On Oct. 1, RIT kicked off Sustainability Month with an inspiring keynote speech from environmental activist Jerome Foster II, a leading voice in the fight against climate change. 

Foster’s impressive journey in activism started at the young age of 15 when he created The Climate Reporter, a youth-led news outlet centered around the environmental movement. By 16, he interned for the late John Lewis in Congress, and at 17, he addressed the U.N. Commission about the climate crisis. Currently 22 years old, Foster II has made history as the youngest White House advisor ever, serving on the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council. 

Foster opened with a brief explanation of climate change, highlighting its increasing prominence in public discourse. He discussed common responses to the climate crisis: apathy, awareness or activation. Foster noted that while climate education efforts have led to increased awareness, activation — solution-oriented thinking — is what will lead to meaningful change.

“Activation comes from highlighting [climate change] and connecting with the solution builders,” Foster explained.

He also addressed the prevalence of environmental racism, highlighting the stark contrast in living conditions faced by communities in New Orleans. For example, New Orleans’ predominantly Black and low-income Lower Ninth Ward has experienced significant environmental difficulties since Hurricane Katrina, while the predominantly white Upper Ninth Ward benefits from greater privilege and resources. Foster called for the promotion of faith, youth and legacy organizations to raise awareness about the relationship between race and environmental injustice.

As a founder of OneMillionofUs and Waic Up ​— youth voting and environmental organizations respectively — Foster emphasized how young people can be the driving force behind climate action. He argued that younger generations are not constrained by ideas and norms that stall progress. Instead, they possess the capacity to think creatively and recognize the urgency of this public problem.

“Young people aren't confined by the ideas and norms as we get older. I think there’s real power in that,” Foster stated.

Foster’s presentation concluded with a push to integrate sustainability into everyday life. Only through promoting a more collaborative approach, he argued, can awareness produce meaningful action.

After Foster’s presentation concluded, the talk was opened to audience questions, moderated by RIT student Myren Bobryk-Ozaki.

Foster addressed audience concerns about climate-induced apathy with a combination of optimism and data-driven insights. Foster noted how high youth voter turnout in 2020 has led to meaningful climate action such as the Inflation Reduction Act, the single largest clean energy investment in world history. Additionally, Foster highlighted that as renewable energy becomes increasingly cost-competitive compared to its fossil fuel counterparts, there is an environmental and economic basis to transition to clean energy.

In response to another question about his vision for a sustainable future, Foster stressed the importance of meeting everyone’s needs. He argued that by focusing on the welfare of the most disadvantaged and prioritizing needs over profit, society can effectively counteract corporate greed and maximize the public good.

Foster also shared his shift to a vegan lifestyle over the past three years, motivated by his belief in animal rights, environmentalism and opposition to factory farming.

Ultimately, Foster’s speech marked an empowering call to action for youth to counteract the climate crisis. His words highlighted that despite the challenges ahead, there is a tangible path toward meaningful change.