Northeast Ohio Youth Climate Summit: Empowering Young Environmental Leaders

Project Summary

The Northeast Ohio Youth Climate Summit brought together 280 students from across the region for a day of hands-on learning, networking, and action planning focused on climate solutions, featuring keynote speaker Sage Lenier and 14 specialized breakout sessions.

Detailed Story

The Northeast Ohio Youth Climate Summit served as a vibrant platform for education and empowerment around critical issues of climate change, sustainability, and environmental justice. Held at the Cleveland Public Library’s Louis B. Stokes Building, the event featured climate justice activist and educator Sage Lenier as the keynote speaker, who shared insights from her experience developing the “Solutions for a Sustainable & Just Future” course at UC Berkeley. The summit’s collaborative approach included 14 diverse breakout sessions covering topics from sustainable fashion and urban farming to plastics, petrochemicals, and climate resilience. These sessions were led by community partners paired with student leaders, creating meaningful peer-to-peer learning opportunities. Six dedicated youth planners played key roles in organizing the event, demonstrating student leadership in action. Key highlights included:32 community partners who helped plan and lead breakout sessions or staffed the Opportunities Fair, where students explored environmental careers and volunteer roles,; More than 20 sponsors who supported equitable access and high-impact programming; Interactive workshops where students developed solutions by identifying systemic problems and creating action plans; Hands-on activities including milkweed planting, mapping green space inequities, and microplastic examination. Throughout the day, students connected with local experts, shared innovative ideas, and envisioned bold solutions to the region’s most pressing environmental challenges. The summit exemplified youth leadership in action and underscored the power of collaboration in building a resilient, climate-smart future for Northeast Ohio communities.

Impact Statement

The summit empowered 280 students with knowledge, tools, and connections to address climate challenges in their communities. One student shared: “Attending the Northeast Ohio Youth Climate Summit was honestly a game-changer for me. Being surrounded by so many passionate students and leaders made me feel hopeful and empowered. I left the summit feeling more inspired than ever to take real action in my community.” The event established a network of young environmental advocates across Northeast Ohio, equipped with practical strategies to implement in their schools and communities.