Embedded Files
What is a Climate Action Plan?
What is a Climate Action Plan?
One important aspect of the YCJS is the Climate Action Plans (CAPs) that we make there.
A Climate Action Plan is a plan you make with people in your community to address an environmental problem. You come up with a project and steps to succeed!
Climate Action Plans at the YCJS
Climate Action Plans at the YCJS
After a day of learning and meeting students from different schools, we come back and start planning for the next year by making Climate Action Plans (CAPs).
Students from the same school find each other and explore what is feasible, what makes sense for their school, and how they can make those impactful changes a reality in their community after the summit! Students make a CAP that will address climate in the specific context of their school. We use the Wild Center's Climate Action Planning Workbook to guide the process.
After making their CAP, each school group shares out to the room.
Then, the work begins! Students take action to implement their CAPs. See below for the steps taken after YCJS 2025 (we haven't been able to check-in with everyone yet).
2025 CAPs: Tracking Progress
2025 CAPs: Tracking Progress
Look out for more updates soon!
School, topic(s), steps taken
Solorio Academy
Solorio Academy
Community action, classroom recycling improvement, CPS wide plastic reduction
Helped nearby elementary re-launch Zero Waste program and educated about it. Met with CPS to propose plastic-reduction solutions.
ETHS
ETHS
Curriculum improvement
Met with department chairs to discuss curriculum. Started annual climate survey.
Carver Military Academy
Carver Military Academy
Education around solar
One of four CPS schools to get solar panels this year. Six students will have paid internships installing the panels. Multiple students competed in science fairs.
OPRFHS
OPRFHS
Green transportation
Proviso East HS
Proviso East HS
Nature Space for Youth Mental Health
Built bonds with nature by spending time outdoors.
Naperville North HS
Naperville North HS
Recycling Improvement
Working with Zero Waste Schools to improve signage and awareness.
IMSA
IMSA
Sustainability Plan
Identified places for improvement in Sustainability Plan and met with school admin.
Whitney Young HS
Whitney Young HS
Reduce Waste
Won grant for food rescue fridge. Conducting a waste audit. Surveyed students about school lunch waste. Hosted Earth Week celebrations.
Proviso West HS
Proviso West HS
Reduce food waste
Cafeteria waste audit conducted. Students preparing to interview peers about reasons for food waste and how to prevent it.
Trinity HS
Trinity HS
Reduce Landfill Waste
Launched composting program which has significantly decreased waste. Environmental club recycled every Friday. Educated peers about the program.
Glenbrook South HS
Glenbrook South HS
Starting a Green Team
Started a Green Team which meets every other week with 30+ members.
Garcia HS
Garcia HS
Still in conversation
George Washington HS
George Washington HS
Gardening and Outdoor Space
Garden Club is growing fruits and vegetables. Applied for Space to Grow Grant to reimagine outdoor spaces.
South Shore ICP
South Shore ICP
Developing Nature Spaces
Taking care of garden and school fish. Making plan to bring more native plants and therefore pollinators into the garden.
Stevenson HS
Stevenson HS
Earth Week
Green Team led Earth Week celebrations focused on education about AI. Hosted a short film screening and volunteered for habitat restoration.
Page updated
Report abuse