On Earth Day, a New Generation Rises: Congressman Maxwell Frost Unveils Youth Climate Leadership Act to Put Young Voices at the Forefront of the Climate Fight

On Earth Day, a New Generation Rises: Congressman Maxwell Frost Unveils Youth Climate Leadership Act to Put Young Voices at the Forefront of the Climate Fight

Bicameral Bill Would Establish a Youth Advisory Council with the purpose of providing recommendations to the EPA and Other Key Environmental Agencies

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL) re-introduced a bill in the House of Representatives, the Youth Climate Leadership Act, legislation that would cement the existence of youth advisory councils within the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of the Interior, Department of Energy, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Commerce with respect to environmental issues relating to youth communities and communities across the country.

On Earth Day, as the Trump administration rolls back environmental protections and doubles down on fossil fuel expansion, Congressman Maxwell Frost is introducing the Youth Climate Leadership Act to move the country in a different direction, one that puts young people at the center of climate solutions and safeguards our planet for future generations.

Under President Biden, the National Environmental Youth Advisory Council (NEYAC) was created to allow qualified young leaders to provide advice and recommendations directly to the EPA Administrator. This council has ensured that the next generation of Americans have a seat at the table when it comes to the climate issues we are facing by positioning the U.S. as a global leader in protecting our environment.

The Youth Climate Leadership Act has also been re-introduced in the Senate by Ed Markey (D-MA). Frost's introduction now means that both the Senate and the House could act swiftly to pass the legislation and pass it along to the President with hopes that he can sign it into law.

"Young people have the most at stake in the climate crisis, yet for too long they've been left out of the decisions shaping their future," said Congressman Maxwell Frost. "The Youth Climate Leadership Act is about changing that, ensuring young people have a real seat at the table and a direct role in shaping the policies that will define their future. At a time when federal leadership is rolling back climate progress, we cannot afford to leave young voices behind. We must act now to protect the progress we've made and empower the next generation to lead in building a safer, more sustainable future."

"Young people have the most to lose from climate change-they deserve to be at the table as we work to deliver federal climate action," said Senator Markey. "The Youth Climate Leadership Act would put young people inside the rooms where decisions are made that affect their future and the future of our planet."

"We appreciate Rep. Frost's leadership introducing legislation to make sure young people have a seat at the table in federal environmental decisions that will affect their future. We will continue fighting alongside climate champions like the Congressman to reinforce our democratic processes and a safeguard a livable climate," said Matthew Davis, Vice President of Federal Policy of League of Conservation Voters.

"At Latino Outdoors, we believe that young people's voices matter. They are undeniable stakeholders in the future of our environment and society," said Luis Villa, Executive Director of Latino Outdoors. "It behooves us to make ample room for their perspectives, hopes, and dreams. We are grateful to Congressman Frost for proposing legislation that does exactly that and are proud to support the Youth Climate Leadership Act."

"We must uplift youth voices in climate policy. Engaging young people gives them valuable experience as the next generation of decisionmakers, especially since these policies will directly shape their futures. We've already seen the ambition and determination of young climate activists, and they continue to deserve a meaningful role in determining what their future looks like. This bill is a strong step toward investing in the nation's future and recognizing the vital role youth can play in shaping climate policy," said Jackie Ostfeld, director of the Sierra Club's Outdoors For All campaign.

"We have too often delayed meaningful action on the climate crisis, leaving younger generations to face escalating wildfires, rising sea levels, and increasing costs for food, housing, and insurance driven by a warming world, so this bill is a major step forward," said Camden Weber, senior climate and energy policy specialist at the Center for Biological Diversity. "The Trump administration is trying to return our country to an era of fossil-fuel industry dominance, rolling back clean energy progress and weakening climate safeguards. Trump won't live to see the full consequences of these short-sighted decisions, but younger people will suffer their full brunt. Rep. Frost's leadership on the Youth Climate Leadership Act helps to right this wrong by centering those most vulnerable to the climate crisis and empowering the next generation of climate leaders to meet this moment."

Background:

The Youth Climate Leadership Act directs the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Energy, and Interior, as well as the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to establish Youth Advisory Councils made up of young people between the ages of 16 and 29 from differing locations and backgrounds for the purpose of providing recommendations regarding environmental issues as they relate to youth, including:

• Recommendations regarding programs to help local governments address environmental issues in disadvantaged communities;

• Recommendations regarding performance measures to quantify the impact of climate change and other environmental harms that affect youth communities; and

• Researching, writing reports on, and making recommendations with a focus on environmental justice, climate change mitigation and resilience, and pollution reduction.

The bill provides $250,000 annually for ten years to each agency for the purposes of operating the Youth Advisory Councils, for total annual funding of $1.25 million.

The legislation has also been endorsed by Moms Clean Air Force, Earthjustice, and Environmental Defense Fund.

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