Zayna Syed, a Greenhill alumna for the Class of 2017, will host the DFW Youth Climate Conference on May 24 and 25. This online program brings awareness to climate change. The event, which Syed hopes will educate and empower students in Dallas-Fort Worth, will be filled with numerous climate advocates, scientists and reporters.
Throughout the two-day conference, attendees will participate in multiple panels discussions on topics such as climate change and careers in the field. Additionally, on the second day, students will be able to compete to win funding for their own action projects.
“This conference will be a way to start conversations about the climate and harness the immense talent and energy from students in DFW,” Syed said.
Syed created this idea when she realized how little knowledge was spread about climate change, especially in Dallas. Her growing uncertainty in the climate industry after the election further pushed her to start this passion project.
“I felt hopeless and restless as jobs were cancelled or frozen around me,” said Syed. “I decided I might not ever get full personal satisfaction from a job. Instead, I should pursue it through outside projects that mean something to me.”
She was further inspired after speaking at the Afghanistan Local Conference of the Youth, a similar conference highlighting climate-induced flash floods. The conference, hosted by Farida Razaqi, introduced Syed to conferences as a method for advocacy.
Although this is her first conference, Syed’s dedication to climate activism is rooted much deeper in her history, beginning with an environmental fellowship at the Arizona Republic. During her time at this newspaper, she covered the detrimental effects of climate change on farmers in the area, invoking a passion for this industry.
“It showed me the urgency of the climate crisis, particularly how it affects the poor and vulnerable the most,” Syed said.
Despite her background in environmental journalism, Syed ultimately transitioned to pursuing a master’s degree in climate change at Columbia University. Now, she is ready to host her first conference on the issue.
Syed is still working on laying out the logistics of the event. As her first event, Syed said it has been difficult to prepare the speakers, schedule, and attendees.
“We’ve been working hard to make a planning committee, create materials, receive sponsorships, emailing teachers and find sponsors,” said Syed. “Unfortunately, registration numbers are quite low, so we are still working on this.”
Despite the setbacks, Syed believes the conference will be a meaningful opportunity for students to reflect on climate issues and take action. The current plan is to hold four panels: Climate Drivers, Mitigation, Adaptation, and Careers. Afterward, a competition allows certain students to push for further action against climate change.
“I’ve learned so much about the importance of thinking bigger and interrogating assumptions about what is possible,” Syed said. “Plus, who can convince adults to take climate action better than their kids?”
