Nashville high schoolers will gather to organize climate action this Saturday

Local high school students will talk climate change and climate action this weekend. 

The Nashville Youth Climate Summit returns on Saturday for its fifth annual event, which is designed by students on the Mayor’s Youth Council with help from the Cumberland River Compact and Oasis Center. 

More: Tennessee is drafting its first-ever plan to cut climate pollution

The summit starts with a “Climate Change 101” panel to ensure students have the same foundational knowledge. 

“We want to make sure that, no matter where students are in their understanding of climate change, they have an opportunity to come to this event and learn,” said Catherine Price, who manages education at the Cumberland River Compact. 

Students then participate in hands-on workshops, like how to mend clothes through sewing instead of replacing them with fast fashion. The fashion industry causes as much as 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to some measures, largely because of the use of fossil fuel-based fibers like polyester. 

At the end of the summit, students can plan a climate project for their school or community. The Nashville Soccer Club is providing between $100 to $1,000 for youth projects. Any high school student is eligible to apply by March 3, and priority is given to students who attend the summit. 

Last year, students at MLK High School launched a pilot compost system and planted new vegetation in a rain garden. Students also reopened a greenhouse at Antioch High School and added TerraCycle boxes to collect traditionally non-recyclable items at Hume Fogg High School. 

Any Nashville high schooler can register to attend the event. The summit will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24.