Climate Resilience and Youth Commissions
Vivaan Kuruganti
California faces growing risks from climate change, including lengthy droughts, intense heat, and destructive wildfires. Meeting these obstacles calls for leadership at every level of government. The youth need to step up to share their voice and perspective.
The Role of Youth in Resilience
The Youth will be the most affected by the main impacts of climate change. The input of the youth keeps solutions progressing and realistic. Youth commissions share how climate change is affecting schools, families, and neighborhoods.
Key Areas of Action
Many Youth commissions across California are working on climate projects. Here’s which commissions do that:
The Los Angeles County Youth Climate Commission helps plan tree planting and cooling projects. They created a county-wide youth survey that led to campaigns for shaded transit stops and cooling centers.
Through the Long Beach Climate LB Youth Climate Action Fund, youth groups secured microgrants for tree and native plant installations. Their work encompasses reforestation, climate education, and public awareness initiatives.
Programs like Roots & Shoots LA Basecamp support youth-led green space restoration, tree planting, and community gardens in fire-affected neighborhoods. These projects provide youth with direct experience in climate action and civic engagement.
Equity Considerations
Climate change impacts some communities harder than it does others. Low-income households and communities of color face higher risks to climate change with fewer resources than other communities.. Youth commissions can advocate for policies that protect these communities and help ensure that resilience plans are equitable, inclusive, and effective.
Policy and Funding Opportunities
California’s Climate Adaptation Strategy, updated every three years under AB 1482, sets goals for resilience and equity. Youth commissions can connect their work to this strategy. They can also partner with city staff to secure funding and direct it toward youth priorities.
How Youth Can Get Involved
You do not need to wait to make a difference. Here are ways to start:
Apply to serve on your local youth commission.
Join or start climate projects at your school.
Volunteer with groups near you working on the environment.
Attend your city council meetings, share your ideas, and deliver public comments.
Leadership starts when you show up and speak out. You remind leaders about the importance of climate change, whether you attend a meeting, present an idea, or write about climate concerns. Every voice from the youth adds power. Leaders tend to favor youth voices, so go and speak up.
Moving Forward
Climate resilience is more than emergency response. It is about creating safe, healthy, and sustainable communities. Youth commissions help make that happen by bringing youth perspectives into the decisions that shape the future.
Sources:
City of Sacramento. Youth, Environment, and Climate Action Report. October 7, 2024. Accessed August 31, 2025. https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/pw/climate-action/recent-meetings/Staff%20Report_SYC_10_07_24.pdf.
California Natural Resources Agency. California Climate Adaptation Strategy: Priorities, Goals, and Actions. April 4, 2022. Accessed August 31, 2025. https://www.climateresilience.ca.gov/overview/docs/20220404-CAS_Priorities_Goals_Actions.pdf
California Natural Resources Agency. California Climate Resilience Overview. Accessed August 31, 2025. https://www.climateresilience.ca.gov/.
County of Los Angeles, Chief Sustainability Office. Youth Climate Commission. Accessed August 31, 2025. https://cso.lacounty.gov/the-plan/cso-current-initiatives/youth-climate-commission/.
County of San Mateo. “San Mateo County Youth Commissioners Recognized for Climate Action.” December 7, 2023. Accessed August 31, 2025. https://www.smcgov.org/ceo/news/san-mateo-county-youth-commissioners-recognized-climate-action.
County of Los Angeles. Youth Climate Commission: Our Work. Accessed August 31, 2025. https://ycc.lacounty.gov/our-work/
City of Long Beach. “City of Long Beach Announces Awardees for ClimateLB Youth Climate Action Fund Microgrant Program.” Press release, May 2, 2024. Accessed August 31, 2025.https://www.longbeach.gov/press-releases/city-of-long-beach-announces-awardees-for-climatelb-youth-climate-action-fund-microgrant-program/.
Image credit: Greenpeace