Teenagers from across North Carolina are set to attend the fifth annual North Carolina Youth Climate Summit at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham on November 11. The event brings together high school environmental clubs, youth leadership groups, scout organizations, and other service-oriented teams to focus on climate action.
Carly Apple, Vice President for Education & Engagement at the museum, commented on the importance of youth involvement: “Global data makes the urgency for action clear. This generation is stepping forward with remarkable commitment and clarity. Feeling overwhelmed is understandable, but action creates momentum and hope. The young leaders at the Youth Climate Summit inspire me; they’re driving meaningful change, and the future looks more hopeful because of their work.”
The summit will provide pre-registered students with opportunities to learn from guest speakers representing the NC State Climate Office, Bald Head Island Conservatory, and the Museum’s President and CEO. Participants will engage in workshops designed to equip them with tools for climate action and network during an Eco-Fair that highlights local initiatives. Teams will also develop plans to implement climate-focused projects in their schools or communities.
The event is organized by a Teen Advisory Board that meets throughout the year at the museum to plan every aspect of the summit. Past projects initiated through this summit have included switching schools to compostable lunch trays, promoting recycling efforts, and organizing clothing swaps.
According to museum representatives, supporting youth leadership is seen as essential for building climate resilience in Durham and beyond. The organization emphasizes collaboration among schools, communities, and other partners in pursuing a sustainable future.
More information about the event schedule can be found at http://lifeandscience.org/summit.
The Museum of Life and Science is located near downtown Durham on an 84-acre campus featuring interactive exhibits such as Dinosaur Trail and Aerospace displays with Apollo-era NASA artifacts. The institution also operates as an AZA-accredited zoo housing rescued animals like black bears and endangered red wolves. For nearly eight decades, it has provided educational programming and community engagement across North Carolina.
