The Youth Steering Committee supports youth-led solutions-based projects that promote civic engagement.

CRETF began convening the YSC in 2020 to provide New York high school students with the tools to advocate for their own climate education in their communities and at the state level.

Benefits of the youth steering committee

Our YSC is a community of like-minded high school students who want to advocate for quality climate education for current and future generations of students in New York.

Students learn how to:

Take concrete action to expand access to climate education in NY schools
Work on a state-level climate education policy campaign
Help to build a network of youth dedicated to climate justice education
Communicate with educators, NGOs, policymakers, and other experts in the field

accomplishments

Since 2020, our Youth Steering Committee has achieved →

Successfully advocated for a new instructional requirement for climate education as part of new high school graduation requirements, beginning in the 2026-27 school year;

Successfully advocated for the inclusion of climate education in the Climate Act's final scoping plan and in NYC’s strategic plan, PlaNYC;
Rallied at the Climate Clock in Union Square to demand funding for climate education;
Organized student-led roundtables, listening sessions and meetings with NYC teachers, staff from the NY State Governor’s office, Mayor’s Office, NYSED, and Board of Regents;
Been featured in media, such as newspaper and magazine articles, podcasts, blogs, and press releases;
Contributed to developing the CRETF vision for climate education;
Analyzed and edited state climate education bills and lobbied in the state capitol, Albany, for the passage of climate education legislation;
Created a toolkit with curated K-12 climate education curriculum resources for students and educators;
Delivered public presentations on interdisciplinary climate education and green, healthy schools;
Formed a youth-led executive board (E-Board).

Meet our

Youth Steering Committee

CRETF helps high school students develop a cohesive and accurate understanding of the climate crisis and climate education policy. The Youth Steering Committee is a youth-led space that empowers students to advocate for their own climate education.