A major win for youth advocacy: Oregon Teen Helps Pass Climate & Sustainability Education Law

Oregon has passed a new law requiring climate change and sustainability to be integrated across school subjects — thanks in large part to the persistence of Mikayla May, a student at Caldera High School in Central Oregon.

Mikayla became the driving force behind House Bill 3365 after noticing that her classes taught the science of climate change but not the solutions. “We’re only taught the problems and the causes of climate change,” she said. “We don’t learn anything about the solutions.” Determined to change that, Mikayla partnered with Oregon Educators for Climate Education and testified before lawmakers, helping push the bill through the 2025 legislature.

Visiting Arbor Ridge Elementary School in Orlando, Florida

At the recent Green Schools National Conference in Orlando, Florida, we had the privilege to visit Arbor Ridge Elementary School. Arbor Ridge has received first place in the green schools recognition program, the Florida Green Apple award by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Green Ribbons Schools award by the US Department of Education.

We toured the school and the campus and a team of faculty members attended our afternoon workshop on vertical articulation of Education for Sustainability. Among many hey have composting in the cafeteria, a living garden.

Chicago School Kid Discovers New Cancer-Fighting Compound in Bird Poo

Under the close supervision of professors from the University of Illinois, middle schoolers were trained how to safely collect and grow bacteria. One youth identified a bacterium that might create new cancer treatments and antibiotics.

They were part of a 14-week educational outreach program to promote scientific careers with hands-on experience.

Inspiring KidsCloud InstituteMarch 14, 2025Newsletter, young activist

Great news: Montana Supreme Court votes 6-1 in favour of young climate activists

The Supreme Court in Montana agreed with the young activists who asserted the state was not living up to its constitution by not considering climate change when approving fossil fuel projects.

Melissa Hornbein, a senior attorney with the Western Environmental Law Center, which served as co-counsel for the plaintiffs along with Our Children’s Trust, said the decision would force Montana state agencies to assess the greenhouse gas emissions and climate impacts of all future fossil fuel projects when deciding whether to approve or renew them.

Inspiring KidsRosemarie DesmaraisDecember 23, 2024young activist, Climate change, Newsletter