Schools for Climate Action contact: Nancy Metzger-Carter, (714) 655-9419, nancy.metzger-carter@schoolsforclimateaction.org
Moms Clean Air Force contact: Sasha Tenenbaum, (917) 887-0146 stenenbaum@momscleanairforce.org
Washington D.C.—This week, Schools for Climate Action and Moms Clean Air Force join youth climate advocates from around the country on Capitol Hill for the National Youth Conference on Climate Education. Gathering middle and high school students from 12 states and the District of Columbia, the conference marks the introduction of two House Resolutions that would support climate change education and youth mental health during the ongoing climate crisis.
Both resolutions were written by students themselves, many of whom have firsthand experience with climate disasters. The first, “Supporting the teaching of climate education in schools,” will be introduced by Representative Barbara Lee (CA-12) and Representative Maxwell Frost (FL-10). The second, “Promoting youth mental health and well-being in a changing climate,” will be introduced by Representative Mike Thompson (CA-04) and Representative Kathy Castor (FL-14).
Climate education and mental health are closely intersecting issues. “We are excited to bring together student climate activists from across the country to demand action on climate education and mental health,” said Nancy Metzger-Carter, Campaign Director of Schools for Climate Action. “Our youth-led movement has gained support from over 140 school boards, hundreds of national organizations and we are determined to bring this energy to Capitol Hill to ensure youth voices are heard.”
“Last year, I worked with student leaders from our district and Schools for Climate Action to introduce the Congressional resolution in recognition of the impact that the climate crisis has on the mental health of young people. This year, I am proud to again work with these incredible students, my colleagues, and Moms Clean Air Force to reintroduce the resolution,” said Representative Thompson. “This resolution was drafted by high school climate advocates from our district with Schools for Climate Action after devastating wildfires robbed them of their homes and forever changed our community in California. The climate crisis is having a significant impact on the mental health and well-being of youth across our country, and I am proud to work with inspiring student leaders to call attention to this growing issue.”
“The next generation of Americans are growing up in a world that feels like it’s been predetermined for them. We cannot let that be the case when it comes to tackling climate change,” said Representative Frost. “Climate education has to be a priority in our schools and in our communities so we can leave this Earth better than we found it. So our people can thrive and the generation after ours has a home they can be proud of. The time is now, the climate can’t wait.”
“As the demographic with the most to lose to climate change, it would be a massive disservice not to teach students today about the threat of the climate crisis—and to empower them with the education and tools they need to fight it,” said Congresswoman Lee. “Solution-focused climate education must be a top priority in schools across the United States. I am proud to introduce this resolution with the first Gen-Z member of Congress, Rep. Frost, and the support of a broad coalition of parents, teachers, school boards, advocates, and most importantly, students.”
Lesli Munoz-Perez, an 11th-grader at Sonoma Academy, said “I believe that with this climate education bill we could help students from all around the country learn about the importance of climate advocacy and better prepare them for natural disasters that affect their mental health.” Rebecca Carter, a 12th-grader at the Philadelphia Creative and Performing Arts School, also spoke to the connection between climate education and mental health: “Climate action is a marathon, not a sprint, and unless we empower future generations with climate education and keep current leaders from getting burnout, we have no chance of achieving environmental justice.”
Parents are speaking out in support of the students’ efforts as well. “As parents, we want our kids to have the resources they need to thrive in a changing climate,” said Elizabeth Bechard, Senior Policy Analyst for Moms Clean Air Force. “Young people deserve access to high-quality, age-appropriate, solution-focused climate education. And resources to promote youth mental health in a changing climate are crucial to the resilience and well-being of families and communities, both now and in the future.”
The event will feature a press conference at 11am on Tuesday, 3/28, followed by over 100 congressional meetings planned and led by youth advocates urging lawmakers to support K-12 education as a key climate solution and to acknowledge the mental health impacts of climate change on youth.
“We want to make sure that lawmakers understand the urgency of the climate crisis and the critical role that education and mental health support play in addressing it,” said Lily Gelb, a high school climate activist and co-author of the climate education resolution. “We are calling on Congress to take action on climate and to center youth voices in the policy decisions that will shape our future.”