We can no longer save the world by playing by the rules.
– Greta Thunburg, Swedish climate activist

In June of this year, the emerging World Forum Working Group on Young Children and Climate Change hosted a World Forum Global Cafe discussion. This live conversation spanned several continents and bridged a diverse set of expertise to explore how to center young children most impacted by climate crisis. The group intends to support collective action that inspires, equips, and elevates young children and families around the world.

We gained powerful data from the work of the The Early Years Climate Action Task Force, presented in The U.S. Early Years Climate Action Plan. They found that too few state-specific climate plans mention the unique needs of young children. This seminal document recommends actions from federal to individual levels to help us act now and think forward.

Still, there is so much we do not know, particularly, about the impact of climate change on Black, Indigenous, and immigrant communities within the U.S.

Now, Black Representation: Authoring STEM Stories for Climate Risk Preparedness (BlackRep4Kids) is convening a unique group of visionaries during its Unconferencing, October 29th and 30th, 2024 at Discovery Place in Charlotte, North Carolina. During the unconference, attendees will exchange ideas and collaboratively devise strategies for advancing the representation of Black voices, change makers, problem solvers, and climate scientists in children’s literature. You can contribute to the BlackRep4Kids survey that will help the project understand your professional experiences in and perspective of Black representation in children’s climate literature, drive important discussions, and support new educational content initiatives.

Each of these gatherings are important steps towards the goal of building momentum. We are, all of us, in need of more cross-pollination, data-driven and nuanced conversation, and advancement around climate resilience. It will require the bringing together of worlds, perspectives, ideas, and systems to make our shared visions a reality. It is exciting to see more examples of what is possible when we come together for change.