The City of Long Beach has recently unveiled the winners of its ClimateLB Youth Climate Action Fund Microgrant Program, a vital new initiative designed to boost climate action by harnessing the creative energy and local knowledge of its youth. Mayor Rex Richardson spoke highly of this effort, noting that the city is "investing directly in local, youth-led climate solutions." Funding was provided by a generous $50,000 grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies, in partnership with United Cities and Local Governments and the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University, as reported by the City of Long Beach.
Submitted projects were evaluated by a panel comprising City staff and California Climate Action Corps youth fellows from the Office of Climate Action & Sustainability. The entire process underscores Long Beach's commitment to youth leadership, innovative climate solutions, and centering equity, particularly in underprivileged areas such as West Long Beach. These endeavors directly support the City’s 10-year community investment plan, known as the West Side Promise, and are in line with the City’s overarching climate and racial equity goals.
Among the awardees, diverse projects are poised to take shape. The Associated Mothers in Action climate and art initiative will raise climate change awareness through a youth art contest and event, while CalYES's "Sky Guardians: Youth Climate Patrol" introduces drone technology to tackle climate issues. The Earthlodge Center for Transformation plans to engage young individuals hands-on with gardening and permaculture, seeking to establish environmental balance.
H.E.L.P. of Long Beach focuses on identifying urban heat islands and educating on xeriscaping, while the Long Beach Bar Foundation and Shortstop Youth Projects have devised a climate education scheme to inform students across local schools. Long Beach Polytechnic High School takes on a greener perspective, teaching students planting skills for a future event dedicated to gardening and butterflies awareness. The uniqueness of The Jewel Box Children’s Theater lies in 'West Long Beach Trashion,' a fashion show with re-purposed trash items, while the Youth Leadership Institute's "Voicewaves: Climate Edition" aims to empower through climate-focused media production.
Funds are expected to reach their respective recipients by September 30, 2024, with the directive that all grant monies be utilized by December 31, 2024. To keep abreast of the progress and real-world impact of these grants, Long Beach citizens can visit the Office of Climate Action and Sustainability’s website. Climate Manager Fern Nueno expressed excitement about the potential outcomes of these projects: "It’s important to empower residents to make decisions about how resources are allocated," she said, reflecting on the program's underlying philosophy of community-led solutions.
