Teen environmentalists envision a sustainable future during annual summit

Fifty local high school students gathered at the Edmonds Waterfront Center for the third annual Edmonds Youth Environmental Summit. City Councilmember Susan Paine emphasized the need for youth engagement in local elections, as individuals can register to vote at age 16. The summit featured workshops on climate action, wildlife issues, public transportation, and biodiversity. Kelsey Fairhurst from PAWS explained the organization's wildlife rehabilitation efforts and educational services. Natalie Lawrence of Community Transit highlighted the environmental advantages of public transportation and informed students about their rights to free youth ORCA cards.

Educators from Oxbow Farm taught attendees about fostering biodiversity through interactive card games. Participants also discussed the impacts of fast fashion, brainstorming actions to counter overproduction in the clothing industry. The summit aimed to empower students to advocate for sustainable practices and engage in their communities.