Did you know that 52 million years ago, Antarctica had an average temperature of 68 degrees and was covered in lush rainforest? This is just one of the many amazing things students learned about this frozen uninhabited continent during the 8th Annual Environmental Youth Forum.

1,700 students from 28 San Francisco Bay Area elementary, middle school and high schools packed the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center for the 8th annual Environmental Youth Forum for three days of films, panels and discussions on today’s most pressing environmental and social issues.

Through the course of the three-day program, students gained a deeper understanding of the the long term effects of climate change, food waste and water conservation that directly impact the world around them.

For the first time ever, CFI opened this program up to the general public with two evening screenings that provided an opportunity to see EYF films and engage in the conversation with post-film Q&A’s with subject experts.

CFI provided free transportation for participating schools, creating opportunities for students from the East Bay and San Francisco to attend.

“Thank you so much for offering this opportunity to our 2nd graders…It gave the students an opportunity to learn about very important social and environmental topics but were done in ways that grabbed their attention and kept them interested with humor and edgy commentary…We’ve had great programs with your organization but this one was one of my favorites.”

-Camille Pires, Anna Yates Elem, 2nd grade teacher, Emeryville

This program was made possible through the generous support of Nancy and Rich Robbins, Bellam Self Storage & Boxes and Marin Charitable.