Today we’d like to introduce you to Shaurya Kante
Hi Shaurya, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m Shaurya Kante, I’m a student at Tomball High School. I’m interested in environmental justice, economics, philosophy, and humanitarianism. I’m a Public Transit working group lead at Sunrise Movement Houston, a grassroots climate activist group.
I think my journey towards community organizing started in 8th grade, with the images we saw during the pandemic with the Australia wildfires, and the smoke that we saw cover NYC, the literal snow we had in the state of Texas. As a result, like a lot of young people, I had a ton of climate anxiety. There was also a loss of hope, of course with the political situation at the time, with climate seeming like it was on the bottom of the agenda.
I think around this time, due to this I started to develop some climate anxiety, like a lot of young people, and I felt this crippling feeling of uncertainty and lack of control, and paradoxically it got worse the more I began to learn about the climate crisis and the inadequate responses from world governments. I felt a immense pressure to do something( to be honest anything) to make a difference. I shifted my mindset from hyper focusing on the bad news and shocking headlines to focusing the systemic solutions we need. Instead of falling into doomerism, I began focusing on concrete ways to address these issues
As I deepened my understanding of the climate crisis, I learned of the main issues faced by my area. The importance of public transit stuck out like a sore thumb to me, being one of the most effective ways to reduce carbon emissions, encourage better urban planning—more walkable neighborhoods, less sprawl, and healthier communities. This lead me to grassroots organizing, and eventually to Sunrise Movement in 9th grade, and from that to our current campaign for better transit in the Gulfton area.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Community organizing is undoubtedly a complex fight, and it comes with its set of challenges. One major hurdle is getting people actively involved in our work. Houston’s vast sprawl makes in-person organizing particularly tough. The car centric design means that effective grassroots organizing often requires a significant commitment for many balancing school, work, family, childcare, or evening work shifts. Meeting people where they are has been another significant challenge which relates to a broader lack of trust in institutions. Even with strong community support, it’s not uncommon for our efforts to be met with indifference or resistance from officials.
Despite these challenges, the work remains profoundly important. Every difficulty we encounter—whether it’s mobilizing people, bridging communication gaps, or navigating the city’s sprawling nature—reinforces my belief in the importance of this advocacy. Our local climate action has the potential to create real, positive change, especially in communities disproportionately affected by environmental issues. While the road is often arduous and filled with setbacks, each obstacle we overcome brings us closer to a more just and sustainable future. Our continued efforts, though challenging, are a testament to our commitment to making a difference, learning from each experience, and growing stronger in our mission.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
We are a youth-led, grassroots organization focused on tackling the climate crisis while advocating for social and economic justice. We envision a future where everyone has access to clean air and water, food security, affordable housing, free public transportation, meaningful jobs, and vibrant communities. Sunrise is focused on building a movement that not only combats climate change but also creates well-paying union jobs, fights for racial and economic equity, and pushes for a government that serves working-class people. Locally, we are organizing to increase bus frequency in the Gulfton area, a neighborhood that faces extensive environmental inequity; fix leaks in Uvalde Ranch building(s), owned by the Houston Housing Authority and not just paint over it, and hold the apartment management company accountable for their years of neglect; and connect with young people through our teach-ins .
As a young person involved in Sunrise, I’ve gained essential skills that have been extremely valuable. I’ve learned how to mobilize people around a shared cause, analyze the root causes of social problems, and develop creative, sustainable solutions. Building relationships with individuals, local organizations, and elected officials has been crucial to our success, while resilience has helped me persevere through challenges. Community organizing requires persistence, especially when setbacks occur, and I’ve learned the importance of staying committed to the long-term fight for justice and the community and friends that you go about your journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sunrisemvmthtx.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunrisemvmthtx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SunriseMvmtHouston/
- Twitter: https://x.com/SunriseMvmtHTX
