Students to engage at environmental summit Feb. 22-25

Delaware’s second annual Youth Environment Summit will feature a student-led, multi-day virtual summit from Monday to Thursday, Feb. 22 to 25.

The summit will bring together high school students from public and independent high schools, and home schools.

Planned by students across the state, the summit inspires youth-led action and environmental leadership. The inaugural event in February 2020 was attended by student teams from more than 20 Delaware schools representing all three counties and more than 270 students.

“YES! was created by a coalition of representatives from educators at Delaware schools, nonprofit environmental organizations, and public agencies to provide the opportunity for teens to meet, learn, and share their ideas on environmental issues of concern. Our goal is to inform, inspire, activate, and empower students for environmental change,” said lead student organizer Kanmani Duraikkannan from Odyssey Charter School.

The summit will feature keynote speakers, workshops and exhibitors.

Notable guests and speakers include: Jack Thompson, founder and president of Fridays For Future Delaware; Delaware Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long; U.S. Sen. Chris Coons; Delaware Sen. Stephanie Hansen, D-Middletown; and Roey Normberg, High Schoolers for Carbon Dividends.

Although some may refer to today’s younger generation as the environmental stewards of tomorrow, the reality is that they are the environmental leaders of today. YES! aims to give them the information and tools as powerful advocates and leaders.

The summit is free for Delaware high school students and educators.

To register, go to runtheworld.today/app/c/DelawareYES.