Youth-Led Climate Action: SCORCH and AYCC Celebrate Earth Day 2025
Patrick Robles (SoAZ Director for Senator Ruben Gallego) talks with Mark Ginsberg (USGBC Senior Fellow and Former ASUA President) and AZ Youth Climate Coalition Tucson Co-Leads Ojas Sanghi and Owen Brosanders.
Youth-Led Climate Action: SCORCH and AYCC Celebrate Earth Day 2025
In celebration of Earth Day 2025, SCORCH partnered with the Arizona Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) to host a dynamic workshop spotlighting the power of youth-led climate solutions. The April 28th event brought together University of Arizona (UA) faculty, students, and staff, alongside national and regional leaders.
The workshop featured youth activists Ojas Sanghi and Owen Brosanders who shared their work in leading the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) toward adopting the nation's most comprehensive school climate action resolution. Developed by students aged 13 to 20, the resolution set bold, measurable goals: halving emissions by 2030, achieving net-zero emissions by 2040, implementing a comprehensive K–12 climate curriculum, transitioning to 100% clean energy by 2035, adopting electric buses by 2040, and enacting strategies for heat preparedness and water sustainability. Fifteen days after this SCORCH workshop, AYCC achieved a significant milestone when the TUSD board voted 4-1 to allocate approximately $250,000 to hire a consultant group to develop a detailed climate action plan by 2026. This follows an earlier groundbreaking decision in October 2024 in which the board narrowly adopted the climate resolution in a 3-2 vote, marking it as one of the most comprehensive climate strategies nationwide.
Workshop discussions emphasized the importance of intergenerational collaboration and meaningful community engagement. Ojas and Owen shared insights into their experiences, highlighting their initial surprise when their cold-calling efforts yielded supportive responses from community members and national organizations. They also emphasized the importance of utilizing internal networks to connect with other motivated youth, underscoring the strength found in peer-to-peer collaboration. Youth activists openly shared their motivations and described the challenges they faced in their work. Attendees both praised AYCC’s efforts and inspired them by sharing encouragement drawn from their own past experiences. The workshop highlighted how youth serve lead the way in designing and implementing climate solutions. As we grapple with extreme weather events including extreme heat and drought, the workshop dialogue underscored the need for intergenerational collaboration and shared wisdom to inform effective, community-centered solutions.
Aurea Cunanan, Timothy Ojodare, Cheryl Valdez, Shunrang Chin, and Betsy Wilkening create art celebrating Earth Day.
Partial event flyer.
Tohono O’odham elder Selso Villegas and Karina Martinez from the City of Tucson participate in the discussion.
Owen Brosanders and Ojas Sanghi present their work with the AZ Youth Climate Coalition.
Karina Duenas, Laura Schweers, Griselda Ruiz, Noriko Tamari, & Sonia Nieves observe Betsy Wilkening asking a question of the presenters.
Mona Arora welcomes attendees and introduces special guests Ojas Sanghi and Owen Brosanders.
Ojas Sanghi talks with Mark Ginsberg.