The Climate Justice League strikes again!
Over the past year, youth leaders from across the state continue to demand and lead on bold action to mitigate the climate crisis as part of the Climate Justice League program. Moscow and the Boise School District are set to become, respectively, the first community in North Idaho, and the first public education institution, to institute bold climate action planning processes. Student leaders’ local vision for a transition to a just and climate resilient future inspired their communities to take action and win through grassroots engagement.
Youth leaders push the City of Moscow to a community-wide commitment
In April in Moscow, city leadership celebrated achieving their 20% by 2020 climate goal, or 20% municipal carbon reduction goal by 2020. Yet those watching were disappointed by what was recommended as the next climate initiative; a much less ambitious 5% reduction in carbon reduction by 2030 from municipal operations. This was counterintuitive to the 100% clean energy commitment that community activists had been asking for since 2019.
Moscow High School seniors Nicole Xiao and Devon Conway jumped into action by working with the ID Sierra Club staff and organizing Moscow’s first Climate Justice League into action.
After coordinating a climate story writing workshop, student activists hit the streets, attending Sustainable Environment Commission meetings, meeting with elected officials and mobilizing comments supporting funding for climate action in the city’s fiscal year 2022 budget - something that hadn’t previously been placed in the budget. Activists won that, but it was just the start.
On September 27th, the city was once again set to meet and talk through further progress on sustainability initiatives at a council workshop. Ahead of that workshop, youth advocates spearheaded a week of action that included delivering a petition with over 500 residents’ signatures, and driving 100 written comments to city council demanding a comprehensive community-wide climate action commitment. Ultimately, this included a student-led demonstration with nearly 20% of Moscow High School students present.
At the September 27th Sustainability workshop, city leadership responded positively to the demands of young people and community activists. City staff, including Deputy City Superintendent Tyler Palmer and Sustainability Specialist Kelli Cooper, recommended that the city adopt commitments to 100% clean energy and citywide carbon neutrality, by 2035 and 2050, respectively. City council indicated that they would like to see staff put together a plan that includes these commitments.
Are you a Moscow resident? Stay tuned! City of Moscow staff are currently drafting a climate action plan that will be adopted in the springtime following a public comment workshop in early 2022. We’ll need your help to bring this home! This will be the first clean energy commitment
Boise students collaborate with their school district for green schools
A group of students in Boise, supported in their vision by parents, local experts and others, had been asking leadership at the Boise School District to also craft a long-term climate action plan that included a commitment to 100% renewable energy beginning in early 2020. Other school districts across the country have been able to realize intense cost-savings while also reducing their carbon footprint.
This effort caught the attention of local press after the concept picked up momentum with the school district’s sustainability committee in 2021. Staff, community partners and students shared their vision and next steps for a more climate resilient Boise School District in several news articles, including a front page story in the Idaho Press. A City Club of Boise panel discussion, also brought together student advocates, and Idaho Power and school district staff to discuss the concept with the general public.
See Boise students' video testimony for bold action at the Boise School District. Its about 5 minutes long.
Climate Justice League participants in Boise, after this series of public discussions, won a Collective Commitment to Clean Energy from the Boise School District’s Board of Trustees on November 8th. This resolution commits the school district to undergoing a 9-month planning process in 2022 that will culminate in an renewable energy adoption roadmap, to be adopted by the Board of Trustees in the fall. This will include plans that can help the school district convert to 100% clean electricity, and electrify school buses, heating and cooking using a phased-in approach over the next few decades. Student advocates will be a part of the planning process for this initiative.
Our communities step up when young people speak out!
Just like with the City of Boise’s 100% clean energy commitment in 2019, our communities are helping young people realize that they have some of the most powerful voices for needed change in our communities.
Are you a student or young person who wants to get involved for bold climate action in Idaho through the Climate Justice League? Feel free to reach out to Eric Willadsen (eric.willadsen@sierraclub.org) to find out how you can get started.