Amplifying Youth Voices in the Climate Movement

An estimated 7.6 million people took part in climate strikes across the globe last year in the days leading up to the UN Climate Summit. Driven entirely by young people, these events are among the largest and most powerful global demonstrations in history. Knowing that they will likely see the negative effects of climate change in their lifetimes, there is no longer time to wait and young people are joining forces across the world to press policymakers to take more forceful action to limit global warming.
Concerned about the rising temperature of her country of Uganda, Vanessa Nakate recognized the link to climate change and began striking to raise awareness, helping others to make the connection sooner. She launched the Rise Up Movement to amplify voices from Africa and ensure they are not left out of the global climate conversation. Meanwhile, in Oakland, CA, Isha Clarke began her activism by protesting the construction of a coal terminal through a low-income community of color. Today, she is a leader of Youth Vs Apocalypse, fighting for radical climate action, centered around frontline communities. These youth climate activists inspire hope that humanity can change and build a better future.
Leading the conversation will be Jacqueline Patterson, Director of the Environmental and Climate Justice Program at the NAACP. Whether as an organizer, researcher, policy analyst or program director, Patterson has worked at the intersection of climate, racial and gender justice for the entirety of her career.
Speakers
Vanessa Nakate (Speaker) First Fridays for Future, Climate Activist
Isha Clarke (Speaker) Youth vs Apocalypse, Co-Founder and Activist
Jacqueline Patterson (Speaker) NAACP, Director of the Environmental and Climate Justice Program