At the Climate Science Alliance, we are often asked by the public about building climate resilience in the community, “But what can I do as an individual?” We are here to answer that question with an inspiring example.
Steve Walters (left) with fellow Climate Science Alliance partners Anna Lucia López Avedoy (middle) and Martha Aidé Escalante Garcia (right) at the 2017 All-Alliance Event
At the Climate Science Alliance, we are often asked by the public about building climate resilience in the community, “But what can I do as an individual?” We are here to answer that question with an inspiring example.
Since our inception, the Climate Science Alliance has had the honor to work alongside Mr. Steve Walters, a high school teacher from Mission Bay High School (MBHS). With Steve’s unrelenting support we have built the Climate Kids program to what it is today - an initiative that has educated over 100,000 students in our community on climate change and the actions they can take to help make a difference.
Photo courtesy of San Diego Community Newspaper Group
For years Steve has mentored the Climate Kids Eco Club at MBHS and trained student ambassadors to take on environmental issues impacting San Diego such as climate change, plastic pollution, and more. His students were instrumental to the plastic bag ban in the City of San Diego and helping the Port of San Diego better understand pollution impacts in San Diego Bay. With their Climate Kids lab coats on and his encouragement, his ambassadors have volunteered for the Climate Science Alliance and helped directly educate and interact with the public at large scale events - inspiring thousands in our community and beyond.
Steve has helped advise the Alliance and test out strategies to engage students to lead these conversations. Many of his students have continued this work well into their college careers. For this dedication, we were proud to award Steve the 2019 Climate Adaptation Leader Award.
This year, after 34 years of teaching, Steve is onto his next great adventure - retirement! On behalf of the Climate Science Alliance team and network - we wanted to thank Steve for all he has done for our community and beyond. When we think of the incredible difference one person can make in our community and the powerful impact we can have as individuals - Steve - we think of you.
Steve Walters with Mission Bay High School's Climate Kids Ambassadors