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National Youth Action Team

You(th) are the future

When it comes to climate change, youth can be powerful in ways that adults just can’t. We need you and your compelling voice in meetings with this country’s highest leaders.

Questions? Get in touch at [email protected]
Two smiling young CCL volunteers with their arms around each other, one holding a Citizens’ Climate Lobby folder

Join the National Youth Action Team

Fill out this form and we’ll help you get started. You’ll hear from our team coordinator about next steps!

By joining, you’re agreeing to our terms of service and privacy policy. We work with students ages 13–18.

Demo form — submissions aren’t sent.

Join CCL’s National Youth Action Team

Are you a young person passionate about solving climate change? Are you looking to work with other youth across the country to advocate for effective and just climate legislation? CCL’s National Youth Action Team (NYAT) supports youth under 18 to be active, engaged, and empowered in building political will for climate solutions.

Younger voices are extremely important in the climate movement. Our generation is inheriting this world, and we want to protect it. We have the power to organize huge movements and even move our Members of Congress on climate solutions. Our representatives and their staff really pay attention when young people speak their truth.

These are some of our team’s main activities:

  • Lead youth-oriented campaigns for climate action and awareness
  • Lobby our elected representatives, and train other youth members to join in
  • Give presentations on youth empowerment and climate action
  • Create resources for youth to take climate action

The NYAT is organized into four youth-led working teams — Actions, Outreach, Membership & Inclusion, and Communications. You have the option to choose which team(s) to work with based on your interests.

Our youth-led Working Teams meet on Zoom, and we come together for a Monthly Call on the first Sunday of every month.

Three young women volunteers in front of the Capitol dome A young volunteer writing a postcard to Congress Youth volunteers on the Capitol steps Two young volunteers at the Capitol Youth tabling for the electrification challenge Washington youth at a state lobby day

Meet some of our youth leaders

Hear from a few of the young people powering our work — in their own words.

Franklin shares why he volunteers with CCL

Franklin, 16

Shae shares why she volunteers with CCL

Shae, 17

Karishma shares why she volunteers with CCL

Karishma, 17

Sharon Bagatell

National Youth Action Team Coordinator

Sharon Bagatell

Sharon supports youth under 18 and their adult allies to build a vibrant national youth network within CCL. She has over 30 years of experience as an educator, curriculum-developer, and program coordinator in a variety of formal and informal educational settings. When you join the NYAT, you’ll hear from Sharon to help you get started!

Get involved now

Current youth campaigns

Our youth lead several campaigns at once. Jump into whichever one speaks to you.

Great School Electrification Challenge

Help your school cut emissions and save money by going electric. We’ll give you the posters, flyers, and step-by-step playbook to launch the challenge in your community.

Get started!

Climate GOAT

Greatest Of All Time climate advocacy: a friendly competition that rewards youth for taking concrete actions — from writing letters to giving presentations.

Get started!

VOICE Project

Share your climate story and amplify other young voices. The VOICE Project collects youth testimony to bring directly to decision-makers.

Get started!

See NYAT in action

Recent stories of young CCLers making change happen.

Young CCL volunteers tabling for the Great School Electrification Challenge
Youth

Spark of change: The Great School Electrification Challenge

Read more
Gigi Santo
Youth

Volunteer spotlight: High schooler Gigi Santo co-leads Florida chapter

Read more
Washington youth volunteers with their state representative on a lobby day
Youth

Washington youth organize state lobby day

Read more

Browse all youth stories

Youth are worried — and ready to act

85%

of people ages 16–25 said they are at least moderately worried about climate change and its impacts on people and the planet — with 57.9% very or extremely worried.

2024 Lancet survey of 16–25-year-olds across all 50 states & D.C. Source

74%

of young Republicans worried about climate change’s impact say so — alongside 86% of independents and 96% of Democrats. Climate concern crosses the political spectrum.

2024 Lancet survey, via Earth.org. Source

Follow us on Instagram!

See what our youth team is up to across social media.

Youth resources

Head to CCL Community to dive into our team’s youth-specific resources.

Training & toolkits

Templates & forms

Stay connected

Frequently asked questions

Who is considered a “youth” volunteer?

We work with students ages 13–18. Volunteers younger than 13 are welcome to join a local, multi-age CCL chapter with their parent or guardian.

What does each NYAT working team do?

While we are all working to support climate solutions, we have four specific teams that organize different youth-oriented activities. You can choose to join a team based on your interests.

  • Actions team
    • Lobbying
    • Other campaigns
  • Outreach team
    • Student outreach
    • Outreach materials creation
    • Presentations
    • Team newsletter
    • VOICE Project
  • Membership & inclusion team
    • Welcoming
    • Membership communication
    • Diversity & inclusion work
  • Communications team
    • Social media
    • Web page
    • Blog
How else can I get involved?

If you are interested in working locally in a multi-age setting, you can find a Citizens’ Climate Lobby chapter in your area. There, people of all ages work together to engage with elected officials, community leaders, and the media to build political will for a livable climate.

Ready to make your voice heard?

Join the National Youth Action Team and work with young people across the country for real climate solutions.

Join the team