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BC United Caucus learns lessons from Selkirk student
With rising concerns over the health effects of anxiety of climate change acceleration, particularly among youth, a Selkirk Secondary School student was invited by Kootenay East MLA Tom Shypitka to make a presentation to the BC United caucus through the East Kootenay Climate Hub.
Maylyn Tarves, Grade 10 student from Kimberley, told BC United caucus members that she has “never had the luxury of not worrying about climate change, because climate change has always been present in my life.”
She told them that at 12 years of age, she already feared “that the people in charge of fixing this terrifying future were incompetent, uncaring, or both.”
Ms. Tarves explained to the caucus what the face of climate anxiety is really like: it is “pain that rots into weary, bitter apathy.”
She informed them that 78% of Canadians aged 16-25 find that climate anxiety is negatively impacting their mental health.
She pointed out that solutions of action are far from perfect and may not be enough but concluded that we must “do it anyway,” because “it’s the right thing to do.”
She advised the caucus that public policy is not doing enough, fast enough, and that climate change is not, and should never be a partisan issue. Her view of politicians arguing over climate actions is akin to being “trapped inside a burning building, and you’re arguing over the wallpaper.”
Maylyn’s closing advice to the legislators: “You have an incredible opportunity, and incredible responsibility to the young people depending on you to change our future. The act of struggling for the good of others should, in itself be a reason to try.”
MLA Shyptika and other caucus members engaged Maylyn in a robust conversation after her presentation. Shypitka noted, “we have all learned something here today.”
See the text of the presentation: Maylyn Climate Anxiety Presentation text.docx
Lead image: Maylyn Tarves, centre, with family members and Kootenay East MLA Tom Shypitka inside the BC Legislature. Photos submitted
East Kootenay Climate Hub