Coastal Zone 2000 Youth Forum

Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2001 15:23:51 -0400
From: "Westhead, Maxine" <WestheadM@mar.dfo-mpo.gc.ca>
To: "Westhead, Maxine" <WestheadM@mar.dfo-mpo.gc.ca>
Precedence: bulk
Return-Path: <sust-mar-mml-owner@chebucto.ns.ca>

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Apologies for cross-postings, press release for distribution follows...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Halifax, 13 February 2001

A Call for Action...
But No Letter Writing to any Government Officials!?

We, the Coastal Zone 2000 Youth Forum delegation, call for the respect of
all living systems, a drastic reduction in consumerism, and an end to
complacency. 

To combat complacency, the Youth Forum participants have adopted the
challenges outlined in the following letter, and we are challenging every
citizen to do the same. This is collective action - the most effective -
action at the personal level.

>From September 15-17, 2000 over 100 youth from around the globe met in Saint
John, NB at the Coastal Zone 2000 Youth Forum to discuss our coastal
ecosystems, our oceans and the broader environmental challenges facing us
today. We came from 10 different countries and from across Canada, yet
despite this geographical diversity, we easily found our common ground.

As one delegate from the Youth Forum said, "How do we become the next
generation without becoming the next generation?" How do we avoid becoming
complacent and falling into the trap of buying over packaged goods,
accumulating "stuff", and commuting alone in a car to work? What happens to
the devotion and commitment to our ecosystems?

As Chair of the Youth Forum, Maxine Westhead claims, "one of the best ways
to make massive societal change is to lead by example. If you see someone so
committed to the environment that they're riding a bicycle in the dead of
winter, using canvas shopping bags, or refusing excess packaging, you're
bound to be inspired to follow suit." 

Youth have a crucial role to play when it comes to societal change. "Youth
can really grasp this type of challenge and become true leaders and
visionaries. They aren't jaded by realities and bureaucracy, and can keep
their idealism, enthusiasm, and creative energy at a high," says Westhead.

The Coastal Zone 2000 Youth Forum is a part of the Coastal Zone Canada
Conference Series that takes place every other year in Canada. The next
Youth Forum is scheduled for the summer of 2002 in the Toronto area, and
Westhead is confident that the energy and drive to make change will carry
on.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Subject: Open letter to Global Citizens
Date: 13 February 2001

Dear Fellow Citizen:

Even if you have never seen seaweed, a starfish, or an ocean wave crashing
on the beach, this letter concerns you. 

>From September 15th - 17th, 2000, over 100 youth gathered from 10 countries
and 8 provinces and territories at the Coastal Zone 2000 Youth Forum in
Saint John, New Brunswick. There, we discussed the health of our coasts, the
global ocean, and broader environmental issues. We feel it imperative to
share our discussions with you.

Finding common ground was easy despite our geographical and cultural
differences. We are all deeply concerned with the state of our planet's
ecosystems - in particular our oceans and coasts, and we think you should be
too. Our overall quality of life depends largely on the state these
ecosystems.

	We call for the respect of all living systems, a drastic reduction
in consumerism, and an end to complacency.

	We call for an end to depleting our 'natural capital' for the sake
of short-lived economic prosperity and short-sighted political agendas.

We have challenged ourselves to the following:

*	Reduce consumption: We must reduce our consumption now, particularly
in North America. From refusing excess packaging to building smaller homes.
We will teach others that having less 'stuff' is the goal. We will ask
ourselves: do I really need this? We will simplify and reduce our impact on
the planet. 
*	Become better educated and more aware: We will help teach the youth
of today about the fundamental principles of the democratic process, the
workings of government, and our International agreements and obligations. We
will help teach other youth how to make their voice heard.
*	Show Humility: A drastic shift in thinking has to take place.
Instead of asking "How much environmental damage can I get away with?" we
will ask "What's the least impact I can make?" We will start thinking about
minimum, not maximum, impact, and always bear in mind that we share this
planet with other living creatures.
*	Ask "Why?" We will challenge and question the existing ways of
thinking, management practices and institutional arrangements. Youth have a
large role to play with fresh ideas and open minds.
*	Show no complacency: We will not turn a blind eye when it comes to
consumption or our environment. We will ask the questions and call for
accountability.
*	Challenge industrial 'rights': No industry or company has a right to
place profits over the fair treatment of people or the environment People
have rights - not corporations. We recognize that it is a privilege to take
and that with that comes the responsibility to care. We will challenge those
who act otherwise.
*	Be an example: We will use our own lives as an example every day. We
will help lead the way to sustainability through our own daily actions.


	We want you to take action, but we're not going to ask you to write
a letter to any government officials.


	We, the Coastal Zone 2000 Youth Forum delegates, want each and every
one of you to adopt our challenges listed above in your own life.

	We want you to ask yourself: 
	"Could the Earth keep pace if six billion people consumed as I do?"


This is action at the personal level. We want you to take full
responsibility for your daily actions, and help others do the same. So start
a carpool, build a community garden, use canvas shopping bags, refuse excess
packaging - do as much as you can. Start reducing your impact upon our Earth
today for the sake our Earth and our future generations.


Sustainably yours,


The Coastal Zone 2000 Youth Forum Delegation


For more information please contact:
 
Maxine Westhead, Chair
Coastal Zone 2000 Youth Forum
Phone: 902.426.4215, Fax: 902.426.3855
	MaxWesthead@hotmail.com

###



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