Cohort will deepen community engagement through the San Antonio Climate Action and Adaptation Plan
San Antonio, Texas (December 4, 2023) — As climate disasters increase in frequency, there is more reason than ever to engage the next generation in generating climate solutions and community resilience. To bring new ideas to the table and engage youth in this work in San Antonio, the Mayor’s Youth Engagement Council for Climate Initiatives welcomes its fourth cohort of 31 local youths, representing each City Council district and 18 different public, private, and charter schools. The mission of the Council is to activate San Antonio’s next generation of climate champions to engage in community issues around climate change, environmental policy, and environmental justice.
“By serving on this youth council, I hope to set a precedent for any young person who wants to make a change,” said Luis, a newly appointed council member from International School of the Americas. “I hope to lead by example and use this position to spread my ideas to those who influence policy. Serving on this youth council can open doors to a future in which I can make those differences myself, as the one in charge of making those policies. One way or another, I truly hope that I can make San Antonio a better city.”
“Young San Antonio residents are eager to participate in local and global climate conversations to advocate for climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience,” said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “I am proud of the Youth Engagement Council and their influence on our City’s sustainability efforts.”
“Youth offer incredibly unique perspectives on our current climate and environmental justice challenges and should play a key role in designing the solutions that will impact them for decades to come,” said Brittany Jayroe, EcoRise Senior Director, Youth Programs. “The Mayor’s Youth Engagement Council provides an important platform for youth to contribute their ideas, participate in intergenerational dialogue, and learn from and support the work frontline community organizations are already championing.”
The Mayor’s Youth Engagement Council for Climate Initiatives was established in 2020 to foster and include youth voices in the implementation of the City of San Antonio’s first Climate Action and Adaption Plan (CAAP). The council was made possible by a grant from the Hollomon Price Foundation. For more information about EcoRise and last year’s council, click here. Interested San Antonio-area sustainability professionals can contact Brittany@EcoRise.org if they would like to get involved by mentoring this year’s council members.
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City of San Antonio – Vibrant & Thriving
San Antonio is a vibrant city with a thriving economy, deep cultural heritage and communities that are compassionate, inclusive and proudly diverse. It is the seventh largest city in the United States and one of the strongest fiscally managed cities in the country, nurturing entrepreneurship, encouraging investment and funding infrastructure. The City fosters partnership and growth opportunities in aerospace, bioscience, cybersecurity, green technologies, healthcare, and information technology. San Antonio’s famed River Walk and The Alamo are the top tourist attractions in Texas, and its historic missions are a designated World Heritage Site – the first and only in Texas. Proudly called Military City, USA®, San Antonio is home to one of the largest populations of active-duty military and veterans, as well as mission-critical commands, including military medicine, cybersecurity, pilot training and basic training. For more information, visit SanAntonio.gov and follow @COSAGov on social.
EcoRise
EcoRise mobilizes a new generation of leaders to design healthy, just, and thriving communities for all. The national non-profit organization elevates student voices and advances student-led solutions to real-world challenges with programs focused on K–12 environmental literacy, climate justice, and equitable access to green career pathways. EcoRise is currently supporting more than 10,000 teachers and 560,000 students through a range of curricula, programs, and classroom grants. EcoRise has been activating students as sustainability leaders since 2008 in Texas and across the U.S. To learn more about EcoRise,visit Ecorise.org.
Media Contacts
Laura Fuller, EcoRise
Laura@ecorise.org
Bruce Davidson, Mayor’s Office – (210) 207-8998
Bruce.Davidson@sanantonio.gov
