ABSTRACT
The Youth and Climate Justice Initiative (YCJ) in Buffalo, NY, is one attempt to open the space of climate justice to hear, respect, and amplify the voice and actions of young people. The YCJ of the Western New York Environmental Alliance (WNYEA) emerged within the climate justice movement of the region, starting around 2015. The young people who joined the resulting YCJ were the students who were already engaged with Massachusetts Avenue Project and other environmental organizations. The youth coordinator and advisory group engaged in the YCJ decided to offer a shorter version of the retreat for the Fellows and others affiliated with WNYEA in the community who work with young people. Many of the young people came out of the food justice community and therefore entered the YCJ with knowledge, experience, and a critique of the ways in which our culture is based on racial, economic, gender, and class discrimination.
