Pasadena Youth to Hold Climate Action Forum for Mayoral and City Council Candidates

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In partnership with local organizations, Pasadena students and youth activists will host the city’s first-ever youth-led Climate Action Forum

On Feb. 4, 2020, Pasadena voters will gather at Jackie Robinson Recreation Center to attend the city’s first-ever youth-led Climate Action Forum. All mayoral and city council candidates have been invited to attend the forum and discuss their ideas and vision for how Pasadena can be a leader on the climate crisis and be a more sustainable, climate-resilient city.

“Pasadena is in a unique position to be a leader on the climate crisis, and cities like ours have a responsibility to lead during a period of federal inaction,” said Ozzy Simpson, a senior at Sequoyah School and co-organizer of the Pasadena Climate Action Forum. “Local, systemic change—such as enhanced public transportation systems, cleaner and renewable energy, and energy-efficient buildings—from mayors and city councilmembers is required.”

For the first time in Pasadena history, the forum’s moderating panel will be composed entirely of people under the age of 35, highlighting that young people have the most at stake in addressing the climate crisis. Pasadena’s youth vote is also expected to surge in the March 3 elections, given mobilizing issues like the climate crisis and Pasadena’s elections sharing the same ballot as higher-turnout statewide and primary elections.

Mayoral candidates will participate in their own portion of the forum from 6 to 7 p.m., while city council candidates will participate from 7 to 8 p.m. Prior to the forum, local environmental groups will share how concerned voters can get involved in their organizations.

The Pasadena Climate Action Forum builds on the recent momentum from local students who led the Sept. 20 and Dec. 6 climate strikes at Pasadena City Hall in an effort to make the city take action against the climate crisis. At the Dec. 6 climate strike, three city council candidates and one mayoral candidate signed the Green New Deal pledge, committing themselves to championing the legislation on a federal and local level as well as not accepting donations of over $200 from the fossil fuel industry. The sitting mayor and councilmembers were asked by local students to sign the same pledge on Dec. 9.

The Pasadena Climate Action Forum is being organized by an intergenerational coalition of local organizations concerned about the climate crisis, including the newly formed Sunrise Sequoyah hub, Pasadena Environmental Advocates, Day One, Pasadena Complete Streets Coalition, League of Women Voters, and more.

Organizers ask that those interested in attending RSVP at sunrisesequoyah.org/ClimateActionForum.

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