REGINA — Regina resident Abhay Sachal has created an organization which is empowering youth to take climate action.
Break the Divide works with schools and teachers around young people who have anxiety and hopelessness for the future of the world.
“There is a core problem with young people when it comes to climate change in the state of the world,” said Sachal.
Sachal referenced a study done by the U.S., U.K., and Finnish researchers where 10,000 young people were surveyed and 56 per cent believed humanity is doomed because of climate change.
Where Break the Divide comes in is allowing youth to understand climate change impacts in their local community, understand local community knowledge, and share emotions about climate impact.
“In naming your emotions, you can actually tame them. And so by putting language to emotions, it helps young people feel a lot less alone,” said Sachal.
Break the Divide first started out as a high school club in Delta, B.C.
Sachal's motivation behind climate change activism came when he travelled to the Arctic as a 14-year-old.
“I saw climate change for the first time. I saw glaciers melting in front of my eyes. I saw polar bears struggle.”
“I think what really struck me was learning about how climate change has been impacting the Inuit, or indigenous to the Arctic.”
Through his experience, Sachal started understanding climate change and its impact on mental health.
Since Saschal wanted to share his own experiences, he started doing Zoom calls at his school, which connected to another school in Inuvik, N.W.T.
Before long, Break the Divide had people from Africa, Bolivia, and other countries reach out to share their stories.
“It was very clear that there were mental health impacts of that on people.”
The organization quickly grew and started connecting with various schools in Canada for 2023 and 2024.
Sachal's work led him to be named as one of the Eureka Fellowship for Youth Changemakers in Canada for 2025-2026.
Individuals are selected for their efforts in building a healthier, equitable world.
Those selected will receive support, including financial aid.
