The California Environmental Voters Education Fund Ambassador Program trains young leaders from the communities most affected by climate change—the Sierras, the Central Valley, and the Inland Empire—to organize, shape local climate policy, and build a more livable future for California.
The climate challenges ahead are big, complicated, and urgent. Ensuring the future of the climate movement can make or break our progress with climate change, which is why the EnviroVoters Education Fund is starting at the beginning and investing in the next generation of climate badasses now.
Introducing: Generation Badass on June 18
Inspired by our annual Badass in Green Awards, where we celebrate seasoned climate champions, Generation Badass is a fresh take on what it means to honor climate leadership. Instead of only looking at the leaders who have already made their mark, we’re shining a spotlight on the emerging organizers, advocates, innovators, and changemakers who are building our future right now.
This includes highlighting our 5th cohort of Ambassadors, who just wrapped up a nine-month immersive leadership training in organizing and climate policy, and previous alumni of the program who have gone on to carve out their own careers and make an impact in pursuit of a better tomorrow.
Wait, what is the EnviroVoters Ed Fund Ambassador Program?
The California Environmental Voters Education Fund Ambassador Program empowers young leaders to take meaningful climate action, with a primary focus on communities disproportionately affected by climate change, such as the Sierras, the Central Valley, and the Inland Empire. These communities are up against a variety of challenges, including rampant warehousing and logistic industry expansion, oil drilling, water pollution from industrial waste, and a lack of partnership from elected officials on public lands conservation. The program’s core objectives are to foster youth leadership, promote community-driven climate solutions, and build a network of passionate advocates capable of shaping local policy and inspiring widespread awareness of local climate and environmental issues.
Cohort 5 concluded last month, and brought the program’s mission to life by launching targeted initiatives that addressed urgent climate issues at both local and regional scales. They fostered community by integrating art and sustainability in their events, prioritizing access to outdoor spaces, forging partnerships with local nonprofits, and tapping into youth-driven communication platforms like Discord and Substack to maximize new engagement.
Through the program, Ambassadors led discussions on the climate issues most critical to each region, particularly clean air, clean water, and civic engagement. They also educated peers about the role of local elected officials, highlighting the challenges young people face in having their voices represented in climate decision-making. Their work has helped raise community awareness around climate issues, build youth engagement, and initiate impactful changes that bring us closer to achieving our goals for the WE CAN Campaign.
Investing in the Future: Why Youth Climate Leadership Matters in California
Across California, young leaders are mobilizing their communities, advocating for their health and planet, advancing environmental and social justice, and bringing new ideas to some of our biggest challenges through fresh and creative mediums. They’re not waiting for permission to lead, they’re already doing it, and the question is whether we’re willing to invest in them.
On June 18, we’ll gather with climate champions, policy makers, business leaders, supporters, and advocates of all ages to celebrate the next generation and raise the resources needed to help them thrive. We’re gearing up for inspiring stories, meaningful connections, and plenty of reminders that the future of climate leadership is already here.
So please join us in celebrating the new and rising climate leaders who are changing California for the better and ensuring our state remains a blueprint for climate leadership on a global scale. Together, we can make sure the next generation is ready to lead the way.
For more information on Generation Badass or the Education Fund’s Ambassador Program, please visit envirovotersedfund.org/genbadass.
