Digital Transformation and Youth Innovation

The United Nation’s 2024 theme for International Youth Day is “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development.” In honour of this theme, we’re celebrating the power of youth digital innovation in the conservation space via some of our incredible Ocean Wise youth projects.

In today’s fast-paced world, digitalization is transforming the conservation space. Data generated from digital innovations helps supports evidence-based decision-making, and young people are at the forefront of this digital revolution, driving and creating sustainable solutions for our world’s most pressing challenges.

We are thrilled to highlight some of our current Ocean Wise Eco-Action Accelerator participants and their unique projects centred around digitalization to save the environment.

In Your Nature

Created by: Kieran Wilkins

Nature should be for everyone! It can be incredibly frustrating when you’re passionate about environmental issues but are unable to find accessible ways to get involved. Barriers to entry into eco-conscious spaces can stem from various issues, including systemic obstacles, socioeconomic status, demographics, or a lack of pre-existing networks.  

In response to this issue, Kieran created In Your Nature, a website designed to match users with environmental projects that align with their values and goals. The site features a brief but thorough quiz that assesses your priorities and interests as an environmentalist, then matches you with relevant conservation organizations and projects.

Kieran’s digital platform makes it easy for individuals to find and engage with environmental initiatives, promoting inclusivity and empowerment.

Ocean Aid

Created by: Andrew Polanyi

Andrew’s Victoria-based nonprofit, Ocean AID, is harnessing technology to address ghost gear in the ocean. Ghost gear, which includes abandoned nets, traps, ropes, and derelict vessels from fishing poses a significant threat to ocean ecosystems and marine animals.

Andrew and his team are using sonar and AI to develop an Automatic Target Recognition system. This system allows for real-time detection of underwater objects, allowing his team to locate and remove ghost gear more efficiently.

As part of the Eco-Action Accelerator program, Ocean AID’s mission is to reduce the impact of marine debris by retrieving and recycling as much ghost fishing gear as possible!

Hope for Humpbacks

Created by: Jonah Lee-McNamee

Jonah’s Eco-Action Accelerator project is the creation of a documentary called Hope for Humpbacks.

The documentary will shed light on the remarkable story of humpback whales in British Columbia.  The film with span history, from telling the story of the last operating whaling station in North America, located on Vancouver Island and closed in 1967, to the now thriving populations in beautiful Desolation Sound.

Featuring interviews with Indigenous knowledge holders, former whalers, climate activists, scientists, and more, the film will highlight the hope and resilience of nature.

Digital Roots: Integrating Indigenous Wisdom with Modern Environmental Practices

Created by; Justin Langan

Currently in the information collecting phase, Digital Roots aims to connect Indigenous Ecological Knowledge with contemporary environmental practises through storytelling and interactive learning.

This digital platform will share Indigenous wisdom related to land, water, and biodiversity conservation alongside contemporary scientific approaches to environmental sustainability.

Justin’s project seeks to honor and integrate Indigenous knowledge, fostering a holistic approach to environmental stewardship.

Life of a Pellet

Created by: Zoe Ungku Fa’iz

As a current master’s student at the University of Toronto studying microplastics, Zoe is deeply passionate about solving plastic pollution. Through the Eco-Action Accelerator Program, Zoe is creating a stop-motion film called Life of a Pellet.

Life of a Pellet will take viewers on a journey, exploring how these tiny plastic pieces—just , two to five millimeters in size—enter our environment. Zoe’s film will be animated entirely with small plastic pellets, called nurdles, collected from storm drain traps in Toronto. These traps prevent microplastics from reaching Toronto’s water streams, making it easier to collect and repurpose the pellets.

By using a digital medium in a creative way, Zoe aims to educate and engage audiences on this critical issue.

It’s always inspiring to see the creative and innovative approaches that Ocean Wise Youth take to conserve our ocean and environment.

If you’re feeling inspired to start a conservation initiative of your own, applications are currently open for the Eco-Action Accelerator Program until August 12, 2024. This six-month part-time program is open to all Canada Service Corps Alumni between the ages of 19-30 looking to transform a service project into a larger-scale or long-term initiative. Learn more about the Eco-Action Accelerator microgrant here.

Learn more about the other youth programs and opportunities available at Ocean Wise here.