COP27 in Sharm el Sheikh has officially come to a close. Since November 6th, world leaders, corporations, NGOs, and members of civil society have gathered in Egypt to map out strategies to combat the climate emergency.

From November 2nd through November 4th, youth delegates met for the 17th UN Climate Change Conference of Youth (COY17) to ensure youth voices are heard and included at the global climate summit. 

"From heat waves across Europe to droughts across Africa and massive floodings in Asia, the past year of extreme weather events have served as a(nother) wake-up call for humanity," YOUNGO, the Children and Youth constituency to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, states. "Global Youth urges political leaders to take heed, take charge, and take action. We have no more time to lose. Our future literally depends on it."

Additionally, YOUNGO has officially secured recognition as stakeholders in designing and implementing climate policies per Article 12 of the Paris Agreement.

"This is the evidence we need to take to our governments to say we would like to be included in national delegations," Hailey Campbell, YOUNGO’s ACE ‘working group’ co-lead, told Euronews.

We are excited to welcome Kelli Higgins to Project Green Schools' National Youth Council!

National Youth Council students are difference-makers who are invited to participate in important regional, national and world events. All students who are in grades 5-12 are eligible to take part in National Youth Council meetings. Learn more about joining National Youth Council here.

Meet the rest of our 2022 - 2023 student changemakers here!

Project Green Schools is excited to partner with Planet Aid in order to help schools and communities work together with a unified goal of recycling 25,000 lbs of clothing and shoes.

The Earth’s resources are finite and we all need to do our part for the well-being of current and future generations. Your clothing drive will support Planet Aid’s mission to protect the environment, reduce waste, and increase the efficient use of precious resources.

Both Planet Aid and Project Green Schools will support you with everything that you need to organize and promote your drive. Click to register to host a drive this school year. Clothing drives are open to U.S. based schools and organizations that fall within Planet Aid’s region. See webpage for regions.

Green Schools Society is a student recognition program that honors environmentally focused students achieving extraordinary impact in schools and communities. K-12 students, nationally and internationally, are awarded pins and certificates for recognition of their hours of service throughout the school year. Graduating seniors can achieve an NGSS/IGSS graduation honor stole for their four years of culminating service.

Green Schools Society is a flexible program that can be part of an existing club, help start a new club, be a part of your classroom or an individual student. We offer a handbook, project ideas, sample induction and end of year ceremony scripts, membership guidelines and more if the group would like to use them, but they are not mandatory.

Already a member of Green Schools Society? No need to reapply each year, you are in our system and good to continue your amazing work!

The Biden-Harris Administration has announced that the Executive Office of the President is offering paid internship opportunities in many of its offices. The offices offering internships in 2023 include the White House Office, the Office of the Vice President, the Council of Economic Advisers, the Council on Environmental Quality, and many more.

Learn more and apply here.

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs is now accepting applications for internship positions at various agencies within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) next year, running from January 23rd to April 7th.

A list of all the available positions can be found here.

The application deadline is November 18th at 5:00 PM.

Interested in internship or job opportunities in the sustainability space? Check out the Green Jobs Board! Founded by Kristy Drutman, the Green Jobs Board is an online platform aimed at providing a single source for environmental job seekers to discover employment and internship opportunities with companies that prioritize sustainability, diversity, equity, and inclusion in their work with the goal of bridging the equity and inclusion gap within the green economy.

NOAA is looking for youth passionate about the ocean and natural environment to join their new NOAA Ocean Guardian Youth Ambassador Program! The program is open to youth aged 12 through 18 who are committed to ocean conservation and stewardship of our blue planet. 

NOAA invites youth from across the U.S. to apply to become part of their program. If accepted, youth ambassadors gain access to toolkits, presentations, opportunities, and guidance from NOAA scientists, science communicators, and other experts.

Apply now to become a member of a nationwide network of youth ambassadors to share ideas, experiences, and support for your ocean conservation and stewardship efforts.

The Biden-Harris Administration has announced that more than $84 million from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will go toward making K-12 schools more energy efficient and lowering their energy costs.

Applications for the first round of the grant will open this month and close in February 2023.

Impossible Foods has teamed up with educational nonprofit Beyond Benign to launch a new program for K-12 educators. The Plate to Planet program aims to help children learn more about our global food system and its climate impacts and encourage today's youth to pursue higher education and career opportunities in green science.

“The curriculum we helped develop is special in that it puts students in the driver’s seat,” Laura Kliman, Impossible Foods Director of New Product Development, tells VegNews. “The lessons encourage them to become scientists and come up with innovative solutions to real-world problems, creating an understanding of the impact that our everyday choices have on the environment.”

In partnership with the Million Girls Moonshot, ACRES invites afterschool leaders looking to build capacity for STEM engagement in their afterschool programs to join their Virtual STEM Coaching program. As an ACRES Virtual STEM Coach, you will build your organization's capacity by training 3 to 6 members of your staff in at least 2 ACRES modules.

Sign up by November 23rd to be part of the ACRES Million Girls Moonshot Hub.

Launched in 2011, the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools is a recognition award that honors public and private schools ranging from elementary, middle, and high schools to districts and postsecondary institutions. The Green Ribbon program honors schools and districts that are demonstrating leadership in three Pillars: 1) reducing environmental impact and costs; 2) improving health and wellness; and 3) offering effective environmental and sustainability education.