By admin 
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the first cohort of the California Environmental Youth Advisory Council, a group of climate activists who will advise the state on how to tackle climate change.
Read more California GOP chair declines reelection bid following statewide election losses
The California Environmental Protection Agency to allow people under 20 — who make up nearly a quarter of the state population — to offer up their climate policy ideas in an initial one-year pilot program.
Newsom, who was in Turkey this week for the COP31 climate summit, named the first 14 members of the climate advisory group, who range in ages from 14 to 20.
Read more Sacramento restaurant break-in, CA GOP chair exit and Hall of Fame picks. What to know
“Young people have a stake in the decisions we make today about our planet, public health, and the well-being of our communities. They have perspectives we need to hear,” he said. “This council gives 14 young Californians an opportunity to serve their communities and help build a safer, more sustainable future. We’re investing in their leadership because progress depends on each generation bringing its energy, its imagination, and its commitment to the work ahead.”
The 14 youth climate activists are:
- Nicholas Munkhbaatar of Sacramento County
- Arsenia Briones of San Joaquin County
- Abby Costello of San Diego County
- Lauren Ferran of Alameda County
- Magnus Figueroa of Sonoma County
- Max Gomez of San Bernardino County
- Bettina Lee of San Bernardino County
- Christopher Kricorian of Ventura County
- Neha Prabhakar of Stanislaus County
- Ceasar Cano Ramos of Fresno County
- Sofia Reyes of Orange County
- Precious Zaraspe of Los Angeles County
- Isabelle Shapiro of Los Angeles County
- Amari Sims of Santa Clara County.
Group members will meet for the first time in December, and then meet periodically throughout the year. After the one-year pilot period ends, the council will move to two-year terms starting in 2027 and expand to 20 members, according to Newsom’s office.
Read more CalOES meeting hack tops day of tech woes for California state workers