3 Canadian youth who are changing the world

(NC) Young people are an incredible source of creativity, energy and passion—and more are putting those gifts into the service of protecting the planet. A key target of their efforts is the ocean, which is crucial for life on Earth, but is under increasing threat.

Together with support from communities and conservation groups, they’re putting their ideas into action. Here are just three of the youth-driven projects that initiatives like the Ocean Wise Action Grant are making possible:

Andrew Polanyi—detecting ghost gear through sonar and artificial intelligence (AI)

Andrew’s passion for technology and marine conservation led to an innovative solution to a global problem: ghost fishing gear. Lost or abandoned fishing nets and traps, known as “ghost gear,” continue to catch and harm marine animals long after they’ve been discarded.

Through their ghost gear retrieval program, Ocean AID, Andrew is using sonar and AI to detect underwater debris around Victoria, British Columbia. Andrew and their team locate and recover ghost fishing gear—keeping it out of the ocean and preventing further harm to marine life.

Kit Tymoshuk—restoring Nova Scotia’s underwater kelp gardens

Kelp forests are disappearing at an alarming rate. These vital underwater ecosystems support marine life, protect shorelines and help store carbon. To help restore Nova Scotia’s kelp, Kit is crafting ceramic vessels from wild clay to serve as kelp-growing substrates, which will be planted in degraded reef systems.

Kelp restoration is a relatively new field in conservation and sometimes overlooked. Kit’s underwater garden project provides a medium for new kelp growth, while its nature as an art project is helping to further awareness around protecting these essential but vulnerable undersea forests.

Stephanie Quon—promoting mental health through ocean conservation

Stephanie’s project brings together calming, restorative experiences in natural spaces, and tangible action to protect them.

Through community cleanups, educational workshops and ocean-based mindfulness activities, Stephanie is creating safe and supportive spaces where participants can connect with and care for the environment as well as themselves. They leave a session with the benefit to their mental well-being bolstered by knowing that they also helped make a real impact.

Across Canada, youth are leading the charge for a better planet. Their creativity and determination are making waves of positive change. You can learn more about putting ideas into action at ocean.org/youth.

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The Ocean Action Grant Program, supported in part by Canada Service Corps, helps young Canadians lead local environmental projects focused on ocean health and sustainability.