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

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Junior at City Honors School in Buffalo, New York

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He is passionate about politics and believes that making the world a better place starts by making the earth a safer place for everyone living on it. He hopes to major in political science and build a career focused on improving quality of life around the world.

Senior at Brooklyn Technical High School in the Environmental Science major

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She's hoping to aspire to this major in College as well! One of her dreams is to have accessible gardens for each community to help grow their own produce. Shaira believes a crucial step to someday make this dream a reality is to have climate education a norm instead of a privilege and YSC is a perfect opportunity to do so. Some of Shaira's hobbies are reading, watching shows/movies, and baking.

Senior in High School for Math, Science and Engineering at City College

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He actively seeks to advance environmental justice in his community and aspires to become an environmental lawyer in the future. He believes a strong climate education is the cornerstone of combating our climate crisis, leading him to be involved with the YSC for two consecutive years. In Ethan’s free time, he enjoys playing badminton, listening to music, chilling with friends, and trying new food.

Junior at Brooklyn Technical High School

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She majors in Law and Society because she is passionate to help individuals seek justice as well as protect her community from danger. She has done many internships and academies to further learn how to help people in need including an FBI academy and the NYPA academy. Additionally, she aspires to educate people on our climate in hopes of improving the planet, which is why she has joined YSC. She believes that more citizens should learn about the environment they live in and help the ecosystem. Adrianna also loves to draw, exercise, and travel.

Junior at Stuyvesant High School

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Judy believes that we have been placed on Earth for many reasons, but one reason is to cherish it and take care of it. She is a passionate chemist as well as an environmentalist, which she is leading an independent research project about. She also loves music and singing at karaoke sessions. In her free time, she likes to take walks outside while listening to music or watching YouTube.

Sophomore at The Young Women's Leadership School of Astoria

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As an environmentalist and aspiring marine scientist, being a part of the climate movement and advocating for positive change in both environmental policy and education is a way for her to protect and preserve earth and its rapidly deteriorating oceans. Through YSC, she hopes to continue contributing to the conversation of climate education from the perspective of a youth in the NYC school system. Dalila's hobbies include reading, writing, fencing, and feeding pigeons at the park.

Junior at Stuyvesant High School

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He is passionate about creating a healthy environment for himself and for the world. He wants to be able to walk freely around parks with his family, especially with his grandparents. In his pastime, he plays video games with friends, listens to music, and eats good food.

Sophomore at Syosset High School

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Living on Long Island, he is passionate about the environment, and has a keen interest in the marine sciences.He is part of the SavetheSound Youth Eco Advocacy Corps, an organization aiming to protect and preserve the Long Island Sound. Further, as an aspiring engineer with a passion for the environment, he hopes to use his unique background to create solutions to prevent and remedy the anthropogenic damage done to the environment. Through YSC, he hopes to create change in existing climate policy, and to educate and empower the community and the next generation of climate activists.In his free time, he enjoys running, reading and listening to music.

Sophomore at Bronx Science

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Hailing from the vibrant borough of the Bronx. He is part of his school's debate team. He is passionate about public policy and its significant impact on both society and individuals. In his free time, he listens to music, enjoys watching TikToks, and plays basketball. Ali's curiosity extends to the realm of sustainability as a whole, reflecting his desire to make a meaningful impact on the world's ecological and social well-being.

Sophomore at Brooklyn Prospect Charter School

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She is passionate about many things, including track, fundraising, gardening, baking, hiking, and importantly, environmental action. She has shown interest in making a change to better the planet consistently over the years. One of the first moments of discovery was when she gathered with her friends in 3rd grade to raise money to support animals that lost their habitats due to rainforest deforestation. It is hard to find ways to make a large impact on your own, but she is confident that being a part of the YSC will be able to support her true potential in being a climate advocate.

Sophomore at Edward R. Murrow High School

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She is part of her school’s business program and has developed a passion for volunteering and helping out her community and is hoping to make an impact on climate education with YSC. She is part of Rising Above Cancer and Cancer Kids First and hopes to spread awareness on the impact climate change has on health as well. In her free time, she likes to draw and bake.

