Dane County High School Climate Conference: Gen Z: Meeting the Challenge of Our Changing Environment

November 01, 2022
Ariana Vruwink, 608-267-8823
County Executive, County Executive

The Dane County Office of Energy & Climate Change is pleased to join the United Nations Association of Dane County (UNA Dane) and Dane County Youth Environmental Committee in organizing the second annual Dane County high school climate action conference Gen Z: Meeting the Challenge of Our Changing Environment on Saturday, November 12 at the Alliant Energy Center Exposition Building. The event is free and open to high school students from across Dane County. 

“Young people across Dane County are concerned about climate change, much like many adults in our area. This event empowers high school students to learn about and work together on practical climate solutions,” said County Executive Joe Parisi. “I look forward to seeing the creative ideas that come from this conference.”

The November conference will bring together students from 22 different high schools across Dane County. The students will participate in sessions to learn more about communicating on climate change, influencing change within their schools and communities, educational and career opportunities in the environmental field, and the intersection of climate and social justice at both the global and local levels.

“The conference is the perfect opportunity to connect with environmental activists, other like-minded students, and learn more about environmental issues,” said Akanksha Denduluri, a junior at Madison College STEM Academy and member of the Dane County Youth Environmental Committee.

Local student members of the Dane County Youth Environmental Committee helped plan the event in conjunction with the United Nations Association of Dane County (UNA Dane) and the Dane County Office of Energy & Climate Change. The conference will feature a variety of presenters as well as opportunities for students to work together on strategies for addressing climate change.

In addition to personal and local change to affect climate and environment concerns, attendees will learn about global efforts to affect climate change. Sam Romano, board member of UNA Dane said he was excited that, “attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about COP 27 (the Conference of Parties), the annual United Nations global conference on climate, this year taking place in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt (November 6-18). They’ll see their own efforts as critical to a much larger global response to climate and environment.”

“This conference gives youth in Dane County a way to speak up on environmental issues we are passionate about. Seeing so many other high schoolers who are also concerned about our future and willing to fight for it gives me hope,” said Xanthe Saalmann, a junior at Madison Country Day School and member of the Dane County Youth Environmental Committee.

“Climate change is one of the most dire and pertinent issues of our time. It impacts everything, including racial and economic justice, and it's here right now. That's why I think giving young people the opportunity to be a part of a purely youth-focused conference like this is so important—not only is this our future that we're talking about, it's our present,” said Christine Negovani, a junior at Madison College STEM Academy and member of the Dane County Youth Environmental Committee.

The event is free for student attendees, thanks to the generous support of event sponsors including:

  • Dane County Youth Environmental Committee
  • Dane County Office of Energy and Climate Change
  • United Nations Association Dane County
  • 10001ways.com
  • 350 Wisconsin
  • Aldo Leopold Center
  • Artisan Dental
  • Auer Steel
  • Clean Lakes Alliance
  • Dane County Humane Society Wildlife Rescue
  • Everlight Solar
  • Madison Gas and Electric
  • Pheasant Branch Conservancy
  • RENEW Wisconsin
  • Wisconsin Creation Care Ambassadors
  • Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
  • Wisconsin Energy Institute  
  • Wisconsin Health Professionals for Climate Action  
  • WPPI Energy

For more information about the event, including the full agenda and the link to registration, visit https://www.theconnectiondane.org/about-1.