On December 1-2, about eighty young climate activists from nearly 20 high schools or youth organizations gathered for the Vermont and New Hampshire Energy Education Program’s (VEEP/NHEEP) Youth Climate Leaders Academy (YCLA) kick-off retreat at the Hulbert Outdoor Center in Fairlee, VT. Youth worked in teams to identify ways they could conserve energy, reduce carbon emissions, and otherwise work to mitigate climate change through projects in their school or local community.
Teams arrived with a ‘seedling’ idea for a climate project, and this two-day retreat was an opportunity for young folks to plan their projects, consult with experts, and attend interactive workshops to develop transferable skills they will need. A group of high school students who serve as Youth Climate Fellows plan and facilitate the retreat in collaboration with VEEP/NHEEP staff.
“We had so many new and enthusiastic teams this year, and it was especially neat to watch them engage in systems mapping! They identified the leverage points and power dynamics in their projects in order to hone in on key decision-makers to convince, measurable goals to set, and then concrete plans to achieve those goals” reports Aubrey Nelson, one of the Climate Action Project Advisors for VEEP/NHEEP. In this year’s workshops students practiced a range of skills including effective event planning, meeting facilitation and grant writing, how to build a coalition that includes your school board, how to advocate for policies you want to see in your state legislature, and a host of communication skills ranging from op-ed writing and social media campaigns to how to talk to folks who might not agree with you.
While the students reported gaining new skills, knowledge and techniques, a sense of community and empowerment were some of the most palpable results of the two days spent together. Portsmouth, NH student Evy Douglas shared that “while sometimes it can feel like you’re in the fight alone, you really aren’t, and I think that coming here and seeing all the people fighting for the same goal is something that really makes you feel empowered”. Another student shared, “I met so many amazing people and made some new friends. Hearing everyone’s ideas was also really motivating.” Similarly, other students wrote, “I loved the community building and amazing people I got to learn from and work with” and “I was able to bond with my partners and learn a lot. This experience gave a great opportunity for us to be productive and move towards making a change.”
Some of the changes these students are working toward include bringing EV charging to their towns, installing solar, developing a youth climate advocacy in the statehouse, crafting environmental education legislation, plans to reduce transportation emissions, campaigns to reduce cafeteria plastic use and food waste, hosting “thrift swaps” to reduce waste, planting additional trees and gardens on school grounds, as well as a host of education and awareness campaigns aimed at younger students and the general community.
VEEP/NHEEP staff will continue to support the teams in overcoming obstacles and connecting with community resources as the school year progresses, and we’ll keep you posted as these plans come to fruition across VT and NH.
A huge THANK YOU to these young people who are daring to build a better future.
We also want to thank all of the consultants, workshop leaders, and donors who gave time, energy and financial support to help make this retreat possible. If you would like to support youth climate action, please consider a donation to this program!
We had help from: @vt_naturalresources @vpirg @VermontEnergyInvestmentCorporation @350org @vtrural @cleanenergynh @vtcleancities @actioncircles @conservationlawfoundation @hubbardbrooknh @youngvoicesofscience @undergroundworkshopvt @603forward @vtzerowaste @nrrarecycles @keepvermontcool @natureeducationopportunities @nhnature @uvmextension And Michael from the @montshire !!
Sponsors:
@greenmountainsolar @granitestatesolar KORE power @nefcu @vsecu Harris and Frances Block Foundation, Dorr Foundation, Couch Family Foundation, and Mergens Foundation
