It’s Getting Hot In Here

Last weekend I had the opportunity to speak at a national conference of young Jesuit’s gathered in West Virginia as part of the Ignatian Solidarity Network’s national Teach-in on Environmental Justice and Sustainability. Inspired by the powerful history of social justice work of the Jesuit community I spoke to them about the importance of Environmental Justice, the Energy Action Coalition, the need for urgent action, and of our latest campaign: Define our Decade. During the Q&A one question really stood out: “What’s so special about THIS decade? Why focus on defining the next ten years?” After pausing to reflect, I simply said: “Because we have to.”

At first the student questioner probably thought my answer sounded like a mother answering her seven year old on why she couldn’t eat the cookie for breakfast, “Because I said so.” But really, it’s true that we have to make this decade one of the most transformative in American history. Period. Anything short of that is morally inexcusable. Over the next 10 years our generation will unleash the full power of the clean and just energy revolution and secure our climate from the duel threats of the economic and climate crisis. Why? Because we have to. This is not just a campaign slogan but the reality that we have inherited an insane global emergency and failure to rise to the challenge will result in the suffering of millions of our fellow human beings. We cannot continue to live under the corporate polluter domination that is poisoning our communities and disproportionally affecting communities of color the world over. I for one can’t live with it. And I keep going because I know that everyday there is a movement of people out there that feel the same way. Let us now let us speak with a unified vision for Our Decade. Continue reading ‘Our Decade Starts Today: Events Across the Country Kick-off Efforts to Define It With Clean Energy’

Yesterday morning before the Youth Clean Energy forum I awoke at 6AM and couldn’t sleep. The anticipation of our movement’s historic opportunity swirled loudly in my head.  This was our chance to talk directly to the Obama administration and let them know what we think. In the dim early morning light I wrote this letter to our President and was encouraged to hear that many of the other leaders at the forum felt the same way.

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Dear President Obama,

I have one question for you: When?

When will you seal your place in American history and announce your bold vision to unite this nation behind an Apollo Project for clean energy or a Green New Deal?  When will you launch the “Obama Plan” to defend America from one of the greatest threats to our national security, our nation’s health, and our economy?

Our country’s greatest Presidents have emerged to lead us through times of crisis.  Mr. President, the solutions to the energy and climate crisis should be your greatest legacy. Continue reading ‘Dear Mr. President….When?’

Amidst the flurry of media and rhetoric on the campaign trail, the historic events of Tuesdays election, and the looming questions of where we go from here, there is only one word that comes to mind: Satyagraha.

For me this strange sounding word has a very personal meaning. Mohandas Gandhi coined it during his peaceful struggle to win Indian independence from the oppressive British Empire.  In Hindi it translates roughly as “Truth-Force”.  Gandhi defines it as, “Truth (Satya) implies Love, and Firmness (Agraha) …that is to say, the Force which is born of Truth and Love, or Non-violence…” This word embodies the youth climate movement, the infinite power of people to achieve social justice, and it’s something that I never, EVER want to forget as long as I live.  For awhile now I have been considering getting it tattooed over my heart in the original Sanskrit writing, as a daily reminder of my dedication to justice and of those who struggle in solidarity alongside me.

This last week has brought me back to this word several times. What an incredible and historic time to be alive! Young people turned out to vote in record numbers on Election Day, and just under a week ago the Energy Action Coalition did a live webcast with former Vice President and Nobel laureate, Al Gore.  In one week’s time we have hit two milestones in the youth climate movement with recognition from the “environmental establishment” and society at large.  Mr. Gore spoke of the power of youth, and the urgent need to re-power America with carbon free electricity in 10 years time.  But out of all of his eloquent words one reached straight into my heart. When asked what young people could do other than voting, Mr. Gore referenced Gandhi’s “Satyagraha” and replied: “If you educate yourself and become a persuasive advocate, and you speak the truth about the climate crisis …then you will be amazed at how much progress you can make.” For years this word has had a very personal, individualized meaning for me but it was at that moment that I realized: WE ARE THE TRUTH FORCE. We ARE Satyagrahis. Young people are that unstoppable, powerful force that will lead us to a brighter tomorrow. We are a force so powerful, so undeniably, so persuasive that we will succeed. WE WILL because we MUST, and failure is not an option when the stakes are so high.

