Cupertino climate summit tackles environmental issues

Guest speakers encourage participants to take action.

Students and community members who attended the recent Silicon Valley Climate Summit at Cupertino’s De Anza College came away with information about issues ranging from plant-based diets to clean energy to a circular economy.

Besides professionals in the environmental space, the July 27 summit also drew politicians such as State Assemblymember Ash Kalra and former Cupertino mayor Rod Sinks, now a Fremont Union High School District trustee. Also among the guest speakers was State Sen. Dave Cortese, whose office co-hosted the event along with Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action (SVYCA), De Anza College VIDA and the Fremont Union High School District.

In keeping with the SVYCA’s mission to empower teens and young adults to combat climate change, summit participants talked with guest speakers about developing actionable strategies around emission reductions, energy, transit and other climate issues.

Bill Shireman, president and founder of the nonprofit consultancy Future 500, led a breakout discussion on creating a circular economy, an economic system based on the reuse and regeneration of materials or products, especially as a means of continuing production in a sustainable or environmentally friendly way.

Summit organizers also wanted to underscore career opportunities in the climate sector and to emphasize the importance of advocating for averting a climate crisis.

“We are running out of time to tackle climate change,” SVYCA Executive Director Rohan Pandit said in a statement. “It requires all hands on deck from key stakeholders to work together, empower youth to take meaningful actions to have a livable planet for my generation.”

To that end, Pandit headed the summit’s youth planning committee along with Diya Khandra, a UC Berkeley student, and Yale student Cici Xu.

“It is inspiring to see young leaders across the world, and right here in Silicon Valley, step up to address our climate crisis,” Cortese said. “By engaging students across different backgrounds, Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action is inspiring, educating and driving positive action in the fight against climate change.”