Reduces Pollution, Builds An Equitable Future for All Vermonters
Vermont Business Magazine Today, young Vermonters from Youth Lobby, the Sierra Club, and Sunrise Chittenden left their schools for the Vermont Youth Lobby Day at the State House. The event was organized to demand climate action and a brighter future for Vermont.
During the day, the youth activists had the opportunity to meet with their representatives, Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman, and the Climate Solutions Caucus to express their concerns and advocate for solutions to the climate crisis. In particular, young Vermonters are calling on their legislators to pass S.5, the Affordable Heat Act. The event also featured a press conference, where the young activists shared their stories and urged policymakers to make bold, equitable action to protect the planet in line with Vermont’s 2021 Climate Action Plan.
“As young people, we’re constantly pelted with negative but accurate climate news, predicting bleak winter conditions in some places and life threatening droughts in others, an overall degradation of nature across the world,” said Virginia Cobb, Essex High School student and resident of Westford. “As Vermonters who’ve grown up hiking the green mountains in the summer and skiing them in the winter, this is heartbreaking.”
“While we all will experience the same effects of Climate Change, we will not experience them equally. BIPOC and low-income communities already have limited access to quality education, jobs, housing, healthy food and transportation,” said Earl Aguila, student organizer of Sunrise Chittenden and South Burlington student. “A changing climate would exacerbate these crises through centuries of systemic racism through laws, policies, and practices that have placed these Vermonters in an especially vulnerable position.”
“We cannot continue down this path. We must take action now and move towards renewable energy sources to protect our planet and our future. This is why supporting climate measures like the Vermont Affordable Heat Act is absolutely crucial.” said Kallen Fenster, a Youth Lobby member from Manchester.
"It is Friday. I should be at school today. But instead, I am here, alongside my fellow students, continuing to demand real, impactful climate action,” said Miriam Serota-Winston, a Youth Lobby member and Montpelier freshman. “We’ve said it so many times before and we will keep saying it until politicians stop putting profit and political maneuvering before our lives and our futures and start making real, meaningful change to protect our planet.”
“Show me you will listen to the voices of future generations,” said Jenna Hischman, a student activist with Youth Lobby and Essex High School junior. “Show me you will listen to the fight I am forced to fight on our planet’s behalf. Pass the Affordable Heat Act and show me you care about our futures.”
“The fossil fuel industry put around $40,000 into trying to stop the one climate justice bill we have this session,” said Rowan Clough, a student activist with Harwood Union High School’s Youth Lobby Chapter and Duxbury resident. “That is a disgusting amount of money. We as youth don't have $40,000 to push back.”
The Youth Lobby Day was a powerful demonstration of the determination and passion of young Vermonters to fight for a better future – for themselves and for future generations. The organizers hope that their voices will be heard and that legislators will take concrete steps to address the climate crisis.
About Youth Lobby: The Vermont Youth Lobby is a non-partisan coalition of young Vermonters who are dedicated to promoting policies that protect the environment and create a sustainable future for all. They work to empower young people to become active citizens and advocate for environmental justice.
About the Sierra Club: The Sierra Club is a national environmental organization that works to promote clean energy, protect natural resources, and combat climate change. They have a strong presence in Vermont and are committed to supporting youth activism and environmental advocacy.
About Sunrise Chittenden: Sunrise Chittenden is a local chapter of the Sunrise Movement, a national youth-led organization that advocates for climate justice. They work to engage young people in the political process and push for bold solutions to the climate crisis.
3.17.2023. Montpelier- Youth Lobby. Vermont Conservation Voters
