Eighth grader Supriya Patel is latest 'Climate Champion'
Mayor Steinberg talks to Supriya Patel at the Sacramento Climate Strike.
Supriya Patel is a Sacramento 8th grader, future lawyer and 13-year old climate activist. Her youth engagement was inspired by a family trip to India where the pollution was so intense that she had trouble breathing.
Her first-hand experience with the health impacts of poor air quality has now been converted to action. Supriya founded Fridays For Future Sacramento, a group of youth that organizes climate strikes in accordance with the Fridays For Future Movement. Supriya organized the Sacramento Climate Strike held Sept. 20 with 1,000 participants and remarks by Mayor Steinberg. Over 4 million people in countries around the world demonstrated for action to address the global climate emergency.
“I am a climate activist because my future is at stake, and because we must call for systemic change at every level of government,” says Supriya. “Our adult leaders have failed us thus far, and we must call for change.”
Supriya will be a keynote opening speaker at the Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD) Inaugural Youth Climate Summit on Sat, Oct. 12 at the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. She’ll join teachers, students and environmental advocates for a day of activities intended to inspire and motivate students to take action on campus and in their community.
Read more about Supriya’s urgent work in her Sacramento Bee op-ed here.
