From sustainable filmmaking and upcycled fashion, to planting trees and creating gardens, Long Beach youth will have plenty of opportunities to combat climate change through fun, educational methods.
The second round of the ClimateLB Youth Climate Action Fund grants have been awarded to 17 organizations throughout the city, Long Beach announced on May 13. Each organization will receive $5,000 for their projects, which include creating educational murals, tracking air quality and noise pollution and hosting workshops at schools, parks and libraries.
Projects are aimed to engage youth ages 15-24 in designing, producing and overseeing urgent climate solutions. Long Beach’s Office of Climate Action and Sustainability led the selection process, joined by Public Service Corp members and California Climate Action Corps youth fellows.
“This new round of ClimateLB funding has allowed us to double the reach and impact of the program, providing more unique and innovative opportunities for young people to lead sustainable initiatives in their neighborhoods,” said Mayor Rex Richardson in a public statement. “It’s inspiring to see the Long Beach youth community taking up the mantle of environmental stewardship and justice, and I look forward to seeing how their projects encourage more people to take further climate action.”
Organizations were scored and selected for their work in supporting youth leadership and community, as well as their focus on implementing innovative climate solutions and centering equity and environmental justice in West Long Beach.
Selected organizations and their awarded projects include:
- All Means All – “The All-Abilities Tree Planting Project” — This project will focus on planting trees in areas accessible to and frequently used by students with access and functional needs to create more comfortable and healthier environments.
- Cal State Long Beach’s Green Film School Alliance – “Introduction to Green and Sustainable Filmmaking” — Sustainable filmmaking will be easily accessible, achievable and impactful by providing alternative resources through a green filmmaking kit and spreading awareness on compelling statistics.
- Cal State Long Beach’s Sustainability Fellows Program – “Youth Leaders Promoting Sustainable Restaurant Packaging” — Through this program, CSULB hopes to reduce plastic waste generated by Long Beach restaurants and in turn lower emissions linked to plastic production by encouraging restaurant owners to transition to eco-friendly alternatives.
- Creative Art Events – “Youth for the Planet: A Climate Mural” — Youth will learn to measure and track air quality, noise pollution, thermal heat and temperature to create a mural at the Admiral Kidd Park Teen Center that visually represents the information gathered.
- East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice – “From Trash to Totes” — The YouthlnAction! club at Cabrillo High School will address the environmental issues from fast fashion by practicing upcycling techniques such as sewing, cutting and natural dyeing to create tote bags from repurposed materials.
- EcoJustice LB — This organization seeks to make environmental education accessible, engaging and action-oriented through interactive community training held in public, collaborative spaces such as libraries and parks.
- H.E.L.P. of Long Beach (Helping Environmentally Low-Income Properties) — Youth will plant trees and native, drought-tolerant plants at an event in West Long Beach.
- Historic Long Beach Dairy Creamery and Friends – “Green Guardians of West Long Beach: Youth Climate Ambassadors” — West Long Beach students can become informed climate ambassadors by learning skills to advocate for environmental justice.
- Latinos in Action California – “Our Climate, Our Canvas: Youth-Led Public Art Initiative” — Youth will focus on addressing climate change, environmental justice and community resilience through creative expression at the Latinos in Action Center. This project will engage youth artists, local residents and environmental advocates to design and paint murals that reflect the community’s experiences with climate change, pollution and environmental activism.
- LB Poly Garden Club – “LB Poly Fourth Annual Festival of Gardening and Butterflies” — Funds will go towards hosting annual events like the Festival of Gardening and Butterflies and leading projects such as the on-campus greenhouse.
- Long Beach Bar Foundation – “Youth Climate Education” — The Bar Foundation will raise awareness, foster environmental stewardship and inspire proactive climate action among young people through the installation of community gardens and hands-on workshops.
- Love Beyond Limits – “Splash into Sustainability #Learnaquaponics” — This youth-led project will engage 6th-grade students in hands-on learning experiences to empower them with knowledge about the interdependence of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
- Museum of Latin American Art – “Planton Movil” — Ten camp counselors ages 15-17 will lead over 120 kid campers ages 6-13 in a public artistic performance to speak out against the mistreatment of plants and trees, advocate for the accessibility of public green spaces and promote the value of native plants without stigmatizing “alien” ones.
- Puente Latino Association – “Gen Z: Youth for Change” — Youth will lead a dynamic community event focused on sustainability and climate change awareness that combines creative expression, education and family-friendly activities to inspire positive environmental action.
- Roof Top Climate Kids – “Roof to Roots: LB Green Transformation” — This project will build a network of youth advocates who can communicate the environmental benefits of green roofs by empowering them to conduct outreach to businesses to design and install a green roof.
- Youth Leadership Institute – “Voicewaves – Climate Justice Video Series” — The nonprofit will equip youth with research and storytelling skills to develop a stop-motion video series to raise awareness about the disproportionate environmental burdens they face in West Long Beach.
- Youth-Led Climate Education and Ambassadors of Long Beach — This student-led awareness campaign is centered on environmental justice and climate resilience for marginalized communities, and will culminate in a climate education fair.
The City received a $100,000 grant for ClimateLB, funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies in partnership with United Cities and Local Governments and the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University. The Program will aid in fulfilling the City’s 10-year community investment plan, the Westside Promise, and also aligns with the goals of the Long Beach Climate Action Plan, Strategic Plan for Youth and Emerging Adults and Racial Equity and Reconciliation Plan.
Funds will be administered to grant awardees by May 31 and the full grant award must be expended by Oct. 31.
More information about the ClimateLB Youth Climate Action Fund Microgrant Program and updates regarding the grant award process can be found at lbcity.info/climatelb.
