations with loved ones, using social media, signing petitions, creating art, and speaking to elected officials.
• Collective action is crucial to addressing the climate crisis, and individuals can make a difference by taking action within their own communities and networks.

Personal Journey and Encouragement to Activism

• The speaker's personal journey from not identifying as an activist to co-founding the Community Climate Council.
• The Community Climate Council focuses on improving climate literacy and political advocacy.
• Encouraging young people to get involved in activism, regardless of their age, credentials, or financial status.
• Everyone has valuable experiences, culture, environment, mindset, morals, and values that can guide them to make positive change.