San Antonio high school students help city combat climate change

By Editor On Sep 15, 2021

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SAN ANTONIO – The reports on climate change can be so daunting, especially for younger generations who expect to inherit the problem and figure out how to solve it.

For this reason, the city of San Antonio has created the Youth Engagement Council for Climate Initiatives of Mayor Ron Nirenberg. The program is aimed at local high school students who are interested in getting involved in community issues related to climate change, environmental policy and / or environmental justice.

“I think the mayor’s council really gave me an opportunity to learn and act locally,” said Jaya Kosaraju, junior at the International School of Americas. Kosaraju is among the first group of students since the council was founded last year.

“I think sometimes we focus on climate change from a global perspective, and that’s very disheartening. But we forget that acting at the local level is still a very significant, significant step forward. It was really impressive to connect with influential people in each district to talk about the importance of using carbon free modes of transport such as bicycles and bike lanes and to listen to people who share the environmental challenges they face in their own community. “

The Mayor’s Youth Engagement Council is a partnership between the City of San Antonio and the nonprofit EcoRise sustainability education funded by the Holloman Price Foundation. The council was established last year to promote and involve the voice of youth in the implementation of the City of San Antonio’s First Climate Change Adaptation Plan (CAAP), which was adopted on October 17, 2019.

“I honestly didn’t really know what San Antonio was doing to fight climate change and carbon emissions,” said Kosaraju. “But now I know we have a climate change and adaptation plan and members of our community and government are really committed to working towards a solution. The Mayor’s Council gave us the opportunity to work with the San Antonio Office of Sustainability and it was really inspiring and motivating just to hear about their work. “

Last year, the council piloted a roof garden at a bus stop, helped educate their community about renewable energy and recycling, installed insect hotels to increase biodiversity, and advocated local policy changes related to the CAAP. Kosaraju was part of the group that planted a garden on a bus stop.

“We wanted to create an area that removes carbon from the atmosphere, also known as a carbon sink,” she said. “We wanted it to be aesthetically pleasing and to have resources for bus drivers to learn about nature and climate change in Spanish and English. We had the opportunity to work with Masters students from the School of Architecture at UT Austin, VA staff, and community gardens gardeners. So it was really cool to get insights and motivation from such knowledgeable people that it really made us just keep doing our work. “

The Bug Hotel is part of the North American Friendship Garden. It was commissioned by the San Antonio River Foundation, designed by Ford, Powell & Carson Architects Tobin Hays, and built for Insects by Greenwood Milling Co.

The Bug Hotel is located in Confluence Park in the North American Friendship Garden.

You can read more about their effects here.

“I think our generation is definitely the heirs to the climate crisis,” said Jaya. “And now I think the responsibility falls on us to get involved. And adults and professionals I’ve spoken to understand that. And they’re just really excited to see what we have to say. “

Motivated high school students interested in societal issues related to climate change, environmental policy and / or environmental justice are encouraged to apply to the Youth Engagement Council for Climate Initiatives of San Antonio’s Mayor Ron Nirenberg. Applications for the council are possible from now until Friday. The council will meet in the fall and will work throughout the 2021-2022 school year

EcoRise has enabled students in Texas and the United States as green leaders for the past 13 years

You can find more information about the mayor’s youth engagement advisory board and the application process here. Interested students should fill out the application form by Friday. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the questions beforehand and contact sharon@ecorise.org for assistance in completing the application.