In honor of Earth Day, six San Mateo County organizations promoting climate action will host “Youth for Climate Policy,” a free webinar designed to show teens how they can effectively influence local government leaders to address climate change.
Presented by Sustainable San Mateo County, and co-sponsored by 350 Silicon Valley, Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action, Acterra, Citizens' Climate Lobby and Peninsula Clean Energy, the program will offer practical tips on how to connect with leaders at the city, county and state levels, advocate for policies at local government meetings and organize groups to push for climate action.
The seminar will feature student leaders from youth organisations who will talk about their experiences of political action on climate issues, while four former mayors of local cities will explain how politics is done at a local level.
Participants include California State Senator Josh Becker, students Jayden Wan of Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action and Shayna Blum of Cascade Climate Action, and former mayors Georgi LaBerge of Redwood City, Mark Olbert of San Carlos, Kirsten Keith of Menlo Park and Terry Nagel of Burlingame.
The totally free seminar will take place through the Zoom platform on Friday, April 21, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., for which it is necessary to pre-register by giving click here.
During the event, attendees will be able to ask questions, or these can be sent in advance to the email address event@sustainablesanmateo.org.
Youth for Climate Policy will seek to highlight the growing role that young people are playing in raising awareness of the need to tackle global warming.
In recent years, a number of young climate advocates in the Bay Area have pushed for strong climate action, such as municipal policies banning fossil fuels in new construction.
“We are often told that we are the future solution to the current climate crisis. But that doesn’t mean we have to wait until we are adults to start making a difference,” said Jayden Wan. “By joining our voices with the power of our local elected officials, we have the opportunity to make meaningful changes to achieve a more livable world.”
All attendees will have the opportunity to win gift cards for sustainable products at the end of the program.
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