Advocating for climate-friendly jobs for youth

These in-their-own-words pieces are told to Patricia Lane and co-edited with input from the interviewee for the purpose of brevity.

Abbey Piazza understands the future. This 29-year-old knows that the climate crisis needs everyone, and everyone who works on climate change will carry eco-anxiety and grief for the rest of their lives. Her passion is to help them become more resilient. As senior organizer with the British Columbia Youth Climate Corps ‘Jobs for Everyone’ campaign, Abbey is advocating for climate-friendly jobs for every young person in B.C. As founder of Piazza Rosa, she helps activists learn the science of stress and facilitates relationship-building, so participants can surround themselves with communities of engagement. 

Tell us about your projects.

At the Youth Climate Corps BC (YCCBC), I lead a team of youth who are passionate about playing a meaningful role in the climate crisis. They build relationships with government decision-makers, not-for-profits and other potential stakeholders, like building trade apprenticeship programs, to find out how we can best grow a Youth Climate Corps to employ more youth in B.C. Through this process my team learns real skills like government relations, public outreach, networking, and public speaking. YCCBC builds support for its programs. Everyone wins.

Many youth come to us with acute climate anxiety. Action absorbs anxiety, especially if it is done in community. We help them, not only to find a part to play, but also to realize they must pace themselves. They are likely to be involved for the rest of their lives and their long-term wellbeing is crucial to success. 

Part of becoming resilient is having fun along the way! For example, we recently enjoyed a bowling night out to celebrate team members who recently started green careers.

Piazza Rosa means “beautiful gathering space” in the Italian language of my ancestors. I help activists who feel overwhelmed or stressed, or want strategies to avoid that happening to them. I facilitate knowledge and skills for wellbeing through The Resilience Toolkit. I work one-on-one and with groups to support their wellbeing. I teach people how to understand the physical reality of stress in their bodies, the impact on their minds and emotions, and explore proven techniques for managing the worry and concern that is so much a part of our lives as climate-informed people. If we are well, we have more to give.

How did you get into this work?

I started my working life as a political organizer, building opposition to the TMX (Trans Mountain) pipeline. When it was time for a change, I was drawn to this opportunity because it allows me to do more than just react. It prioritizes both the relationship-building work that is such an essential part of organizing, and proactively explores solutions.

What makes it hard?

There is so much to be done and resources are scarce. Everyone I work with is passionate and so many of us are stretched thin trying to make a dent. It is easy to see what must be done and sometimes hard to see the victories. 

What gives you hope?

Getting to work with other passionate, smart people. Celebrating when people get decent work that aligns with their values and passions.

How do you think the way you were raised affects where you are now?

My parents strongly encouraged me to be self-reflective. It wasn’t so much about what the other person did or did not do, and more about how I contributed. This ethic of responsibility runs deep in my family, but so does a sense of community and caring for each other. 

I have family members who live in Asheville, North Carolina, which has been badly affected by climate storms. My grandparents, who live in assisted living, were without water or power for five days. My cousin had their house swept away. When my aunt and I talked during the catastrophe, she was able to hear when I told her she had to take care of herself and find some moments of reprieve if she was going to be able to continue to help those she loves. Taking responsibility and taking care of ourselves and seeing ourselves as part of a community of care are all deeply held values in my family.

What do you see if we get this right?

We all have our basic needs met in a way that regenerates rather than depletes our environment. This will mean our world slows down a little. In the process, we might find each other and be able to build the communities of mutual aid and support we need so that people do not die from isolation, like they did in the 2021 heat dome. 

What would you like to say to other young people?

Find your passion and act in community. 

Make sure to do some things that bring you joy without an attached emotional load. I recently joined a choir just to have two hours a week of simply singing in a group.

What about older readers?

Talk with us. We have so much to learn from you. And you can learn from us, too. We need each other.