ARE YOU READY OR WHAT?

By: Ella Larsen | August 7 2025

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On July 15 2025, I and another community youth member, Caitlin, chatted with Honorable Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada, about her book, "How to Save The World in Your Spare Time".

Honorable Elizabeth May reminded us all that community and credibility are, in Super Mario terms, invaluable power-ups in the race on public policy issues that matter to us.

The discussion delivered oodles of optimism, and jangled up a can-do feeling in me, a 14-year old aspiring activist. 

So, you can imagine my utter surprise, when later that month, iPolitics.ca quotes renowned environmentalist David Suzuki as having said "it's too late", in his reference to the fight against climate change.

(L to R) Me (Grade 10), Caitlin (B.A. Political Science), and Right Honorable Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada Photo credit: SOWCOOL.org June 15 2025

PROJECT ZERO - reducing waste at the Cinecenta

Cinecenta is a 300-seat theatre operated by the Students’ Society of the University of Victoria, British Columbia

Despite the head-scratcher July was for a teenager like myself trying to make sense of what politics and antics may thwart global carbon emission reduction targets, I choose to believe that my generation can make a positive difference on the climate crisis.

So, on August 6 2025, I chose to sit in a circle with the University of Victoria's Students’ Society's Lisa Sheppard to discuss my experience at the cinema operated by the students’ society (UVSS), Cinecenta and a pilot (or if you prefer, a well-intentioned plot) to reduce waste at the Cinecenta.

I would like to thank SOWCOOL.org and UVSS for collaborating on Project Zero at the Cinecenta this Fall 2025. Learn more here.

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