Severn shared a lot of personal stories about her work within the environmental movement to explain how she became a young leader. We wanted the hundreds of youth in the audience and across the province to understand the incredible potential they have to be at the forefront of positive change.

Severn shared a story about a family trip to Brazil when she was young. She witnessed the forests burning in Brazil and it occurred to her that something was wrong. In that moment Severn decided she was not ok with what was happening, and that she would do something about it. She had found her passion.

At Saskatchewan in motion we don’t think it’s ok that only 15% of children and youth in Saskatchewan get their required 60-90 minutes of daily physical activity. Do you?

Severn broke it down like this: Once you’ve made the decision that you aren’t ok with a situation, whether it’s an environmental issue or physical inactivity, you have found your passion.

That is Step 1: Find your passion

Severn strongly believes in the power of education. You have to understand an issue if you plan on influencing change. So get informed, educate yourself as much as you can about what you are passionate about.

That’s Step 2: Educate yourself (Be in the Know)

Educating yourself is hard work, but now you have to put what you’ve learned into action. At this point Severn posed a question, she asked. Now that you’ve educated yourself about your passion what do you do with your knowledge? How do you make something happen? How do you lead?

>>Sounds a wee bit intimidating doesn’t it..the look on every kids face said, ya…a little..

Severn let us think for a minute, and then she explained that it’s easier than we may think. She told us you don’t have to start huge. She didn’t just wake up and go to the UN one day to speak at the Rio Earth Summit, she started small.

So, Step 3: Make a Commitment

The scope of Severn’s work is ginormous so she knows that thinking about the whole issue and how to solve it all at once is too big. Focus on something you can do and start from there. For Severn on a daily basis she focus’ on not drinking bottled water (among other things, as you can imagine). That is one choice she has control over, it is a starting point to lead from.

I am going to commit to riding my bike to work. It’s my way to take on a leadership role in physical activity and help the environment.

Do you have a passion? What are you going to commit too?

Kenji

Severn Cullis-Suzuki is known throughout the world for her work in the environmental movement. Why then would Saskatchewan in motion invite her to be the guest speaker at out provincial gathering?

There are a few different reasons we choose to team up with Severn. At Sask in motion we are trying to build a provincial movement. We’re trying to promote lifestyle change. An epic goal like that requires leadership on many levels!

Laying the Groundwork

 Severn knows what it means to take a leadership role. She’s been doing environmental and social justice work since kindergarten. By the time she was in grade 5 Severn and a couple friends formed ECO (the Environmental Children’s Organization). Together they raised enough money to go to the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. At just 12 years old Severn took the stage at a plenary session to deliver ECO’s message. During Severn’s address the room of adults was silenced by young girls powerful words of caution.

Severn was awarded the UN environmental Program’s 500 Award the following year. Ever since, Severn has spoken around the world about social and ecological issues, climate change and intergenerational injustice.

Wait!..don’t be intimidated! Severn may take a leadership role on an international scale, but that doesn’t mean you have to. Severn has said that global change starts at the community level.

You Can Too

That philosophy is a huge part of how Sask in motion operates. We try to provide individuals with skills, knowledge, tools, resources, and connections so they can take action and contribute to a making changes that affect our physical activity!

You can take on a leadership role for yourself, and for your family and friends. With every action, this lays a foundation for more efforts in schools, communities, our country and even prhaps on an international scale. You can decide what your actions and goals will be based on what you are comfortable with. The most important thing to remember is that anyone is cable of identifying something they believe in and advocating for that cause on whatever level.

So to recap-> to raise awareness, build a movement and ultimately influence behavior change. We need people to be leaders!

Linkage

One of the other important reasons we wanted to work with Severn is because of the connection between the environment and physical activity.

The connection is there on so many levels, that it only makes sense to team up. At Sask in motion we aim to increase physical activity levels for improved health, social, enviornmental and economic benefits. Severn advocates for the health of the environment which ultimately affects the health of people.

Active Transportation

So many of the ways we can help ourselves go hand in hand with the ways we can decrease or impact out the environment. Active transportation is one of the most obvious examples of this. We provide the power rather than burning fossil fuels, and the reward is green living and acquiring recommended daily physical activity!

Connections Run Deep

By choosing to engage in a more physically active lifestyle people often discover or rediscover nature. By being outside and experiencing the natural world you may develop a deeper concern for conservation and sustainability.

The Greater Good

In the long run choosing to be both physically active and environmentally conscious are (in my opinion) “good” things to do. Being physically active has health, social, economic and environmental benefits. Plus, the environment, in simple terms supports our existence. So it makes sense to make sure we act in a sustainable manner…Don’t ya think?

So that’s the short version of why Saskatchewan in motion and Severn Cullis-Suzuki teaming up make sense.

The Event!

If you are interested in being a part of our Inspiring Action-Jump in 2010! event you can find details at saskatchewaninmotion.ca

The event is going out live through the LIVE Satellite Network and over the Internet. Which means we’re going interactive here people!

As Severn speaks tomorrow I’ll be plugged into the social media world connecting with the world outside the Queensbury in Regina and bringing it back to the event. Meaning - even if you’re not physically at the event you can tune in, and/or follow the discussion, send in your questions for Severn and see what people around the province (or the world) are feeling about the event.

Where To Connect:

Facebook- Event Page: Inspiring Action-Jump in 2010! (confirm your attending the event to comment)

Twitter- Direct message @Kenji22 or use the hash tag #jumpin

E-mail kenji@saskinmotion.ca

Txt- 306-550-9646

(Remember to keep it clean)

If you won’t be able to participate tomorrow post your questions below, I’ll check here too!

This is an opportunity to be heard.. will you take it?

Kenji