The Ripple Effect: Students Tackle Climate Change
Thirty students from six Belize City high schools are taking part in a new climate-focused symposium aimed at helping young people develop solutions to environmental challenges affecting Belize.
The Ripple Effect, organised by the Jesuit Center for Reconciliation, brings students together to examine climate change from scientific, social, economic and moral perspectives before developing their own action plans.
Brian Christopher, Director of the Jesuit Center for Reconciliation, said the programme is designed to help students understand that the climate crisis extends beyond science.
“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,” Christopher said.
Melissa Espat, Project Manager for the Jesuit Center for Reconciliation Project, said the students will focus on four areas: sargassum, microplastics, access to water and mangrove restoration.
Students will also create an action plan based on their assigned area.
“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,” Espat said.
The proposals will be reviewed, and students are expected to return in January to present their final plans.