Amplify your voice in the CalMatters 2024 Earth Day Op/Ed Contest

Do you care deeply about the environment, climate change and your community?

The 2nd annual Earth Day Op/Ed Contest for high school students is a chance to elevate your voice to people across California.

What’s in it for you?

You’ll have a chance to make an impact across the state, win up to $500 and be advised by CalMatters journalists.

We’re offering this contest because we believe in you.

The youth of California have an important role to play in the conversation on our changing environment. We are a nonprofit and nonpartisan statewide news organization and we want to expand the conversation happening on critical issues.

Theme: What solution should Californians running for office support to help address climate change?

It’s election year. Candidates are vying for votes and making promises. In California, 52 congressional, 80 state Assembly and 20 state Senate seats will be up for grabs in a state seeking to hit net-zero emissions in 2045. But people disagree with both how realistic that deadline is and the methods, including controversial carbon capturing.

As an opinion writer with a statewide audience, what solution should candidates rally behind?

Prizes

Top 3 entries will be published and receive payment:

     • 1st place: $500 for the student and $500 for the student’s journalism program

     • 2nd & 3rd places: $300 for the student

     • Each piece will be published on a separate day the week before Earth Day.

How to Enter

The contest is open to any California high school student.

Youth can submit entries independently or, if seeking 1st prize, represent their publication (one 1st prize entry per school/program).

Entry deadline: March 25, 2024

Need Help?

We are here to help you, even if this is your first time writing an opinion article. Please use our help!

We will host two live webinars to help students prepare entries. Please bring one or two pitches so we can help shape your angle. Think of: What solution do you want to propose? What true stories can you maybe find and share that illuminate why this solution is important?

Resources

Review last year's 1st place winner: Earth Day: How will California protect Humboldt Bay from worst sea level rise on the West Coast?

Email [email protected] for help

Learn more about our Youth Journalism Initiative

Guidelines

     • Writers must be comfortable using Google Docs to work with CalMatters’ Voices editor.

     • If selected, expect to work with CalMatters editor in a timely manner.

     • Stories should not have been already published.

     • Winning entries can also be published in your student publication allowing CalMatters to publish first with a note in your post saying “originally   published in CalMatters.”

     • Any submitted entries can publish the piece with their school publication.

     • Length: 400 - 600 words

     • Photos/graphics and other visuals: Optional

     • Solid writing and conveys why a reader outside the community should take notice

     • Fact-checked and accurate

     • Use of studies and statistics if applicable. Cite and hyperlink your source, ie., "... according to a 2021 Environmental Protection Agency report."

     • With quoted sources, include full name and title

     • If any interview sources are mentioned in your piece, include sources' names, phone and email address at the bottom of your draft for us to verify.

     • Aceptamos entradas en español. Spanish speakers are welcome to submit entries in Spanish.

     • Do NOT revise entries after the deadline. We will know!