Copyright Boulder Daily Camera
By Erin Greenwood Climate change is no longer an abstract threat for today’s students. I recently spoke with a Boulder Valley middle schooler named Hazel, who joined her first climate action group when she was in third grade and wasn’t sure about what climate action meant to her. She then lived through the Marshall Fire, watching the orange glow on the horizon and seeing her community devastated. Like so many of her peers, Hazel’s environmental awareness came early, accompanied by plenty of weighty questions and concerns that no student should have to carry alone. Hazel isn’t alone. Recent research reveals that 85% of U.S. youth experience moderate to extreme climate anxiety. Yet only 12% of teens say they know “a lot” about climate change. This striking disconnect — between deep worry and actual understanding — leaves young people trapped in a cycle of fear without the knowledge or tools to act. In Boulder Valley School District, we are working to close that gap by transforming anxiety into agency, giving students tangible pathways to become climate leaders. After joining her “Panthers for Climate Action” group in 3rd grade, Hazel found herself caught in a familiar pattern: fear led to feeling overwhelmed, which sparked guilt about inaction. That guilt drove her to look for ways to make a difference, only to feel overwhelmed all over again. This cycle plays out in schools across the country, where students express deep concern but lack constructive outlets for their energy and passion. As educators, we have an obligation to provide information, but also opportunities for empowerment. Our students don’t need us to sugarcoat the reality of climate change, but they do need us to show them that their actions matter and that they have the capacity to drive meaningful change. That’s where something like the Seal of Climate Literacy, which was launched in Colorado, comes in. The Seal is a distinguished recognition conferred to graduating high school seniors that combines rigorous coursework with hands-on community projects, validating students’ deep engagement with climate science. Students pursuing the Seal don’t just learn about climate change in the abstract; they investigate local environmental challenges and implement projects that benefit their communities. Additionally, the Seal validates student learning in a field that many young people are passionate about, demonstrating to colleges and employers that there’s real demand for climate education. So, in addition to helping graduating seniors earn another credential on their diplomas, the Seal is helping develop the next generation of informed leaders and decision-makers. Beyond individual recognition, BVSD has created district-wide systems that allow students to advocate for and participate in sustainability initiatives. Our greenBVSD Action Plan and, more recently, our Green New Deals for Schools Resolution — which was pushed forward by BVSD students — sets ambitious goals: Every student at every grade level will receive meaningful climate education by 2026, with sustainability integrated throughout the curriculum. But students aren’t just recipients of this education — they’re helping shape it. Through partnerships with local organizations and businesses, we are creating pathways to real career opportunities in sustainability, renewable energy, environmental science and climate policy. When students can actually see their input and voices shaping district policy, their anxiety transforms into purpose. Yet another powerful antidote to climate anxiety is community. Our Green Youth Council provides a space where students can connect with peers who share their concerns and shape climate initiatives while also developing crucial leadership skills. Council members learn to collaborate, speak publicly and navigate the complexities of public policy, all while building peer support networks that reduce the isolation many young climate advocates feel. Hazel is now a member of the Green Youth Council and is planning to pursue the Seal in high school. She cares deeply about the environment and has come to see her work as part of something bigger: small steps that contribute to changing the world. Action, our students are discovering, is an antidote to anxiety. Erin Greenwood is the PK-12 science coordinator for Boulder Valley School District.
