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The Climate Movement We Have Been Waiting For
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When environmentalist author Bill McKibben spoke to a community of progressive philanthropists this past summer, he advised his audience, "We do not have time to wait for change light bulb by light bulb, person by person, or even community by community. We need a movement, and we need it right now." I then raised my hand, and asked him where he saw the most promising seeds of such a movement to lie, if at all. His first response, "The youth movement." Looking directly at me, perhaps one of the youngest people in the room, he said, "You probably know them. Energy Action Coalition."
He was right. I do know the Energy Action Coalition, and as a young person in North America, it is becoming increasingly difficult to not cross paths with Energy Action. A coalition of more than forty youth led social justice and environmental organizations, Energy Action is pulling young people together from across the U.S. and Canada to fight for and win clean energy and climate policies. In May 2005, Energy Action launched the Campus Climate Challenge to unite students in gaining 100 percent clean energy policies on their campuses. In the first year of the Challenge, more than 550 universities, tribal colleges, high schools, and community colleges signed on. These young activists and organizers are now well on their way to reaching a 3-year goal of 1000 campuses moving towards 100 percent carbon neutrality.
McKibben continued that day, back in July, saying that, "When it comes to talking versus doing, young people are getting the most done." Shortly thereafter, and almost as if to not disappoint McKibben, who has been a leader and inspirational visionary within the environmental movement for decades, Energy Action announced that it was once again upping the ante. This time in the form of Powershift, the first national youth led-climate summit, which will take place Nov. 2-5th in Washington D.C.
This historic gathering will bring youth of all backgrounds, from all 50 states, and every single Congressional district, together for four days of training, action, and inspiration. We will use our experience from local and state level climate change movements to create a fresh, positive, and hopeful vision of the future; one focused on our potential to overcome the challenges of the 21st century, build a clean energy economy, achieve energy independence, create millions of green jobs, increase global equity, and revitalize the American economy. Indeed these are ambitious goals, but as young people who will be left to deal with the consequences of global warming, we can ask no less.
As a young person myself, I have heard my elders say over and over, "Where are the young people? ... Why aren't they voting? ... Back in the 1960's, young people led the way ... Do young people today just not care?" We as a country have been waiting for our youth to get organized, inspire us, and lead the way toward positive social change. Well, the young people we have been waiting for are here; they are mobilized and they are showing up.
See more stories tagged with: environment, climate change, global warming, bill mckibben, power shift
Courtney Hull is the Political Director for Green for All, a national organization working to build a green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty.
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