When he is not engaged in fighting for a more sustainable world, or studying environmental science and international relations at university, perhaps Graham May is a typical 20-year-old youth. However, there seems to be nothing typical about May. Right now, he is pedalling across Canada, inspiring youth-led environmental action; mid-month he will be heading to Rio de Janeiro to speak at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, also known as Rio+20 Earth Summit.
Growing up in Powell River, May developed a flair for taking on a cause and mounting campaigns. Speaking to audiences young and old seemed no hurdle to the six- foot-four-inch motivator.
When May, who has been sponsored by Leadership Mount Allison (a program run through his university funding his flights), arrives in Rio he will be accompanied by 13 other youth between the ages of 17 and 24, from Canada, Norway and Hong Kong, and all will be lobbying for sustainability in the Arctic and Antarctica. The group shares a common experience, that of being participants in a Students on Ice (SOI)expedition to either of the polar extremes.
When interviewed by the Peak following his expedition in 2008, May espoused the realization of how important the Arctic is. “Most people don’t think of the Arctic as an important part of the world but it really, really is a key part. The Arctic is actually a thermometer for the health of the world,” he said. “The Arctic is a multi-layered place. It has culture and wildlife and its climate is very complex. It has to be preserved.”
Rio+20 is touted to be the most significant meeting on sustainable development since the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio. It is anticipated that “countries will finalize negotiations toward the institutional framework needed for sustainable development, discuss the creation of a green economy to eradicate poverty and address emerging sustainable development challenges,” states a press release from the Alumni Delegation of SOI. The delegation will strive to bring the plight of the polar regions to the attention of world leaders at the conference.
“I’m thrilled to be joining my peers from around the world to represent youth at such a critical event,” said May in the release. “It’s inspiring to see young people driving change at such a high level—especially by standing up for the polar regions, a critical part of Canada’s environment.”
As education director for SOI alumni, May has helped develop a side event and local presentations. The side event, which will be held on Monday, June 18, will allow the delegation to present their recommendations and discuss with delegates of the conference the importance of the polar regions.
SOI alumni have created a recommendation paper available on their website. It defines four recommendations:
• Recognize the importance of the polar regions as an emerging challenge in the context of sustainable development
• Strive for carbon neutrality in Antarctica
• Recognize the rights of indigenous communities in the context of Arctic resource development
• Protect polar oceans to protect global oceans.
In many ways, May is fulfilling the destiny instilled with his SOI 2008 trip to the Arctic, that of working together with people across the world to help preserve the Arctic and Antarctica.
Interested readers can follow the SOI delegation through Facebook and Twitter for live updates during the conference @SOIDelegation.
