I’m a Bonita Vista High School student and know firsthand that if we don’t act on climate, nobody else will.
As a first-generation Mexican-American, my family is proud that I’ve chosen the health career pathway at my school. This interest, however, has made me realize how the pavement and asphalt replacing our trees have turned my school into an urban heat island. This exposes students to PM 2.5 particles—tiny invisible pollutants in the air we breathe every day for eight hours—that harm our lungs.
The extreme heat made me feel helpless, but I knew everyone should have the chance to live, work, and study in safe, healthy spaces, and this belief drove me to act.
Last year, we celebrated two huge clean energy wins at San Diego Unified School District and Sweetwater Union High School District. Because we came together, nearly 160,000 students can now learn in healthy, safe, and sustainable schools.
These wins helped me realize how powerful collaboration can be. When Sweetwater Union High School District passed its electrification resolution, it became clear how working together can create such a lasting positive impact on our health and environment.
Though it feels challenging to move on climate action after November’s election results, it’s important to remember the impact of our work. My peers and I, across three schools throughout my district, are part of the South Bay Clean Energy Education Program, learning resiliency and exploring energy career paths to create a foundation for a greener future. Together, our consistent climate action will create a better future.
Youth across Southern California are working with the Climate Action Campaign to expand this success to other districts and hold their districts accountable for the electrification goals they promised to achieve.
We youths want to be heard and learn in sustainable schools. Our strength is our voice. It’s up to all of us to speak up for our climate and our communities.
—Daniel Hernandez, Bonita Vista High School Student
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