New research found natural disasters and pollution linked to climate change are contributing factors to high rates of anxiety and depression among young people. Researchers from San Francisco-based Hopelab consulted experts and interviewed youth climate activists to determine how climate effects like wildfire, extreme heat, drought, flooding, and air pollution are affecting young people s mental health. Emma Bruehlman-Senecal, research lead for Hopelab, is the author of the group s Climate Generation blog. .
Community groups across Maine are helping small towns with fewer resources better prepare for the growing threat of climate change. They are conducting energy audits to help towns save money and implement renewable energy projects, including off-grid emergency shelters. Scott Vlaun, executive director of the Center for an Ecology-Based Economy, said his group is working with the town of Norway to assess infrastructure potentially vulnerable to extreme weather events like the devastating floods last spring. .
A new survey found immigrant students need better help in school. The YouthTruth, Re-Imagining Migration survey was designed to examine the perspective of immigrant students as to how they are doing in school. The survey showed immigrant students do not feel they can be themselves there. .
Parents and educators in Massachusetts are joining forces to end the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) high school graduation requirement. They re combining two ballot initiatives, which would require the state to replace the standardized exam with local certification of academic success to earn a degree. Lexington public high school parent Shelley Scruggs said it would also work retroactively to ensure those denied their diploma for failing the test can attain one. .
The new school year is approaching and schools in Oregon are using data to figure out what students need to feel like they belong. The organization YouthTruth conducts surveys of students to understand more about their experiences in school. With help from the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators, the group analyzed survey responses from more than 68,000 Oregon students from the last two school years. .