Sophomore at Tottenville High School

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In her free time, she enjoys volunteering, hanging out with her friends, and listening to her favorite artists as an ARMY and Swiftie. Also, as a student wellness advocate, she shares experiences and ideas with city leaders to help improve the citywide wellness policy. She believes educating people, especially youth on climate change is the best way to make a change in the environmental crisis we’re living through. Through YSC, she hopes to educate herself and others on the huge devastating impact climate change has on our environment and the world.

Junior at Brooklyn Technical High School

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She is currently pursuing an education in the Software Engineering major at her school and has participated in a plethora of coding internships. In her free time, however, she enjoys learning about the medical field, having shadowed dental technicians and physicians. Meanwhile, Yasmin is enamored by the environment and hopes to lead a path to a sustainable and safe future for our generation and those to come. Additionally, Yasmin loves to play piano for her school choir, paint portraits, and spend time with her friends and family.

Senior at Tottenville High School

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With goals of becoming an environmental engineer and spreading eco-justice, Sophia believes that it is important to spread climate education in schools. She is the president of her school’s environmental club where she leads projects on sustainability. Her past experiences include internships at Brooklyn College and New York Presbyterian Hospital where she eagerly worked to combat environmental justice issues.

In her free time, she enjoys watching anime, listening to music, trying out new food, and writing a book.

Sophomore at Port Richmond High School

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He is a part of his school’s Collegiate Academy, working to pursue a career in diplomacy. During his free time, he runs a non-profit called Never Lose Hope that provides care packages to people battling cancer and other chronic illnesses. Beyond his altruistic efforts, Chace serves as a fervent youth leader, advocating for environmental sustainability, protection, and education. Eager to leverage his distinctive skill set, he aspires to make meaningful contributions to the task force’s YSC, exemplifying his dedication to positive change and community welfare.

Senior at the Baccalaureate School for Global Education in Astoria, Queens

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She feels passionate about spreading environmental awareness and compassion as she believes these are essential for making progress regarding the climate crisis. She is also a strong advocate for effective, thoughtful conservation of ecosystems and volunteers for the NYC Plover Project. In Emma’s free time, she enjoys drawing, hiking, birding, and reading. She also plays soccer for both her school and club team.

Senior at Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn

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He believes in educating his peers on climate education and climate advocacy and is part of the NYCDOE Youth Leadership Council. He also dedicates himself to connecting computer science with environmentalism, as a developing way to combat the climate crisis. In Frank’s free time, he enjoys reading classical literature, playing tennis and table tennis, exploring NYC, and cooking.

Junior at High School for Environmental Studies

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with a deep passion for the environment, she is profoundly concerned about climate change. Recognizing its global implications, she finds herself inspired to study international relations. Eager to make a difference, she is determined to bring attention to this pressing issue within her school and community. Through her advocacy efforts, she hopes to bridge gaps in understanding and encourage others to join her in protecting our planet. She aspires to create a sustainable future, and she firmly believes that collective action can achieve this goal, making our world a better place for generations to come.

Senior at NYC Lab High School

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I enjoy playing the piano, bullet journaling, baking, and volunteering to help students. After realizing the damaging effects that climate change has around the world, I believe that we have to take action to be a part of the solution in fixing the problem. I am excited to be part of the YSC to help fight for climate justice and look for ways to educate myself about the need for climate education and spread awareness about climate change, starting in our classrooms.

High School Senior

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In love with all things relative to the environment, she spends much time outdoors and has dreams to help the world in an impactful way. She enjoys reading good horror novels, bingeing classic movies, and traveling. She is a participant at her school’s creative writing club and green team, and also volunteers regularly at the Queens Botanical Garden. Adriana holds true to the idea that a greener Earth starts by actively learning how to take care of what we have, whilst teaching others what we know.

Junior at Nest +m high school

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I care about climate action and trying to be resilient in the face of the climate crisis we will have to face. I also am very passionate about public transit and urban planning. I want to make the world better. I am interested in climate education to inform people about what they can do to stay resilient and inspire them to lead good lives.

