The Western New York Environmental Alliance Youth & Climate Justice Initiative amplifies the voices of youth leaders in the local climate justice movement.
We've been supporting the work of the youth-led WNY Youth Climate Council (WNY YCC), who are advocating for climate justice through policy, direct action, and education to create a livable future for all. This hard-working group of local high school students have joined thousands of young people around the world calling on elected officials and local governments to ensure a just transition to a regenerative and sustainable way of life for all.
Your donation will help us ensure that young leaders stay at the helm of the climate justice movement in WNY. We cannot succeed without intergenerational leadership and these vital voices are leading the way!
Please donate by clicking on the green button below.
The WNY Youth Climate Council grew out of the Western New York Environmental Alliance's Youth & Climate Justice Fellowship (2019-2019) and our participation in the WNY Youth Climate Action Summit of 2019. One of the Fellows, Ilyas Khan, was particularly inspired by the call for youth around the world to stand up and Strike for Climate. With the support of several dedicated individuals and organizations, Khan led the first ever Buffalo Climate Strike in March, May, and September 2019.
To date, over 2000 individuals and 25 local organizations have joined the WNYEA in supporting the WNY Youth Climate Council and their current campaign to Declare a Climate Emergency, which aims to pass a Climate Resolution in the City of Buffalo and Erie County. Their campaign was voted onto Partnership for the Public Good's annual Community Agenda, which considers ways to address the top social justice issues of our region through research and policy change. They also joined the NY Youth Climate Leaders and NY Renews Coalitions, further connecting to the ongoing efforts around the state to reach the ambitious goals outlined in NYS Climate Leadership and Protection Act to completely transition off of fossil fuels by the year 2050.
As the students adapt to the ongoing challenges of COVID-19, they have embraced virtual activism and continued their campaigning online.
As we look ahead to continued months of virtual advocacy and support, please help the WNY Environmental Alliance continue to partner with these remarkable youth leaders. With your donation, we will support their advocacy campaign development and coordinate educational and leadership development opportunities for young climate justice leaders.
The Western New York Environmental Alliance is a network of environmental advocates in WNY with a mission to protect, conserve, manage and restore healthy, resilient, thriving ecosystems and communities in Western New York through collective action, collaboration and campaigns.
The WNY Environmental Alliance Board thanks you for your support.
Jay Burney
Jajean Rose Burney
Philip Campanile
Jessica Gilbert
Nicholas Henshue
Andrea Ó Súilleabháin
Lynda Schneekloth
Brian Smith
Kelley St. John
John Whitney
Brenda Young