Updates: Voices of Hope in Action

Hear From the Changemakers

Stay connected with the global community of young climate leaders, educators, and supporters who are transforming climate anxiety into climate action. From student insights to program updates, discover the latest from the CAVU community.

Latest from Our Community

Rebecca Van Arnam - CAVU Profile Image

A Day in the Life of a CAVU Educator: Inside a Classroom Full of Climate Innovators

By the time CAVU Program and Operations Director Rebecca VanArnam arrived at Fieldstone Middle School in New Jersey on Friday, December 19, the energy was already buzzing. It was one of those winter days where snow was in the forecast, weekend ahead, tight Friday schedules, with five different class periods of students—spanning grades 5 through…

A man in a green jacket and red cap kneels next to a smiling golden retriever on a yellow pedestrian bridge.
Daniel Marzec is a member of CAVU’s Staff based in New Mexico. They continue working on climate solutions in their local community while pursuing broader opportunities in their region.
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Rebecca Van Arnam - CAVU Profile Image

A Day in the Life of a CAVU Educator: Inside a Classroom Full of Climate Innovators

By the time CAVU Program and Operations Director Rebecca VanArnam arrived at Fieldstone Middle School in New Jersey on Friday, December 19, the energy was…

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Morgan Baker - CAVU Profile Image

November Classroom Dispatch

Read about educator, Morgan Baker’s transformation in her classroom using the Climate Innovation Challenge!

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Mercy Wambui - CAVU Profile Image

October Classroom Dispatch

Year-Round Classroom Garden Feeds Learners By Mercy Wambui Visiting classrooms remains the best part of my job and working directly with students and educators is…

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Screenshot of the Fall 2023 CAVU Newsletter featuring program information, a headline about CAVU’s journey, and a sidebar about the Climate Innovation Challenge website.

Fall 2023 Newsletter

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Five people pose in front of two small propeller planes on a grassy area, with tropical trees and buildings in the background.

Smithsonian Exhibit Press Release

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A Summer 2022 newsletter image asks for visions for New Mexico’s future, highlighting wildfire impacts, climate solutions, and organizations working toward a sustainable economy.

Summer 2022 Newsletter

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A promotional flyer for CAVU’s Winter 2021 Climate Innovation Challenge, featured in the Summer 2022 newsletter, highlights expansion to new states and increased participation, with logos and illustrated community figures.

Winter 2021 Newsletter

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A woman sits at a table with two adults applauding beside her and children standing and clapping in the background. A text overlay reads: Thank You Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham for leading on climate action!.

And just like that, we’re getting to work on climate!

In an exciting stroke of the pen, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced this week that New Mexico will join the U.S. Climate Alliance, adding New…

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A man in a cowboy hat stands near green Double Drilling equipment outdoors, with the text Double Drilling gets a Double Take above him.

Double Drilling gets a Double Take!

We are thrilled to report that the newly appointed members of New Mexico’s Oil Conservation Commission have voted to suspend and rehear their recent order…

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Four people featured: two walking outdoors in winter coats on the left, and two individual portraits on the right, with text introducing CAVU’s new leadership for New Mexico in 2019.

CAVU Adds New Leadership in 2019

“With new leadership in the state house, comes new opportunity to makes real gains for our state,” said CAVU’s Executive Director, Jordan Vaughan Smith. “In…

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Dramatic oil and gas flare burning

CAVU Launches Methane Matters Campaign

Recently CAVU launched its Methane Matters campaign to create awareness and gather public input on New Mexico’s HUGE methane problem.

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Event banner for Caring for our Place in New Mexico, featuring speakers Pastor Andrew Black, Sister Joan Brown, and Rabbi Min Kantrowitz, with host logos and a KSFR Podcast audio player at the bottom.

Special Podcast to Broadcast on KSFR

“We are placed in a role not merely of dominance over but in dependence upon the natural world, serving in sacred stewardship.”  —Reverend Andrew Black

