Dane County Youth Climate Conference
media release: Young people are coming together to envision the sustainable future they want for themselves and their communities.
The Dane County Office of Energy & Climate Change is pleased to join the United Nations Association of Dane County (UNA Dane) and Dane County Youth Environmental Committee (DCYEC) in organizing the fourth annual youth climate action conference, Building a Sustainable Future, on Saturday, November 16 at Madison College. The event is free and open to high school and college students from across the state.
“Young people across Dane County are concerned about climate change, much like many adults in our area. This event empowers youth, giving them an opportunity to see what their peers are doing as well as opportunities to create new partnerships, said Kathy Kuntz, Director of the Dane County Office of Energy & Climate Change.
The November conference will bring together students from dozens of different high schools and colleges and universities across Wisconsin to learn about and work together on practical climate solutions. The event will feature a keynote from McKenna Dunbar, a visionary young leader dedicated to the intersection of climate action, mental health and environmental justice. The agenda also features short presentations from youth groups doing environmental work in their schools and communities as well as opportunities to interact with other youth and local environmental groups.
“The Dane County Youth Climate conference is a great way to start getting involved or continue your climate advocacy. Building a sustainable future is much more than just 1 person, it’s about coming together for a greater common good in order to create change, but it starts with you,” said Hadley Stang, Senior at Oregon High School and Co-President of DCYEC.
Local student members of the Dane County Youth Environmental Committee and UW students led conference planning with support from the United Nations Association of Dane County (UNA Dane), the Dane County Office of Energy & Climate Change and other volunteers.
"Attending this conference for the first time two years ago was one of the best decisions I've made. It inspired me to take action against climate change and allowed me to meet like-minded young people from around the state. I'm so thankful that I had the opportunity to attend two years ago and could help organize it this year, and I hope it motivates others as much as it motivated me," said Nina Zhu, a junior at Vel Phillips Memorial High School.
“The Dane County Youth Environmental Conference is not only a place for big dreams to be dreamt but a place for big plans to become concrete. Each year, the creativity and energy in the room are deeply contagious, and the conference is a hotbed for innovative ideas and climate action. It is also a wonderful place to build community and make connections with people who are similarly passionate,” said Madeleine Bohn, Madison West senior and leader of the Madison West High School Green Team.
The event is free for student attendees, thanks to the generous support of event sponsors including:
- Youth Climate Action Fund, a Bloomberg Philanthropies effort in conjunction with the City of Madison, United Way of Dane County and UW-Madison Extension
- Madison Gas & Electric
- Alliant Energy
- WPPI Energy
- Dane County Office of Energy & Climate Change
- UNA-USA Dane County
To learn more about the event contact Kathy Kuntz, Dane County Office of Energy & Climate Change at Kuntz.kathryn@danecounty.gov.
Conference Website: https://www.theconnectiondane.
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