As part of the City of San Antonio’s Climate Action & Adaptation Plan, a youth council will be convened to represent communities across the city. The Mayor’s Youth Engagement Council for Climate Initiatives is now accepting applications.
San Antonio, Texas, September 1, 2020 — Motivated high school students interested in engaging in community issues around climate change, environmental policy, and/or environmental justice are encouraged to apply to the City of San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg’s Youth Engagement Council for Climate Initiatives convening this fall and working throughout the 2020–2021 school year. Applications for the council are open now through September 18, 2020. The Council will be representative of the diverse and growing population of San Antonio, consisting of youth from across the metropolitan area. Students from historically underrepresented and underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply. As members of the Mayor’s Youth Engagement Council, students will learn about sustainability, city planning, and how this relates to improving their community’s health and well-being, as well as have extensive opportunities for professional development, sharpening communication skills, and networking.
”Our youth are our future,” says Mayor Nirenberg. “That’s why it’s important to give young people a platform to share their concerns, their ideas, and their hopes for the city where they study and live. It’s my hope that our youth are educated about climate change and empowered to find solutions.”
The City of San Antonio’s first Climate Action and Adaption Plan (CAAP) was adopted on October 17, 2019, and includes strategies for reducing San Antonio’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and creating a more equitable, healthy, and resilient city for residents facing the effects of climate change. As a way to help meet the plan’s objectives, the Mayor’s Youth Engagement Council will provide a way for youth to actively engage in the civic process and invest in the future of their city. The Mayor’s Youth Engagement Council is an exciting partnership between the City of San Antonio and the national sustainability education non-profit, EcoRise, which has been graciously funded by the Hollomon Price Foundation and the Natural Resources Defense Council.
EcoRise has been empowering students as green leaders for the past twelve years in Texas and across the U.S. “San Antonio youth are powerful allies in promoting solutions to climate change. this opportunity will create meaningful change and provide invaluable opportunities for future green leaders and changemakers” said EcoRise Program Director Kristi Hibler-Luton. “EcoRise is thrilled to be working with the City of San Antonio and contributing to the CAAP in this capacity.”
“The steps San Antonio takes today to improve air quality, ensure access to clean water, and promote a safer environment will lead to a healthier and more vibrant city for all residents,” said Stefan Schaffer, City Strategist for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Bloomberg Philanthropies American Cities Climate Challenge. “San Antonio’s youth – who will be most impacted by present-day decisions – will help guide the conversation and give shape to this crucial environmental policy.”
For more information about the Mayor’s Youth Engagement Council and the application process, please visit http://bit.ly/MYCapplication. Interested students should complete the application form by September 18, 2020. Applicants are strongly encouraged to preview the questions and reach out to EcoRise, using the information contained in the link, for any support they may need in filling out the application.
About the City of San Antonio
San Antonio is a global city with a dynamic economy and workforce, a deep cultural heritage and diverse communities that are resilient and welcoming. It is one of the strongest fiscally managed cities in the country, nurturing entrepreneurship, encouraging investment and funding infrastructure. America’s seventh-largest city offers a vibrant business climate and growth opportunities in bioscience, financial services, aerospace, cybersecurity, energy, transportation, manufacturing and healthcare. In 2015, UNESCO designated San Antonio’s 18th century Spanish colonial missions as a World Heritage Site – the first in Texas. Proudly called Military City, USA®, San Antonio is home to one of the largest populations of active duty military, veterans and crucial military commands. For more information, visit www.sanantonio.gov.
About EcoRise
EcoRise develops the next generation of green leaders by enlivening conventional classrooms with academically aligned K–12 curricula that introduce students to environmental literacy, social innovation, and hands-on design skills. EcoRise is currently supporting over 4,000 teachers in helping over 246,000 students solve real-world sustainability challenges concerning energy, water, waste, transportation, air quality, food, and public spaces. The program focuses on enhancing STEM education, promoting sustainability, introducing students to green careers, and helping students develop 21st-century skills. To learn more about EcoRise, visit ecorise.org.
Original press release published by the City of San Antonio, here.
