Mission
Empowering youth to become climate leaders working together for an equitable, sustainable, and resilient future.
- Youth have the most to lose due to the climate crisis.
- Historically, youth have played a significant role in inspiring change.
- Big changes require collaborative, widespread, and immediate actions.
- Working together, we can help these changes happen more quickly.
- Join us! Let’s unite to fight climate change...together!
SanDiego350
Youth4Climate is the youth team of SanDiego350, an organization that is building a movement to prevent the worst impacts of climate change and climate injustice through education and outreach, public policy advocacy, and mobilizing people to take action.
Y4C was originally formed by SanDiego350’s Youth Engagement Team. Youth are welcome to get involved with other SD350 volunteer teams and campaigns as well.
What We're Working On
- Supporting youth-led campaigns, including Youth v. Oil, a coalition of high school eco-clubs, and our work in the South Bay.
- Planning direct actions, like rallies and strikes.
- Delivering programming to develop the leadership and skills of youth leaders, including an annual Youth4Climate Summit.
- Working with local organizations to engage teachers into action for climate.
What Our Volunteers Do
- Develop educational programs to empower youth climate leaders.
- Hold interactive events, such as art builds, socials, and voter registration parties.
- Use email and social media to communicate with and engage Y4C members. Also, many of our planning and support meetings are done through Zoom.
- Create petitions and collect petition signatures.
- Meet with elected officials and speak at public meetings.
- Organize youth to take action.
Team Accomplishments
- We organized and supported youth to lead climate strikes in September of 2019 – 2023 – thousands of San Diego students participated and demanded climate action, with support from the San Diego Unified School Board.
- In May of 2024, we had our annual Youth4Climate Summit with over 50 participants.
- We’ve passed electrification resolutions in San Diego Unified School District and Sweetwater Union High School District.
- Our Youth v. Oil campaign successfully got these entities to pass resolutions in support of SB1137:
- San Diego Environmental Committee, San Diego City Council, Encinitas City Council, Del Mar City Council, La Mesa City Council, Vista City Council, and the CA Democratic Party.
- Big Oil dropped their SB 1137 referendum!
"Y4C is a community with passionate activists... where we can come together and create change along with having fun. This is a place where youth voices are valid and supported across generations."
Natalia Armenta, Spring 2021 FellowHigh Tech High Media Arts 
"I have become more confident in sharing my ideas and communicating with others--that is what Y4C helped me with the most."
Bella Lastomirsky, Youth VolunteerScripps Ranch High School 
"Y4C has helped me find my power because of the leadership opportunities provided--I have led teams and been part of them, which have all really helped me understand just how powerful my actions can be."
Alexa Castruita, Spring 2021 FellowHilltop High School 
"Y4C is a community space where youth can be empowered to grow as leaders, support one another as activists, and advocate for equitable climate justice together!"
Bella Santos, Spring 2021 FellowWestview High School 
"Y4C is an incredibly open community that makes me feel at home! Being surrounded by other young activists has empowered me so so much!!"
Theo Martien, Youth VolunteerMount Everest Academy 
"Each and every person I have met through Y4C has helped me learn about who I am and why I matter in the climate movement. They support me in all projects and empower me to reach out to others."
Kaiolena Tacazon, Summer 2021 InternGuajome Park Academy 