It’s no wonder that climate change can make us feel down. Depressing news that hits my email inbox almost daily – from information on climate scientists grappling with the harsh reality of how fast our climate is changing to new studies rolling out concerning Americans’ lack of understanding around basic climate science.

Yet, in the two years since ACE started, I’ve found no shortage of inspiring moments to keep us charged up. Almost every day, there’s word from an ACE Educator about an inspiring young person that they’ve met, or an Action Team that’s taking on an impressive new project.

Take Severn Suzuki for example – at the age of 12, she spoke at the 1992 UN Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, bringing world delegates to tears.

Our ACE Educators have reached over half a million students nationwide, and many of them have shown as much determination and promise as Severn. Beginning this Fall, we’ve decided to support these bright young people more directly. I’m thrilled to announce a new program that ACE is piloting – ACE Youth Reps.

In an effort to deepen our relationship with a number of motivated students and to elevate articulate, passionate students to become spokespeople for the youth climate movement, ACE Youth Representatives (Youth Reps) will launch in 3 of our regions this Fall: New England, Chicago, and the Southeast.

In the next week, you’ll be introduced to all three of our new Youth Reps – Dana Rae from Chicago, Enxhi from Boston and Faith from Arkansas.

These three young ladies embody some key elements we’re looking for in youth leaders. They are motivators in their communities to inspire and spark change, connectors between individuals, organizations and ideas. They are communicators of the issue as a whole, and catalyzers for the youth climate movement. And at the base of it all, they’re community organizers – helping to make change in their hometowns, states, and country.

Here’s to these young movers and shakers… we’re thrilled to support you in your efforts, and excited to see the change you will make.