Omaha Empowers Youth with Climate Action Fund
Omaha is making strides to involve its younger citizens in tackling climate change, joining an increasing number of cities focusing on youth-led initiatives. This week, the city secured City Council approval to participate in Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Climate Action Fund, aiming to channel $50,000 into community-driven environmental projects.
Young residents of Omaha, aged 15 to 24, are invited to submit their proposals for climate-related projects by September 8. The initiative will fund projects with values ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, encouraging a wide array of environmental solutions such as enhancing public green spaces, fortifying infrastructure, and disaster mitigation.
Mayor John Ewing Jr. emphasized the importance of youth involvement, stating, “The city is already working on implementing the Climate Action Plan. Young people are a vital part of that plan,” adding that their engagement is crucial for Omaha’s climate resilience efforts.
Council member Pete Festersen expressed optimism about the program’s potential reach, mentioning potential projects like park cleanups, food waste prevention, and community gardening. Festersen noted, “Things like neighborhood park cleanups, things like preventing food waste, food rescue type things, certainly outreach to our schools, neighborhood gardens, food nutrition, things of that nature… it’s up to them, which is the whole point.”
Alongside the Youth Climate Action Fund, the City Council also approved over $180,000 in grants for the “Beat the Heat: Trees for Neighbors” initiative, which aims to plant shade trees in densely populated neighborhoods, further enhancing the city’s environmental efforts.
