Youth Climate Advocacy Committee
Join Our Climate Toolkit Youth Network!
The Climate Toolkit Youth Network is a free program to bring together young people from museums, gardens and zoos who are passionate about climate action and environmental justice. Youth and program coordinators from these institutions can use this space to share knowledge and best practices around climate action, build community, combat climate anxiety, and celebrate our hard work. We are seeking partners to join us in empowering young people to take hold of their futures through climate action. If you're interested, visit our Climate Toolkit Youth Network page to learn more.
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is pleased to offer a youth-led climate advocacy program for highly motivated high school and college-age youth who are passionate about climate change and environmental justice. Youth on the committee develop and implement environment-related projects of their choice within the Pittsburgh community. Committee members also meet and work with other passionate youth, build leadership and project planning skills, learn about environmental and climate justice, and delve deeper into their favorite environmental topics. The program also offers opportunities to learn from experts in the diverse fields of sustainability, environmental and climate sciences.
Youth Climate Advocacy Committee
The Youth Climate Advocacy Committee is comprised of two leaders, two to four team leads and 15-20 youth climate advocates. The committee meets on Monday evenings during the school year from October to April and ends with a final showcase of advocacy projects in mid to late April. Committee members commit to the full program duration, including meetings and tasks averaging 2 – 4 hours per week. Committee members are compensated with quarterly stipends. Because we have a limited number of stipends, youth who are not chosen for paid positions in the committee may be offered unpaid YCAC ambassador positions.
2023-2024 Committee Plans and Events
- Connecting with local climate and youth empowerment groups, such as CMU's LEAP program and Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP)
- Partnering with SLB Radio Productions to highlight youth environmental work: listen to Yuki, Mathilda and Vanessa's interview!
- Hosting virtual youth climate meet-ups to connect youth across the country through our new Climate Toolkit Youth Network
- Attending Communitopia's Pittsburgh Youth Climate Action Summit on Sat., April 13, 2024 (and you should too!)
- Hosting Youth Eco-Action Showcase to celebrate and share our climate advocacy work on Mon., April 15, 2024
Looking for a young climate speaker or panelist for an event? Our Youth Climate Advocacy Committee would love to support you!
Please contact YCAC Coordinator Jennifer Torrance to coordinator a young person from our committee to speak at your event. Our students have knowledge on a wide range of topics and different perspectives to share. We strongly encourage you to provide an honorarium to our young speakers if it is financially possible for your organization. However, we don't require payment, especially if your event is student-led or run by another non-profit.
Engage with Our Projects!
- Support the Radon Remediation Act (Bill 339) If passed this bill will require radon testing in schools, residential buildings, and commercial buildings and will impose penalties for action not properly taken on radon testing and prevention. In a state such as Pennsylvania with immense coal deposits throughout the commonwealth it is imperative that action is taken in order to create a safer environment for citizens. Please sign our petition to have your voice be heard.
- A photojournalism project documenting every discarded plastic water bottle found: Our Water Bottles.
- A budget-friendly, sustainable foods cookbook
- Environmental education lessons on different types of pollution:
- Water FIltering and Lead Exposure information
- Water Conservation Brochure
- For information about air pollution-related legislation and the longstanding climate policy history in our Pittsburgh community and nation, please visit the Climate Policy webpage.
The 2022-2023 Committee developed nine different climate action and environmental justice projects with a wide variety of topics: a photojournalism project about plastic pollution, an environmental justice project donating filters to protect Homewood residents from lead water piping, education about native pollinator plants and plant and seed bomb giveaways, a youth literary magazine, a podcast about sustainable living, a guide to creating change in schools, a DIY rain barrel and urban gardening project, and sustainable fashion project including sewing workshops and a youth fashion show.
The 2021-2022 Committee developed projects on environmental education, food systems and sustainable fashion. The environmental education project focuses on bringing knowledge about environmental issues to middle school students, highlighting the importance of being informed from a young age. The food systems project looks at how we can make a positive climate impact with our diets while also eating delicious and budget-friendly meals. The sustainable fashion project aims to bring attention to the immense impact that fast fashion has on climate change and promote stylish looks that are better for the planet.
How to Apply for the Committee
Applications for the 2024-2025 committee cohort will open in mid August 2024.
Click here to be notified when applications open
We are looking for a diverse group with a wide range of skills and interests, especially in the areas of the arts, science, technology, sustainability, education, and community outreach. All applicants must be at least 16 years of age by October to apply. Applicants should be high school or college-aged, but do not have to be currently enrolled in school to apply.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please contact the YCAC Coordinator Jennifer Torrance at jtorrance@phipps.conservatory.org.
