At the 2024 Youth Organizer Summit, over 25 AYEA members came together from across Alaska to share their stories and decide how to take action together for their vision of a better future. Youth shared stories from across the state about how we are seeing climate change affect our communities, from severe erosion threatening villages in Western Alaska, to shrinking caribou herds in the Arctic, to melting permafrost in the Interior, to glacial flooding in Southeast, to warmer winters across Southcentral Alaska.

After hearing these stories and acknowledging the concerning lack of climate action from our state government in the face of these crises, AYEA youth have decided to urge the state of Alaska to declare a Climate Emergency.

Climate Emergency Declarations are some of the strongest statements governments can make in regards to climate change, and what many now refer to as the climate crisis. Climate Emergencies have been declared in over 2,300 local jurisdictions and some 40 countries globally. This includes many cities in the United States, the State of Hawai’i, and the Alaska Federation of Natives in 2019. They can be passed in a variety of ways, some symbolic and others with immediate tangible benefits. It is important to note that all declarations are significant, as they affirm that citizens and governmental bodies are acknowledging the climate crisis and are actively seeking to lessen its effects. We cannot leave the weight of this work on the shoulders of our youth. A Climate Emergency Declaration in Alaska would affirm our state’s commitment to the wellbeing of present and future generations.

Sign AYEA’s petition today urging Governor Dunleavy Declare a Climate Emergency in Alaska!

Help us ask our state government to recognize the urgency of the climate crisis and its effects on Alaskan lands and communities! Sign our petition today!