Q: Can you please introduce yourself?
I’m Raluca and I play Character #8 and Amaru Cantoral. I’m in Grade 8. I live in Ottawa.
Q: What does being in 12 mean to you?
Being in 12 is more than just a performance; it’s a message about the vulnerable truth of our planet that we’re trying to ignore. 12 is sharing that avoided truth. Even though I’m young, and people might think I don’t know or I don’t care, I do care about climate change and the effect it has on our planet.
Q: What’s your favourite part of the natural world?
All forms of water. Rivers, lakes, streams, oceans, all of it. Everything from the turquoise or dark blue colour, to the sound of the waves, and how it fits in, yet stands out in any landscape, any time of year.
Q: What’s one of your specific Climate Change worries?
The sea ice of the Arctic. It’s melting so rapidly. Not only does it affect the species who rely on the ice to hunt and survive, but it affects the world as a whole. Species such as polar bears are unable to hide behind the ice and sneak up to their prey, so it’s becoming harder and harder for them by the day to eat and stay alive.
Q: If you could, what would you ask someone about Climate Change?
It’s such a broad and complex topic, so what do they think about when you hear those words? Is it the news or the statistics showing that we’re negatively affecting our planet? And how does that make you feel?
Q: When the audience leaves 12, you hope they will …
I hope they will hear our message, not as a cry for help, but as a seed of hope that we have dreams for the future of the Planet. I hope they understand that we’re not just ranting, that we’re all trying to make a contribution. And that we can handle the reality of the climate crisis.
Q: What’s your favourite word?
Empathetic.
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[Image Description: a youth with curly dark brown hair wears a green t-shirt that says STAND PROUD, with a sweater on top. She stands outside, near a tree]
12 - 100 Watt 