Force of Nature was founded in 2019 by climate activist Clover Hogan, to combat the rise of climate anxiety in younger generations. The organization creates and distributes student programs, curriculum support and teacher resources, to help sustainability educators foster the next generation of leaders: responding to their students’ emotional needs, helping them mobilize mindsets for action, and increasing their impact as change-makers. This youth-led organization now hosts a student network in more than 50 countries. They also host a podcast and a blog that both take a deep dive into climate anxiety, its causes, its impact on young people, and how to mitigate its effects. Get involved with Force of Nature here.
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
Here are a few ways you can get more informed and involved:
National Geographic Virtual Storytellers Summit- The National Geographic Storytellers Summit brings together inspirational and influential photographers, filmmakers, illustrators, and journalists to celebrate the art of storytelling and its ability to connect us and inspire change. 26-28 January.
Solv[ED] Youth Innovation Challenge- If you are aged 24 and under and an innovative problem-solver in your community and the world, $200,000+ in prize funding is available for selected solutions. Application Deadline: 18 January.
IOFF Student Film Competition - Submit by 22 February. Films must be made entirely by an individual student or a group of students.
Keeling Curve Prize - Develop a project to mitigate the effects of climate change in one of five categories. The winner of each receives $25,000. Apply by 10 February.
Mhairi is a 22 year old from Scotland and is the Founder & CEO of Youth STEM 2030, where she empowers youth to tackle the world’s biggest challenges, by creating the opportunities, support and platforms young people need to become changemakers in STEM. Mhairi is a 2021 National Geographic Young Explorer, and with Nat Geo’s support, Youth STEM 2030’s newest program will launch in 2022!
Mhairi has a deep passion for our ocean, especially for young people being seen as stakeholders in ocean recovery. She was one of six young people from across the UK to form the Youth Advisory Panel for Surfers Against Sewage’s Youth Ocean and Climate Summit, which brought together young ocean activists across the UK on World Ocean Day 2021 to create the Youth Ocean and Climate Manifesto. In 2020 and 2021, Mhairi completed 104 beach cleans (one every Saturday for 2 years!), removing over 53,000 pieces of plastic out of the river Clyde.
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This monthly update aims to support youth-focused organizations and emerging leaders by connecting and empowering youth across the globe with opportunities for action. It reaches subscribers in 150 countries and is part of a radically collaborative initiative to create a better future. Powered by the collective action of all, together we can grow a movement for a more equitable, sustainable and a healthy blue planet!
