Engaging Youth in Policy: Right to a Healthy Environment

Welcome to Season 4 of Establish, the official podcast by Shake Up The Establishment! In our first episode back, we dive into one of the most pressing and complex issues in environmental justice today: the right to a healthy environment. Joined by Shake Up The Establishment’s Executive Director and Co-Founder Manvi Bhalla and Director of Policy and Research Anna Huschka, this episode unpacks the amendment to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), which now includes the right to a healthy environment. But what does that actually mean—and how enforceable is it? Together, they explore:

• What a "right to a healthy environment" looks like in practice
• The difference between legislation and policy frameworks
• Why youth voices are essential in shaping environmental justice
• Key findings from our youth consultation events across the country
• What comes next as we approach the 2025 federal election

Tune in to hear from the team leading community-based advocacy efforts to ensure this right is more than just symbolic. Learn how young people across Canada are influencing policy and pushing for real change—because a healthy environment shouldn’t be a privilege, it should be a right. Follow @shakeuptheestab to stay updated on future episodes and youth-led climate justice work.