High School Senior

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As a result of her eco-anxiety, she strives to be a better advocate for the environment and for climate education. She’s passionate about preserving the environment and believes that education is the key to awareness and action. She joined the YSC 3 years ago in hopes of making a bigger impact on society as a whole, beyond individual efforts. Olivia studied geothermal energy on a trip to Iceland! Her hobbies include squash, track and field, debate, music, and she’s a proud co-head of her school's red cross club.

Senior at the Institute for Collaborative Education

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I am passionate about finding climate adaptive strategies for urban environments like NYC, as well as strategizing how to combat the adverse effects of climate change on marginalized communities. As a young woman of color I think it is important for my voice and other youths facing the effects of climate change to be part of this movement and learn how to make actionable change. I enjoy picnics, trying new restaurants, and finding new parks in the city. I am thrilled to be part of YSC this year because I’ve noticed that most of my education lacked environmental related courses, and in order for future generations to be equipped with the knowledge they need to combat the crisis, implementing environmental education in schools is crucial.

High School Senior

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She is an active member of sustainability initiatives in her school as co-head of her school’s Earth Club and co-facilitator of her school’s Sustainability Council. In her free time, she enjoys playing the guitar, singing, baking, and biking. She is very passionate about climate education and making sure that every student has access in some type of way to learn about climate change. She believes this is important because if more people become educated on climate change, more people will want to take action. She thinks that climate education is important also because climate change is unfortunately such a prevalent part of our world today and it is important to learn about something that affects how we live.

Senior at NEST +m High School

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She enjoys camping with her family, cooking, and spending time in parks and green spaces. At school, Ellery is involved with Amnesty International, STEM Magazine and leads the Environmental Justice Club. She believes that to achieve a green, just, and sustainable future, we must first raise a generation of conscientious and engaged students, starting in our classrooms! Working within the YSC, she is eager to ensure every student in NY State is empowered with climate justice education.

Junior at the Bronx High School of Science

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A member of the school swim team. He is motivated to protect the environment and has devoted lots of time to it as an environmental steward and volunteer at the Queens Zoo under their discovery guide program. Logan points to Al Gore who said, “We have the solutions [to the climate crisis], but we've got to move faster.”

Junior in High School

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Her hobbies include baking, making jewelry, playing video games, playing golf and going to the park. Haidyn has been conscious of her carbon footprint from a very young age and feels that more awareness should be spread about climate issues, especially in classroom settings . She believes all forms of life on earth deserve to live on a clean planet, and being a part of YSC will allow her to make this change!

Junior at Fiorello LaGuardia HS of Music & Art and Performing Arts

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She has been working with CRETF’s YSC for three years and is extremely passionate about climate education as a crucial climate solution. Outside of her work with the YSC, Maggie is a part of an educational justice group. She is also an editor on her school’s literary magazine and a volunteer for a literacy nonprofit in Brooklyn.

Senior at Science Skills Center High School

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After living in the Caribbean island of St. Lucia for 15 years and seeing how natural disasters, such as hurricanes and floods have worsened over the years, and how the island seems to be getting hotter each, I am deeply passionate about educating others on climate change and the grave consequences that global warming poses. I am passionate about advocation and spreading awareness and I am currently in the 2023-2024 Teens Take Charge Cohort where I will be working on an independent advocacy campaign. I am also a lead civic fellow in the group Next Generation Politics where I facilitate small group discussions on civic issues and foster healthy civil discourse between members. In my leisure time I love to read, write, paint, and go on walks (preferably in parks!).

Sophomore at the High School of Fashion Industries

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With hopes of becoming a Natural Sciences Manager and spreading awareness about climate education, She joined CRETF's YSC because she believes that it is important to educate the next generation about environmental issues. She strongly believes that raising awareness and promoting climate education will help us build a sustainable future for future generations. She is the vice president of her school's Environmental Justice Club, where she helps promote climate change awareness and sustainability through anti-anxiety events. Her hobbies include soccer & softball, reading, concerts, debate, and watching kdramas.