Champaign-Urbana’s Youth Climate Justice Forum is a youth-led group of climate activists from schools around Champaign-Urbana working to collectively create change by empowering and inspiring their peers and their community, particularly through raising awareness about the harmful effects of climate change and steps we can all take towards a solution. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they’ve sought to answer how we can ensure that climate activism is strengthened, and not undermined, by these uncertain times. To that effect, they’ve begun a podcast series in collaboration with radio station WRFU in which they interview local legislative leaders and activists to learn their opinions on the coronavirus, climate change, and what we as community members can do.
Listen to their first three episodes, with interviewees including Urbana Sustainability and Resilience Officer Scott Tess, Illinois State Representative Carol Ammons, and Prairie Rivers Network water resources engineer Andrew Rehn on their website, and tune in to WRFU 104.5 at 5 p.m. this Friday to hear their fourth episode, featuring Traci Barkley, Director of Sola Gratia Farm.
Top image from CUYCJF’s website.