ISABC Youth Sustainability Conference at UBC

On February 20, members of the Environmental Council and students from Mr. Harding’s AP Environmental Science class attended the ISABC Youth Sustainability Conference, ReGeneration Rising: Cultivating Hope and Action. Hosted by the ISABC, the conference brought together students from independent schools across British Columbia to collaborate, share ideas, and explore how youth can take meaningful action in building a more sustainable future.

Throughout the day, we participated in workshops and discussions focused on climate leadership, community engagement, and practical environmental solutions. What stood out most was the emphasis that every action has a ripple effect. Rather than focusing solely on the challenges our planet faces, the conference empowered students to see themselves as capable changemakers, teaching us to lead passion projects, influence our communities, and inspire others to take action.

Students had the opportunity to participate in workshops on topics such as AI and sustainability, microplastics, building bug boxes to support biodiversity, environmental jewelry made from recycled materials, and the impacts of fast fashion. Each session provided practical tools and creative ideas that we can bring back to our own school community.

One of the most powerful aspects of the conference was connecting with other students who care deeply about sustainability. Hearing about projects from different schools, from waste reduction initiatives to biodiversity restoration, sparked new ideas for what we can continue developing at our own school.

We also had the opportunity to share what our school has been focusing on so far this year. Some of our recent initiatives include a recycling signage project aimed at making recycling stations clearer and more effective across campus. We have also led a Trash-Sorting Assembly to educate the broader student body about what goes where and why it matters, introduced House Points for recycling cans to promote friendly competition while increasing participation, organized bulb planting to support biodiversity and beautify our campus for the spring season, and launched gummy reinforcement, which encourages proper waste sorting by rewarding students who dispose of items correctly.

The ISABC Youth Sustainability Conference left us feeling inspired, motivated, and ready to continue pushing forward. Emphasizing the importance of education and community involvement as powerful drivers of meaningful change. Thank you to Ms. Hovey and the other teachers from the ISABC for organizing such an inspiring conference. We are also grateful to Mr. Harding and Ms. Wittmann for guiding and supporting us throughout the day.