A wildfire in 2020 was a pivotal moment for Analee Josselyn, a senior at Montecito's Westmont College and a climate change activist. The fire, started by thousands of lightning stikes, destroyed nearly 1,500 buildings and killed one person. Called the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, it reached her hometown in Santa Cruz, and Josselyn said the danger her community faced sparked her interest in climate change advocacy.
When the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP 28, took place in Dubai last year, Josselyn was there with the Christian Climate Observers, a group that involves Christians in the fight against climate change. She said her experience abroad only intensified her passion.
“I realized, after talking to so many people, and being exposed to what’s going on, that I needed to come back and make a difference,” she said. “My concern for the planet was furthered after learning about the disproportionate impacts of climate on marginalized and vulnerable people.”