For those who could not attend the 2022 Bronx Youth Climate Summit (BYCS) here is a brief rundown of the successful event.
After months of planning and outreach, on Sunday, May 15th, Fieldston hosted its third annual (but first in-person) BYCS for students who attend high schools across District 10. The goal of the 2022 summit was to raise awareness about environmental justice issues in the Bronx and spark activism in participants. Although there was a lack in the variety of schools of the attendees, the BYCS committee was fortunate to host students from Riverdale, Bronx Science, and Fieldston.
The day began with a talk from keynote speaker Dior St. Hillaire, founder of GreenFeen and GreenFeen OrganiX (GFO). According to the website, GFO accentuates “environmental justice and waste equity in the South Bronx”. GFO is working towards the goal of New York City having zero waste by 2030 by composting and recycling. After reading the Principles of Environmental Justice created by the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit, attendees were asked to write down a word or phrase they associated with it. Using students’ words, Dior freestyled on the topics surrounding climate change like composting, environmental justice, local solutions, and more.
Next, the group split up into workshops hosted by The Climate Museum and The Point. In the Climate Museum workshop, Maggie O’Donnell discussed how although 66% of adults in 2020 expressed concern about global warming, only 5% discussed the topic regularly. Postcards were then made and sent to Senator Chuck Schumer pleading with him to sign the No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge. In the other workshop with Victor Davila from The Point, a group dedicated to “youth development and the cultural and economic revitalization of the Hunts Point section of the South Bronx,” according to the website, students learned how to have fulfilling conversations that cater to different interests centered around climate change and other dire issues.
Before Margot Vendley, a member of Extinction Rebellion’s (XR) NYC youth group, shared her story about fighting for environmental justice, summit participants enjoyed bagels from The Bagel Corner (thank you Mr. Waldman!) and many raved that they were better than Rolen’s… To see for yourself check them out at 581 W 235th St. Vendley, at only 16, has protested outside of New York Fashion Week in 2020 with their own version of the fashion show⸺wearing 100% sustainable clothes⸺to remind people of the damage the fast fashion industry continues to cause, died the fountain red in front of JP Morgan Chase’s midtown office to signify that the bank has “blood on their hands” and hold the company accountable since Chase Bank alone has invested in over 300 million dollars in the fossil fuel industry, created an “oil spill” in front of the New York Stock Exchange to protest Chase and other companies in the enterprise that finance the fossil fuel industry, and more. Aidan Goldsmith (V) revealed that this was her favorite part of the day because she was “ able to take what [she] learned earlier in the day and see it used from a younger perspective and how to take action with it.” Goldsmith reiterated that climate change and environmental justice is an ongoing issue that is not discussed enough (both in general and at Fieldston). As young people, Fieldston students, not just Environmental Club members, need to hold their peers and the school responsible.
Howard Waldman, Fieldston’s Green Dean, expressed that the highlight of the summit for him was watching students react to Vendely’s activism. Waldman said that he saw “lights go on in [student’s] heads” after being “blown away about how we can do so much,” even as young people. He believes that the speakers’ passion emphasized that “it ain’t over ‘til it’s over”⸺there are still many people who can and want to “rescue humanity from the worst effects of climate change.”
To close out the day, attendees gathered in a circle on the quad to reflect and strategize on what they can do to help raise awareness about the climate emergency in their communities. Gabby Nikolova (IV) shared that she enjoyed this section of the event because “it centered around our community at Fieldston” and it allowed participants the opportunity to apply what they learned to their environment and communities.
Reflecting on the day, Nikolova said that the summit helped her realize that there are many ways to reach the same goal. It was inspiring for her to see four different people of varying ages from different backgrounds fight for the planet in their own way.
One idea discussed during this time was a clothing swap. Partnering with the Fashion Club, the Environmental Club has promptly gone to work and has a plan for clothing exchange to happen on May 31st during A and B bands on the Quad. Soon, boxes will be distributed throughout the school for eager participants to drop off clothing they do not wear anymore but is still in wearable conditions. More information will be sent out shortly via email.
The 2022 Bronx Youth Climate Summit was a great success and community members have already expressed excitement for next year!
Great article, Eliza! It captures the spirit and energy of the event!