ABOUT US

THE YOUTH AGENDA

Climate justice. Real justice. For all of us.

We are Gen Z in New Jersey. We have grown up in a state that has been flooding, burning, and, most importantly, failing to protect the people who live here. While billionaires profit, we are stuck with a disjointed system: broken transit, poisoned water, exploitative cost of rents, and heat waves and forest fires that kill. We cannot and will not wait for change — we’re building it. This is our mission. This is the future we’re fighting for.

  • We demand legitimate and codified climate protections now. No more band-aids, no more delays, no more preventable disasters. We need strong laws that will halt pollution, preserve and clean our air and water, and finally put the people over profits. If billionaires and corporations continue to exploit the people and environment of New Jersey, our home will become uninhabitable for our future generations.

  • New Jersey’s future must be connected, clean, and free to move. That means free and expanded public transit (even South Jersey) - not more highways, not more sprawl. Transit is a climate solution that will drastically reduce emissions and a lifeline to economic stability and mobility.

  • We’re done footing the bill for floods, fires, and climate disasters. Big polluters have caused this crisis — now they need to pay for the damage. We demand the State Legislature pass the Climate Superfund Act to ensure polluters are held accountable for destructive behavior.

  • We want the 100% renewable energy goal to be guaranteed. That means real investments in renewables such as solar, wind, as well as investments in energy efficiency. Most importantly, the 100% renewable energy goal must be affordable energy. No one should have to choose between heat and food. We need to break up monopoly control, expand energy assistance programs, penalize predatory third parties, and build up the state’s energy independence.

  • New Jersey must cut all ties to fossil fuels. That means divestment from oil and gas companies, their banks, their backers, and everyone profiting off the climate crisis.

  • Climate justice means protecting all life. That includes endangered species, forests, wetlands, and wildlife. We demand stronger protections for ecosystems and the animals we share them with.

  • We demand climate education in every school and green job training for the next generation. We’re not just fighting for survival — we’re preparing to lead.

  • Frontline communities — Black, brown, immigrant, Indigenous, working-class — have carried the cost of pollution for too long. No more. We demand justice in every zip code.

  • We’re done being exploited. We demand strong consumer protections from billionaire landlords, greedy utility companies, and the corporations jacking up prices while destroying our planet. Climate justice means taking power back — from monopolies, from lobbyists, from the ultra-rich.

  • No one should die on the job. We need a strong heat standard that protects outdoor and warehouse workers from deadly temperatures, with clear rights to breaks, water, and safety.

  • Climate change is already here. We demand real investment in making our communities safer — starting with clean water, flood protections, and resilient infrastructure. That means replacing lead pipes, fixing broken stormwater systems, and building protections where floods hit hardest. Resilience isn’t just about seawalls — it’s about justice. The places most impacted by the climate crisis should be the first in line for support, not the last.

  • Safe, affordable housing is climate resilience. We need protections from climate-driven displacement, green housing investments, and support for renters and frontline communities.

  • We need a democracy that works for us. That means fair ballot access, voting rights, and climate champions in office — not politicians bought by fossil fuel money. We’re building power to elect leaders who will fight for our future.

This is Intersectional.

And This is Just the Beginning.

We fight for climate justice, Indigenous sovereignty, minority communities, reproductive rights, labor rights, and Palestinian liberation. These are not separate fights — they are one fight for a just world. These vulnerable communities are hit hardest by man-made climate change, and we’re not here to just watch. Environmental issues are economic and health issues that affect us all.

We’re organizing. We’re testifying. We’re showing up.

Because the future we deserve is the one we’re building — together.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • Ben Dziobek posing in front of a rocky barrier next to the ocean, wearing a jean jacket and white hoodie.

    Benjamin Dziobek

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / FOUNDER

    Ben is a lifelong environmental justice organizer dedicated to building youth power and advancing bold, equitable climate solutions. A proud Stockton University graduate, he’s committed to fighting for a future where communities lead the way on climate action.

