This past summer, I had the opportunity to attend the NYC 4th Annual Climate Justice Youth Summit. Young people of historically marginalized backgrounds participated in learning circles that focused on climate justice issues like waterfront justice, frontline resiliency, zero waste, policing/militarism and the Dig, Burn, Dump Economy. In conjunction with those learning circles, we also learned about Direct Action and how one could use non-violent action tactics to demand climate justice solutions. The main purpose of the Summit was to create a safe environment for young people of color to plan their own direct action for climate justice and prepare to implement their direct action at the annual People’s Climate March on September 21st.
Many of those whom I met there were unaware of climate change. They have heard of it but did not learn much about it. It is not in the curriculum unless you build it in, which many educators fail to do. The youth present at the summit were just in shock when presented with the facts. What I found very unique and new was the way the facts were presented. UPROSE, a partner of the summit had performers come in and explain what they’re doing about climate change in a way that can relate to the youth present at the summit. They had an graffiti artist that did work on climate change as well as spoken word poets share some of their work. The youth seemed to respond to it very well. Below are some images of that same group of young coming together and marching at the People’s Climate March.
