I still remember getting on the flight to San Diego in August of 2023 for our annual YLC meeting, wondering just what I was getting myself into. Little did I know the next two years would be some of the most transformative ones of both my career and personal life. I was immediately welcomed into the EarthEcho family and surrounded by like minded young people, each accomplished in their own regards and excited to collaborate to imagine a future where young voices are at the forefront of the environmental movement. Interactive workshops and planning meetings allowed me to delve deeper into the ocean issues I was passionate about and develop creative solutions with my peers to address them. I left that week with renewed excitement and energy for the next two years ahead.

Being on the YLC has also provided me with the opportunity to grow and develop my leadership skills in the environmental space. As a member of the Council's events committee, I worked to develop and run virtual webinars on EarthEcho’s GenSea platform that provided young people with knowledge of current ocean issues and the skills needed to become effective leaders and advocates. I also hosted an iteration of EarthEcho’s 2023 Youth Leadership Summit in Vancouver where I brought together ~20 youth ages 16-23 to learn about ocean-based climate solutions in the lead up to the COP28 Climate Change Conference. I held workshops run by experts in the fields of kelp restoration in British Columbia and marine law in Canada. I also ran a roundtable discussion that captured youth priorities on marine conservation issues and meaningful youth engagement in government that was later compiled into a report and brought to COP28 to share with government officials from NOAA and the U.S. State Department. Serving as a bridge between this global network and my home community was a wonderful experience that reminded me of the importance of engagement at all levels.

In October 2024, I represented EarthEcho at COP16, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity  Conference, in Cali, Colombia as one of two youth delegates. Here, I attended sessions on international ocean policy and governance and had the opportunity to experience firsthand what ocean conservation policymaking looks like in practice. Through meetings with partners and other attendees I was also able to have inspiring conversations surrounding the importance of meaningful inclusion of youth voices in the international conservation space and imagine what the future of ocean conservation could be. During the Conference, we hosted an interactive session, in partnership with The Pew Charitable Trusts, High Seas Alliance, and WIILDTRUST, that brought together government officials and youth to focus on identifying shared priorities for advancing the High Seas Treaty and global goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030. This was an incredible opportunity that allowed me to grow my public speaking skills and build connections with pivotal leaders and like minded people within the ocean space. Additionally, as a student studying conservation science, it was impactful to see the concepts I learned in class in practice in real time and this experience solidified that this was a career path I wished to continue to pursue. Being able to represent an organization affecting so much change was huge for me as a young person. I am incredibly thankful for the role the YLC has taken in contributing to EarthEcho’s programming and engagement of young people. Building spaces for youth where our voices are considered meaningfully and genuinely is crucial.

One of the biggest takeaways I have from my time on the YLC is the importance of education and equitable access to nature and the ocean. My favourite part of being on the Youth Leadership Council has been getting to bring ocean education to my community and beyond. Whether it be connecting with youth from around the world through virtual webinars and workshops or meeting young people through EarthEcho’s ambassador programs, I am constantly reminded of the value of access to resources when communicating the importance of conservation and effecting change. In addition, traditional education paradigms see education as a linear movement with young people as strictly learners. While I relate to this heavily as a student pursuing post-secondary education, my time on the YLC has also shown me that learning can be reciprocal: A cyclical movement of knowledge can be pivotal in pushing for transformative action that captures priorities reflective of all members of society. Through the YLC I have seen firsthand how young people have been proponents of change at all scales and have shown consistently that they are ready to be engaged and educated on the issues most important to them. It’s time for the people in power to acknowledge and understand our voices.

As I reflect on my time serving on the Youth Leadership Council, I find great joy in seeing how much I have grown as a leader in the ocean space and the lifelong friendships and connections I have made along the way. I have met some of my closest friends on the YLC and people working at all corners of the environmental movement. Getting to see how there is truly a space for everyone’s talents and passions within ocean conservation and the magnitude of youth power and action has given me renewed strength to continue this work in a field that is often plagued with dreadful news and statistics. As I look to the future, I am excited to build on the skills I have gained and work started during my time on the YLC and leave with instilled hope for a sustainable future with young people at the forefront as proponents of change.

Emma Chu is a member of EarthEcho International’s Youth Leadership Council from Vancouver, Canada and is finishing her second year on the council. She is also a third-year student at the University of British Columbia studying Natural Resources Conservation with a Certificate in Climate Studies and Action. 

Interested in apply for the EarthEcho Youth Leadership Council? Applications are open through May 5, 2025 to young environmental advocates ages 15-22. Learn more and apply today!