Youth Climate Summit
On April 18, Malden River Media Makers held a Youth Climate Summit at Malden City Hall Plaza, featuring talks about native plants and urban biodiversity; environmental justice; AI energy use and data centers; climate-resilient urban planning; environmental communication; and climate-focused careers. Youth as young as middle school filled the City Council Chambers. These young people did not come just for the pizza or because a teacher told them to. They came because they are concerned about the environment and want to learn how better to communicate important climate-related information to their peers and engage in climate action in various ways.
INTRODUCTION
Following an opening icebreaker Karen Buck, mentor and guide of the Malden River Media Makers, welcomed attendees and gave context to the focus on the river not only as a natural resource but also the connecting force that all who live in and or around Malden are affected by.
Kevin
“Every single one of us here has our own story about leadership of nature.”
“I discovered my passion for nature and environmental advocacy through pollinator and native plants.”
“You don’t, and no one has ever needed to be special to be an environmentalist.”
“Change always starts in the most mundane of ways.”“You don’t need to be special to be an environmentalist — I literally ChatGPTed my way into it.”
Kidus
“I didn’t get into climate advocacy because I just loved the environment — it started with noticing things around me.”
“Environmental issues aren’t some faraway thing. They’re right here.”
“Air quality, lack of green space, old infrastructure — it affects how people live every day.”
“The same communities dealing with these issues are usually the ones not being listened to.”
Sarah
“I grew up surrounded by nature, but I never stopped to appreciate it.”
“As the weeks went by, I started noticing things I had never noticed before.”
“I began making small changes in my life, like composting.”
“Being an environmentalist can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. You can start small.”
Noor
“I wanted to make an impact on my community and share the issues I noticed.”
“One environmental issue I really care about is ocean pollution.”
“It saddens me to see plastic all over every beach I visit.”
“Think about the environmental issues that matter most to you and advocate for them.”
Ryan
“I got into the environment at a young age, going on hikes with my dad.”
“Those experiences created my connection to nature.”
“It pains me to see how bad pollution has become in places I love.”
KEYNOTE
Carey MacDonald, Councillor at Large, offered a short Keynote speech to give context for Malden’s current efforts and need to address climate change. Real climate progress will take decades of collaboration, momentum, and shared responsibility. Malden has a Climate Action Plan to guide this action. And youth are a vital part of that work not only as future leaders but voices of change right now.
WORKSHOPS
Participants rotated through interactive workshops that tackled environmental issues close to home and global in scale, including:
Urban biodiversity and native plants: facilitated by Kristen Nicholson (Blue Stem Natives)
Environmental justice: facilitated by Tobe Stolberg and Claire (Extinction Rebellion)
AI energy use and data centers: facilitated by Sam Lambert (Sierra Club Massachusetts)
Climate-resilient urban planning: Marie Law Adams (Landing Studio, Malden River Works)
Social media and environmental communication
Climate-focused career pathways: Isaiah Johnson (Mystic River Watershed Association)
CLOSING
In the final remarks of the afternoon - the audience was reminded that environmental action grows when people see that their individual choices matter locally. Programs like Clean Energy Coaches and climate workshops are ways to connect communities with practical resources, careers, and collective advocacy. Meaningful change begins with personal initiative and getting more people involved. That is just what these young organizers have done today.
This program is funded in part by a grant from the Malden Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, and by the NE GrassRoots Fund.