This past October, the Tucson Unified School District in Arizona adopted a detailed resolution for fighting climate change—all thanks to the work of local students! The plan was crafted by members of the Arizona Youth Climate Coalition (AZYCC), a group that includes students in middle school, high school, and college.
By passing this resolution, the Tucson school district has committed to cutting its planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 and reducing emissions to zero by 2040. The plan includes switching from gas-fueled to electric buses, reducing waste and water usage, and expanding climate education.
AZYCC students spent 16 months researching, writing, and campaigning for the resolution. “It’s inspiring and surreal to see it go from an idea to a policy,” says Ojas Sanghi, co-leader of AZYCC’s Tucson chapter. “It shows the power of youth climate action.”