Summary: Five Napa high school graduates were honored for years of climate advocacy through Napa Schools for Climate Action, a student-led effort that pushed schools and local governments to adopt climate resolutions. Their work eventually reached Congress, where language they helped shape became part of a federal climate restoration resolution. As they head to college, the students are urging public officials to treat climate change with urgency, listen to young people and turn their concerns into policy. Their record shows how sustained local organizing can move from school campuses to the national stage.
“We’re ready to be part of the solution. It gives my generation hope that Napa can remain a place we’re proud to call home.” — Sophie Wassef, Napa Schools for Climate Action leader and incoming MIT student
Introducing the Green Library
Since Napa Valley Features launched in 2023, we’ve published hundreds of stories about the gardens, wildlife, watersheds and climate of Napa County — most recently through our weekly Green Wednesday series with the UC Master Gardeners of Napa County and our environmental contributors. Until now, those stories lived scattered across our archive, easy to miss and hard to find again.
Last week we announced our Green Library at NapaServe.org — a growing permanent home for our environmental coverage that you can explore. Scan through it by subject, from Climate to Garden to Wildlife. Search it by keyword, whether you’re hunting for a piece on drought-tolerant natives or the return of the beavers. More than 130 stories are there now, and every Green Wednesday adds more.
Students Carry Napa Climate Advocacy Forward
by Lynne Baker
NAPA COUNTY, Calif. — On July 23, accompanied by elected officials, staffers, community supporters, mentors, friends and family members — including one enormously proud grandfather — five young women received commendations for their climate advocacy.
The 2026 high school graduates — Arya Adhye, Kate Bit, Claire Mulligan, Gemma Roberts and Sophie Wassef — are all leaders in Napa Schools for Climate Action, or S4CA, and leave behind an impressive record of achievement. They embody the group’s motto: No school should be a silent witness to climate injustice.
What inspired these students to become climate activists?
“I have been involved with Schools for Climate Action since the fall of my junior year, prompted by a presidential election that left me feeling anxious and frustrated with how the climate crisis would be addressed by our leaders,” said Mulligan. “Ever since I’ve been deeply engaged with this organization.”
Wassef said: “My involvement opened my eyes to how our government works and showed me that even small voices are capable of bringing change if they have enough passion.”
With determination, the students sought to educate, advocate and encourage schools, governments, agencies and organizations to adopt climate restoration resolutions. They met with elected officials, commission members and staffers. They gave public presentations at community meetings and gatherings and were recognized for their tenacity, commitment and knowledge of the issues.
After bringing climate emergency declarations to their schools and to Napa County municipalities and county government, the S4CA students met with Rep. Mike Thompson and his staff to propose a climate restoration resolution. A legislative fellow from Thompson’s Washington office became their liaison, and together they helped craft the language for H. Res. 1563, introduced in 2024 during the 118th Congress and reintroduced July 25, 2025, as House Concurrent Resolution 46.
Their work is now part of the record of the 119th Congress: “… the United States is committed to ensuring a safe and healthy climate for future generations, and thus to restoring the climate.”
Wassef, quoted in a press release, said: “The Climate Restoration Resolution ushers in a new paradigm for addressing the climate crisis, one that not only prevents the worst-case scenario but also revitalizes our communities and economy in the long term. … As a young person and leader of Napa Schools for Climate Action, working on this resolution and watching its support grow from a district to a national level has renewed my hope for a sustainable future.”
Through it all, the students found time to play volleyball and soccer, take part in track and field, have music lessons, participate in recitals and musical events, serve as class officers, join peer-support groups and school clubs, and work after-school jobs.
Some students also received college scholarships funded by Napa Recycling and Waste Services as part of its Community Benefit Agreement with Napa Climate NOW!
When presenting awards from Napa County, Supervisor Amber Manfree reminded the students to enjoy their journey, take time to refresh themselves and replenish their energy.
Asked how they would like community leaders to take action, the students offered recommendations.
“Now is the turning point,” Adhye said. “I ask my community leaders to prioritize climate change. It is THE most pressing issue, and without urgency, no action will be taken.”
Adhye will attend UC Berkeley, where she will study environmental science.
“I have the power to use my voice,” Roberts said, “but as a community leader, you have the power to take influence from my words and implement real change.”
Roberts will attend the University of Washington, where she will study public service and policy.
Wassef elaborated: “I want leaders to listen to young people, take our concerns seriously and follow through with science-based action. We’re ready to be part of the solution. It gives my generation hope that Napa can remain a place we’re proud to call home.”
She will attend MIT, where she intends to become a geophysical researcher.
“Our future is in your hands,” Mulligan said. “We need drastic action now to ensure a safe climate for future generations.”
She will study environmental science at UCLA.
“It is absolutely crucial that we do everything we can to prevent or minimize the impact of climate change,” Bit said.
Bit will attend UC Davis, where she will major in ecology, evolution and biodiversity. She also has a strong interest in public health.
We are in good hands.
More information is available from Schools for Climate Action.
—
Lynne Baker is a retired nurse and co-chair of Napa Climate NOW! a local nonprofit citizens group advocating for climate solutions based on current climate science and part of 350 Bay Area.
Today’s Polls:
Explore These Related Articles:
Browse All Napa Valley Features Stories
Browse All Sonoma County Features Stories
Browse All Lake County Features Stories
—
The views, opinions and data presented in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position or perspective of Napa Valley Features or its editorial team. Any content provided by our authors is their own and is not intended to malign any group, organization, company or individual.
Our illustrations are produced through a multistep process of generative tools, digital sketching and photo editing, often starting from our own images or sketches.
