(This article was written and submitted by Angelo Macapagal San Pablo from the Local Conference of Youth USA.)

On September 13, 2024, 150 passionate youth from across the United States came together in Tempe, Arizona to attend the 3rd annual Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) USA. This is the official national youth climate conference that is endorsed by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Children and Youth Constituency (YOUNGO). Over the course of the weekend, these young leaders shared experiences and collaborated together to address key issues and draft policy demands focused on Adaptation, Reducing Emissions, and Funding the Future.

Together, their perspectives formed the National Youth Statement (NYS) on Climate Change, the key deliverable from the weekend-long conference which will be presented to high-level decision-makers in the U.S. government, from Congress and NOAA to the White House. This statement not only highlights key policy demands needed to achieve a just green transition, but showcases how the knowledge and power of young leaders is critical to addressing climate change.

Additionally, the NYS provides input for YOUNGO’s Global Youth Statement (GYS), created with contributions from over 100 LCOYs around the world, which is presented during the United Nations Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP). From moving discussions forward on a fossil fuel phase-out to securing the Loss and Damage Fund, the GYS has played a significant role in influencing national climate policy. Ian Smith, one of this year’s organizers, acknowledges that some of the statement’s demands may seem radical — such as disbursing at least $446 billion annually in climate finance to the Global South, or achieving a complete fossil fuel phaseout by 2031 — but he says that’s besides the point. “It’s the responsibility of youth in some ways to push our policymakers to reconsider what is radical. Really, it only seems radical because what we’re doing now is so inadequate” says Smith.

LCOY USA is more than a conference - it is a skills-building opportunity led by youth for youth on a volunteer basis. This year, 15 youth organizers from across the U.S. dedicated their time and efforts to successfully execute the weekend-long conference. “Support for youth from marginalized and frontline communities to attend the conference allows the National Youth Statement to represent diverse perspectives from across the United States” says Coco de Marneffe, General Coordinator for this year’s LCOY USA. “LCOY teaches youth the skills, language, and confidence needed to effectively write and advocate for climate policy priorities” de Marneffe adds.

Learn more about LCOY USA and all about the NYS on the LCOY USA website. This work is made possible through volunteer work and donations. If you and your organization would like to learn more about the benefits of becoming a sponsor for next year’s conference, please feel free to reach out to Angelo San Pablo at secretariat@lcoyusa.com.