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Carihi Mirror: Youth Action Committee raises awareness for environmental issues at Earth Week Film Festival

The grade 9-12 students are showing a movie on April 27 at the Tidemark

Clinton Macadam

Carihi Mirror

Every year on April 22, people around the world celebrate Earth Day in support of environmental initiatives. In recent years, Earth Day has gradually evolved to become Earth Week.

This year in Campbell River, Earth Week will be celebrated with the Earth Week Film Festival. The festival is presented by the Campbell River Youth Action Committee.

The theme that the YAC has chosen is food waste. The film Dive will be the main presentation at the festival.

According to YAC liaison Jennifer Furst, Dive “focuses on the amount of waste that is thrown out, predominantly from grocery stores.”

The film also explores dumpster diving and how much of the food in dumpsters remains in perfect condition.

The Youth Action Committee (YAC) is a group of 10 youth in grades 9-12 who are interested in sharing their perspectives and contributing to the development of Campbell River.

The committee meets twice a month at the Enterprise Centre near City Hall. Earth Week Film Festival is an annual event for the committee.

The Youth Action Committee has focused on food waste for another project this year as well. Members of the committee developed a survey regarding food waste and composting.

Approximately 365 high school students completed the survey and the YAC plan to present the data in front of council later this year.

A brochure containing basic information concerning the topic/movie will be provided. In addition, there may be a YAC booth, as well as booths for other community groups.

The goal of the festival is “to raise awareness for Earth Week and the Youth Action Committee”, said Furst.

Attendance is by donation, and the money raised goes to an environmental bursary for a high school student. Earth Week Film Festival takes place on Thursday, Thursday, April 27 at the Tidemark Theatre. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.while the film begins at 7 p.m.