Climate change isn’t just a distant threat for Contra Costa County’s teenagers - it’s their lived reality. High school students like Luci Olson from Brentwood are taking decisive action, transforming anxiety into meaningful activism through organizations like the Bay Area Youth Climate Summit (BAYCS).

With 85% of young Americans expressing moderate worry about climate change and nearly 58% feeling extremely concerned, local youth are driving environmental policy conversations. Olson, an 11th grader and BAYCS outreach manager, understands the urgency: “We’re gonna suffer the consequences. And I think we also have the responsibility to fix it”.

Local cities are responding. Antioch passed its Climate Action Resilience Plan (CARP) in 2020, focusing on reducing wildfire risks and transitioning to clean energy. The city’s innovative Brackish Water Desalination Project aims to produce up to 6 million gallons of water daily, ensuring sustainable water resources for future generations.

Brentwood has similarly taken progressive steps, banning future oil drilling and implementing comprehensive environmental policies in its General Plan. These municipal efforts reflect a growing recognition that climate adaptation requires immediate, strategic action.

For youth like Olson, combating climate change isn’t just about policy - it’s personal. Despite experiencing climate anxiety, she remains hopeful by focusing on positive actions and community engagement. “It’s really important to look at positive things,” she explains, emphasizing the power of collective youth-led environmental movements.

As temperatures rise and ecological challenges intensify, Contra Costa’s young activists are proving that grassroots environmental leadership can drive meaningful change, one community at a time.