Stop staring at me because I'm young and I don't have any paper!

By Lindsay G., Youth Journalist

To start off the meeting of the Environment Ministers from the 18 APEC countries, Assistant Deputy Minister of Policy and Communications for Environment Canada (Avrim Lazar) conducted a question and answer media briefing this morning.

Lazar presented to journalists the three main topics of the APEC Environment Ministerial Meeting, and answered journalist's questions, including those from the youth caucus.

 

Three members of the youth journalist team were present at the meeting to take notes on what was said and to further understand just what will be happening at the ministerial. Just before the meeting began we were recognized as the "paperless journalists," and explained to the others our alternatives to paper. Though they all looked a little surprised when we mentioned slates and chalk, they didn't make any comments to us, maybe they were afraid of us paperless freaks?!

Then the briefing began. The first thing that the assistant deputy minister explained was how APEC did not only want to focus on economic aspects of sustainable development, but also cover the very important related social issues.

The presentation then moved inevitably to the huge environmental challenges that are facing APEC economies.

One of the many environmental problems discussed was that of the quality of the air we breath. Singapore has made attempts to improve their air quality by controlling traffic. One of the journalists present pointed out the improvement we have made here in Canada. While Toronto's air quality has improved greatly in the recent past, there are still problems in Vancouver and other Canadian cities that need to be looked at. Stopping at one success is not enough.

The importance of youth participation as fundamental to the process was highlighted once again. Considering that they will be directly affected by the impacts of decisions made for sustainable development, it deserves to be. If we need to think of the generations seven years ahead of us when making changes, wouldn't it be best to consult those of us who are just starting our lives now?

 

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