RAD 2023-2024
The Sustainable Development Goals
One of the primary pillars of the RAD Cohort program is to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with emphasis on SDG 13, Climate Action, and SDG 17, Partnerships for the Goals. Every project in the cohort has a tie to one or more of the 17 SDGs. In our RAD 2.0 Cohort, 16 out of 17 SDGs were address by participants’ community projects.
About the Cohort
The Research Activate Deepen (RAD) Cohort is Youth Climate Lab’s second iteration of the award-winning program that supports youth to lead the collective effort towards a more equitable, just, and climate-resilient future. The RAD Cohort fosters a community of solidarity rooted in principles of radical collaboration, climate justice, arts-based methodologies, and intersectionality. In this iteration of the program, over 20 participant-led projects were designed and delivered. Read more below!
Meet the Mentors
2023-2024 Rad projects
Painting a Community Food Pantry
Creator: Sylvie Stojanovski (she/they)
SDG Connection: Zero Hunger
Sylvie organized an initiative to paint the Community Food Hub pantry in their community of Scarborough. Alongside other local artists, they painted the pantry to help raise awareness about its existence and to encourage people to access this vital community resource.
Empowering Youth to Navigate Eco-Anxiety
Creator: Nikita Popli (she/her)
SDG Connection: Good Health and Well-Being
Nikita created an eco-anxiety toolkit, with educational materials and resources about the topic, and developed a workshop to create a supportive and empowering environment for young individuals who are experiencing eco-anxiety.
Creating Climate Resilience Through Arts-Based Approaches
Creator: Sabrina Guzman Skotnitsky (she/her)
SDG Connection: Good Health and Well-Being
Sabrina hosted three art-making workshops for youth in Victoria BC surrounding the theme of climate emotions. Through a mix of visual artmaking and facilitated discussions, youth explored climate anxiety and their visions for what a climate resilient and socially-just future could look like.
Indigenous Social Media: @wakamneearth
Creator: Haley Kootenhayoo (she/her)
SDG Connection: Quality Education
Haley has created an educational, youth-led social media platform called WakaMne Earth. This account aims to demystify climate change discussions by explaining key terminology and concepts through an Indigenous lens. The focus is to provide accessible, informative posts rooted in Indigenous knowledge and culture.
The Love & Mind Series: Mind Your Bhoomi
Creator: Garisha Nathan (she/her)
SDG Connection: Quality Education
Garisha created a series of podcast episodes geared towards a South Asian audience that focus on tackling eco-anxiety and inspiring climate action. The goal of her podcast is to help the South Asian community identify and communicate their emotions and experiences surrounding climate change.
Community Research Project: Taking Root
Creator: RCAD Initiative
SDG Connection: Gender Equality
The RCAD team invited self-identifying BIPOC and 2SLGBTQ+ women, women-led teams, and female communities who have received government and other climate funding to participate in focus group discussions. Their conversations explored the intersection between gender equality and climate finance.
We Care About Period Poverty in Kitchener-Waterloo
Creator: Veronica Nhio-son (she/they)
SDG Connection: Clean Water and Sanitation
Veronica’s project is increasing access to sustainable menstrual products for those in need in the Kitchener-Waterloo Region. Products are now available at the We Care Centre in Kitchener, and a workshop was held to teach community members how to use these new products.
The Carbon Cost of Artificial Intelligence
Creator: Kashish Mistry (she/her)
SDG Connection: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Kashish has written an article analyzing the advantages and drawbacks of AI as a tool to address the climate crisis. To gain a better understanding of this topic, Kashish interviewed partners at non-profit organizations who explore the intersection between artificial intelligence and climate. Her article can be accessed on medium.com.
Foraging in Nature: A Video Game
Creator: Alyssa Oke (she/they)
SDG Connection: Reduced Inequalities
After noticing a disconnect between BIPOC folx and the natural world, Alyssa decided to create a video game about foraging in nature, focusing on plant identification and education about edible wild foods. The goal of their project is to help underserved communities build relationships with nature and learn new skills in an accessible and engaging way.
Environmental Determinants of Immigrant, Refugee, and Minority Settlement
Creator: Mashal Shafi (she/her)
SDG Connection: Reduced Inequalities
Mashal hosted a webinar on the topic of environmental injustices faced by newcomers to Canada. She invited guest speakers from organizations working with newcomers to speak about the challenges of settling in Canada, and how we can advocate for positive change and sustainable solutions. She will also be writing a report based on the takeaways from the conversation.
