But I know that Iowans weren’t the only ones who brought energy issues to the forefront of these campaigns. It was coalitions like this, like Powershift and the SSC and the EAC that accumulated the vast knowledge and efforts of a gigantic student movement to where it mattered. I’ve seen my friends back at my high school take the energy of the national movement and make it important among teens here. And, in reciprocation, I’ve seen the national movement get energy from seeing high schoolers take the movement into their hands at their level.

It’s obvious that we’ve had an effect on these candidates. When I read through Edwards’ and Obama’s big plans, it was like reading a list of our demands on Lobbying Day (admittedly without the same strength on coal). Green jobs, sustainable communities, renewable energy, fuel standards, and emissions reductions are real proposals for these candidates, and we can finally hope to finally get some help from those who have thus far taken little responsibility.

But Juliana, you’re right: this is just the beginning. The issues are on the table now, and everyone is speaking change, but it won’t be implemented magically on January 20, and it won’t happen by itself. We are what is driving this and we are what will bring it to fruitation. New leadership will give us more strength, but the will is all on us. Let’s carry this out and bring in someone who will work with us to build a new energy future, but let’s not forget: we are the ones that we’ve been waiting for.