The Story of 700+ High School Leaders Joining Forces on Climate Change
As a young person, I always viewed addressing climate change as a top priority, but never knew how to meaningfully act. I spent most of my high school years involved with Model United Nations, student government, and playing tennis; climate leadership had never been my calling.
For starters, I was held back by the idea that nothing I could do as a 16-year-old would affect the course of climate change. I felt frustrated by the state of our polarized politics and a seeming disinterest, or inability, from national parties to work together to further real solutions. What’s more, I believed existing climate movements were not sufficiently focused on viable pathways to legislative success and too often skewed partisan — leaving out many of the 70% of young Americans who view climate change as a serious issue.
Then, in the spring of 2019, I read about a breakthrough solution on climate change that was rapidly gaining momentum in college and academic circles: carbon dividends. Over 3,500 economists from across the political spectrum had endorsed the carbon dividends approach as the most effective and equitable way to address the climate crisis.
The policy was simple, and grounded in basic economic principles — by placing a price on carbon, we would leverage market forces to lower emissions levels and put a halt to global warming. Then, the money generated would go directly back to the American people, ensuring an equitable future for all (and sidestepping debates about the size of government). Finally, a border carbon adjustment and regulatory simplification would allow us to truly unleash the power of American clean energy innovation. I finally felt that I had found the right avenue to contribute to addressing one of the greatest challenges of our time.
So, as a high school upperclassman, I founded High Schoolers for Carbon Dividends to be the type of youth climate leadership organization I had always wanted to be a part of. The vision was clear — there had never been a prominent coalition of high school student leaders organized behind a specific policy approach. By recruiting the next generation of leading voices — student council leaders, top debaters, academic competition champions, sports team captains, and more — we’d be able to send a message to legislators that young people support effective, bipartisan climate solutions — and that carbon dividends is the best way forward.
Our coalition grew steadily in the following months, even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Everywhere we went, we heard a similar message — not only were student leaders eager to finally lead the way on the greatest challenge our generation is facing, but they were proud to do so in a way that was substantive, inclusive, and results-focused.
Last month, after all of this work behind the scenes, High Schoolers for Carbon Dividends officially launched with over 700 co-founders from all 50 states. Included among HS4CD’s co-founders are national winners of debate, science, and economics competitions, Scripps National Spelling Bee champions, student government presidents, environmental organization leaders, and hundreds more.
The breadth and diversity of the coalition does not end with the titles. From conservative student leaders in Arkansas to liberal student activists in New York, we pride ourselves on the fact that every young person concerned about the fate of our planet can find an advocacy home with HS4CD. The coalition we have built represents the full tapestry of the next generation of American leaders, all united behind the vital tool of carbon pricing and the carbon dividends solution.
As I reflect on the growth and formation of HS4CD, and look forward to the adventures ahead, a few takeaways come to mind:
First, about the power of young people. Throughout the two years we’ve spent developing and building-up HS4CD, well over 250 young leaders have taken an active role in promoting the cause in their communities and enlisting new supporters to the cause. A coalition like this does not rise overnight, and its success is a product of the pure determination and sweat equity of driven high schoolers.
Second, I’ve now seen first-hand how deeply people aged 14–18 are concerned about climate change, and how committed they are to rising to the occasion where our leaders have not. After all, we have decades of life ahead, and the most at stake. This issue is personal.
Third, and perhaps most notably, I have been struck by the ability of young people to set our differences aside and work together where it matters most. Seeing hundreds of student leaders across the political spectrum join forces on an issue of this scale, I am more optimistic about the state of our country — and with it, the state of our planet — than ever before.
As HS4CD’s operations get underway, we know the road ahead may seem daunting and that plenty of challenges lay in store. But we also know that this formula — large-scale organizing, unlikely coalitions, and youth leadership — is necessary for pushing ambitious climate solutions across the finish line.
The time is now for a genuine climate breakthrough and — as young people with so much at stake — we’re stepping up to speed victory on this all-important issue.
We can. We must. And we will.
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Learn more and join us at hs4cd.org
