The ACE Blog

Youth Activists You Should Know: Introducing the Youth Advisory Board

Cameron Katz, Social Media Intern

ACE’s Youth Advisory Board (YAB) began as a project proposed by ACE’s Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) team to elevate youth leadership and youth perspective within the organization and more fully live into ACE’s mission to empower youth. We launched our inaugural YAB in June 2021 with 10 members representing our key program states (FL, NC, WI, OH, PA). Members provide regular input, collaboration, and engagement with ACE programs, campaigns, and internal work like ACE’s JEDI Strategic Plan.

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The Inflation Reduction Act Adds a Plethora of Green Jobs to the Workforce

Jillian Ortega

Signed on August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is one of the largest bills to be passed, shining light on issues occurring in the country focusing on three main areas: health care, taxes, and clean energy. This bill is a huge stepping stone that will help the United States move forward in reaching crucial climate goals.

ACE INTERVIEW: A Deep Dive with Aaditi Lele and her Climate Justice Activism

Victoria Whalen, Social Media Fellow

Aaditi Lele (she/her) is an inspiring young climate justice activist making strides with her advocacy at Vanderbilt University. Aaditi is currently the Research & Policy Communications Lead at Zero Hour, a News Editor with the Vanderbilt Hustler, and a Fossil Free 5 campaign member. Her work has been featured by The Washington Post, CNN, and more.

ACE’s 2022 Wrap-Up

As 2022 wraps up, we at Action for the Climate Emergency (ACE) want to take the time to celebrate our wins from the past year. Here are just a few of them.

COP27: Youth Activists You Should Know

Victoria Whalen, Social Media Fellow

COP27 has come and gone with some inspiring takeaways, but it was clear we still have a ways to go. However, one huge histroical moment was the addition of the first ever Children’s and Youth Pavilion. This hub allowed for young activists worldwide to meet, collaborate, and uplift each other. We asked 13 youth activists who were on ground at COP27 how their experience was as a young activist. Read their responses below, learn more about them and their organizations, and be sure to give them a follow!

The 101 on the Pennsylvania Gas Leak

Cameron Katz, Social Media Intern

A massive environmental and health issue has taken hold in western Pennsylvania. On November 6, 2022, a vent in an underground natural gas storage well began leaking. For more than 11 days, the Rager Mountain facility tried and failed to plug the leak, resulting in millions of cubic feet of natural gas leaking into the atmosphere. If these estimates are accurate, then the leak will have caused 1.1 billion cubic feet in emissions – the equivalent to the greenhouse gasses produced from burning 1,080 rail cars of coal. The leak was not stopped until over a week after it began.

Being Able to Discuss Climate Change is Half the Battle

Cameron Katz, Social Media Intern

When Tori first learned about climate change, she wanted to talk about it. But a conversation about the climate emergency …

Representation Matters: Indigenous Creators and Activists to Follow

Cameron Katz, Social Media Intern

Representation matters because it takes just one person to become the next generation’s inspiration. Representation builds community and nothing is more powerful than what we can do when we join forces. For Laxtinx Heritage month, here are a few content creators everyone should know about. Read through this blog and check out each content creator’s social media platform. Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, and leave a like on their posts!

How SCOTUS Impacts Climate Change 101

Victoria Whalen, Social Media Fellow

SCOTUS, also known as the Supreme Court of the United States, is the highest form of the tribunal in the U.S. and is often regarded as the “final arbiter of the law.” This means they have the ultimate authority on whatever disputes reach them. Their work focuses on protecting equal justice under the law as interpreters of the U.S. Constitution. The power of the Supreme Court is established under Article III Section 1 of the Constitution.

How the Youth Vote Determined the Midterms (And Will Shape Future Elections)

Cameron Katz, Social Media Intern

The sustained youth vote is a great sign that young people are passionate about maintaining their civic engagement — and that they see voting as a main part of it. According to a study from the Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement (PACE), 49.3% of 18-34 year olds named voting as the most important action to ensuring democracy works.