***PRESS RELEASE***
Second Annual Climate Action Youth Summit Champions Climate Action in
Every Career
This year’s theme – Climate Action Across Careers – invites youth to see every job as a climate job, from art and design to science and construction.
San Francisco, CA – Today, Mayor Daniel Lurie joined the San Francisco Environment Department (SFE), City leaders, and community organizations at the highly anticipated Climate Action Youth Summit — now in its second year. Notable speakers included Dr. Maria Su, Superintendent of San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), Rafael Mandelman, President of the Board of Supervisors, and Yana Garcia, Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency, all of whom uplifted the power of youth voices in shaping a resilient, sustainable future.
The event took place at the Yerba Buena Gardens on Friday, April 18, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The free, public event welcomed more than 3,000 attendees, including students, educators, civic leaders, and community members. Last year’s inaugural Summit drew over 800 participants. This year’s event built on that momentum and featured twice the number of student-led presentations and projects — all highlighting youth-led climate innovation and creativity in San Francisco.
This year’s theme, “Climate Action Across Careers,” challenges the notion that climate action belongs only to scientists or environmentalists. Instead, the Summit invited youth to explore how careers in a wide range of fields can contribute to climate solutions in unexpected ways.
"San Francisco has always led on climate action—but we can’t do it alone,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie. “Hearing from the next generation of climate leaders today inspired me. Their energy and ideas are essential to building a sustainable future, and we must continue to meet our climate goals for future generations of San Franciscans."
Presentations and exhibits facilitated by students from across grade levels — starting as young as first grade — explored zero waste, climate solutions, and environmental innovation. Transition-age youth from SFUSD’s ACCESS program partnered with Recology to educate peers and adults alike with interactive waste-sorting stations.
The event also showcased three powerful youth performances. Feline Finesse Dance Company, a youth sisterhood from the Bayview-Hunters Point community, integrated Hip-Hop and West African dance into a climate action dance. Alice Fong Yu, the nation’s first Chinese immersion public school, performed a climate song in English and Mandarin. The final performance showcased upcycled clothing designs in a sustainable fashion show developed and performed by special education students from the School of the Arts (SOTA).
“Young people are a tremendous force for the environment. They are vital to this City, and play a key role in ensuring the health and safety of our planet and our City,” said Tyrone Jue, Director, San Francisco Environment Department. “The work ahead is going to take everyone—nonprofits, community based organizations, business leaders, changemakers, elected officials, all City departments and our youth—to build a future where every San Franciscan can thrive. With more than three times as many attendees at this year’s Summit, and double the number of student presentations, I am inspired and invigorated to work together to safeguard our planet.”
In 2024, global temperatures reached 1.6 degrees Celsius—the hottest year ever recorded on Earth and the first time the recorded temperature exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold. The commitment of San Francisco’s educators and students in collaborating on and showcasing solutions at the 2025 Climate Action Youth Summit provided policymakers, community members, and a variety of people across a variety of sectors with a vision of how to realize the clean, green San Francisco of the future.
For more information, please visit: Climate Action Youth Summit 2025 | San Francisco Environment Department (SFE)
###