TORONTO, ON (Traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat Peoples) – Stand.earth, Change Course, and Canada’s National Observer are thrilled to announce the two winners of the first-ever Climate Finance Scholarship Contest, offering two, CA$2500 scholarships for submissions for visions of a climate-safe economy from young people ages 18-30 across Canada. Both winners will be published in Canada’s National Observer.
Diana Yoon, a climate and housing justice advocate in Toronto/Tkaronto, said:
“I’m truly grateful to have the space to envision a climate-just future. Community power is everything, and sharing what’s possible allows us to collectively organize towards community-driven solutions.”
Mimi O’Handley, who lives in Kjipuktuk/Halifax advocating on a variety of social and environmental issues, focusing on freshwater, said:
“I’m delighted to be a voice for the younger generation and articulate some of our justice-centred perspectives about the most pressing issues that we are facing.”
Read Mimi’s piece: How We Move Matters: How Financial Institutions Can Reinvest in Climate Safe Solutions and Support a Just Transition.
The Scholarship Contest had over 160 submissions in its debut year, and engaged in a rigorous judging process with a panel comprised of Batul Gulamhusein, Stand.earth; Lindsay Meiman, Stand.earth; Evelyn Austin, Change Course; Dani Michie, Change Course; David McKie, Canada’s National Observer; and Seth Klein, Climate Emergency Unit. Applicants submitted visions for a climate-safe economy, and were reviewed on criteria including research, innovation, equity, and creative storytelling.
This comes ahead of Royal Bank of Canada’s annual general meeting (AGM) in Etobicoke this Thursday, April 11, 2024, where dozens of Indigenous, frontline, and climate delegates are descending to hold Canada’s #1 fossil fuel financing bank accountable.
###
NOTES TO THE EDITOR
Diana Yoon is a climate and housing justice advocate in Toronto/Tkaronto. Currently working in co-operative housing, Diana previously advanced climate solutions at the Toronto Community Housing, Toronto Environmental Alliance, and The Atmospheric Fund. In addition, Diana is a Board member of the Circle Community LandTrust and a former CUPE 3903 department rep. She holds a Masters of Arts in Geography from York University and a post-graduate certificate in the Environmental Visual Communications from Fleming College at the Royal Ontario Museum.
Mimi O’Handley lives in Kjipuktuk/Halifax where she works to advocate on a variety of social and environmental issues, with a focus on freshwater. While her passion for water issues stems from her Master’s research on ‘Green’ Criminology where she examined crimes and harms against freshwater, her interests in social and environmental justice began much earlier, thanks in big part to her family. In 2022, Mimi had the opportunity to be an International Canadian Youth Delegate at the United Nations Environmental Assembly. Later that year, she was selected to travel with other youth from Arctic/Nordic countries to Nuuk, Greenland, to work on solutions to the unique climate change and biodiversity issues that are being faced by these geographic regions. Mimi is keen on working in community, and believes that the most nourishing environmental achievements are accomplished together.
Share This
Array
