Nearly 1000 students and youth gathered this past weekend at the University of Oregon and at Oberlin College for the Power Shift West and Ohio Power Shift conferences. Students from around Ohio and from 13 western states advocated for clean energy legislation from Congress and learned about sustainable living. The students wanted reforms passed before President Obama goes to negotiate the International Climate Treaty in Copenhagen. The events were two of 11 regional versions of last year’s massive Power Shift gathering in Washington D.C.

According to the Power Shift Ohio website, “400 people from over 30 different campuses [started] working on 4 different campaigns with big plans for coal week of action, sleep outs for bold climate policy, collaborating on setting up community food systems, and more.”

Students in Oregon were just as enthusiastic.

“There’s never been a better time to become more educated and involved in promoting clean, renewable energy in our communities,” said student organizer and a UO student Senator Jeremy Blanchard. “The national success of Power Shift depends on the action we take locally, and we’re encouraging students and young people to actively communicate with their local and state representatives so that our generation’s voices are heard in the halls of Congress.”

Key speakers in Ohio included Senator Sherrod Brown, Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, and Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner. Students ended the event with a rally to save Coal River Mountain, where Massey Energy began blasting for coal two weeks ago.

In Oregon, students participated in workshops with Cascade Climate Network, Oregon Student Public Interest Research Group (OSPIRG), Sierra Student Coalition, and listened to speakers Rep. Jefferson Smith, Rikki Ott, Pete Sorenson, and Corvallis Mayor Charles Tomlinson.
 
“Young people recognize that the current debate on climate change is critical for the future of a clean energy economy in the United States.” said OSPIRG State Board Chair Charles Denson. “Now is the time to invest in clean energy technologies that will rebuild the American economy and create millions of new jobs.”
 
One of the campaigns set up in Oregon has already begun their work, creating a photo petition for clean energy set in front of a wind turbine on Nov. 12. The petitions will be sent to Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden on Nov. 20.


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