In the past month or so, Northern Alberta has been experiencing a catastrophic wildfire of massive proportions. As of writing this article, the Fort McMurray fires have devastated 251,000 hectares of land, equating roughly 150,000 standard football fields. New York City itself only covers 121,400 hectares. Less than half.

This past November, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the government agency that oversees taxpayer-owned public lands, auctioned off tens of thousands of acres of land, including portions of the Pawnee National Grasslands in my home of Colorado, to the highest bidding oil and gas companies,

T It is important to participate in the talks and to push for an ambitious, justice-oriented global agreement. We also remember that at the end of the day, no one is coming to save us. Lives are on the line, we know that millions of people are already being affected by climate change.

Successful social movements do not always look to the police or state authorities for permission take action for justice. In the 1965 Civil Rights march from Selma to Montgomery, protesters were forbid to march on the first day across that bridge, yet they marched anyways.

"If you don't have a strategy, you are part of someone else's strategy” -Alvin Toffler in Beautiful Trouble

Our first 24 hours here have been a blur of jet lag, cultural adjustments, crepes and chaos. As tens of thousands of people arrive to Paris just days before COP 21, I see many contradictions.

Earth Guardians Africa held its first academy last month in Bunso, Ghana at the University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. 114 students attended from eight institutions and other youth who have not previously attended school were also invited to join the academy.

Earth Guardian New York leader and RYSE Youth Council member Aidan Ferris spoke up at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's meeting regarding the local Indian Point nuclear power plant. Aidan felt compelled to speak to represent her generation and those who follow.

For Earth Day, Earth Guardians Brazil planted native crops in school gardens at Emeb Aura Soares in the tradition of Brazil's indigenous peoples. Pumpkins, corn, gourds, and sunflowers were among the plants that youth planted, and classes will follow the process to see these plants sprout and grow!

The Boulder crew skyped with Earth Guardians New Zealand and was honored to watch their amazing crew perform song and dance!