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Climate Leadership Summit & Career Fair

February 27, 2025 @ 10:00 am - 1:30 pm

We’re excited to invite you and your students to the 2025 Youth Climate Leadership Summit and Career Fair! This one-of-a-kind event, organized by students for students, aims to empower youth from Northern Colorado with the essential climate literacy skills they need to make a real difference in their communities.

The Youth Climate Leadership Summit and Career Fair is a collaboration between the Sustainable Living Association, Poudre School District, and Colorado State University’s School of Global Environmental Sustainability. It will be held at Colorado State University’s Lory Student Center from 10am-1:30pm on February 27th, 2025.

What to Expect at the Summit:

Keynote Speakers:

Opening Keynote: Dr. Scott Denning, a renowned climate scientist from Colorado State University, will kick off the day with an engaging keynote address, sharing his insights into climate science and the urgent need for action.
Closing Keynote: Dr. Lauren Gifford, a critical geographer and expert in global climate change policy, conservation, and justice, will wrap up the summit with an inspiring address on the intersections of climate action and equity.

Interactive Breakout Sessions
There will be three rounds of breakout sessions where students can choose from 14 different climate focused topics led by experts, professors, and professionals. Each session will dive deep into areas like energy, climate justice, innovation, wildfire, climate policy, and even the intersection of fashion and climate. Explore the full list of breakout session topics and speakers that will be on our website soon! List of Speakers

Youth-Led Breakout Session: Create Your Own Action Plan
One of the 15 breakout session options will be a special workshop where students can work together to design their own climate action plans to bring back to their schools. They’ll gain practical skills and leave with actionable steps to start implementing positive change in their communities right away.

Career and Higher Education Fair
In addition to the breakout sessions, students will have the chance to explore an environmental career and higher education fair. With over 20 organizations and booths, this fair connects students with professionals and opportunities in the environmental field. Higher education representatives, including CSU colleges and programs like the Impact MBA, will also be present to showcase pathways for further study and career development.

Who Should Attend:
This event is open to high school students and select 8th graders interested in climate leadership, sustainability, and making a difference. Whether students are just starting to explore climate topics or are already passionate advocates, the Youth Climate Leadership Summit offers something for everyone.

An Approved Experiential Learning Opportunity

We’re excited to share that the Youth Climate Leadership Summit and Career Fair is an experiential learning project that aligns with the Seal of Climate Literacy in Colorado. The Seal was developed as a way to recognize students who gain an understanding of how climate change impacts their communities and beyond. It helps build a sense of agency, connecting students’ passions and interests about climate change with learning opportunities that can help prepare them for college and careers. Ask your school if they are participating.

Event Details: