In less than 6 months we will elect a new Congress and a new President. These people will be charged with representing US, their constituents, and with charting the course of our country. Now WE must take it upon ourselves to make sure WE elect people who will accurately represent us - we need to empower our politicians to pursue bold solutions, and to do that, we need to show the candidates that their is an active and powerful constituency in favor of them.
And that’s where Power Vote comes in….
Between now and November we need to do everything we can to put climate, energy justice and sustainability on the political agenda. Voting is not enough. We need to bird dog all the candidates, making sure that no candidate steps onto campus without being asked questions about what they plan on doing to solve climate change. We need to demonstrate our priorities, yes, demonstrate - what better way to say that we want No Coal on the agenda, than by continuing the ruckus around coal plants? We need to make clear just how many people will be voting based on these issues, and once their elected, we need a plan to hold them accountable…
We have an incredible opportunity in front of us - between now and the elections there are countless opportunities to focus all of the banter and rhetoric around true climate solutions. This is our chance to have millions of influential conversations, to do the grassroots organizing we know is necessary to shift power. So what’s your plan? What should our movement focus on? We have a goal of organizing 1 million young people who are voting on the climate, because we know we need to come out big to have an impact. How can we get to that number? What’s your plan to help build this movement 1 million strong. Please share ideas, strategies and thoughts. We need to be creative and savvy to do this, so no idea is too crazy. And probably more importantly, we need to be collaborative, so let’s get this off to a strong start and chart out our plans for the coming months together.
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I am all for clean power but much prefer water or solar to wind as that can harm our birds and they are also suffering from our destruction of the environment.
What do WE do?
We DON’T waste our time and valuable resources following corporate candidates as they are paraded around by short, tightly strung harnesses, begging them not to shit on the newspapers laid by their masters. We don’t rely on the people who have NEVER proven to be a part of what WE ask, to do it for us.
We DO run OUR leaders, OUR young people. We take the next step in creating empowered communities and literally take over the institutionalized positions of power. We call on OUR leaders to step up, grow a little ego, and trust one another. We commit, in this our ever becoming hour of most need, to change the way WE are living.
We run for school boards, we run for city and county commissions, we run for state utility boards, and perhaps MOST importantly, we run for our nations membership/customer owned utility corporations.
Yes, we may not find ourselves viable candidates in the eyes of the larger public. but, what better way to get the answers to our issue into the debate, then to make OUR candidates viable.
I know that most qualifying periods have closed… but it’s a thought I believe needs to be taken seriously.
It’s time to bring all the pieces together. I’m so excited for the work of the EAC. Power Vote is where it’s at! There is a niche for everyone in this movement. We need to organize a massive voting block. We need the legislative action. And we also need the Direct Action! We need to ignite public outrage, and let king coal know that his reign is almost up! We need to use every tool in the box. Thank you for highlighting how we can bring it all together.
ps. bird-dogging sounds like fun
I think the points made by “the birds” are very valuable. we need engagement in all sectors of society. i would disagree, however, in not pressuring corporate candidates. not asking the uncomfortable questions grants the benefit of silence. It is also important to explore how inadequate they are to address the challenges of our generation.
another importance place to put our attention is the mainstream media. they cannot let go of their responsibility of pushing to concrete plans, not just rhetoric. We can not let them fill airtime with questions like “pearls or diamonds” “boxers or briefs”. we need to embarrass them.
young people must be make climate an issue at every forum, from letters to the editor in the local newspaper to participation in upcoming campaign events…
I think the campaign has been working somewhat on corporate candidates. John McCain’s at least trying to look serious about climate change.
The real potential for averting climate change lies within congress, I think. With enough pressure (letters to senators, etc.) we can convince elected officials that “enviros” are a strong, dependable voting bloc. Which we want, because then politicians will be required through practicality to vote for greener legislation.
I would propose some unilateral stances, such as cutting the tax subsidies and incentives that are propping up old technologies (like coal!). Also, the U.S. needs to start encouraging developing nations such as India, China, Brazil and South Africa to invest in sustainable energy. This will protect the environment, lower energy costs at home AND help keep things more peaceful with the Middle East.
I guess what I’m trying to say is strength, unity, and unequivocalness on big climate issues, from an environmental, economical, and humanitarian point of view.
The hippie movement of the late sixties and early seventies wasn’t exclusively about sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll. Young people of that era did an excellent job of raising the general level of environmental awareness, swaying public opinion to end an unpopular war, and sounding the alarm about the dangers of rampant population growth.
Maybe it’s time once again for the youth of our nation to lead by example, to engage in grassroots political processes, to focus their energy and their good ideas on finding local solutions to global problems.
And don’t discount the contributions older folks can make to your cause; many of us are sympathetic to the principles of sustainability and are, therefore, your natural allies.