In 2020, Cristal Cisneros did a TEDxCherryCreek Countdown talk on “Youth Perspective on Environmental Justice”. The youth have a lot to say about the future of the planet, but yet a lot of times they are left out of the conversation. Why?

This interview style webinar will be a conversation between Cristal and Yesica Chavez, the student coordinator for Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK). The two will discuss the importance of including youth voices as part of the environmental movement. They will also provide some suggestions on how those in the movement can ensure the youth are involved, heard and empowered through the process.

About the Presenters

Yesica Chavez

Yesica is a first-generation student who graduated from the University of Colorado Denver with her B.S. in Psychology minor in Ethnic Studies. She was born and raised in the Montbello community of Denver. Through her work with Environmental Learning for Kids she has advocated for the youth voice at the table. Having started in the sustainability and conservation world as a teenager she finds it important to have more youth at the table!

Cristal Cisneros

Cristal Cisneros (she, her, hers, ella) is originally from Gary Indiana, a town with a history of environmental injustice. She is a first generation Mexican and loves nature! She is currently working on her doctorate in Education focusing on environmental racism and environmental injustice and its impact on students of color.

Cristal grew up with contaminated water and air and wanted change. We need change to stop big corporations from intentionally poisoning communities of color. She is one of ten siblings who grew up harvesting the beautiful brown earth to feed not only their large family, but also their hearts. Nature has a way of healing in the nourishing fresh produce it has to offer to the oxygen needed for our lungs to soft chirps of birds that help lull our chaotic life. Nature is medicina. Environmental justice “es en mi sangre”. From the ancient Azteca days, Madre tierra days, the pre-Conquest days, our goddess tonantzin days, maker of moon and stars days, my ancestors worshiped her days.

For her, developing an environmental justice curriculum for youth of color is not the only solution. We need aggressive climate action. Because, Berta Caceres who in her last words stated “Our Mother Earth – militarized, fenced-in, poisoned, a place where basic rights are systematically violated – demands that we take action.”

Was then, is now, true

REGISTER