Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - Demo - (Page 14)

Power Shift 2007 by Lisa Hebert Making Waves O n a Saturday last November, 6,500 high school and college students gathered in a stadium on the University of Maryland campus to hear Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi address the crowd. It was the first day of Power Shift 2007, the largest conference on climate change in U.S. history. Earlier that day, I was among the attendees who participated in panel discussions and workshops addressing such topics as climate legislation, getting youth to vote, making schools green, and other issues related to climate change and global warming. Political activist Ralph Nader also spoke and inspired us to make changes. “We live in the country that has the power to leverage the rest of the world,” he said. “You’re living in the country that has the power and you need to take over.” When Speaker Pelosi took the stage, she talked about many of the same things that other speakers had: the power that the youth have, how we need to use that power, and how we are doing an amazing, incredible thing by supporting this cause. Initially, she received tremendous applause. However, as her speech continued, a chant rose up that wasn’t as welcoming: “We want more! We want more!” While many people believe that Speaker Pelosi is taking the first steps toward getting green legislation passed, they feel that the government should lower carbon emissions and include higher fuel economy standards in the energy bill. More work needs to be done. Before Power Shift, I had a vague idea of some of the bigger problems facing our environment—too many cars, Power Shifters prepare to lobby their Congressional representatives. too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, trash filling up landfills. When I heard about the conference from a friend at school, I saw it as a chance to learn a little more about global warming problems and maybe figure out something I could do to reduce my footprint on the world. Power Shift was an event for youth, run by youth. The staff who organized the five days of workshops, panels, and action were either in college or recent graduates. The first few days of activities were all in preparation for a lobbying day on Monday, when we would bring our ideas to Capitol Hill. The goal was to take the climate movement to new levels by educating and empowering youth and making our voices heard around the country and in government. Congregating in the Lobby On Monday morning, Power Shifters went to Capitol Hill, gathered in the committee room, and waited for a hearing of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, a committee of 15 congresspeople started in 2007 by Speaker Pelosi to address global warming and America’s oil dependence. We filled all the seats and took up all the standing room available, spilling out into the hallway. We wanted Congress to adopt the standards of the 1 Sky Campaign: create five million green jobs, resulting in a 20% conservation of energy by 2015; cut climate pollution levels to 80% by 2050; and invest in renewable energy and end the development of new coal plants that emit global warming pollution. Five young people presented testimony, including Billy Parish, co-founder and coordinator of Energy Action, a coalition of more than 40 environmental groups across North America. The most moving moment of his presentation was when Representative Edward Markey asked him, “Do you think that this is something the youth will rally behind?” The room erupted with shouts, whoops, and applause. After it died down, Billy said with a smile, “I guess so, then.” Feeling triumphant, we quickly broke into our groups by state and district and dispersed all over the Hill. The goal was to track down our senators and representatives to advise them to vote for a clean energy bill. There were at least a hundred people gathered in the Russell Senate Office Building when I arrived. We waited March/April 2008 1 imagine

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - Demo

Imagine Magazine - March/April 2008 Contents Letters Big Problems Big Picture In My Own Words Putting E-Waste in Its Place Big Juice Making Waves What Does "Green" Mean? Into the Woods Swimming with Whale Sharks Crash Course in Costa Rica Selected Opportunities & Resources Hooked on Logistics Off the Shelf Word Wise Middle Ground One Step Ahead Exploring Career Options Planning Ahead for College Students Review Creative Minds Imagine Sudoku Knossos Games

Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - Demo

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