A French podcast brings climate conversations to young listeners

National Observer

14-07-2025

These in-their-own-words pieces are told to Patricia Lane and co-edited with input from the interviewee for the purpose of brevity.
Sasha Emery brings climate conversations to young francophones. This 22-year-old from Yukon and her Franco-Manitoban friend, Anne-Sophie Règnier, produce the Conversations Climatiques podcast. Sasha represented youth on the Yukon government's Youth Panel on Climate Change and at the 2024 United Nations High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development
Tell us about your podcast.
As a young Francophone, I saw a need for climate resources in French, especially oriented toward young people. Our podcast breaks down climate-related topics and features French-speaking youth who speak from their lived experiences and climate emotions from across Canada, especially from the North. Topics have included an interview with Yukon MP Dr. Hanley on the interactions between health, environment and politics and the importance of art in fostering hope in Nunavut.
Those of us who live in the North face constant anxiety from the threat of wildfires, smoke, unusual heat and flooding. We are seeing new species and losing ones we grew up with. Many of us have been evacuated in climate-induced emergencies. Anne-Sophie and I want to record and respect the experiences of young people so others feel less alone, and to inform decision-makers in charge of our future. We have listeners across the country in the United States and Europe.
How did you get involved in this project?
Growing up in Yukon, I loved the beautiful, vast landscapes around me. I was involved in the local community but did not make the connection between justice and climate until l joined my high school's social justice club and learned about the United Nations Social Development Goals. Encouraged to use my voice by my parents and teachers, it was a natural next step to participate in the Fridays for Future protests in Whitehorse. I'm motivated to help northern communities build resiliency in the face of climate change and have been involved in climate action at several levels; working in the non-profit sector, for Environment and Climate Change Canada, bringing northern perspectives on several youth councils and climate conferences.
Sasha Emery brings climate conversations to young francophones. This 22-year-old from Yukon and her Franco-Manitoban friend, Anne-Sophie Règnier, produce the Conversations Climatiques podcast.
I met Anne-Sophie at a conference for francophone youth. When we realized we shared a common passion for action on climate, we decided to do this podcast together. We run it on Zoom so it is very low tech but still high quality. We aim to raise awareness while reducing climate anxiety. Listeners hear thoughtful people and have their emotions validated, but they also see they are not alone. We try to provide avenues for engagement as an antidote to fear and publicize petitions, youth engagement opportunities and resources like emergency preparedness tool kits and support groups.
One youth we interviewed had to be evacuated from Yellowknife during the 2023 wildfire. He talked about the surreal experience of driving out past the community of Enterprise and then hearing it had burned to the ground. The trees he grew up with that ringed the city were felled to prevent wildfire spread, and he shared with us how disorienting it is to see such a change in the landscape. I hope his experience will resonate with those who do not yet directly experience climate change, so they too will become active in protecting the people and places we love.
What makes it hard?
It is painful to be so aware of the losses we are experiencing.
What keeps you awake at night?
Sometimes, it is hope! If we work hard and everyone does their part, we can make a better world. We might not see the end result, but it is good to be working with others to try. Small steps can create big ripples. Greta Thunberg did not know that her one person protest would ignite a global movement. Maybe one conversation on our podcast will wake someone up who then starts to take action. But in any event, it feels good to know we are making a positive difference in the lives of our listeners by giving them information and a sense of community.
What do you see if we get this right?
The systems around us support us to repurpose our lives to help each other rather than to see ourselves as solitary individuals. We have integrated Indigenous wisdom and know we are just one of the beings on the land and in the waters. We value art and creativity as pathways to a better future.
We have learned that while disagreements can be frustrating, it is important to try to understand each other's perspectives and to find a shared interest in the common good.
What would you like to say to other young people?
Talk about climate change. Your voice matters.
What about older readers?
As a youth, it is frustrating to hear older people say things like, 'You young people are going to change the world.' As youth, we didn't ask for this. We're already tired, and we'll have to face these challenges for the rest of our lives. Everyone at any age can have an impact. If you're unsure where to start, try to learn about the harmful systems and root causes of climate change and other injustices. You'll discover everything is interconnected. Any action taken by you to achieve one solution can advance others.