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To make cities more resilient, inclusive, and healthy for all people in the face of the climate crisis, youth need a seat at the table. Austin's Youth Climate Equity Council was established to give a platform to Austin's next generation of climate champions, connect them to city initiatives and leaders, and foster intergenerational collaboration. The Council is excited to welcome its third cohort of local youth, representing each City Council district and 13 area schools. This school year, the students will design solutions to initiatives related to sustainability and the implementation of Austin's Climate Equity Plan, adopted by the City Council in September 2021. "[As a member of the council,] I hope to make effective change through education and policy in Austin – and to help organize youth to not only understand the science but to find solutions to the problem that will affect us for the rest of our lives," said newly appointed youth council member Ellison from the Ann Richards School for Young Women. "My goal is to organize a movement into action — to make policy changes to stop industries from continuing to harm our communities and our futures, incentivize new industries to innovate solutions, and build new infrastructure to protect those most vulnerable to extreme climate events." Council members will learn about sustainability, civic procedures, environmental justice, and how these relate to improving their community's health and well-being. They will engage in project-based civic learning experiences to develop climate solutions, learn about and discuss local policy, and engage their communities in local sustainability initiatives. To deepen their experience and impact, council members will work with City departments and mentors from community-based organizations throughout the academic year. "It's inspiring to see these young leaders stepping up to engage in local climate action and make a real difference in our community," said Zach Baumer, Interim Chief Sustainability Officer. "Their involvement is a vital part of our journey towards a more sustainable and equitable Austin, and I'm excited to see the ideas and solutions they'll bring to the table." "Youth offer unique perspectives on the current climate and environmental justice challenges we face and should play a key role in designing the solutions that will impact them for decades to come," said Brittany Jayroe, EcoRise Senior Director of Youth Programs. "The council provides a platform for youth to learn from and contribute to the important climate equity work happening in Austin communities." The Council is led and facilitated by the national sustainability education nonprofit EcoRise in partnership with the City of Austin's Office of Sustainability. Learn more about the work of last year's council members. Austin-area sustainability professionals interested in getting involved by mentoring this year's council members can reach out to Brittany Jayroe at brittany@ecorise.org. ### About the City of Austin’s Office of Sustainability Austin’s Office of Sustainability works to ensure a thriving, equitable, and ecologically resilient community by providing leadership, influencing positive action through engagement, and creating measurable benefits for Austin. The office works to achieve net-zero community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, a healthy and just local food system, resource-efficient strategies for municipal operations, tangible projects that demonstrate sustainability, and a resilient and adaptive city. Find out more at www.austintexas.gov/ About EcoRise EcoRise mobilizes a new generation of leaders to design healthy, just, and thriving communities for all. The national nonprofit organization elevates student voices and advances student-led solutions to real-world challenges with programs focused on K–12 environmental literacy, climate justice, and equitable access to green career pathways. EcoRise is currently supporting more than 10,000 teachers and 560,000 students through a range of curricula, programs, and classroom grants. EcoRise has been activating students as sustainability leaders since 2008 in Texas and across the U.S. To learn more about EcoRise, visit ecorise.org. |
