We, the youth of New York State, will experience the full effects of the climate crisis, understanding that it is our future at stake. Similarly, we know that the climate crisis already disproportionately impacts frontline communities in our state, especially people of color, Indigenous peoples, and the elderly. It is therefore our responsibility to step up and speak out in the face of continued governmental inaction on this crisis. 

 

As the New York Youth Climate Leaders, we mobilize our fellow youth from across the state to combat the existential threat of climate change. Members and their organizations plug into an inclusive statewide network of impassioned youth activists, and are supplied with resources, collaboration, and community to facilitate the growth of their activism. 

 

NY²CL advocates for a comprehensive policy platform centered in environmental justice that attempts to address all facets of climate change, from opposing the expansion of fossil fuels, to ensuring that every New Yorker has the basic human right to clean air and water. But the climate crisis doesn’t end with environmental destruction, it also exacerbates all other issues facing our state including systemic racism, economic injustice, and rampant societal inequality. Therefore, we approach our advocacy from a multitude of different angles, ranging from lobbying our elected officials to protesting outside their offices. 

 

Central to our existence is the idea that all voices have the power to induce positive change, no matter their age or background. Throughout New York, there is a vast array of individuals and organizations, all fighting the same fight. Our mission is to unite the state as one movement, strengthening our climate family and growing together to form a united front in the face of the climate crisis.