“I myself grew up in a frontline community…and that is sort of what brought me into the environmental justice movement. I started Youth on Root because I know that youth are some of the most powerful assets the environmental movement has. I wanted to offer youth who were not already engaged in this movement the resources, tools, and vocabulary to be able to be engaged in the movement - and for those who are in the movement, to be able to create a space where they could come together and have community.” - Candice Youngblood, Founder of Youth on Root

Out of all the panels and summits on environmentalism I have attended, I had never attended one that was fully centered on youth and students until the Seeds of Change Summit. This event brought together over 200 high school students, college-aged leaders, and young professionals who are living on the frontlines of the climate crisis, particularly those from low income communities. I had the opportunity to participate in two workshops led by members of the Youth Advisory Board - one focused on legislation and the other on storytelling. What stood out most to me was not only the insight and knowledge they shared, but the way the students facilitated with confidence and clarity. These were young people who are not only passionate about the climate movement, but organized in their approach and empowered in their leadership. It is a testament to how Youth on Root is truly dedicated to their mission to equip youth with the tools necessary to engage in the movement with purpose and vision.

Community

At its core, Youth on Root is about more than climate, it is about people and community. In my opinion, community is one of the most important and powerful driving forces of any movement, and Youth on Root embodies this. I met attendees from all across California and the U.S., representing different stages in their education or careers, a range of socio economic backgrounds, and cultural identities. And in this diverse crowd, a shared commitment to a collective why and their dedication to their communities to build a better future is what connected everyone. 

The community that these young Changemakers are fostering is one filled with encouragement, authenticity, respect, and resilience. In the workshops and panels, the speakers shared their own vulnerable stories of how they came to be involved in the climate space, obstacles they have overcome, and solutions. When attendees shared how they resonated with these sentiments and are experiencing similar challenges, they were met with encouragement. To me, this is what it means to cultivate community - and Youth on Root is doing just that by creating a space where youth, who may not always feel seen or heard, have a platform. I can totally see how this type of space and opportunity is transformative for students who want to be involved in the climate space and I am so excited to see the impacts that these Changemakers will continue to create for their communities.

Storytelling

In the “Crafting Public Narrative: Embracing our Stories” workshop, we explored how storytelling, relaying your why, can be a tool for change. When people are able to resonate with your experiences and put themselves in your shoes, the door for empathy and action opens. And while data and statistics are important for understanding climate science, the stories are what humanize a movement and draw support. Storytelling was not confined to this workshop, but was woven throughout the summit. The Sunrise Movement team opened the event by sharing their stories, Youth Advisory Board Members spoke about the personal reasons they became involved, and Candice Youngblood herself reminded us how growing up in a frontline community shaped her path into activism and founding Youth on Root.

What struck me the most about these stories was how they shifted the climate conversation from the abstract idea of “we need to have clean air,” into the lived realities of those who know what it’s like to live in a highly air polluted area, to develop asthma at a young age from breathing unclean air, and how these experiences fueled their climate activism. Now, they are working towards ensuring an environmentally equitable future for their communities. Every story became a powerful reminder that when you know your why, you can find a way to turn it into action.

Showing Up

The summit closed with a panel led by Genesis Cruz, Ariela Lara, and Daniel Rodriguez, who shared advice for fellow Changemakers in the room. Their insights were both practical and encouraging: show up for your community, don’t hesitate to get involved because of your age, and pass down the tools and knowledge you have to get your community involved. Showing up can look like organizing, sharing your stories, writing letters to your representatives, or simply contributing to your community. Activism is not just about the big moments, nor does it require titles or prestige - but it is about your why and the everyday acts of showing up for both our communities and the earth.

What felt especially refreshing about the Seeds of Change Summit as a whole was seeing young people, particularly those from underserved and frontline communities, equipped with the resources, opportunities, and platform to step into leadership and activism. To watch them show up, encourage each other, and build community was a glimpse at what true youth empowerment looks like in practice. I can say that I left the event with not only a deeper appreciation for the power of youth leadership, but feeling more connected to my own activism, why, and sense of community in the climate space. Youth on Root is proving that when young people are given the platform, resources, and vocabulary to engage in the climate movement, they rise to the challenge with passion and vision…as they are some of the “most powerful assets the environmental movement has.”

-Allyssa Salcedo