Student climate cohort asks Laredo leaders to back local action plan, invites public town hall

Members of the Laredo Climate Cohort told the Laredo City Council on Sept. 15 that student teams have digitalized projects begun in 2022 and want the city to work with them on a locally tailored climate action plan.

The cohort — composed of college and high‑school students and described by presenters as a Climate Reality Project selectee — asked the council and residents to attend a public town hall on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. at the Laredo Public Library, where they will present a short video and invite comments on federal rulemaking known as the “endangerment finding.”

Why it matters: Cohort members said Laredo faces climate stresses tied to heat and Rio Grande water variability and argued students can help educate residents and shape local choices that affect health and water security. Presenters emphasized the cohort’s role in public‑facing storytelling, outreach, and documenting local impacts for the city’s consideration.

What students told the council: Alberto Vargas, a student at Hector J. G. Laredo Early College High School, described the digital archive and invited the council and public to the library meeting. Vanessa Plasencia, identified as a graduate student at Texas A&M, said the program builds public‑speaking and media skills to help residents convey how changing heat and water patterns affect daily life. Other cohort members summarized past field trips, workshops in media and science communication, and a desire to grow the program into a sustained, year‑round initiative.

Council response and next steps: Council members thanked the students and noted city interest in educational partnerships. The council did not take formal action on the cohort’s request during the meeting. The cohort’s town hall is scheduled for Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. at the Laredo Public Library; the group also recorded a short video shown during the council session.

Community context: Presenters said the cohort has worked with local mentors including the Rio Grande International Study Center and that some cohort activities have focused on ZIP codes that presenters described as more vulnerable to heat and water stress. The city has previously purchased air monitors and discussed water‑supply resilience in council meetings, and cohort members urged that student‑driven outreach inform those planning processes.

Ending: The cohort asked the city to consider student engagement as a component of local climate planning and to publicize the Sept. 17 town hall; the council did not schedule any formal follow‑up on the dais during the meeting.