JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Young leaders took center stage during the Jacksonville Environmental Justice Town Hall, where students shared personal experiences and research on climate and environmental issues affecting their communities.
The NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Committee joined the Jacksonville Environmental Justice Coalition to host the community town hall on Saturday, July 18, at The Cathedral, 24 E. Church St., in downtown Jacksonville.
Following opening remarks and community discussion, two participants connected with the NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Committee delivered presentations that became highlights of the event.
Sixteen-year-old Kayla Gaskin, a participant with Open Door 4 Youth, Inc., shared her firsthand experiences with flooding in both New York City and Jacksonville. Her presentation illustrated how increasingly frequent flooding impacts neighborhoods, families and daily life, emphasizing the importance of preparing communities for the effects of climate change.
Braxton Randolph, 10, a participant in the NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Committee’s Roots to Action Youth Leadership Development Program and a member of Teen Leaders for America at Sandalwood School, presented research on the environmental and health impacts of fossil fuels. He encouraged Jacksonville’s public utility, JEA, to continue exploring cleaner, alternative energy sources and shared thoughtful, well-researched perspectives on building a more sustainable future for the city.
The town hall concluded with a panel discussion that brought together community members, environmental advocates and local leaders to discuss environmental justice priorities and opportunities for collaboration across Jacksonville.
The event underscored the importance of engaging young people in environmental advocacy and demonstrated how the next generation is already helping shape conversations about climate resilience, public health and environmental justice.
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