Meet September’s Member of the Month, Bella Santos! Here she tells us about how she got involved and her advice for other’s who are interested in making a difference.
How did you first get involved with SD350, and when was that?
I was connected to San Diego 350 through the Youth4Climate Summer Camp in 2020 and continued to get more involved in the organization. I was actually connected through a Girl Scouts page where a local mom shared the opportunity!
What drives your activism?
Being able to connect with so many other like-minded youth who are passionate about environmental justice is so motivating. Seeing how our efforts translate to victories is so empowering! Whether it’s discussing climate change or our regular lives, I always enjoy spending time with the folks around me.
What do you recommend to people who want to have a larger impact through the environmental movement? What do you prioritize in your own activism?
I always tell people who want to get involved to just get started somewhere. Just attending one call will allow you to connect with others, learn something new, and take collaborative action for the planet. From there, you can see where your passions fit into the working puzzle of San Diego 350. In my activism, I make efforts to show youth the endless opportunities for involvement. Whether you’re interested in protesting, organizing, or even graphic design, there is always a place for you in the movement! I work to prioritize using a JEDI lens in my activism after learning that BIPOC and low-income communities are hit the hardest by the climate crisis despite contributing the least to emissions. As many are already being negatively impacted today, it is important that we take urgent and equitable action.
Is there anything else you would like people to know about you?
I’m a rising junior at Westview High School in Rancho Peñasquitos. I am a Girl Scout and tri-sport athlete playing soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey! Within SD350 and Youth4Climate, I am a part of the teams Youth v. Oil, Plastic Free Gen Z, Eco-Club Coalition, and was the Spring Media Fellow. I am currently working on spearheading a Y4C summit called the Eco-Club Coalition Leaders in Action Workshop (ECCLAW) on August 28 from 2:30-5 PT. This ECC kickoff is an opportunity is for youth and their advisors to help jumpstart and grow their eco-clubs for the coming school year. We have updates for all of our events on our Instagram @youth4climate.350 !!