Activating the Youth-Led Climate Movement

My name is Xiuhtezcatl Martinez and I am an indigenous eco hip hop activist and the Youth Director of Earth Guardians. As a 14-year-old growing up in Colorado, I’ve seen the effects of climate change firsthand. Youth from around the world know that climate change is the defining issue of our time, and our generation will be the most affected. Many of us feel despair when it comes to dealing with climate change because we don't know where to start. We are ready to contribute to the solution, we just need the tools, confidence and momentum to get started.

The Opportunity

Our schools are not offering us the kind of education we need to deal with the world we are going to be left with. RYSE (Rising Youth for a Sustainable Earth) a project of Earth Guardians will train young solutionaries to take a leadership role in the climate movement instead of waiting for others to lead. RYSE trainings will give youth the tools, skills and support to implement sustainable projects and transform their communities. This is an opportunity for youth to turn fear and despair about the kind of world they are inheriting into momentum and progress. Your contribution will help over 500 youth become active climate leaders.
                      
            Leadership training at the launch of Earth Guardians Australia in 2013

The Vision

• Empowered young leaders will lead projects, campaigns, and collective actions that disrupt the global leadership status quo. We will prove that our generation is not interested in waiting for others to take action. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.
• We will share our progress at the UN Climate Talks in Paris in December of 2015, demonstrating that we will protect our future no matter what. Our message to world leaders: JOIN US!
  

                     UN Talks at the Rio+20 in Rio, Brazil in 2013

RYSE Councils

The RYSE Youth Council is made up of 13 exceptional youth leaders from diverse backgrounds We are still welcoming applications for the Youth Council.
The Youth Council will develop their skills as organizers, facilitators, and community leaders while working together as the principal decision makers for the RYSE movement.
The RYSE Wisdom Council is made up of 13 seasoned leaders and activists from diverse geographic, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. With experience in arts, sciences, social justice, movement-building, and climate solutions, this multifaceted council will support the youth-led shift toward a healthy, just and sustainable planet.  
         Van Jones, Wisdom Council Member, with Xiuhtezcatl and Itzcuauhtli

Phase 1: Wildfire Training
In March of 2015, the impressive movement builders of the Wildfire Project will facilitate 4 days of workshops and trainings for the RYSE Youth Council. Wildfire is a democratic, front lines, action-oriented team of organizers and facilitators. They recognize times of crisis as vital opportunities for improving life on earth. They fuse political education, skills training, group development, and direct organizing. Their team leader is the global trainer for 350.org. They have supported a diverse range of social and ecological justice movements: from Tar Sands Action and PowerShift to Dream Defenders and the Divest Student Network. The training will take place around the third weekend in March at Frost Valley in the Catskill Mountains.




Phase 2: RYSE and Shine
In April of 2015, Youth Council Leaders will unite to collectively carry out and lead an organized national action: RYSE and Shine. This powerful, unified action will mobilize and inspire participants in addition to jump-starting the momentum of the movement.

               Youth leaders coming together at Arise Festival in Colorado in 2013

Phase 3: Community Solutions Activation Trainings

In Summer of 2015, RYSE Youth Council Leaders across the country will put their new skills to use and organize local trainings and events within their communities. Day 1 of their trainings will focus on analysis of key issues, organizing, and leadership strategy. Day 2 will be dedicated to collaboratively crafting a plan for climate solutions using innovative facilitation techniques to implement in their communities. Below is a budget for 20 trainings across the country with an average of 25 people per training.

Phase 4: Activation

Time to RYSE! Leaders and communities will put their climate solutions into action. Shovels will be in soil planting trees and gardens, solar panels will cover school rooftops, and new solar-powered lights will line park sidewalks. We anticipate ingenuity and never-before-seen solutions. Youth leaders will discover the creative, collaborative leaders within. With the tools and connections from RYSE, youth will recognize themselves as leaders, catalysts for change and a part of our greater global community.

At the launch of the Earth Guardians Protect Our Future campaign,                             youth leaders from 20 countries planted thousands of trees. 

Other Ways You Can Help

If you can't contribute financially here are some other ways you can help:

• Tell your friends about this campaign-- click the share links to share on social media
  
• Share the video and spread the word about #GenerationRYSE
  
• Nominate a youth leader for our RYSE youth council
  

Love, Peace, Movement. 

Thank you for your support.