Bay Area high school students are taking on leadership roles in tackling climate change and cultivating a better future, thanks to a first-of-its-kind program in California.
Planting the seeds of change often starts with a good idea. At Terra Nova High School in Pacifica, that idea is beginning to germinate on a previously unused plot of land behind campus, where rows of garlic, carrots, peas, tomatoes, lettuce and fresh herbs grow.
The new vegetable garden, along with a recycling project, is thanks to three Terra Nova students: senior Dane Potter, junior Anna Zavodnik and sophomore Ava Litz. They are members of the Youth Climate Ambassadors Leadership Program, which aims to ensure younger generations have the skills and knowledge to effectively tackle the impacts of climate change.
“I definitely worry about our planet, and it’s been a big source of anxiety for me,” Zavodni explains. “But after this program, I was empowered to make changes and promote more sustainable habits.”
The program is a joint effort between the San Mateo County Department of Sustainability and the Office of Education. To date, 273 students from dozens of local schools have participated in the highly selective seven-month program. Over the course of the program, students will learn about climate science, leadership skills, and how to design and implement a community project.
“I thought, whoa, that sounds really cool.” Litz said. “I didn’t know there were opportunities for people my age to take such a big step and make an impact on the community.”
At Terra Nova, the new garden will supply fresh vegetables to the school canteen. At the same time, the students want to retain climate-warming carbon dioxide in the soil by cultivating healthy soil.
“Soil can be viewed as a carbon sink and can help reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere and reduce the drastic effects of global warming over a long period of time,” Litz explains.
“Sustainable agriculture is critical in combating climate change and improving the health of our local environment,” Potter said.
A recent Pew Research Center survey found that 43% of American adults believe climate change is causing major damage to our lives. Among young adults, 78% believe the negative impacts of our warming climate will only get worse.
These high school students encourage and inspire those who may feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the problem.
“I think it’s important that you really try your best,” Zavodnik said, noting that some people may be unmotivated. “It feels pointless joining the effort, but every little thing you can do can help.”
