Climate Guides
An SOI alumni-led initiative that connects youth to professionals addressing climate change through mentorship. Climate Guides invests in the next generation of climate leaders to generate optimistic solutions.
Climate Guides is an initiative co-directed by Caroline Merner and Marina Melanidis, alumni from the SOI 2017 Arctic Expedition.
On the Ocean Endeavor ship, their expedition had an intergenerational component connecting professionals with youth. Elders, scientists, educators, and leaders offered guidance for bright ideas. Caroline and Marina saw that mentorship could elevate youth innovation. They discovered a shared passion for addressing climate change and fittingly live in the same city of Vancouver. Thus, Climate Guides began.
“How are youth supported in innovating climate change solutions? How can youth connect to climate change careers?” – Caroline Merner & Marina Melanidis
Climate Guides contributes to a positive narrative on tackling climate change. The mentorship program gathers mentees and mentors through personal and professional development experiences. These partnerships generate optimistic solutions to benefit our community and our planet. Since launching in January 2018, they presented at five events in the first month. Climate Guides welcomes mentees and mentors from Vancouver for the 2018 cohort, as well as members for the advisory board across Canada. The first edition will have 10 mentors and 10 mentees in fields of climate policy, technology, oceans, conservation, energy, food systems, and zero waste, among others. Their goal is to equip our generation with skills, a mentor, financial support, and a network of passionate community members. The CG team hopes this platform will potentially connect the country from coast to coast to coast and the global in climate action.
