The climate crisis is not a future problem for young people — it’s the world they’re already living in. And some of them aren’t waiting to be asked.
The LA County Youth Climate Commission is not an advocacy group on the outside looking in — it’s an appointed body embedded within LA County’s governing structure, with commissioners selected directly by County Supervisors to shape climate policy from the inside. Sarahjeet Dosanjh (she/her) and Justin Wilken (he/him) serve as Youth Climate Commissioners representing the 3rd District, appointed by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath — one of the most prominent elected voices in the county on plant-based food policy and the leader behind LA County’s landmark food procurement strategy requiring departments to shift toward more plant-based foods across institutions serving tens of millions of meals annually.
In this conversation, Dosanjh and Wilken share what it actually looks like to hold a formal seat at the table as a young person — what drew them to this work, what they’ve been able to influence, and why food systems sit at the center of their climate vision for LA’s future.
Moderated by Parker Do, Organizer at Plant Based Treaty.
Part of Food Day Festival in WeHo — a free, family-friendly, plant-based food festival co-hosted by Plant Based Treaty LA and SoCal VegFest at Plummer Park, April 12, 2026, 11 AM–5 PM. An official event of LA Climate Week.
Free to attend.
For More Info or to Volunteer: linktr.ee/FoodDayFestival
