Call to Action: Teen Civics Ambassadors Talk Climate Change and Sustainability

The Teen Civics Ambassador Program is a great opportunity for teens to learn how to become active members of their community and inform other teens about ways to get involved. Ambassadors are spread across the Library’s many branches in Staten Island, Manhattan, and the Bronx. At these branches, we were assigned projects by our managers and helped the library staff with programs for teens. 

During the summer, we created civics book displays while also researching different topics and issues that impact our communities.

In our group, we chose the topic of climate change and global warming. Naturally, we have a mutualistic relationship with the environment. The environment provides for us just as much as we provide for it. As a result, hurting the environment inherently hurts us. Global warming and climate change impacts us in every way, now and in the future. 

Several root causes of this issue include coal burning, ignorance, deforestation, overconsumption of resources, manufacturing goods, transportation use, and fossil fuels. 

As a group, we chose to focus on the overconsumption of resources. As New Yorkers, we realized how big of an issue this is. During our research, we found out that energy is overused in our communities. Here are some of the data we found:  

• Even though New York City is only 1/35 the size of Massachusetts, we use about the same amount of energy! 
• One study found that 68% percent of all food discarded was considered still edible.
• New Yorkers produce more than 8 million tons of waste each year.

Our suggestions for change 

To combat this root cause, we proposed that the City Council make sustainable energy, like solar panels, more accessible, primarily through the breaking down of financial barriers. This could include offering programs with financial incentives.

For the Library, we suggested launching a pilot program that allows clothing exchanges to take place in partnership with other local nonprofits, as well as hosting programs that allow patrons to build new skills to repurpose old clothes.

Although as teens we may feel as if we can’t make a tangible impact, we can! We can reduce our overconsumption through donations of unused items, volunteering at community centers, and thrifting rather than settling for fast fashion. You can also register to vote if you are 16 or older OR encourage others to vote as well. You can learn more about voting for teens here. 

The Teen Civics Ambassador program is a great way to start this process of advocacy— applications open in November!