When I was in middle school (in 2009), the topic of climate change was just beginning to gain widespread attention in the news. Within my 8th-grade class, a group of us became alarmed at what we were hearing in the media about global warming; however, the urgency of the issue wasn’t reflected in the programming […]
Our YEA! MN program began the school year with the first annual Climate Youth Kick-off, drawing 20 students from across the Twin Cities metro area for a day of workshops and hands-on practice with tools they can replicate at their schools and in their communities. The Kick-off was co-led by student leaders, Climate Generation staff, […]
YEA! MN is led by a group of students called the Core, with support from Climate Generation staff. They meet every week to plan and lead workshops and events for the YEA! MN network. Between robotics, debate, testifying against oil companies, and more, these 8 fabulous youth are steering the ship this year: Abdisatar Jibril […]
As I prepare to leave my internship at Climate Generation, I have been reflecting on this summer and the experiences I gained through being the Education Intern. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was thrilled when I was hired. After taking climate change classes and learning the reality of the issue, I was […]
YEA! MN ended the school year with an adventure in Rice Lake State Park to celebrate our year’s work. Students reflected on the year’s highlights, helping shape an even stronger program for next year. Here are some photo highlights: We paddled to our canoe-in campsite, singing sea shanties by great sailors such as Keshia. Chef […]
I am feeling full. I’ve spent my last five months working alongside high schoolers, and we have done deep work. Along the way, they reminded me of the things that make youth leadership so special. I want to honor these young people’s year of work together by seeing some of their superpowers. Roll deep. When […]
I have been going up to the Boundary Waters every summer since I was nine or ten years old. It started out as a week-long family vacation every year over the 4th of July, and later became a two-week long canoe trip every summer with YMCA Camp Menogyn. My family also has a cabin about […]
As we made our way into the air conditioned church on New York Avenue in Washington, D.C. after a full day of meeting with Sen. Al Franken and Rep. Betty McCollum; attending a workshop; and showing up for an action, a change of pace from the hot, humid and packed day was welcome. We had […]
In the past 5 days I have taken two separate 22 hour bus rides, met over 50 new people, crossed about 5 state borders, shared sleeping spaces with strangers and walked in 90 degree weather with 200,000 other people. So, yeah you could say it was a busy weekend. Traveling to Washington, D.C. to participate […]
As this past YEA! MN network meeting drew to a close, I realized that perhaps the most effective tool we have on our side during the climate fight is an unlikely one: our humanity. It’s obvious that the climate fight has become incredibly polarized, with people on either side often taking a hostile attitude towards […]