  • ImaniNia in a black shirt smiling

    ImaniNia Burton

    ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE DIRECTOR

    ImaniNia is a North Jersey native and environmental justice organizer fighting to divest public funds from fossil fuels and build community power. She works to bridge grassroots movements and legislative action, making sure local voices lead New Jersey’s fight for climate justice.

  • Dave wearing a tan jacket & black shirt in front of tropical plants & trees

    David Roberts

    POLICY DIRECTOR / CO-FOUNDER

    Dave is a New Jersey organizer and the youngest chair of the Wall Township Environmental Committee, with a background in political science and law. He's fought to protect watersheds, defend scenic byways, and elevate young Democratic leadership across the state. His work is rooted in making environmental and political action more accessible for the next generation.

  • Selfie of Max with long hair and glasses while holding a turtle, in front of pine trees.

    Max Murphy

    ECOLOGY DIRECTOR

    Max is a lifelong Pine Barrens resident and ecologist who has worked across New Jersey’s terrestrial, marine, and aquatic ecosystems. A graduate of Stockton University and the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science, he’s completed over 600 hours of ecological research and international field work. His work is rooted in protecting and understanding the natural systems of New Jersey.

  • Rachel in a black blazer & light blue shirt, standing at the beach, sand & ocean behind her

    Rachel Peace

    CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGIST

    Rachel Peace is a communications strategist and founder of Hyperfocused Communications, where she helps environmental and ocean sector leaders grow their impact through strategic storytelling and earned media. A Jersey Shore native, she’s driven by a commitment to justice, people, and the planet, using her skills to amplify movements for racial equity, climate action, and community resilience.

  • Christopher Sotiro in a dark grey jacket and red backpack, in front of a wooded environment.

    Christopher Sotiro

    MOBILIZATION DIRECTOR

    Chris leads digital strategy and outreach, helping mobilize communities to fight the climate crisis and build resilience. A former AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassador and TCNJ graduate, he focuses on connecting environmental action with economic and community benefits across New Jersey.

LEADERSHIP TEAM

  • Selfie of Anna Muller, wearing a black and white scarf in front of a dark background.

    Anna Muller

    ENERGY POLICY MANAGER

  • Leann Bey in a jean longsleeve shirt in front of a warm light background.

    Leann Bey

    DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

  • Kayleigh Henry smiling with a pink tanktop with a tan colored background.

    Kayleigh Henry

    PINE BARRENS LEAD

  • Andrés Caceres smiling in a suit and tie with a white background.

    Andrés Caceres

    SPANISH COMMUNICATION CO-LEAD

  • Camila Guayasamin with dark hair smiling, wearing a black sleeveless top and a rainbow pin

    Camila Guayasamin

    SPANISH COMMUNICATION CO-LEAD

  • Person standing in front of a painting, wearing a button-up shirt, with long hair and bangs, in a room with natural light coming from a window.

    Nina Radtke

    ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

  • Cassy Gelston sitting down and smiling in front of a pier and waterway with a sunset background.

    Cassy Gelston

    CLIMATE RESILIENCE LEAD

  • Max Aronow with long hair and glasses, taking a selfie outdoors on a sunny day.

    Max Aronow

    GRANT SPECIALIST

JOIN CRAN!

Interested in learning more?

We’re seeking creative, motivated,
environmentally-minded Gen-Z looking to fight the climate crisis.

There is no limit to what background you come from, we want you to be part of the team.

“We are a passionate generation, and we want to make a positive change, but knowing where to start can be tricky. If you’re in high school or college and want to get into real work around environmentalism, my first suggestion is to get involved with CRAN."

— Chris Sotiro

"By giving me both autonomy to run my own projects and help when I asked for it, CRAN has helped me get my foot in the door for environmental policy work and advocacy. Their flexibility allows me to have experiences that I wouldn’t have had otherwise—experiences that show me that I can do environmental work in the long term."

—Cassie Gelston