Climate justice, one coffee at a time

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

Summer Sharma raised awareness of social and climate justice in her high school by serving coffee. 

Tell us about your project.

In 2017, I started a coffee shop at Okanagan Mission Secondary School with Lauren Moody, Skye Noh and Angelica Phelan. We wanted to raise awareness among our fellow students about the difference collective action can make in achieving social and climate justice. We donated the profits to three charities chosen by our customers. We are so proud the coffee shop still runs today and has provided over $20,000 to various social and climate justice groups. 

Mission Roots Cafe is sustainable, not-for-profit and run by students. Its purpose is to raise awareness of local and global issues, provide healthy and sustainable food options, and donate all profits to groups creating positive social and environmental changes.  

Customers make their own choice between three charities that can be supported by their purchase. Since most of the recipient groups have local headquarters and the options change twice a year, students gain awareness of both the needs and available help in their community. Students talk with each other about the problems, and come to see their collective choices have real impact.

Mission Roots uses biodegradable cups, sleeves and spaghetti for stir sticks. It composts and rewards customers for reusable coffee mugs. Preference is given to plant-based, locally-sourced, organic, fair-trade, non-GMO, or B-corp certified products. All of this is transparent to the customer. Getting a cup of tea becomes a lesson in reducing waste and minimizing our ecological footprint. 

​What got you involved?

A wonderful teacher, Mr. Ross, offered a sustainability course. We learned to see the connection between climate change and the wildfires and flooding so common in Kelowna. We studied the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and became more aware of the enormity of the problems. We also met young change-makers. The three of us wanted to inspire our schoolmates to get involved and thought that prompting good conversation over coffee would be both fun and social. We used $200 from the school’s club fund as seed money to purchase supplies and just got started. We applied for grants to purchase café equipment. The enterprise quickly became self-sufficient and so profitable it can make donations every semester.

It was a fabulous learning experience. We conceived, started and ran a successful, purpose-driven, values-based small business. We developed relationships with the groups we supported. We learned to work as a team, and relied on each other when the project took over our lives. We trained our successors. But the biggest impact was achieving our purpose of educating the entire student body and engaging many. Customers enjoyed learning about and rooting for their favourite group. Many volunteer for them outside of school. Mission Roots is run by students from across the school, and since everyone is part of choosing which charity to support, they automatically have something to discuss. We were delighted to discover that our efforts enriched the high school experience for everyone.

What made it challenging?

At first, the scale of the problems facing the world felt overwhelming. We were also angry and frustrated that so few of us learn this in school. Could we really make a difference? But as we talked and planned, gradually we all came to be less anxious. Taking action as a team absorbed anxiety.

What gives you hope?

My generation. Almost everyone I know is thoughtful, engaged and determined to make our future brighter. 

How do you think the way you were raised impacted you?

I was born in England but have lived in many places in the world - urban, rural, coastal and arid. Despite their differences, I've seen the impact of climate change on all my former communities. I feel for my grandparents facing summer heatwaves in London, and my friends evacuated during Kelowna's fires last year. I have relationships with people who are unfairly impacted by climate change. I want to use my privilege to make a difference for them. 

What do you see if we get this right?

We look to where people now gather to build communities that solve problems at scale. 

What would you like to say to other young people? 

We all feel eco-anxiety from time to time. But I find if I take the first step, I feel better. 

What about older readers?

I am so grateful for the support I have received from older people. The school supported our vision and trusted us as leaders, despite this not being an official academic project. My teachers turned a blind eye when I was late for class after cleaning up the café. My parents have always had high expectations, but they embrace my passions and trust me to make a difference in whatever path I choose. Trust us, but continue to hold us close.