Website/Database: Website for Career Opportunities
Creator: Shreya Rao (she/her)
SDG Connection: Reduced Inequalities
Shreya is creating a website for young people in the climate sector to find opportunities to grow and develop their skill sets.
Workshop: Bike Repair Safety Share
Creator: Nathaniel Tok
SDG Connection: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Nathaniel developed a series of bike safety and repair workshops for his university community. His project helped to increase access to sustainable transportation and micro-mobility, as well as reducing the severity and frequency of accidents.
Website/Database: Halton Eco-Huddles
Creator: Naval Khalid (she/her)
SDG Connection: Sustainable Cities
Naval created Halton Eco-Huddles as a database for environmental events in the Halton Region. She also wanted to provide a virtual space for community members to contribute their own thoughts about the climate crisis.
Envisioning Sustainable Future Cities in Mi'kmaqi
Creator: Jordan Kilgour (she/her)
SDG Connection: Sustainable Cities
Jordan’s project asked youth across the Maritimes to envision what their city or province could look like in a more sustainable future. In response, youth created and submitted their ideas as collages, visual art, poetry, written pieces, technical designs, and more!
Local Campaign: Toronto Tackles Food Waste
Creator: Nika Moeini (she/her)
SDG Connection: Sustainable Cities
Nika created a campaign targeting youth apartment tenants in Toronto who have no access to composting. Her campaign shared tips about how to reduce personal food waste, and also instructed youth about how to advocate for composting systems in their buildings.
From Trash to Treasure: Composting with Kash
Creator: Kash Gaur (he/him)
SDG Connection: Sustainable Cities
Kash hosted a composting workshop to empower his community in Winnipeg to combat the environmental impact of decomposition in landfills, right from their own kitchens. He also distributed at-home composters to local community members!
Waste Reduction and the Right to Repair
Creator: Kaitlin Olmsted (she/her)
SDG Connection: Responsible Consumption and Production
Kaitlin hosted a panel discussion with local leaders in Saskatoon to discuss how we can reduce waste by borrowing and repairing old items instead of purchasing new ones. Her project also included a workshop component where community members received hands-on support with mending and repairing their well-loved items.
Audio Resource: Ovia’s Podcast for Change
Creator: Ovia Mano (she/her)
SDG Connection: Climate Action
Ovia is creating a podcast for youth who are passionate about combating climate change. Each episode will feature insightful interviews with activists and environmentalists who aim to educate and empower future generations.
Newsletter and Blog: The Solstice
Creator: Nicole David (she/her)
SDG Connection: Climate Action
Nicole created a newsletter in partnership with The Solastalgia Initiative. Her newsletter featured interviews with youth climate leaders, social impact job postings, and environmental news. She is also creating a blog to share further resources and provide a safe space for youth to navigate eco-emotions.
Microplastic Matters: From Pollution to Solutions
Creator: Sasha Kelly (she/her)
SDG Connection: Life Below Water
Sasha hosted an online panel discussion about how we can reduce plastic pollution by unlearning harmful waste management practices. A group of expert panelists discussed the impacts of plastic waste on marginalized communities and offered alternative solutions and ideas.
Article: A Healing Forest for Aurora
Creator: Tina Goli (she/her)
SDG Connection: Life on Land
Tina wrote an article about healing forests, which are spaces in nature where communities can come together and spend healing time within the natural world. Tina finds inspiration in the vision of healing forests, and hopes that one day, a healing forest can be created in her town of Aurora, Ontario.
Beyond the Flames: An Initiative for Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety
Creator: Janna Radi Mohamed (she/her)
SDG Connection: Life on Land
The goal of Janna’s project is to improve health and safety for wildland firefighters (WFF) by raising awareness about occupational hazards to help reduce exposure. Her project shares stories and advice from experienced WFF about occupational risks to better protect the health and wellbeing of individuals in this profession.
The Chorus Girl: A Devised Video/ Performance Piece
Creator: Ethan Persyko (they/them)
SDG Connection: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
The Chorus Girl is a devised video/performance piece which aims to bring attention to the devastating impacts of sexual assault in the theatre, with a specific focus on the theatre scene in Toronto. Ethan’s music video is currently in production and is set to premiere in March.
Website: A Youth Guide to COP28 and Beyond
Creator: Michelle Kim (she/her)
SDG Connection: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Michelle attended COP28 in Dubai and interviewed several youth leaders about their experiences in the climate sector. She is currently writing articles based on her findings and plans to share them on a website, along with other resources for youth environmentalists.
