When reflecting on her experience with local nonprofit Climate Roots, vice president Zyanya Ortiz says, “It’s always fun. I get to be with people who have the same values, ideas and wishes for our future and our climate.”
Founded in early 2024, Climate Roots was established by a board of directors who collectively share a passion for planetary and human health. The nonprofit’s plans promote sustainable agriculture through technological workshops and classes, community gardens, and youth contests encouraging the next generation to remain proactive in protecting the planet.
Alongside the board of directors is the organization’s Youth Leadership Council (YLC) composed of bright high school minds striving to make a difference. The YLC is led by president Avni Goyal and Ortiz, both juniors, as well as council members Kenric Hoang (senior), Annika Jain (sophomore), Roland Lee (junior) and Arin Thakkar (senior).
The upcoming Entrepreneurs for Planet Earth contest, in particular, is an opportunity for students to voice their own climate values and ideas, and put them into motion through an entrepreneurial lens.
The contest is open to sixth through 12th graders. Ortiz says, “We’ve built this competition from scratch. We want this to be an opportunity for students to build their passion towards helping the planet.”
This year’s prompt focuses on world hunger—specifically, building business ideas that will tackle reducing food waste and food insecurity. Participants must submit two videos: the first an elevator pitch of no more than 60 seconds, and the second a full pitch detailing their business plan. Each submission is then reviewed by a judging panel of professional educational and environmental experts. The best-chosen pitch can win up to $1,000.
Not only does this entrepreneurial contest allow students to think outside the box but also to practice invaluable skills such as teamwork, research, and creative and critical thinking.
“This contest motivates participants in future environmental endeavors,” Ortiz says. “It’s a great way for students to not just research food insecurity, but build an understanding and an incentive to get involved in issues affecting communities.”
Climate Roots finds entrepreneurial contests beneficial in spreading climate awareness and building connections with local communities to be more environmentally conscious. Real change does not occur through a singular entity but through collaborative efforts, which Entrepreneurs for Planet Earth advocates.
Climate Roots is eager to continue educating youth on sustainability and agriculture. It’s this steadfast vision that inspires the nonprofit’s YLC to invite peers to join this mission.
“I’ve learned so much here,” says Ortiz. “I’ve done all sorts of outreach, from emailing hundreds of people to requesting librarians to put up our posters. We even had a booth at local stores in Fremont to talk with local community members.”
Climate Roots is admirably putting the discussion of planet health on its rightful pedestal. With the aid of local youth, this nonprofit’s purpose is certain to succeed.
To sign up for the Entrepreneurs for Planet Earth contest, visit climateroots.org/entrepreneursforplanetearth. Entries must be submitted by March 31. Winners will be announced on April 14.
To learn more about Climate Roots, please visit climateroots.org.
