Tennessee High School Students Build Climate Momentum

One and a half years ago, Sierra SCENE (Sierra Student Coalition Empowering Nashville Environmentalists) was founded in Nashville to help provide an outlet for high school youth in Nashville, TN and their passion for environmental issues. Since being founded, the Tennessee Youth Environmental Network (Tenn YEN) has been started by Laura Rigell and Alex Durand, two gap year students, in Maryville Tennessee, to help connect high school environmental groups. Last week, Sierra SCENE officially became Nashville’s Tenn YEN chapter, as Tenn YEN is now in three counties, Blount, Knox, and now Davidson and about 20 high schools

This massive uprising is no mistake, high school students realize that these climate issues are going to effect our generation more than any generation on this planet right now. We are the youngest ones on this earth that can step up, organize, and speak out for ourselves. These students are taking action and mobilizing fast, so fast that some days I have a hard time keeping up with the everyone. I wanted to share a few updates about these different organizations.

Upon returning from SSREC, Tenn YEN launched three new campaigns: HEEP (Home Energy Efficiency Program), a localizing group, and YEE (Youth Environmental Education), and they have all hit the ground running. HEEP has already partnered with Habit for Humanity in Maryville to begin weatherizing homes to help cut down on energy bills. The localizing group helped to plant 20 trees (some edible, all natives) at Whites Creek High School in Nashville, TN. YEE, is a transformation of what Laura and Alex (the founders of Tenn YEN) have been doing thus far this semester, as more and more schools are receiving visits from previously climate engaged youth.

Sierra SCENE, having recently merged with Tenn YEN, has reprioritized their vision. Sierra SCENE is dedicating themselves to help support local Nashville high schools, support Tenn YEN in all campaigns, attend environmental conferences like SSREC and Power Shift, and continue to develop leaders in Nashville and across the state.

Many Nashville area high schools are starting or have started exciting campaigns. MLK Magnet is working on getting local food in their cafeteria as well as a garden near campus. Hume Fogg Academic is working on a recycled art show and increased recycling at their school. University School of Nashville is currently working on establishing the first high school Green Fund in the world, composting, a garden, and installing solar. St. Cecilia is also working on getting a Green Fund and a garden. Whites Creek High School is looking for more ways to engage freshmen, with an upcoming event to attract them and teach them about basic environmental problems. High schools across the state are getting busy changing their schools to become more sustainable and help reduce our impact of the climate.

Do you know of other high schools in the Southeast getting busy on these issues? If so, please let us know! You can email will@tennyen.org