There is a theory about generations. The idea is this: there are four kinds of American generation that repeat themselves in a consistent pattern.
One of these four generations is an era of uniquely decadent self-indulgence and reckless growth. The pattern’s last incarnation of this “selfish” generation fell to the 1920s, when zealous, short-sighted pursuit of profit ultimately drove us into an unprecedented period of American hardship. According to this theory, the 1980s were due to fall into this same category.
As the pattern predicts, what followed in the aftermath of the 1920s was a wholly other kind of generation: the generation of sacrifice; the generation of selflessness; the generation that responds to crisis with courage, conviction, and a serious commitment to the greater good. The generation that allows its best self to rise to the surface and overcome the most outrageous and cruel of odds.
That’s where you and I come in.
We face a world on the very brink. New crises are emerging daily: the climate changing before our eyes; politics flailing, if not outright failing; energy costs and costs of basic needs skyrocketing; industry and profit motive furthering a doomed agenda; all without regard to a future of any kind. We see the beginning of the end of our world. And what do we do?
We fight.
We set aside our differences. We check our ego at the door and come together in sustained, real resistance. We organize. We overcome. We save us from ourselves.
This April thousands are converging in Washington D.C. to try to shape the future and the frame of the youth climate movement. The Energy Action Coalition organizes a semiannual conference around clean energy called Power Shift, aimed at equipping students and young people with the skills and information necessary to create real change, in their communities and in their nation.
At Power Shift 2009, we focused our energy on lobbying our congresspeople to pass meaningful climate legislation to curb the emissions that are condemning all youth to an unlivable world. We were full of hope and enthusiasm, and we fought hard. It was to no effect. Despite being so riddled with compromise as to be completely empty and counterintuitive, that climate legislation neglected to pass, and business continued unchecked and as usual.
This year, Power Shift needs a new direction. The youth climate movement needs a new agenda.
Everywhere I look, from Oregon to Maryland, from Maine to California, young people are grabbing the reigns and speaking out, ready to fight for their future.
I know we can do it. We know it won’t be easy—but the world needs us, and we need this, too. We all need a reason to unleash our best, brightest, boldest selves; to rise to the challenge, and flourish.
Come out and join us in D.C. this April. Come early. We need all the bodies, brains, and voices we can muster, and don’t forget: our nation’s Capitol belongs to you. We’ll see you there.
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