It’s Getting Hot In Here

On Monday, March 3 a group of four hundred concerned students gathered for the Youth Forum on Global Warming Solutions, a collaborative and nonconfrontational conversation with Minnesota’s Governor (and possible vice president candidate) Tim Pawlenty. Organized by the Governor’s office, the Will Steger foundation, the Transcampus Energy Action Movement (TEAM MN), and Youth Environmental Activists (YEA MN), the event sought to present both the Governor’s and student visions for what Minnesota can do to combat climate change. Minnesota has one of the strongest renewable energy standards in the nation, and its community-based energy policies are some of the most innovative and successful in the nation. Our citizens are engaged in the process of governance. Unfortunately, our tangible action has decreased slightly under Governor Pawlenty’s administration.

Introduced by polar explorer Will Steger, Governor Pawlenty outlined his vision for global warming solutions. While he presented a moral imperative to act, Governor Pawlenty questioned the feasibility of getting a large percentage of our energy from renewables. He strongly supported business innovation in renewable technology, from geothermal to wind to coal capture and sequestration (CCS). Governor Pawlenty’s policy suggestions were mild and lost in the rhetoric.

Next, six of Minnesota’s youth leaders outlined some of the actions that we are taking to combat climate change. From Focus the Nation and the National Campus Energy Challenge to working on Green Reindustrialization at a local Ford plant and developing campus sustainability initiatives, we presented an uplifting picture of feasibility. Essentially, we showed that we’re going to do this, whether the Governor is with us or not. Next, Erick Boustead, University of Minnesota ’08 and Timothy Den Herder-Thomas, Macalester ’09 presented “Minnesota’s New Energy Generation: the Youth Vision for a Sustainable Society,” drafted by students in TEAM MN. “To quote the Wu Tang Clan,” said Boustead, “We’re here to bring the ruckus” (video link).

Finally, the Forum concluded with a question and answer session including the Boustead and Den Herder-Thomas, Governor Pawlenty, and Will Steger. Stating we can’t get all of our energy from renewables, Governor Pawlenty posed a rhetorical question to the audience, asking where will we get our energy (aside from coal with CCS). In one of the most inspiring moments of the night, a voice squeaked from the back of the crowd: “Us.”

It’s difficult to gauge the success of the forum. While none of us expect Governor Pawlenty to drastically change his policies, the format for the meeting provided an affirmative and proactive outlet for the youth of Minnesota. “To see the energy, enthusiasm and passion in the room, it renews my energy to be a part of it,” Pawlenty said afterwards. “It’s great to see so many young leaders who care about the issues and want to be involved.”

Others had mixed feelings. When the local cable TV crew asked one 8th grader what he thought of meeting the governor, he answered, “I don’t believe a word he said! He totally has no plan for Minnesota, and he has a crazy idea about burying carbon in Canada.” Many were disappointed in the lack of concrete results, but most felt the forum was helpful and informative.

Regardless of sticking points in Pawlenty’s policy and views, the forum proved to be an organizing center for TEAM MN and an important precedent for Midwest visioning and action. If we’re going to take climate change seriously, we need everyone possible on board. We need to be willing to collaborate across traditional barriers like age, experience and political philosophy. Events like the Pawlenty forum are good positive first steps, but the solutions that we are all building present the perfect opportunity .