My freshman year of high school was a defining year for me as a young person. My biology teacher taught more environmental science than biology, and diligently sought out opportunities to educate us students about the climate emergency. The driving force behind his persistence: How to empower teenagers to take action on climate?

You invite ACE to hold an assembly. Back when it was known as Alliance for Climate Education, Leah Qusba educated an auditorium full of intrigued but aimless students about the climate crisis, its impacts on our lives, and the power and voice of young people in the movement. I watched in awe of the flawlessness of the presentation, the vibrance of the animations, and the urgent tone for young people to take action.  

ACE unlocks the power of young people and gives them autonomy to take their futures into their hands. It inspired me to become an activist long before I knew the term. About 10 years later, ACE and I would reunite on several occasions to continue amplifying the voices of young people in the climate movement.

Whether it was sharing my story about Air Pollution in Chicago or a press conference for a die-in, ACE has cultivated a platform for young people like me to be visible in a movement saturated by older decision-makers.

Now I’m the Associate Director of Communications and Partnerships at ACE and will be coaching other young people to use their voice to demand climate action just like ACE taught me years ago. 

If you’re interested in bringing Our Climate Our Future Live to your school or classroom let us know here.