Climate change is not a distant problem—it is happening now, and young people will bear the biggest burden of its impacts. By 2050, when today’s high schoolers are in their forties and fifties, Maine’s coastlines will look different, weather patterns will have shifted, and the costs of inaction will be irreversible. Yet, young people are not waiting for leadership from older generations—they are leading the charge themselves.
Here in Yarmouth, students at Yarmouth High School (YHS) and North Yarmouth Academy (NYA) are stepping up to create real, measurable change in their schools and the broader community. Through sustainability projects, advocacy, and hands-on environmental work, these students are not only shaping their own futures but inspiring the town to take bold action.
Read on to learn about the great work local students are doing - and how they shape the Town’s approach to sustainability.
Yarmouth High School's
Environmental Action Club
The Environmental Action Club at
Yarmouth High School is dedicated to addressing environmental issues within the school and the broader community.
Their Mission Statement: Our club is dedicated to combating climate change through local and school initiatives such as using plastic-free lunch days to transition our school to a zero-waste cafeteria, leading Yarmouth to declare a climate emergency, promoting zero-waste products, providing reusable dishes for clubs and teams, hosting trash cleanups, and more!
The club has undertaken several impactful projects:
Dishes on Demand: This initiative aims to reduce single-use plastic waste in the school's cafeteria by encouraging the use of reusable dishes. Community members and local groups are welcome to use this service - fill out this form to get started.
Reducing Laminator Waste: The club is working on strategies to minimize waste generated from laminating materials, promoting more sustainable practices in educational settings.
EAC’s Zero Waste Purchasing Guide: Check out this guide to buying products that don't come at a cost to the planet and your wallet!
Promoting Environmental Awareness: Through various campaigns and educational efforts like clean up days and student surveys, the club raises awareness about environmental issues among students and staff, working to foster a culture of sustainability within the school. Members are also active in state advocacy.
North Yarmouth Academy's
Environmental Club
At North Yarmouth Academy (NYA), the Environmental Club is equally committed to advancing sustainability on campus and beyond.
The club has achieved notable successes in recent years related to energy and waste on campus, including:
Campus Recycling Revamp: In April 2023, the club overhauled the school's recycling program to improve efficiency and effectiveness, ensuring that recyclable materials are properly sorted and processed.
ecomaine Grant for Composting: In July 2023, the club secured a $2,275 grant from ecomaine's Outreach & Recycling Committee to implement a composting program on campus, further reducing waste and promoting sustainable practices.
LED Lighting Conversion: With support from alumnus David Griswold '03, the club is working towards converting the entire campus to energy-efficient LED lighting, significantly reducing the school's energy consumption.
“I joined NYA’s Environmental Club in 2022, and that year we reintroduced both a recycling and a composting program, which had been previously stopped due to effects from the Covid-19 pandemic. Now that we have had these programs in place for three years, we are looking at options for sustainable energy, such as solar power, introducing native plants back into our campus, reducing our school’s plastic usage, and educating the NYA community about the importance of sustainability!”
Greta T., NYA Senior
NYA’s Environmental Club is always looking for guest speakers to come discuss relevant topics with their group. If you are interested, please reach out to the club advisor Mr. Hach.
These student-led initiatives at both institutions exemplify the proactive role that young people in Yarmouth are taking in climate action. These projects help reduce the school’s carbon footprint while empowering students to take ownership of climate solutions and also inspire the wider community to embrace environmental stewardship.
Students Taking the Lead on Town Climate Action
Did you know that it was local students that kickstarted the Town’s Climate Action Plan?
Yarmouth’s first Climate Action Plan was initiated through a process started by local youth activists who recognized the need for the Town to take action on climate change. Their advocacy to the Town Council in 2022 led to the development of the Town’s Climate Emergency Declaration and the creation of the Yarmouth Climate Action Task Force - the resident volunteer committee that developed the Climate Action Plan.
Students who were involved in the original advocacy to Council were also members of the Task Force and some of those same students now also hold positions on the Town’s permanent volunteer advisory committee, the Climate Action Board. The continuity of the younger community member’s participation throughout the process allowed the students to connect with other committee volunteers, gain deep knowledge of sustainability and resilience topics, help shape the Plan’s recommendations, and see their advocacy come to fruition. We are so thankful to the dedication, knowledge, and commitment of our student members!
“I was inspired to join the Task Force because I wanted to be involved in work that was making a real impact on our community and the future of our world! The Yarmouth Climate Action Task Force was so welcoming, teaching me important skills that I am now able to implement in my work on the Circular Economy Subcommittee of the Climate Action Board.”
Abby G., YHS Student
The Town is committed to holding space for younger community members to participate and shape community planning and projects. Every Town volunteer committee has space for students - so help spread the word to get younger folks involved!
A Call to Action: Supporting Student-led Sustainability Efforts
The efforts of students at YHS and NYA show that youth leadership in climate action is not just symbolic—it is transformative. As a community, we must continue to support, fund, and amplify student-led sustainability initiatives.
Here’s how you can help:
✅ Engage with student climate efforts—attend events, volunteer, and spread awareness.
✅ Amplify youth participation in town decision-making on climate policies.
✅ Support school sustainability programs with resources they may need.
✅ Make small changes at home inspired by student initiatives, such as reducing plastic waste or improving home energy efficiency.
Want to learn more or get involved? Follow updates from the Yarmouth Climate Action Board, YHS Environmental Action Club, and NYA Environmental Club to support their work and take part in local sustainability efforts!
By investing in youth-driven climate action today, we ensure that Yarmouth remains a resilient, sustainable, and thriving community for generations to come! |