ARDEA YOUTH CLIMATE COALITION
PEER EDUCATION PROGRAM

The Ardea Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) Peer Education Program is a youth-led initiative that empowers high school students to become informed, confident, and effective advocates for climate action. AYCC trains young leaders to educate their peers and communities using a non-partisan, science-based approach that promotes critical thinking, hope, and meaningful action. Peer Educators not only learn the facts about climate change, but they also build the skills to communicate effectively, explore their personal values, and inspire others to join them in creating a just and resilient future.

The program begins with an intensive, required 40-hour Leadership Training Week that blends expert-led climate education with collaborative leadership development. Through workshops, team-building, and interactive learning, students gain a deep understanding of local and global climate challenges, and begin to see themselves as part of the solution.

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AYCC graduates go on to lead presentations, facilitate workshops, and serve as climate ambassadors across the community—sharing knowledge, sparking dialogue, and building a movement led by youth, for the future.

The program includes local and global topics on:

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Climate Change Impacts

• Environment and ecosystem health

• People, culture, and communities

 

Climate Justice, Politics, Resilience

• Food, land, and water rights

• Local environmental justice

• History, policy, and institutional change

• Indigenous and cross-cultural wisdom sharing

 

Climate Leadership and Activism

• How to influence by connecting and communicating with peers

• Personal story sharing, and making space for the stories of others

• Activism and organizing strategies

 

The 2025/26 program is full.  Applications open each spring.  Please direct inquiries to Carli Thompson at cthompson@kzooclimate.org.