Youth Climate Advisors

Situation or Background
Imperial Beach, California is on the US-Mexico border and is impacted by broken sewage treatment plants. The spillover of waste contributes negatively to water and air quality for Imperial Beach communities.

Our Goal or What We’re Doing
This project will support middle and high school students in community scientist roles that empower their understanding, capabilities, and solutions to urgent environmental concerns that most affect youth.

Approach or Methodology
Solutions to environmental problems often adhere to a top-down investigation and solution. In contrast, Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) centers local community members and provides tools for them to intervene on their own behalf. Students will act as advisors and experts of Imperial Beach for UCSD, in reverse of traditional research hierarchies.

Impact and What We’re Learning
After a successful first year pilot program, students advised UCSD scientists to prioritize the following concerns in their community: awareness, vegetation, testing, ventilation, transparency of budgets, funding, advocacy, and cleaning systems.