It’s Getting Hot In Here

Many of us in the climate movement feel that we have the answers to the climate crisis. And why shouldn’t we? We have been doing brilliant work modeling solutions in our daily lives, on our campuses, and in our communities across the country. We know we need this localized action but also know that if we are to avoid the most devastating effects of climate chaos we need bold federal legislation to drastically bring down the dangerous levels of carbon in our atmosphere.

The real question then becomes: How many of us know exactly where our congressional elected officials stand on the issue? Do we trust them to make the right decision and vote correctly when the time comes? I know that after a decade of inaction on climate change I’m not making any assumptions. They need to hear our voices loud and clear in one unified and powerful demand for clean energy! Enter Power Vote.

To get the bold solutions we need we must engage in a new dialogue with our elected officials. For too long the conversation in congress has been dominated by the stench of the fossil fuel industry’s dirty money. It’s time to reclaim our democracy! This summer students from the Maryland Student Climate Coalition (MSCC) have begun to do just that.

Maryland students have had three constituent lobby meetings with their congressional elected officials on Capitol Hill to push for the bright vision outlined in the Power Vote platform. The first meeting was about a month ago when several student representatives of the MSCC met with a member of US Representative Steny Hoyer’s,(D-MD) staff. Rep. Hoyer will be key player in our bid for federal climate legislation because of his influential position as House Majority leader. The main message coming out of that meeting was that Rep. Hoyer is supportive of science based carbon reductions but isn’t hearing enough of a demand to act from his constituents. His staffer also mentioned that the other US House members’ staffs are behind on their understanding of climate legislation and what the citizenry wants them to do with the cap and trade revenue. It is clear to me that the bold demands of young people will be critical to getting us there.

Recently nine students with the MSCC returned to Capitol Hill to meet with the staff of Sen. Cardin (D-MD) and Sen. Mikulski (D-MD). Fortunately both Senators are very progressive and support science based carbon reductions and have co-sponsored the appropriate legislation. However, their support became less secure when students lobbied on the Power Vote plank “End our dependence on dirty energy“. Granted this is a pretty bold ask….but it has to be. Members of both staff dismissed the idea of a Senate coal moratorium bill as “a political non-starter.” It’s true, this may be the current political climate meanwhile the fragile fabric of our global life support system is collapsing at an alarming rate. Nature has demands and it has nothing to do with politics. It has become increasingly clear that we have to push the limits of what is politically possible. So, students asked for the Senators to become climate leaders by introducing legislation similar to the House version of the coal moratorium bill. They emphasized that banning new coal plants is what the science demands. Period. I’m confident that with grassroots pressure we can move the debate. Remember before Step it Up when the notion of 80% reductions by 2050 was a “radical” concept? We normalized it as part of the political dialogue and we can do it again with a ban on new coal, oil, and nuclear fuel extraction.

The students of the MSCC also delivered copies of the Power Vote platform and an official letter of endorsement to the congressional offices of Rep. Van Hollen (D-MD), and Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD). While in the halls of congress they ran into Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger outside his office. He was wrapping up a constituent meet and greet luncheon, so they seized the opportunity to approach him. While munching on some tasty muffins they struck up a conversation with him about his stance on the issues. He was very receptive and impressed with how organized and informed the students were, mentioning that “it’s your future that’s at stake.” He also indicated his support for nuclear power to which the students had many great responses on how nuclear is not a viable solution to the climate crisis.

Of course the Maryland students have a unique opportunity to have these visits due to their close proximity to Washington, DC. Well guess what, it’s almost time for recess! That’s right, congress will be back in your home districts from Aug 4th through Sept 7th. This is prime opportunity to meet with your federally elected official face-to-face and kick off the Power Vote campaign in your community. Setting up a meeting is easy. Just call your congressperson’s nearest district office to set up a meeting today.

I know that with a loud and unified voice we can shake the walls of congress, shift the power, and push the limits of what is politically possible. The living inhabitants of this planet demand nothing less.