Youth in Action: Hanna R. Shares Insights from Rising Leaders Climate Workshop 2
Over complimentary tea, youth environmental advocates gathered to discuss climate action and food insecurity at Studio.89’s Rising Leaders for Climate Action workshop on May 9th, 2025. Speakers led the discussion panel from the Institute for Future Food Systems and Reimagine Agriculture.
As a fair-trade, vegan cafe and non-profit community hub, Studio 89 works to equip marginalized youths with leadership training and educational programs by working with schools and local organizers, such as the Institute for Future Food Systems (IFFS) and Reimagine Agriculture. IFFS is a non-profit organization set to launch in July as an “action-oriented evolution” of Plant-Based Data, a free library database that allows users to explore pressing environmental issues. Reimagine Agriculture is a non-profit charity that aims to bridge environmental responsibility and food production and consumption by reshaping “perceptions, practices, and policies related to the food system.”
IFFS’ executive director, Nital Jethalal, and the executive director of Reimagine Agriculture, Allison Penner, collaborated to inform and encourage future community leaders to take a stand against climate change effectively and concertedly. The speakers spoke heavily about food waste and food insecurity, mentioning that 45 percent of all food produced in Canada was wasted or lost by 2019 and that food bank usage in Canada has grown by 90 percent since 2019.
Both Penner and Jethalal provided several ways youths can mobilize to reduce environmental damage from over-cultivating, overproduction and overconsumption. Jethalal noted that engaging with climate change skeptics can be a difficult feat, considering the intersection of one’s beliefs and emotions. He suggested trying to build rapport, asking them to expand on their worldview, finding shared values, and finally, breaking down one’s argument in a digestible manner so that confusion dissipates and a healthy dialogue can ensue. Penner proposed that youth advocates bring their concerns to various levels of government. The two speakers have contacted city councils and elected officials to spread their respective causes, leading to the city of Toronto adopting two motions relating to transitioning to plant-based foods and lower-emission foods. Penner suggested meeting elected officials with four key tips: determining the magnitude of one’s request, finding credible stakeholders and sources to support the cause, speaking professionally yet cordially, and coming prepared with easy-to-skim research for the officials to go over. She said these methods will help smooth the process, emphasize the importance of the proposal or request, and ensure that constituents come across as the right people to deliver their message.
The workshop concluded with an exercise prompted by Penner, leading attendants to a nearby table to jot down individual objectives relating to environmental justice on sticky notes. Some goals included starting food waste initiatives at school, panelling at environmental assemblies, creating an in-house composting system for Studio.89, and developing an app similar to Uber Eats and Skip The Dishes that allows patrons to purchase food ready to be thrown out by fast food chains at a lower cost.
“As young leaders, this is not just about becoming problem solvers but becoming problem seekers too,” Jethalal said, encouraging youth advocates to go beyond solving issues they’re aware of and pursue societal issues they’re unaware of.
Studio.89 | By: Hanna Rayaan