Power Shift '09 Brings Climate and Energy Issues to D.C.

Starting today, thousands of youth leaders across the U.S. are converging on Washington D.C. to demand more rigorous clean energy policy, climate change reduction efforts, and green jobs as part of a weekend-long event called Power Shift '09. A spin-off of the Campus Climate Challenge, this event includes four-day conference with an agenda that includes panels and workshops of varying environmental topics, personal training and development courses, a star-studded concert line-up including The Roots, and culminates on a rally at the capital.

The aim of Power Shift '09 is to voice urgent support of energy and climate policy reform during the first 100 days of the new U.S. administration. The goals of the effort include passing new legislation, preparing leaders for international climate negotiations, create a community of and train youth to create a clean energy movement, and to ultimately bring about the following list of "demands":

• 20-45% reductions by the year 2020
• 80-95% reductions by the year 2050
• An immediate moratorium on coal in the United States
• Unprecedented levels of investment in clean energy infrastructure and technology
• Usher in a new green economy and create millions of new green jobs

A related protest is being staged at a coal-fired plant in Washington, D.C., according to Democracy Now, in what organizers say will be the largest act of civil disobedience agaisnt global warming in this country. The organizers of the event have relied heavily on social media tools to mobilize participants. With the help of web 2.0 bulletins like those on Facebook and Twitter, 12,000 or more youth are expected to gather in Washington this weekend. Read more about the planned conference events and protests at the Power Shift '09 site here.

 
PERSONALLY SPEAKING
I'm excited to see such an exciting movement forming in today's youth. I think that though our new administration presents a precious opportunity to change the way we treat our environment and people, it is those people that must make the most of the opportunity. It's inspiring to see these youth doing just that! ~ Heather

Heather Philipp is the Director of Media and Communications for Renewable Choice