EarthPlex - Climate Platform for Teens

An Interview With Newt Powers, a High School Student Leading the Way Toward a Cleaner Earth   This post was originally published in November 2020.  Many teens are passionate about an issue, and they feel the need to do whatever they can to make positive changes. I had the opportunity to interview an accomplished senior in high school named Newt Powers. Newt is involved in environmental efforts at a local and international level. I asked them about their work, accomplishments, and more: What led you to found Youth Alliance for the Planet? Can you explain what it is? Although our bio says, “Youth Alliance for the Planet is a youth-led international organization that raises awareness about environmental issues and fights to solve them,” at this point, I’d like to think of us as an environmental news source. I am already very involved in my own local community, but I hoped that by founding Youth Alliance for the Planet, I could make a greater change in the environmental movem...

Meet Lily Morse, the New Executive Director of the Green Schools Campaign! EarthPlex has interviewed many members of the Green Schools Campaign (GSC), and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to learn more about Lily Morse, the new Executive Director. We discussed a range of topics including her involvement in climate organizations and being a girl in the Boy Scouts program. How did you first find out about the Green Schools Campaign? I was virtually trained as a Climate Reality Leader in July 2020, and I met Simon and a few other people who were founding members of the Green Schools Campaign. I thought it was a great cause and reached out to get involved! What is your role as the Executive Director of the Green Schools Campaign? I basically think about and help implement the big picture: How can we grow? How can we keep people involved and working towards transitioning their school? How can we keep a positive and loving team environment? I work closely with all of the GSC director...

  Meet the Teen who can Make your School Run on Clean Energy  ⏱ Read time: 5 minutes EarthPlex has interviewed a variety of teen climate leaders, and many of them were involved in the Green Schools Campaign (GSC). EarthPlex had the opportunity to interview Simon Aron, the founder of the Green Schools Campaign. We discussed his work and involvement with GSC along with his opinions on The Green New Deal and more. Can you describe how you co-founded the Green Schools Campaign and how you assembled a team to work with you? My involvement in the Green Schools Campaign started from a simple Instagram DM. It was about a year ago, and I was just beginning to realize the enormity of the climate crisis. I decided I needed to do something, but I didn’t know how, so I reached out to Climate Reality Los Angeles chapter via Instagram to see if they needed help. Turns out, they were beginning to create the youth committee, and I was just in time! I became the co-chair and along with actor a...

  An Interview with Tessa Augsberger, a High School Student Connecting Climate Leaders  ⏱6.5 minute read There are many young  leaders  changing our planet, and they live across the globe. A high school student named Tessa Augsberger founded Global Youth Climate Database (GYCD) , "a network that connects youth leaders in the climate change movement to organize action through communication and mutual support." I had the opportunity to interview Tessa. She discussed her extracurricular involvement and her mission of connecting young leaders and activists. What was your purpose in founding GYCD, and what is the mission of the organization? I founded GYCD [Global Youth Climate Database] to elevate the voices of youth leading the fight against climate change. Living in Los Angeles, I have seen some of the effects—and causes—of climate change firsthand. For example, school is never canceled for snow days. We have “fire days,” instead. In recent years, the intensity and dur...

Meet the Young Graphic Designer Using Her Passion to Save the World  ⏱3.5 minute read Everybody has a passion. Some people sing, and some dance. Some people use their talents for social good and to make the world a better place. EarthPlex had the opportunity to interview Sara Deshpande, a young graphic designer who uses her talents to spread climate awareness on the creative team of the Green Schools Campaign.  What would you say you have done to spread climate awareness?  I have participated in many climate strikes in my community and I try and educate people as much as I can about climate change. I have done some school projects about climate change and I help organizations like The Green Schools Campaign to help make a change. Throughout my life I have been aware of this growing problem so my family and I have always chosen the cleaner and safer options in everyday things like recycling, using an electric car , walking to places as much as possible, using less plastic ...

An Interview With Christine Knapp, Philadelphia's Director of the Office of Sustainability In order to fight the climate crisis, we need leaders to guide us in the right direction. I had the honor of corresponding with one of those leaders: Christine Knapp. Christine Knapp is the Director of the Office of Sustainability in the city of Philadelphia. She's accomplished and has worked hard to make change in Philly, and her work will cause a ripple effect to better the entire planet. I asked Christine to answer a few questions about her career and experience, and she was kind enough to answer them. What do you do as Philadelphia’s Director of the Office of Sustainability?  I help to advance policies and programs that help to reduce the causes of climate change and protect residents from the negative impacts of climate change. I work across City government with other agencies and with external partners to coordinate and implement these changes.    What projects are ...