It’s Getting Hot In Here

This summer, the climate movement is hitting the streets in New Hampshire and Iowa (and hopefully around the nation) to make real climate solutions a top priority for our nation. Climate Summer, a project lead by the Sierra Student Coalition and a coalition of other groups, will be fueled by the hard work of nearly 50 young people who have signed up to work full-time all summer long. But it’s going to take all of your help, and help of thousands around the nation, to make this movement a major success.

Stay tuned over the coming weeks and months for more updates from the ground in New Hampshire and Iowa, coverage of the presidential primaries, and more (maybe even some Real World-esque portraits of the organizers). To get all the gossip though, you’ll have to get involved. There’s an evolving website at www.climatesummer.org, and we’ll make sure to let you know when it is fully operational. Read on for our first report from New Hampshire . . .

There has been a buzz of activity in Concord, N.H. for the last few days. Uhauls have plied the narrow streets of the capitol, couches have been hauled up and down steep flights of stairs, and college kids have been sighted walking around outside apartments with their laptops raised above their head trying to summon wireless connections from the internet gods. Our crew is beginning to get settled though, and get down to work. This evening, we kicked off a four-day orientation that will bring our crew of organizers up to speed on the latest strategies, messaging, and tactics to make the movement in N.H. this summer a major success.

But there’s been a buzz around New Hampshire for the last few months now. As the first primary state in the nation (although there’s been some reshuffling going on), N.H. has a unique voice in our national politics once every four years. With the most “open” primary in years – - meaning there is a large field of candidates since there is no incumbent running – - the campaigning has begun especially early. The presidential election is still 18 months away, but you wouldn’t know it by walking around Concord. Placards are already placed in windows, interns are strutting up and down the sidewalk (we met a girl who was walking around a town park in stiletto heels today), and it seems there is a political event scheduled for nearly every hour of every day.

With so much activity (and so much media attention), it’s the perfect opportunity to mobilize the public around global warming solutions. As a non-profit organization, Climate Summer won’t be endorsing any candidate or working on specific legislation, instead we’ll be working with citizens to build a movement to push for real solutions to this crisis. Solutions that prioritize social justice as well as environmental stability, ones that strive to create a clean energy economy strong enough to lift all boats, not just put more money in the pockets of corporations.

The campaign has just begun (we had our first meeting as a full group over pizza just a few hours ago) and already there is a feeling in the air. And it’s not just coming from us. People are uncomfortable. They know that our country is headed on the wrong path and are itching for change. Talk with people here in Concord, one small city that has become a stage for the political drama that will continue unfold, and you can sense their frustration, excitement, anger, hope, and frustration.

Personally, it feels good to have my feet on the ground again. After April 14, our Step It Up team has been working on completing a book about community organizing to fight global warming with Bill McKibben (you can grab a copy next fall), figuring out next steps, and re-figuring our lives. After finishing this post, I’ll go try and unpack some more bags and put up some decorations on the bare walls of my room. At least we’ve got our little living room figured out . . .

Which reminds me, if ya’ll want to come join the team and need a couch to stay on, make sure to get in touch. And of course, stay tuned, because more from Climate Summer is coming on down the line.