Youth Leading Climate Action: Lessons from the Green Mountains
A cohort of 60 students met in the Green Mountains to address climate change, developing actionable projects for their communities. Participants learned from experts, faced challenges, and collaborated on their initiatives. Three students shared their experiences and strategies for overcoming obstacles while making progress in sustainability efforts, reflecting the strong impact of youth leadership in climate action.
Last summer, a group of 60 students gathered in the Green Mountains of Vermont to study climate change solutions. They aligned their passions and identified regional climate issues, creating written plans to implement projects in their communities. After receiving expert feedback, these students returned home to put their plans into action, reflecting on both the challenges and successes encountered in generating change during a global crisis.
Three students, Anna P., Vaishnavi S., and Katana K., participated in the Columbia Climate School’s summer 2024 session, aimed at youth keen on tackling climate challenges. The program involved collaboration with peers and Columbia experts, culminating in the creation of community-focused Climate Action Projects designed for implementation after the program’s conclusion.
Anna, a sophomore from Virginia, was inspired by a lecture on the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Realizing many people struggle to utilize its incentives effectively, she developed a Climate Action Project to construct a website featuring an incentive calculator and resources to enhance accessibility to these benefits.
Vaishnavi, a senior, aimed to install solar panels at K-12 schools in her Washington State community. Although initially working with an energy manager, she faced implementation challenges during the Green Mountains program, which prompted her to refine her project execution strategy with expert guidance.
Katana, also a sophomore, sought to promote sustainability through her school’s Climate Action Club. Initially aiming to replace plastic utensils with reusable silverware, she pivoted to address broader cafeteria sustainability issues after facing participation and financial hurdles, focusing instead on researching biodegradable options and improving composting capacity.
The students faced various challenges, including bureaucratic delays and differing priorities with local institutions. Vaishnavi noted the necessity of adapting to the pace of governmental processes, recommending flexibility when pursuing climate initiatives within established systems. Similarly, Katana emphasized the importance of persistence without overbearing insistence.
Collaboration emerged as a vital component for all three students. Vaishnavi advised seeking out influential allies who share similar goals. She also highlighted the significance of setting clear objectives to visualize progress, considering her aspiration to become an environmental engineer.
Katana plans to assume a leadership role in her Climate Action Club, advocating for more substantial changes in her educational institution. She expressed that if schools preach the importance of social responsibility, they should support students’ initiatives to effect real change.
As for Anna, she is set to launch her website, “Save Money, Reduce Emissions,” in the spring. She remains focused on increasing traffic to the site through community engagement and social media efforts, recognizing her time as a high school student as a unique opportunity for impact.
Laurel Zaima-Sheehy, assistant director at the Columbia Climate School, stated, “Young people have incredible power in the climate movement and are stepping up… The goal is for the climate work to continue long after the program is over. This is the work of our lifetime!”
The Columbia Climate School’s program in the Green Mountains empowers students to engage actively in climate action through collaborative projects. Participants like Anna, Vaishnavi, and Katana illustrate the vital role of youth in addressing climate challenges and highlight the need for adaptability in navigating institutional obstacles. Their initiatives demonstrate that with determination and strategic collaboration, young leaders can significantly contribute to sustainable solutions in their communities.
Original Source: news.climate.columbia.edu
