With ever-increasing temperatures, a “Super El Niño” on the horizon, and other extreme weather events becoming a part of everyday life, it’s no wonder that Californian youth are grappling with how they can help bring about a greener world. A recent study in the Journal of Adolescent Health noted that some 38% of Californian teens reported climate anxiety; other studies indicate that 85% of youth nationwide aged 16-25 are “at least moderately worried” about the climate. And many of these young eco-protectors have been making impactful, inspirational strides in organizations like the Sunrise Movement or California Climate Action Corps. If there are young people in your life looking for an opportunity to help combat environmental devastation at the state level – or if you’re such a young person yourself! – here’s some exciting news: the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) has established a new California Youth Advisory Council!
The Youth Council officially came about via a policy memorandum this past July. Recognizing that “California’s young people will inherit the environmental challenges we leave unresolved, as
well as the improvements and protections we put in place today,” CalEPA elected to create this youth-led advisory body.
The Youth Council will perform the following roles:
- Serve as a platform to engage California’s youth in meaningful dialogue with CalEPA and its BDOs on environmental issues;
- Create space for mentorships and education on environmental advocacy that would empower young people to contribute to environmental stewardship; and
- Elevate youth perspectives and priorities to be recommended in state-level environmental decision-making processes.
(Source: CalEPA.)
The ethos of the Youth Council relies on the idea that young people, the “inheritors of both environmental challenges and environmental progress,” have a unique stake in creating a more environmentally-sound future. CalEPA seeks to ensure that these youth perspectives will also represent the whole of California, aiming to reflect “California’s geographically, culturally, socioeconomically, and racially diverse communities, including Tribes and communities disproportionately burdened by environmental and health hazards” through discussion, civic leadership opportunities, and other forms of youth participation. And the young people on the council will have some real autonomy, strengthening their own leadership skills while also seeking to strengthen California’s climate and environment.
Applications to join the inaugural cohort are open until September 21, 2026 (at 11:59 PM PST.) Applicants must be California residents and/or members of California Native American Tribes, aged 14 to 20. To learn more about the application process, you can visit the Cal EPA’s Youth Council page.