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Meet Our Youth Leaders

The CAVU Youth Advisory Board consists of CIC alumni and young climate leaders who provide guidance on program development, represent youth perspectives in  organizational decisions, and mentor current CIC participants. 
Alexander Nyang’iti, a boy with short brown hair wearing a blue shirt, smiles outdoors in front of green bushes.
Joel Hoffman is an eighth grader at Santa Fe Preparatory School. He enjoys Shakespearean acting as well as playing many sports such as soccer and skiing. His love of the outdoors and recent wildfires near his home inspired him to create a video about wildfire prevention for the Climate Innovation Challenge which won a first place award from Climate Changemaker Teen Film Festival.
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A person with long red hair stands outdoors in front of yellow autumn leaves, smiling slightly at the camera with sunlight shining behind them—capturing a warm, golden moment reminiscent of an Alexander Nyang’iti portrait.
Molly is a Sophomore in Boise Idaho who strives to engage in her local community. She can normally be found working with school clubs or Human Rights organizations. Through public speaking and artistic innovation, Molly works to better support and change the world around her. She is passionate about education, the environment, and creativity. Molly looks forward to working and growing with the CAVU. 
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A young woman with long dark hair, wearing a black sweater, stands in front of a wooden wall, smiling at the camera—her warm smile reminiscent of Alexander Nyang’iti’s candid portraits.
Shanaaya Chaudhary is a ninth-grade student at Zebar School for Children, Ahmedabad, with a keen interest in harnessing technology and sustainability to shape a better future. She is an active member of both the Interact Club and the TED-Ed Club at her school, where she channels her passion for leadership and communication. Shanaaya is dedicated to amplifying young voices through creativity, aiming to make a lasting, positive impact. Her work reflects a strong commitment to climate resilience, resource conservation, and community awareness—always with a focus on transforming ideas into meaningful action. She aspires to further explore how artificial intelligence and innovation can be leveraged to address urgent climate challenges, while also inspiring her peers to become active agents of change.
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Alexander Nyang’iti, with long dark hair and glasses, wearing a white top, is smiling at the camera indoors with shelves and decorative items in the background.
Zesha is a senior at Brooklyn Technical High School who is majoring in environmental sciences. A lot of times she is in the school’s greenhouse or in the environmental lab helping maintain the many systems in place, like the hydroponic systems or the various simulations of other ecosystems. As a Bengali American, she is very intimate with the many consequences of climate change, including flooding and other issues with water. Therefore, she has a special interest in urban ecology and urban ecosystem management, like water systems and city parks. 
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A young man with short curly hair and a thin beard wears a striped button-up shirt, standing outdoors in front of a blurred green background. This is Alexander Nyang’iti.
Alexander Nyang’iti, from Nairobi, Kenya, is an award-winning youth climate innovator and environmental storyteller. He is the pioneer behind ForestNukes, a Miyawaki-inspired seed-bombing reforestation system that won the 2024/2025 Climate Innovation Challenge Founders’ Award for Best in Show. Through his work, Alexander bridges climate innovation, rewilding, and youth empowerment.
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Chantal Nyakio, with short braided hair, wearing a green knit sweater and a gold necklace, stands in front of tall bamboo plants outdoors.
Chantal is a high school student with a passion for reptiles, particularly snakes. She likes to conduct research on climate change issues, attend conferences, road trips, chess, and reading manga. Although not very sporty, she enjoys swimming and solo long walks. She has done public speaking since she was five years old, as a result, she hopes to find a career in it, ranging from climate change to mental health and so forth.
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A young person, Zeinab Mohamed, wearing glasses, a white headscarf, and a dark vest over a white shirt sits and smiles while holding a pen.
Zeinab Mohamed, a student at Mpesa Foundation Academy Kenya, is an influential
member of the student council and a passionate advocate for both technology and the
environment. As a keynote speaker at the Connected Africa Summit, Zeinab showcased
her dedication to innovative solutions. She is involved with Technovation Girls, and she
earned recognition as second runner-up in the 2023 HYLEC competition.
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Teen girl with long auburn hair and braces smiles outdoors, perhaps enjoying a Bleakley afternoon with trees and blue sky in the background.
Bleakley Shettle is an eighth grader from Florida. She is an avid reader and enjoys making art, playing violin, creative writing, and finding unique ways to educate people about climate change and help her local environment. She also has a small face painting business. In addition to being accepted for the NOAA Ocean Guardian Youth Ambassador program for two years, Bleakley participates in her school Green Club and many other clubs at her school. She has also entered in her local science fair for two years in a row and has advanced to the state science fair both years. When she was in seventh grade, she placed fourth in her category at the state science fair. Her project was titled, Creating Sustainable Alternatives to Plastic.
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Vivian Chetwood headshot
Vivian, native to Boise Idaho is a student at Sage International School. On top of excelling in all of her classes she is passionate about learning the effects of climate change and how she can better the environment through expanding her knowledge on sustainable solutions to CO2 contributors. Vivian grew up in the Mountains  skiing, climbing and rafting where she experienced the effects of climate change when she saw extreme fluctuations in the weather.  After participating in the climate innovation challenge and winning the award of best story telling, she saw the perspective of climate advocates inspiring her to learn more about this issue.
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Carmen Valentino headshot

Carmen Valentino

Santa Fe, NM
Carmen Valentino was born in Washington DC and currently lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She is a sophomore at The Academy for Technology and the Classics (ATC) where she is a member of the National Honors Society. Carmen has been a competitive tennis player since she was 8 years old and currently plays varsity tennis for Santa Fe High. Additionally, she is a member of Model UN, Amnesty International, Natural Helpers, and student council. In her free time Carmen is an avid sports fan and enjoys reading, hiking, and travel. Carmen has participated in CIC in multiple years and looks forward to contributing to the CICYAB.
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