Belize’s Young Minds Turn Climate Concern Into Action
Young people often hear that they will inherit the climate crisis, but today, students from six Belize City high schools began exploring how they can help tackle it now. The Jesuit Center for Reconciliation brought students and educators together for The Ripple Effect, a one-day symposium focused on developing the next generation of environmental leaders. Through discussions and collaborative workshops, participants examined the environmental challenges confronting Belize and began designing practical projects they can carry back to their schools and communities. Organizers say the initiative aims to turn climate awareness into meaningful, lasting action.
Fr. Brian Christopher
Fr. Brian Christopher, Director, Jesuit Center for Reconciliation
“ We’re beginning the day with some reflection on what the climate crisis is, how it works, and what does that mean for us. Because the climate crisis is not just a scientific issue, it’s also political, and economic, and social, and even moral and theological. So we wanna also look at some of the faith, elements that underlie it. So we’re doing a little bit of reflection today. This afternoon Oceana is gonna be working with these groups of students to put together their project proposals, and then Oceana will continue following up with them through these next weeks. And then in January we’re gonna come back together and see what the proposals look like. And then it’s on them to make it happen.”
Melissa Espat
Melissa Espat, Project Manager, Jesuit Center for Reconciliation
“We’re gonna assign this action plan to all students. And we have four major areas that we’re focusing on. The sargassum problem, microplastics, access to water, as well as mangrove restoration. All these things are thematic with water. So this year, because our theme is water, we were looking for areas that would work with that. So from now until next year, we have these particular themes. What’s gonna happen, the students are going to get one of those topics, and from there they’re gonna create this huge action plan. And this action plan is supposed to be something that it’s not only going to be for their schools, but hopefully it’s going to be affecting all of Belize.”
Organizers explained that the initiative was created to move beyond discussion and give students a hands-on role in environmental action.
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