Youth Climate Activists Lead the Charge: Arizona Students Secure Landmark Climate Action in Tucson Unified School District
By Jonathan Michael
Published Wednesday, December 11, 2024.
In a groundbreaking victory for youth-led climate activism, the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) passed the most comprehensive climate action resolution in United States history[1] on October 29, 2024.[2] This historic achievement, driven by the Arizona Youth Climate Coalition (AZYCC), shows the power that young people can have in addressing the climate crisis head-on through grass-roots advocacy. TUSD is Southern Arizona’s largest school district[3] and such bold environmental policy shaped by the students themselves is a testament to the change that can be achieved by the passion of youth activism.
The resolution sets ambitious goals: achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, electrifying the district’s bus fleet, promoting water conservation, and integrating climate education across all grade levels.[4] Notably, it was written, researched, and championed by AZYCC members, some as young as 13.[5]
“This isn’t just a win for our district—it’s a testament to what young people can accomplish when we refuse to accept inaction,” said Ojas Sanghi, Tucson Co-Lead of AZYCC.[6]
The group’s work highlights a growing movement of youth leaders who understand that climate justice is deeply tied to racial, economic, and social equity.[7] Their success in TUSD serves as a beacon for communities nationwide: young voices are leading the fight for a just, sustainable, and resilient future. These students are proving that change isn’t just possible—it’s happening now.
For many reasons, it is inspiring that young people have led the charge. It gives hope that the coming generations will fight for the future in ways which the past generations have failed. But importantly, it should inspire the rest of us to do more, rather than standing by while the youth picks up our mess.
Our world is uniquely impacted by the actions of every person. We can each influence the people we are directly connected to in the global community—from colleagues, to family, to places of employment. We can each change the way that we contribute to humanity’s impact on the world: by adopting different personal habits, and—as the AZYCC has shown us—by coming together to achieve common goals.
We officially have no more excuses for inaction. If you would like to support the AZYCC, learn how to get involved using this link.
The full resolution as adopted by TUSD can be read here.
[1] TUSD Climate Action Resolution, Az. Youth Climate Coal., https://www.azyouthclimate.org/tusd-climate-action-resolution (last visited Dec. 3, 2024).
[2] Minutes for Special Board Meeting, Tucson Unified Sch. Dist. Governing Bd., (Oct. 29, 2024), https://go.boarddocs.com/az/tucsonusd/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=D7AU4S7A1587 (click “meeting notes” then look under “Action: 8.4 Governing Board Policy ECF – Energy Conservation (Revision) – SECOND READING – 7:39 p.m.”) (the Governing Board adopted the resolution with a vote of 3–2.). See also Kristin Toussaint, Arizona Students Just Pressured the Tucson School District to Pass an Aggressive Climate Resolution, MSN (Oct. 30, 2024), https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/arizona-students-just-pressured-the-tucson-school-district-to-pass-an-aggressive-climate-resolution/ar-AA1ti24Y.
[3] See About Our District, Tucson Unified Sch. Dist., https://www.tusd1.org/article-20230111-about-our-district (last visited Dec. 4, 2024).
[4] Tucson, AZ., Sch. Dist. Code § ECF “Purpose,” I.B.1.3., II.C., III (2024) https://govboard.tusd1.org/Policies-and-Regulations/Policy-Code-ECF.
[5] TUSD Climate Action Resolution, supra note 1.
[6] Interview with Ojai Sanghi, Tucson Co-Lead of AZYCC, in Tucson, AZ (Oct. 29, 2024).
[7] See How Today’s Youth Are Taking the Lead in Global Climate Action, World Econ. F. (July 12, 2023), https://www.weforum.org/stories/2023/07/empowering-tomorrows-climate-leaders-how-youth-influence-climate-action/.