Kristina Ingrid, Winner of One-Tonne Challenge Internship with Environment Canada
Question: Tell me about your project?
Answer:
My project, “Environmental Action at Rideau Park United Church”, is part of the Government of Canada’s One-Tonne Challenge. It started in May 2004 and was developed to educate the youth and the congregation (at the Church), totalling over 850 families, about climate change and other environmental issues.
As part of the project, I organized numerous activities such as a World Environment Day celebration to launch the project, a Youth Environment Service, a Sunday School session, and many information booths to increase awareness about climate change and to encourage action.
The project expanded to other faith groups, around Ottawa, and then across Canada with the help of partnerships developed with environmental organizations. Today, about 25 people, including 15 youth, support the project.
Question: What message do you want to deliver to Canadians?
Answer:
I would like people to acknowledge that faith communities have a very important role to play in issues of sustainability and climate change. They can make a difference.
It is also very important to recognize the work of young people.
They won’t wait for Governments to lead, but will work in partnership with non-governmental organizations.
Question: What’s next for you?
Answer:
I finished University in June and am taking this year to work on my project and at the Church. I would like to replicate it in five other cities across Canada.
Question: You were the lucky winner of the One-Tonne Challenge internship. What does that mean to you?
Answer:
I am very excited. It’s a three-month internship but I am not sure yet when I will start. I want to learn more about how government is structured and how it works. It will be a great “hands-on experience” to work on a social marketing campaign.
Question: Regarding this International Youth Summit, what was most important for you?
Answer:
It was a great opportunity to meet a lot of great people from across the world. The Declaration has a very important value for me. It will be a strong statement on climate change.
