FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 31, 2025
CONTACT:
Camille Soliva
Communications Specialist
csoliva@tenstrands.org
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Ten Strands proudly celebrates the successful completion of the second cohort of the California Youth Climate Policy Leadership Program (CYCP), a joint program in partnership with UndauntedK12 and the Sierra Club. Over the course of six months, high school students from across California developed and implemented advocacy campaigns to pass climate policies in their school districts, advance climate literacy, and collaborate with peers to champion climate action in their communities.
Building on the success of its inaugural cohort, the CYCP leadership program saw tremendous interest in its second cohort receiving over 200 applications from students statewide. Out of these, over forty outstanding students were selected to participate, representing a diverse range of public schools, charter schools, and private independent and parochial schools. The program also expanded its geographic representation: in Cohort One, eight of California’s eleven regions were represented, and this year, Cohort Two proudly represented nine of the eleven regions.
The program’s mission is to empower students to influence local school board policies to integrate environmental and climate literacy and action initiatives. The program began in August with pre-learning modules, personal leadership plans, and the initiation of their advocacy campaigns. From August to October, students worked diligently to prepare their proposals, culminating in November when they presented their campaigns to school boards and the program concluded with a cohort graduation ceremony in January.
CYCP’s equity-driven goals emphasize addressing intergenerational climate injustice, creating platforms for youth leadership, and providing students with the resources needed to shape the future of climate policy. The program also highlighted incredible age diversity among students and mentors, ranging from high school and college students to mid-career professionals and retirees. This intergenerational exchange fostered meaningful partnerships and enriched the experience for all involved. Graduating students shared how CYCP boosted their confidence and honed their advocacy skills. By collaborating with peers, engaging with mentors, and developing campaigns, students gained the tools to champion meaningful change in their communities.
The program concluded with students preparing reflective case studies on their campaigns and delivering capstone oral presentations to peers, mentors, and guests. These case studies highlighted the diversity and impact of their advocacy efforts.
Daniel Levy, an eleventh grader from Carlmont High School, identified issues with waste disposal, noticing overflowing garbage and litter throughout their school. In response, he advocated for Bill 3511.1, which promotes composting, recycling, and reducing non-biodegradable materials. Although he initially planned to deliver a full-length presentation to the school board, time constraints limited them to public comments. Despite this challenge, Daniel successfully communicated their message to policymakers.
Daniel shared his reflection: “This program gave me a strong feeling of hope that change can be enacted in spite of the concerns stemming from the worsening climate crisis and its existential threat to humanity. Finding glimmers of light in the face of darkness is imperative to advocating for change and persuading others to support change in communities and the world as a whole.”
Another student, Addie Luong, an eleventh grader in Folsom Cordova Unified School District, led an advocacy campaign focused on supporting her school district to focus on the climate emergency and to begin taking action to protect students from the impacts of climate change. Addie’s campaign involved building a strong coalition of students, including their voices through a student petition and coordinating multiple students to speak in public comments. The campaign also involved engaging directly with board members to collaborate on policy revision and establishing actionable pathways forward to policy implementation.
Addie reflected on how the CYCP experience has shaped her thinking about college and career pathways: “Beyond high school, I want to study environmental science and/or environmental policy in college, while conducting research in the field, and broaden my opportunities to work as an environmental advocate. With my growing appreciation for the role civic engagement plays in shaping more sustainable communities, I hope to continue pursuing environmental policy and science to ensure more voices are heard, and the environment has more impactful advocates.“
As the second cohort of CYCP concludes, Ten Strands extends its gratitude to the students, mentors, partners, and funders whose dedication has shaped this inspiring program. The climate crisis can feel overwhelming, but these young leaders are proof that change is possible when provided with a platform, a supportive community, and resources. Their efforts highlight the transformative power of youth leadership in building a more sustainable and equitable future.
Explore more about the Second CYCP Cohort.
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