Rebecca is a Sophomore who lives in Pittsburgh. She is deeply interested in the arts, climate justice and racial justice. She is on the executive board of her school’s student council, attends photography and fashion classes at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild and is part of her school’s eco club and photography club. Rebecca was introduced the the ACE Fellowship through a Communitopia group called Pittsburgh Youth for Climate Action. This summer, she worked at a summer camp to epicycle trash into works of functional art, to express the idea of sustainability to the younger students. It was both encouraging and saddening that these children, some as young as 7 years old, are more aware of climate change and the impact it is having on both their communities and the globe, than many adults. She wanted more places where she could connect with the youth both in her area and nationally, and foster the systematic change needed for inclusive and intersectional climate justice.

Rebecca has always been intrigued by the intersection of climate change and health, as well as the myriad of other causes that can be aided, when working towards environmental justice. It is often said that the youth are our future, however climate change is affecting everyone at this moment. This is why the youth are stepping forward to examine the current system, and the steps that are necessary to move towards an environmentally just tomorrow. Rebecca looks forward to working with the other fellows, and developing effective change in their communities. She also wants to use her art to express the urgent message of climate justice. The idea that we already live in a world filled with hunger, natural disasters, and extreme health risks, all issues that are amplified by climate change was enough to make it clear to Rebecca that everyone should be stepping up and doing their part for systemic change.