GAIAactivism

By Cassandra Elphinstone
Cassandra and 74 other international high school students, 14 to 18 years old, hopped on a ship this past summer to explore Iceland, Greenland, northern Labrador (Nunatsiavut) and the northern reaches of Nunavik, Canada. They learned a lot about the Arctic and climate change and there were many blogs along the way!

During this summer’s Students on Ice Arctic Expedition, a group of students discussed the beginnings of an organization that is now called “GAIAactivism”. We are working to network outdoor and environmentally conscious clubs around the world. The idea for the network came from the realization that many individuals share the same feelings about environmental issues but very few people actually follow through with these ideas in order to initiate real change. We wanted a means by which our individual groups could link environmental projects together so that what normally might be a small regional project could network into a national or even an international event.

(c) David Jenkins/WWF-Canada
Many people feel that they alone cannot make a difference for the environment. Apathy often is the end result of this lack of empowerment. We want to address this problem and attempt to awaken youth to the realization they can make a difference by uniting and working together. Our first main goal is to unite environmental-themed groups and individuals globally. We want to create pathways for communication and cooperation between outdoor and environmental organizations on the international scale. Through these connections, we will give youth the opportunity and support to make meaningful change.
Why are we called GAIAactivism? Gaia personifies the Greek Goddess of Mother Earth. In recent times, Gaia has also come to symbolize how our planet is full of connected, interdependent ecosystems that all work together to support life on Earth. The Earth’s ecosystems and climate must be protected and understood because our health is dependent on theirs. Humans are playing a major role in Earth’s changing systems and we must learn how to alter our role so that it can have a positive influence.  GAIA activism is a means by which people can connect and discover opportunities to experience their environment first hand through a range of diverse activities. These experiences help create awareness about the natural environment and a passion to promote change. The youth of the world will witness and live through the consequences of our actions now so we must be active in defining our role.

In the spring, GAIAactivism is planning simultaneous worldwide GAIA awareness gatherings during the week March 16 to March 25, 2012. Imagine a Worldwide Day where communities all over the world are out discussing the environment. You can start to make this happen by simply joining GAIAactivism everywhere and attending our Day of Gathering. Come and be a part of this new adventure.
Become a GAIA care giver and/or start a local GAIAactivism community at: https://www.meetup.com/GAIAactivism/
Follow us on Twitter:
@GAIAactivism
And on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/GAIAactivism