The Winds of Change: Young Activists Pursue Climate Justice and Green Living

The Winds of Change: Young Activists Pursue Climate Justice and Green Living

Born in the mid-to-late 1990s up to the early 2010s, Generation Z environmental activists agree that urgent action is needed to achieve climate justice, and they’re willing to do what it takes to get results. “Climate and environmental justice and environmental racism are very big concerns among youth, whether or not they are youth of color. It’s not just about energy, water or air—it’s also very much about people,” says Ana Garcia-Doyle, executive director of One Earth Collective. The Chicago nonprofit inspires action, facilitates learning and promotes environmental justice through annual programs like the One Earth Film Festival and One Earth Youth Voices, a summit designed to give voice to the next generation’s environmental concerns.

Navajo Filmmaker Creates 'Powerlands' as Act of Resistance

Navajo Filmmaker Creates 'Powerlands' as Act of Resistance

Editor’s note: “Powerlands” will screen as part of the One Earth Film Fest on Tuesday, March 7, at 6:30 p.m. CST, both virtually and in person at two locations: Pilot Project Brewing in Chicago and Oak Park Public Library in Oak Park. Get tickets for all options here.

Ivey-Camille Manybeads Tso is a young Navajo filmmaker who investigates the displacement of Indigenous people and the devastation of the environment caused by the same chemical companies exploiting the land where she was born. Her award-winning documentary, “Powerlands,,” chronicles the eerily similar struggles of Indigenous communities across Colombia, the Philippines, Mexico, and Standing Rock.  Despite being worlds apart, these communities face the same battles against the same big energy companies, like Peabody, BHP and Glencore. 

Young Filmmakers Contest Celebrates 10 Years of Elevating Youth Voices

Young Filmmakers Contest Celebrates 10 Years of Elevating Youth Voices

Get the scoop on the Young Filmmakers Contest from Founding Director Sue Crothers:

The One Earth Film Festival has always been about activism. It’s not just about watching films. So that’s the goal for the next 10 years of the festival, a return to hopefulness through activism and envisioning the future you want. Overall, though, I want to say that for the whole 10 years, it’s been a huge privilege to work with these young people and to elevate their voices.”

Young Filmmakers Contest Kicks Off Earth Week Mini Film Fest with Short Student Films

Young Filmmakers Contest Kicks Off Earth Week Mini Film Fest with Short Student Films

The One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest will continue the celebration of award-winning student films via a virtual event to kick off Earth Week Mini Film Fest in April. See eight short, student films from among 13 honorable mention/notable winners on Monday, April 18, at 5 p.m. CDT.

Young Filmmakers Contest Reveals Passion for Animals and Planet

Young Filmmakers Contest Reveals Passion for Animals and Planet

From manatees to koalas to pangolins, endangered wildlife was a recurring theme among 148 submissions to the 2022 One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest. Students ages 8 to 25 revealed the impact of weather extremes and plastic pollution on people, animals, and the planet, with a new note of urgency about the climate crisis in their short films.

Read Xilo's Clean Future Blog

Read Xilo's Clean Future Blog

I like to travel and enjoy taking pictures of my surroundings. Photography has always been a passion of mine along with pursuing a career in nursing. One of my goals is to make a change in the world by sharing issues and letting others know so they can make a difference with me. Writing the Clean Future Blog about environmental issues and reviewing films about pollution help me broaden my knowledge. I hope we all will think about our actions and use our voices.