Continue reading ‘Satyagraha. Say what?’

Students at Morgan State University know exactly where to find theirs.

Along with community members, the Morgan State crew successfully got their US Congressional Representative, Elijah Cumming to sign onto the 1Sky platform. Then the following week they heard Rep. Cumming was coming to a rally on campus. They sprung into action, slapped on their Power Vote stickers, summoned some courage, and asked if they could “adopt” him.

Check out this video:

The “Adopt a Congressperson” campaign is a program advanced in part by the Environmental Justice and Climate Change Initiative. Its time that we all “adopt” our elected officials and tell them to give us the clean and just energy future our generation demands.

Cross posted on the CCAN blog.

Oh yea, Power Vote‘n in MD, baby! This past weekend members of the Maryland Student Climate Coalition (MSCC) gathered to launch Power Vote in style, and set a stellar state goal of 40,000 total pledges! (Two Maryland High School students gathered 400 pledges in the 5 days after returning from the Mega Camp training in MN. Booyah!) The MSCC is also planning multiple coordinated Green Jobs Day of Action events across the state and looking to garnish some high profile media like the Washington Post. But wait it doesn’t stop there…. the MD students heard that the Governor and several of their US congresspeople will be doing a campus speaking tour the first week of September. Expect to see Maryland students there in Power Vote T-shirts, green hard hats, and waving signs, because I smell some sweet bird-dogging.

But before we get ahead of ourselves with the excitement of the Sunday gathering (see silly video). Let’s rewind to Friday when they got their first campaign victory.

Continue reading ‘Hands in the Middle for Maryland’

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.

Continue reading ‘Maryland Students Hot On The Hill’

The Energy Action Coalition just launched a bold new platform and pledge. What do you think?…

Our generation needs a brand new vision for our future. We need to lead the world towards a just, clean energy economy that moves beyond dirty energy, creates green jobs for all, and secures our climate.

I pledge to vote, hold our leaders accountable through my sustained involvement, and create a Power Shift!

1. YOUR LOCAL POWERVOTE PLANK ______________

2. GREEN JOBS NOW
Invest in millions of new green jobs, strengthen the American middle class and create new pathways out of poverty for millions more. By retooling our factories, revamping our schools, and rebuilding our communities, we can create a sustainable, just, and prosperous future for all.

3. INVEST IN A CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY
Unleash American ingenuity and launch a new wave of affordable clean energy technology. We need more federal and private investments in public transit, ultra-efficient vehicles, and renewable energy like wind and solar.

4. CUT GLOBAL WARMING POLLUTION NOW
To ensure our health, prosperity, and security, scientists tell us we must rapidly drive US global warming pollution towards zero. We can and must accomplish this transition to a clean energy future in an equitable and just manner.

5. END OUR DEPENDENCE ON DIRTY ENERGY

Enact an immediate moratorium on new coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear plant construction and infrastructure, while phasing out existing plants and fossil fuel extraction and ensuring a just transition for the workforce and communities

6. RE-ENGAGE AS A LEADER IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
Global warming requires a global solution. We must shift the focus of American foreign policy from military intervention to international cooperation and join the world in pursuing peace and international development, thereby offering assistance to vulnerable and impacted communities.

7. TAKE DIRTY MONEY OUT OF POLITICS
It’s time to make government accountable to “We the People.” Put voters first and refuse campaign contributions from dirty energy interests.

Sign the Power Vote Pledge now. Read my thoughts and post your comments on the new platform.

Continue reading ‘Listen up nation! We have a bold new Platform!’

On Fossil Fools Day congressional lawmakers confronted the five largest publicly traded oil companies on their record-high profits and sky-high prices. Youth climate activists seized the opportunity to remind the oil executives and Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming that we too have a stake in creating an oil-independent future.

Students from University of Maryland-College Park, American University, and organizations in the Energy Action Coalition held a “Billionaires for Big Oil” rally outside of Congress’s Cannon Office Building. Full press release and pictures can be found here.

After the hearing we attempted to give a “Fossil Foolie” award to Exxon-Mobil Senior VP, Stephen Simon. He didn’t seem amused:

Video credit to Claire Roby, Senior at American University