It’s Our Future Resource Guide

Welcome to the It’s Our Future Resource Guide!

Student members of It’s Our Future (IOF) have developed this step-by-step resource guide to help others on their environmental journey, from the basics to policy changes in schools and everything in between. IOF students have helped to pass climate policies in 4 school districts, and have created this resource guide so you can, too!

Thank you to the IOF students who created this guide:

Ritvi Khurana – Hinsdale Central HS class of 2024
Katie Stabb – Oak Park River Forest H.S. 2024
Carissa Chen – Illinois Math and Science Academy 2025
Yulia Krylov – St. Ignatius 2026
Gabi Jamieson – Northside College Prep 2026

Step 1: Learn the Basics

Climate 101
The science behind climate change and why people should take action.

Youth climate activist Greta Thunberg delves deep into taking action against climate change.

This introductory article from the UN explains the basics of climate change and current international frameworks which address the problem.

A comprehensive resource from the EPA that reports greenhouse gas contributions, trends in emissions, and potential solutions to lower these contributions, broken down by industry.

A New York Times page with the answers to many frequently asked climate questions, with a search function to find answers quickly.
Environmental Justice 101
The 17 Principles of Environmental Justice, as set by the Delegates to the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit in 1991.

An article exploring the intersection of racism and environmental destruction.

The website of Leah Thomas, an insightful environmentalist who pushes for greater intersectionality in the climate movement.

In this TedTalk, Van Jones discusses how plastic pollution unfairly impacts people in poverty and focuses on the need to value the lives of people and of the planet.

Step 2: Become an Expert

End Fossil Fuels
A fact sheet about the environmental dangers of Line 5, an oil pipeline which runs through Michigan and Ontario, and a call to action to shut it down.

A Guardian article explaining how big oil corporations created the concept of carbon footprints to shift blame for climate change away from corporations and onto consumers.
Politics and Policy
An organization which supports youth climate activists in environmental court cases in order to advance climate action through the lens of law.

This interactive map, broken down by state, tracks senator and representative votes on climate bills.

Held v. State of Montana, a constitutional climate lawsuit brought to Montana by 16 youth, marks one of the first big wins for the youth-led climate movement.

An explanation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Nature and Food
Should you go vegan or become a vegetarian? This article dives into these commonly asked questions and discusses the impact that changing our diet has on society’s carbon footprint.

An article about the Oglala Sioux tribe’s use of underground greenhouses and the benefits of this type of agriculture as a way to save money and regain food sovereignty.

As the climate warms, these 5 crops, similar to staples we eat now, like rice, wheat, and corn, can be grown to feed the planet.

Step 3: Build Power

Persuade Decision Makers
A public speaking guide from Seven Generations Ahead which provides key tips to successfully deliver a brief and pointed presentation.

In this letter from E-Town Sunrise, a youth-led climate organization, the group urges for sustainability to be a priority in the construction of a new school in Evanston’s fifth ward.

A one minute speech from a youth climate activist on their thoughts surrounding the Climate Emergency Resolution and Evanston’s response to this resolution.

A collection of youth speeches taken from a school board meeting on the hiring of a sustainability coordinator at Evanston Township High School.

In this speech an Evanston high school student explains why solar energy would be beneficial for his school.
Change Your Habits, Change the Culture
Learn about the Inflation Reduction Act and how to benefit financially from making sustainable choices in your home.

This interactive article from Climate Science weighs the importance of personal action in fighting climate change.
Start a Group
A resource which empowers youth to learn and contribute to a plastic-free environment. GoBrik features a user-friendly platform which fosters environmental responsibility and consciousness for a greener future.

Sunrise hubs flourish through active participation, recruitment, and training. Use this link to start or grow your local Sunrise group.

This project planning template from EcoLeaders provides youth with a structured framework to learn about project management, leadership, and sustainable practices while fostering personal growth and environmental contribution.
Get Invovled in Politics
This document provides guidance for Sunrise Movement Hubs to endorse candidates in the 2019-2020 election cycle, emphasizing support for those advocating a Green New Deal across government levels, ensuring compliance with campaign finance laws, and offering a clear framework for youth engagement in the political endorsement process.

This valuable educational resource guides youth in shaping school board elections by providing actionable steps to raise awareness, endorse environmentally conscious candidates, and drive positive change.

Step 4: Green Your School

Change School Culture and Curriculum
The Climate Justice Education Project (CJEP), a collaboration between the CTUF Quest Center and CTU Climate Justice Committee, aims to equip educators with materials, pedagogy, and ongoing support for coherent, accessible, culturally responsive, student-centered climate justice education in Chicago’s public schools.

The All We Can Save Project integrates climate truth, courage, and solutions into the classroom by providing free resources to educators to begin to talk about our changing climate.

Yale University’s Climate Change Communication curriculum, designed in collaboration with teachers, simplifies the teaching of climate change, engaging students and empowering youth to effectively convey the urgency of climate change in their communities.

Climate Generation’s resource guide provides climate curriculum for educators spanning grades K-12 as well as features inspiring stories from Climate Generation staff about their climate activism.
Go Zero Waste
A simple guide for high school students looking to green their lunchrooms.

Read about SGA’s Zero Waste Schools Program which provides sustainability resources and empowers Chicago area schools to combat food waste in their communities.

The Wasted Food Action Alliance’s resource guide is a helpful tool for institutions, venues, organizations, households, and individuals to learn more about food waste and ways to address this pressing issue.
Change School Policy
This toolkit developed by the Center for Green Schools is a meticulously crafted resource which empowers parents, teachers, and students alike to influence environmentally conscious policies within school districts.

Read the Oak Park and River Forest High School Sustainability Plan which was introduced in 2022. The plan actively involves students and fosters ongoing education on topics like the climate crisis and equitable sustainability.

In recent years many school districts have turned attention to implementing sustainable practices. Check out this compilation of US school climate and sustainability policies to see what your own school district (and others) are doing to fight against climate change.

Our Favorites

Favorite Media
“No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference” by Greta Thunberg

“All We Can Save” edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katherine K. Wilkinson

“Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Mental Health
How to Turn Climate Anxiety into Action TedTalk

Clover Hogan: “What to do when climate change feels unstoppable” TedTalk

Good Grief Network Resources
Other Organizations
Climate Reality Leadership Corps

Elevate – Equity through climate action

12 Environmental Justice Organizations to Donate Time and Money To

Search SGA Website

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It’s Our Future Resource Guide

Thank you to the IOF students who created this guide:

Step 1: Learn the Basics

Climate 101

Environmental Justice 101

Step 2: Become an Expert

End Fossil Fuels

Politics and Policy

Nature and Food

Step 3: Build Power

Persuade Decision Makers

Change Your Habits, Change the Culture

Start a Group

Get Invovled in Politics

Step 4: Green Your School

Change School Culture and Curriculum

Go Zero Waste

Change School Policy

Our Favorites

Favorite Media

Mental Health

Other Organizations

Related Resources

It’s Our Future Resource Guide

Thank you to the IOF students who created this guide:

Step 1: Learn the Basics

Climate 101

Environmental Justice 101

Step 2: Become an Expert

End Fossil Fuels

Politics and Policy

Nature and Food

Step 3: Build Power

Persuade Decision Makers

Change Your Habits, Change the Culture

Start a Group

Get Invovled in Politics

Step 4: Green Your School

Change School Culture and Curriculum

Go Zero Waste

Change School Policy

Our Favorites

Favorite Media

Mental Health

Other Organizations

Related Resources

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