The L.A. County Youth Climate Commission empowers young voices to influence sustainable policies, prioritizing environmental justice and addressing top issues like cleaner air, green spaces, and green buildings.

The Los Angeles County Youth Climate Commission (YCC) is a pioneering initiative that empowers young people to actively participate in shaping climate policy, ensuring their concerns and ideas are integrated into governmental decision-making. Formed in June 2023, the YCC is the first of its kind in the nation, providing a platform for youth to influence policies that will impact their future. The commission’s work centers on identifying climate priorities among young people in the county and advocating for policies that address these concerns.
A core focus of the YCC is promoting environmental justice by ensuring that the voices of young people from diverse backgrounds are represented in climate discussions. The YCC recognizes that marginalized communities in L.A. County are disproportionately affected by pollution and climate impacts. The YCC's efforts are informed by the Youth Climate Priorities Report, completed in April 2024, which gathered over 1,300 responses from young people across the county. The report highlights cleaner air, green spaces, and green buildings as the top climate priorities for youth, reflecting their immediate concerns about air quality, environmental health, and sustainable development.
In addition to advocating for these priorities, the YCC is actively involved in reviewing and supporting relevant legislation, advising county departments on policy development, and organizing district coalitions to address local concerns. By engaging in these activities, the YCC not only amplifies the voices of young people but also drives meaningful climate action at the local level. The commission’s work serves as a model for youth engagement in climate policy, inspiring similar initiatives in other regions and demonstrating the critical role of youth leadership in building a sustainable future.
FULL STORY: Elevating Youth Voices for a Sustainable Future

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie