Citizen engagement and grassroots organizing for the climate crisis has never been more critical and young people are an important part of the struggle and the solution. High school and college-age youth across the country are growing increasingly aware of the climate change crisis and becoming increasingly engaged in local solutions in their homes, on their school campuses, and in their wider communities.

Adolescence is a time of tremendous development and growth. The period from late adolescence to early adulthood is the time when critical habits are being developed. Our Emerging Leaders Program is based on this principle, that educating, engaging, and empowering youth in their teens and early twenties can lead to long-term civic engagement and critical leadership on climate change solutions.

Research shows youth who are engaged in service and community activities during adolescence are more likely to be civically engaged as adults (Hunter et al, 2000). Our Emerging Leaders Program prepares youth to enter college and/or the work force as agents of change. In tracking our high school and college alumni over the past four years, we have found that the majority of our youth do continue to be involved in environment and justice issues (many in the intersection of the two) after their high school and college graduation. Many have gone on to join state and national youth organizations, and found careers working for government and non-profits on climate related issues.

Our investment in youth leadership is a direct reflection of our commitment to citizen engagement and grassroots mobilization as a means to solving the climate crisis. Incorporating the core values of youth leadership, peer-mentorship, ownership, justice and collaboration, the Emerging Leaders Program aims to educate, empower, and engage a new generation of climate leadership on a local, regional, national, and international scale.