Young Voices on Climate Change believes that youth, who will bear the brunt of climate disruption, can play an essential role in limiting its impacts by informing and catalyzing societal change and persuading parents and the public to act responsibly. Youth successes empower others. The Young Voices for the Planet short documentaries champion and publicize inspirational, authentic and positive youth-led models of success -- young people learning about climate change and acting to reduce CO2.
The films are used by Alliance to Save Energy, Climate Change is Elementary, Dream in Green, Green Schools Alliance, University of Colorado, Will Steger Foundation and many city government sustainability departments to inspire students before providing energy audit support to reduce school carbon emissions. Earth Day Network and the Jane Goodall Institute and other groups are discussing sharing content with our Youth Action Map designed for us by ESRI. Many groups host public screenings and forums; Sierra Club shows the films at Green Festivals throughout the US; Academics use the films in conference presentations and workshops. We bring the films and programs directly to educators and youth through museums and science centers such as the American Museum of Natural History in NYC, and other institutions whose writers laud the films in their blogs. The films are also available subtitled in Spanish.
The films help teachers to teach about climate change by acting as an antidote to fear. At the University of Colorado, educators showed the films to teachers before diving into the discouraging climate science. The Young Voices for the Planet films break through barriers of fear and "motivated avoidance" so people can take action.