Q – Why has Scouts Canada engaged in a program like this?
A - The Climate Change Education and Action Program (CCEAP) fits in well with Scouts Canada’s Mission to help build a better world. We have a long history of environmentalism through planting Scoutrees, bottle drive recycling, community clean-ups, and no trace camping. Climate change is a critical issue for all Canadians. This new program will bring about awareness and action among Canadian Scouting youth and their families.
Q – Why is Scouts Canada getting involved with climate change education?
A – A key part of Scouts Canada’s Mission is to contribute to the education of young people and to help build a better world. Helping our youth members understand the impact that climate change is having on our planet and the role that they can play is crucial. Amongst the top industrialized countries, per capita Canadians have the highest emissions of greenhouse gasses (GHG’s). This program will focus on Canadian Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Venturers and Rovers in an effort to increase awareness of the issue of climate change and how individuals can make a difference. The program furthers our goals to help youth to “Be Prepared” and use resources wisely.
Q – How will the CCEAP work?
A - Scouting has always promoted a very healthy respect and awareness for the environment. In order to bring climate change into the picture, a select number of badges will have new climate change elements added. In addition, a climate change crest has been developed. In order to earn the crest, youth will do a series of GHG reducing activities, including an age-appropriate home energy audit.
Q – Why is educating youth important in the battle against climate change?
A - Engaging youth in actions to address climate change is a critical element to any nation’s strategy, and a significant contribution to sustainable development for years to come. Youth are a key segment of society and have proven to be an important group on actions to address environmental issues in the past. Youth are also a key point of influence for other segments of society (e.g., families and communities). If communities and citizens come to understand the risks of climate change and how they can play a role in reducing the impact of climate change, they can become an integral part of the solution. Youth are an important source of creativity, enthusiasm and drive for actions to address climate change.
Q – Does Scouts Canada really feel it can make a difference?
A - Scouts Canada believes that climate change represents a significant threat to global and local environments, and that combating climate change will require a wide-scale societal effort based on understanding and action. Scouts Canada has demonstrated the ability to address environmental issues for almost 100 years. That commitment extends its sphere of influence to Scouting families and their communities and is carried through into adult life through environmental values and the benefits of knowing you have made a difference.
Q – What is involved in the home energy audits?
A – The audits are tailored to meet the abilities of youth of different ages. For younger sections, the focus will be on energy use behavior. For older sections, the audit addresses ways in which the home building envelope can be improved as well as changes that can be made to temperature settings, lighting, hot water usage, and cleaning (laundry, dish washers, etc).
Q - Can parents/families get involved with their child?
A – Absolutely parents and families can be involved and supportive. First, they can help their child with the energy audits. Furthermore, as a family, they can look at their energy use and how to help reduce their family greenhouse gas emissions by One Tonne (this helps meet the Government of Canada’s One Tonne Challenge).
Q – What kind of themes can be worked into camps and / or what can leaders do at camp or during other outdoor activities as part of the climate change program?
A- Many of us take energy use for granted and do not appreciate how much electricity and other sources of energy we use. At camp, where there are no streetlights and the amount of energy as a group you use is much less, highlight the role of energy in our daily lives and contrast this to an outdoor setting. Simple lessons such as putting a lid on top of a pot to boil water will drive the point home when youth are preparing their own meals.
Q – If a Cub or Scout has already earned one of the adjusted badges, do they have to repeat the requirement to receive the climate change crest?
A – No. At this initial stage of the program where some youth may have already earned a number of these badges, asking them to repeat the requirements is unnecessary. Youth will still need to complete an energy audit that will highlight energy savings and the role of greenhouse gasses as the final component of the crest.