Our youth leadership is keenly aware of the existential threat of climate change on our communities and on our planet. Like our membership, especially those recently displaced by extreme weather events like Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, our youth leaders know climate change is not some obscure concept but the very immediate reality of their lives. We say climate justice, because though climate change affects and threatens us all, it is the marginalized and poor of every country that are facing the worst effects and getting the least help. CASA is committed to not only fighting climate change to save our planet for future generations, but to ensure that the cost of the shift to a green economy doesn’t fall on CASA communities and other working class people, but instead is channeled through investment that makes us more equal rather than less.
In 2019, our York, Pennsylvania Youth Committee put climate action on the agenda in a major way, pushing for and winning a BIG commitment from the York City Council. Only 4 months after the creation of the York Youth Committee, the group brought their resolution “Supporting the Development and Implementation of a Plan to Transition to 100% Clean and Sustainable Energy” to the York City Council. The plan, committing the City of York to support a transition to 100% clean and renewable energy, passed the council unanimously, giving the newly formed Committee, the City of York, and the planet a much needed victory!