Geoff Green recently participated in the Coastal Zone Canada Conference, presenting the SOI Foundation’s 21 year evolution. He later joined Dr. Lawrence Hildebrand, Professor & Canadian Chair in Marine Environmental Protection at World Maritime University, for a live Q&A session ahead of the closing plenary, Planning our Future with Youth Leaders.

Throughout SOI’s 21 years, the topic of Planning our Future with Youth Leaders has never been more prevalent. By using the land and ocean as a classroom, Geoff explains how Students on Ice expeditions are transformational experiences that translate into knowledge and action for a healthy and sustainable future. 

During Geoff’s presentation, he shared recently launched projects and potential future programming. Each with a purpose of connecting youth to education, employment, funding and opportunities. 

“It’s up to all of us to do better. Youth have the power to make change and it’s absolutely critical that we provide opportunities for them to do just that.” 

During the live Q&A, Geoff was asked about future plans for the SOI Foundation and discussed the impacts COVID-19 has had on the organization and how it forced innovation and creativity.

“Covid gave us the chance to hit the pause button and find new opportunities.”

Geoff spoke on future plans for land and smaller ship-based expeditions in order to develop hands-on programming focused on leadership in sustainability, such as youth-led climate action in communities, or opportunities within the Sustainable Blue Economy. Geoff described new expeditions that are in development and will be launched in the fall.

During the live Q&A, Geoff touched on the importance of the new SOI programming playing a role in creating a sustainable future and the critical importance of getting youth involved, empowered and engaged in our conservation economy in order to achieve the planet’s sustainability goals. 

Visit the SOI Foundation website for more information on our current, and upcoming programs!