Youth Convene to Demand Strong Climate and Energy Plans

Over the weekend an estimated 12,000 youth from all over the country took part in Power Shift 09 in Washington DC. Their cause: to push the President and Congress to make “bold” energy and climate policy to rebuild the U.S economy. Their demand: to prioritize renewable energy, green jobs and to impose an aggressive cap on carbon emissions. Jessy Tolken, director of Power Shift organizer Energy Action Coalition said,

The youth of America turned out in record numbers to elect a new President and transform Congress in the last election. We’re here now to take our rightful seat at the political table. We are at a critical point in our nation’s history. We have the chance to work with our new leadership to pass a green economic stimulus package and bold climate and energy policies. We won’t allow this moment to pass us by.

In addition to Tolken, the list of speakers addressing the gathering included Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, Green for All President Van Jones, and musical performances by Dance-hall artist Santigold. The event also facilitated advocacy and education through activities such as seminars, panels, workshops, career fairs, legislative briefings, and activist trainings and rallies.

TreeHugger blogger Matthew McDermott defines the role of a large scale platform like Power Shift 09 as mobilizing for structural changes that require the combined effort of individual actions. A remarkable difference between historical social movements in the past and today’s green movement is that the latter promotes the collective interest of everyone, in all societies, by addressing global warming.