Spotlight: Dhruhi Patel
By: Sanjana Avileli and Shiloh Netala
Current NYAT Actions Working Team Co-Leader, Dhruhi Patel, is a member of the Lincroft NJ CCL chapter. She has assisted her community in various ways to make a positive impact on CCL and her environment for the past three years.
Dhruhi Patel, NYAT Actions Working Team Co-Leader and member of Lincroft NJ CCL chapter.
Dhruhi’s passion for climate advocacy began after the COVID-19 pandemic when she realized that she wanted to make a tangible difference within her community. The lockdown made her itch for change, and Citizens’ Climate Lobby was the perfect opportunity for her endeavor. When she joined her first Working Teams Call, she was very intrigued by the organization, and she knew it was exactly what she was looking for. A spark had been ignited.
As the co-leader of the Actions team, Dhruhi plans and facilitates the Youth Lobby Trainings. In addition, she has helped create The Great School Electrification Challenge by providing feedback to participating teams and compiling the Electrification Guide. Dhruhi has been on the forefront of designing and promoting the Climate GOAT campaign as part of the Elections Team, with the aim of mobilizing climate voters through relational organizing. She has cultivated monthly challenges, hosted office hours for volunteers, and given several presentations at events.
Previously, as part of her CCL Edison chapter, Dhruhi has lobbied her members of congress twice. She first lobbied Representative Frank Pallone (NJ-06) during CCL’s 2022 Fall Lobby Week for the Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems (RISEE) Act. In 2023, she met with New Jersey Senator Cory Booker’s office to support the same act.
Her future goals for the Actions Team focus on leading national student initiatives in renewable energy, such as Round 2 of the Great School Electrification Challenge. Furthermore, Dhruhi would like to see more partnerships and relationships within her community, such as connecting with local CCL chapters. She also states, “As an organization, CCL’s values of respect and peace are commendable, and I would like to see that continue. To unleash the massive potential that we have and increase our global presence, I think it is important that we expand our partnerships with other organizations working in climate advocacy.”
One of Dhruhi’s most rewarding experiences as part of CCL is the Spring 2024 Youth Lobby Training. The NYAT members and participants outside of CCL created a lively and energetic atmosphere, making it easy for Dhruhi and the other presenters to engage in meaningful discussions. They had a wonderful time debating various climate and sustainability themes, such as lithium-ion battery mining and the future of solar panels in the US, thanks to the audience’s extensive knowledge in environmental science. Dhruhi adds that although being a climate advocate can be intimidating at times, she is inspired to keep going because of the dedication of her teachers and peers!
Sanjana Avileli is a member of the Communications Team at Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s National Youth Action Team. She is also an active member and student leader for CCL North Carolina Youth Action Team. She enjoys debating about many different topics such as climate change, global warming, and ocean pollution. She conducts outreach targeted at youth in her community who are interested in climate change advocacy.
Shiloh Netala is a member of the Communications Team at Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s National Youth Action Team. She is also an active member of the CCL Richmond Chapter in Virginia. She conducts outreach events targeted at young people and provides an opportunity to voice their concerns about climate change.
