Hridesh Singh- Rochester Youth Climate Leaders

As the impact and effects of climate change have become increasingly evident, people have been joining the fight to end climate change.

There has been a special call to action for the youths of local communities to help in this fight. A senior from Brighton High School in upstate New York, Hridesh Singh, has dedicated himself to the climate fight in his community.

He has made himself a valuable character in these changes by holding roles as the co-founder of the Brighton High School Climate Club, executive director of New York Youth Climate Leaders, member of the leadership team for the Rochester Youth Climate Leaders, and board secretary for the Rochester People’s Climate Coalition.

Hridesh Singh, organizer of the Rochester Climate Strike leads protesters in climate change related chants. The Rochester Climate Strike on Dec. 6, 2019 was one of many national strikes that day due to the 2019 UN Climate Change Conference.

Singh shakes hands with fellow Rochester climate activist, Celia Darling, in an indication of a successful strike. At the event on Dec. 6, 2019 over 150 Rochesterian youth's attended to fight against climate change.

Singh and other members of the Sustainable Oversight Committee listening too Cassidy Putney explaining the different subject groups for members to focus their actions on Dec. 11, 2019. Each group has to do with a different local environmental subject subject such as Green Buildings, Transportation, and Education. The purpose of the committee is to "review the Town of Brighton’s progress toward a sustainable community, as well as to review and recommend unified action on energy conservation, waste reduction, and other issues of sustainability. "

John Novelli, a building services employee for the Brighton School District discussing how the schools have and are being made more environmentally friendly. The day previous to this meeting all of the lights in the Brighton High School were replaced with LEDs.

Singh finishes writing his speech to the Monroe County Legislative Board outside the Legislative Hall before his turn to speak on Dec. 12, 2019. His speech is in favor of the City of Rochester adopting a Climate Action Plan.

Singh speaks in favor of a Climate Action Plan for the City of Rochester during the monthly Monroe County Legislative Board meeting. Once enacted the Advisory Committee for the plan will "identify and review practices and policies that may impact environmental sustainability and identify any practices and policies which may reduce residential and commercial environmental impact."

Singh and other members of the Rochester Youth Climate Leaders (RYCL) high fiving after a successful round of speeches at the Monroe County Legislature. RYCL was founded in 2015 after a summit hosted by the Harley School in N.Y.

Singh reviews a letter about climate change written by one of the members of the Treehuggers Lillian (last name withheld). Lillian was so inspired by the visit of Singh that she decided to read this letter at the January Monroe County Legislative Board meeting alongside RYCL members.

Singh takes a picture of a Treehuggers' speech to use as an example for the other members. Treehuggers is a club for students at French Road Elementary School who are passionate about fighting climate change.

A letter to County Legislators by Treehuggers member 3rd grader Kate (Last name withheld). Kate added a piece of art to her letter which in response inspired other members of the club to do the same in hopes to grab the attention of the Legislators.