August 25, 2022
  • Redwood City – How would you reverse or minimize the damage caused by climate change?

    That’s the key question all San Mateo County students in ninth to 12th grade are invited to tackle in the Youth Climate Ambassadors Leadership Program. It’s a unique opportunity to learn the science behind climate change and meet both other youth and adults who are committed to doing something about it.

    Applications are now open for the eight-month program that encourages participants to put their ideas into action. Learn more and apply by midnight on Monday, Sept. 5, 2022, on the County of San Mateo’s Office of Sustainability website.

    “This generation is going to experience the climate extremes that have been predicted now for decades,” said Don Horsley, president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. “I look forward to seeing the solutions our Youth Climate Ambassadors will put into action to, quite frankly, save the planet for themselves and future generations.”

    The program launches in October 2022 with a series of workshops (a mix of virtual and in-person) through May 2023.

    Participants will have the opportunity to:

    • Connect with peers across the county and join a network of youth climate leaders
    • Meet local professionals working on climate change and sustainability
    • Transform knowledge of climate change into local climate action
    • Receive up to $500 in funding to implement an impact project to create positive environmental change within their school or community 
    • Earn a $500 stipend for completing the program

    I’m inspired to take action on climate change and by the prospect that my future and the future of those I care about is going to be severely impacted by climate change,” said Anahita, a student who participated in the program in 2020. “Some of the worst impacts of the climate crises are still preventable and taking local climate action could potentially save lives.”

    The Youth Climate Ambassador Program is a partnership between the Office of Sustainability, San Mateo County Office of Education and Peninsula Clean Energy.

    The program allows youth – who in polls and studies reflect feelings of vulnerability to climate change and ever-increasing anxiety – to take positive action in their own community.

    Questions? Please send an email to Kamille Lang, the ambassador program coordinator, at klang1@smcgov.org.

    Media Contact

    Effie Milionis Verducci
    Office of Sustainability
    650-363-4120
    everducci@smcgov.org