Every year, the Global Youth Climate Movement strengthens as the effects of climate change on the world worsen. Canadian filmmaker Slater Jewell-Kemker, born in 1992, knew she had to help advocate for environmental justice from a young age. Inspired by youth activists like Severn Cullis-Suzuki before her, Jewell-Kemker started seriously documenting her experiences as part of a global activism movement at 15. For over 10 years, she forms her film Youth Unstoppable. The environmental documentary comes replete with a comprehensive teacher’s guide, and they together offer an effective tool for teaching how young people can organize to combat climate change and advocate for a healthier global environment.
In 2005, Jewell-Kemker interviewed one of her environmental heroes, marine biologist Jean-Michel Cousteau. The activist handed the 12-year-old a sea urchin as a representation of the baton he was passing on to her. There is much work yet to be done in his field, and it will be left up to young people like her. Jewell-Kemker took the charge seriously, proceeding to take us on a journey through 10 years of her life as an environmental activist. Through participation in environmental conferences and protests, personal research, and visits to underdeveloped countries most impacted by climate change, Jewell-Kemker paints a broad picture of the Global Youth Climate Movement during this period.
The environmental documentary is not, as some might expect, an initiative to convince viewers of the real threat of climate change. The young people Jewell-Kemker befriends at her first climate conference in Japan already know this would be folly. Activists at COP16 know too that engaging with climate-change deniers distracts from their cause more than anything. Youth Unstoppable doesn’t entertain this debate. It rather, however, focuses on moving forward–based on concrete knowledge–to advocate for actionable change: such as demanding a temperature ceiling of 1.5 degrees Celsius.
It’s an inspiring progression to see the lengths Jewell-Kempker and fellow activists take to advocate for climate justice. Even if somewhat unfocused at times and too personal in its scope, the environmental documentary comes back around to take a strong and poignant stance. Young people’s concerns and future lives are valid. They were never worth ignoring in favor of profit, not in 1992 when Severn Cullis-Suzuki gave her speech at the Earth Summit–and not today.
Near the end of the film, Cousteau and Jewell-Kempker run into each other again. “We are the only species on the planet,” the marine biologist tells her, “that has the capability and the privilege to decide not to disappear.” In this documentary, Jewell-Kemker takes Cousteau’s sea urchin (his metaphorical baton) and passes on his call for more young people to contribute to the Global Youth Climate Movement. Youth Unstoppable and its teacher’s guide are valuable resources for public libraries looking to expand their environmental documentary collection. Recommended.
Does this film have Public Performance Rights available?
Youth Unstoppable is one of 48 films included in a subscription to the Global Environmental Justice collection. It can be also be used separately for public screenings at your library or university by visiting the environmental documentary’s official website and filling out this form.
What academic subjects would this film be suitable for?
With its emphasis on the climate movement, Youth Unstoppable could be a valuable teaching tool for academic subjects such as environmental studies, international studies, and behavioral sociology.
How does this film contribute to a discussion of environmental or climate justice?
Jewell-Kempker’s environmental documentary contributes uniquely to a discussion of climate justice with its special emphasis on the Global Youth Climate Movement. Youth Unstoppable answers questions of how youth are especially affected by climate change and how they can organize to combat it.
What type of library programming could use this title?
Library environmental programs and youth programs could utilize Youth Unstoppable and its teacher’s guide. With its focus on the younger generation’s fight against climate change, Jewell-Kemper’s environmental documentary would make for an educational screening for library programs seeking to teach youth about environmental justice.
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Teacher's Guide
Curator | Rajashree Ghosh
Affiliated Scholar, Women’s Studies Research Center, Brandeis University
Why I selected this film
Climate change represents one of the defining issues of this generation. Storms, raging fires, and severe droughts accompany increasing global temperatures and rising sea levels. Youth political activism in response to this crisis is growing worldwide. The film captures local action in hometowns as well as coordinated demonstrations at international forums. Youth are no longer sidelined—they’re emerging as outstanding voices and political leaders in the debate. As the next generation to inherit the earth, young people are calling for a just transition to a resilient climate future that is equitable for all.
Please download the teacher's guide for maps, background information, suggested subjects, questions and activities.
To date, the award-winning Global Environmental Justice collection consists of 48 films and teacher's guides. Use these links to read 12 reviews or browse the full collection of 48 films and download teacher's guides.
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The Global Environmental Justice Documentaries project is supported by the Henry Luce Foundation, the Global Reporting Centre, Face to Face Media, and by subscriptions from colleges like yours. Subscriptions are US$ 395/year based on a 3-year subscription or US$ 495 for one year. Canadian libraries can request a 25% discount to offset currency charges. Online academic streaming is provided by Docuseek2. To learn more about the Global Environmental Justice Project and Collection go to https://gej.docuseek2.com/.
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