Commentary: climate change: the next generation: mobilizing voters and college climate leaders at Powershift 2007

Our Planet, Nov 12, 2007 by Brita Belli

With the success of the conference behind them, youth leaders on college campuses across the nation are targeting specific congresspeople who aren't meeting their three demands. They call the initiative "Adopt a Congressperson," according to Brianna Cayo Cotter, communication director for the Energy Action Coalition. They want legislative leaders to know college kids are going to the polls, and the Millennials' issues matter.

Climate change, says Cotter, "is being redefined. Not as an environmental issue, but as our generation's issue. It's health, justice, resource wars, access to food and water. There is no issue that doesn't have a connection to climate change."

According to Cowley, the activists have really mobilized voters on the 500-plus campuses that adopt their initiatives, racking up 85 to 90 percent student voter turnouts. To ensure those numbers, Earth Day Network gathers the names of students interested in registering voters on campuses, as Student PIRG's New Voters Project lures the youngsters to the polls with cardboard cutouts of candidates, climate change stickers that involve Paris Hilton crying, and text message reminders.

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"We're looking beyond the elections," says Ellynne Bannon, director of the New Voters Project. "We're trying to build a cadre of young people to do civic engagement."

Back to School

Earth Day Network just made a big announcement with the help of a friend in high places. Former President Bill Clinton announced a partnership between his organization, the Clinton Foundation, Earth Day Network and the U.S. Green Building Council to green all of America's schools within a generation. This applies not only to the building structures, installing efficient lights, windows and the like, but creating healthier play areas and serving sustainable, nutritious food for students in K-12 schools.

"Every child deserves a healthy school," says Miller. "And the Bill Clinton Foundation will be a pivotal player, to nationalize and formalize the movement."

While the climate change movement sweeps across the nation's campuses, EDN's effort to green schools, especially those in low-income communities, can begin to make an immediate environmental impact where it matters most.

CONTACTS: New Voters Project; Earth Day Network; Campus Climate Challenge; Powershift 2007; Energy Action Coalition

BRITA BELLI is the managing editor of E.