SSC Update ~ September 20, 2006

Table of Contents
Direct From DC - Jared's Update
Launching the MTV Break the Addiction Challenge
Take Action: Safe Climate Act
Host an Energy Film Festival on Your Campus
Trainings, Fellowships and Grants
Featured Resources: The Challenge Power Directory and Calendar

Direct from DC - Jared's Update
Dear SSC Nation,

Most of us have been learning about global warming and the dangers it poses to our generation's future since we began elementary school . But in the ten to fifteen years since, our representatives in Washington DC have done nothing but deny the truth or delay action.

All that changed earlier this month in Vermont. Instead of allowing our candidates for federal and statewide office to get by with vague expressions of concern, over one thousand Vermonters - most of whom walked all or part of the 50 mile march from Ripton to Burlington - told our candidates the minimum commitment we would allow them to make is immediate implementation of policies that will;

            1) Reduce global warming emissions 80% by 2050
            2) Have America running on 20% renewable electricity by 2020
            3) Increase federal fuel efficiency standards to 40 miles per gallon

These three policies are the pillars of Rep. Henry Waxman's "Safe Climate Act" and Sen. Jim Jeffords "Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act", the only two bills in Congress right now that, if passed, would give us any real chance of avoiding a climate collapse. Appropriately, pressuring your Representative or Senator to sign on to these bills is our take action this month.

It worked. Not only did the Democratic candidate for Vermont's lone US House seat sign the pledge, so did his Republican opponent, the two-star Adjutatant General of Vermont's National Guard, Martha Rainville. Vermont's famous Independent congressman who is now running for the seat being vacated by the retiring US Senator Jim Jeffords, Bernie Sanders signed on too and then promised that his first act as a US Senator would be to reintroduce Senator Jefford's legislation. And then the Republican nominee to oppose Bernie, Vermont's richest man, Rich Tarrant, signed on too.

This is exactly the direction our movement needs to go in and this is exactly the type of action the SSC will be helping to replicate throughout this coming year. If we are to have any hope of meeting the challenge of our generation we must get our leaders, all of our leaders, to act before our window of opportunity closes.

That's why marches like the one in Vermont are so important - they shift the power dynamic from the politicians to the people, reasserting the proper relationship: we tell them what to do, they do it. After all, they'll be gone by the time we're living with the consequences of their decisions today so who better to tell them what to do than us?

The momentum is building in the Sierra Club too. Just last weekend the Sierra Club Board of Directors appointed the SSC's Conservation Chair, Nathan Wyeth, to it's ranks, making him the second 21 year-old Brown University student to serve on the Sierra Club's governing body (the other was SSC Founder, Adam Werbach who later went on to be President of the Sierra Club). And then Sierra Club President Lisa Renstrom read a bold statement on global warming at the Annual Meeting, a portion of which appears below.  

"Today, humanity’s window to avoid the collapse of our world’s climate is small and closing. Emissions must peak and begin a steep decline by 2015 or we will face unacceptably grave human and ecological impacts.  The consequences of inaction have already begun...

...We must push beyond what is viewed as "politically feasible," and demand what is necessary. In our pursuit of these goals, we resolve to expose and reject proposals that will result in delay and defeat rather than in progress and success...

...The solutions we need are at hand. We the Sierra Club pledge to dedicate all available resources and our full creative energy, organizing skill, and moral purpose needed to make them real." 

Let's build on this momentum and retain this sense of urgency as we organize this semester, especially at our upcoming state summits in NC, GA, PA, MA, NY, WV. Because if we fail, the stakes are not merely the delay of progress that can still be attained at a later date. The stakes in this fight are the condemnation of our future to a transformed world that risks the ability of human civilization to survive. Our generation deserves better than that. A more just, secure, and sustainable future is in our reach as long as we err on the side of audacity and make it so on our campuses, our states, our nation, and our shared world.We can, we will, we must build this movement and lead the way to a bold transformation of our society.

Onward,
Jared

think MTV and the Campus Climate Challenge present

The SSC and Campus Climate Challenge are working with our good buddies at thinkMTV to promote the “Break the Addiction Challenge,” a nationwide competition to challenge millions of highschool and college-age youth to stop global warming starting at their own schools. In the fall, MTV will award $1,000 grants to five student groups that have received media coverage of their activities to stop global warming. In the spring, MTV will recognize two schools for achieving a 100% clean energy policy that was passed between September 6, 2006 and March 15, 2007. The winning groups will recieve with $5,000 to throw an MTV Break the Addiction eco-party. Finally, MTV will honor the high school or college that went the furthest and fastest to reduce their school's global warming pollution down to zero with an eco-renovation valued at up to $10,000 as well as the chance to be featured in an MTV on-air news segment.

Lean more about the thinkMTV partnership with the Campus Climate Challenge.

GE AND mtvU Launch Search for Campus Greening Ideas
Independently of the Campus Climate Challenge, mtvU is launching the GE Ecocollege Challenge. mtvU is searching for a campus group to propose the most impactful and innovative project to "green" their campus. The winner will receive a $25,000 grant towards the execution of their idea. The winner's school will also receive an mtvU Earth Day Concert and Festival in Spring 2007, complete with performances from top emerging artists on the college music scene.

Learn more about the Ecocollege competition.

TAKE ACTION: Safe Climate Act
After years of studiously ignoring the problem, Congress has finally begun to consider legislation that will comprehensively address the threat of global warming. Congressman Henry Waxman has introduced the Safe Climate Act of 2006 which will limit greenhouse gas emissions by adopting policies that will promote smart energy solutions, like renewable energy, energy efficiency, and efficient cars. These policies, like stronger energy efficiency standards for appliances, renewable energy commitments, and emission reductions from automobiles have already been proven to work on the stats and local level. In addition to curbing global warming, these solutions will create jobs, save consumers money, and put America on the road to energy independence. The Safe Climate Act of 2006 was written after considering the latest research to set rational, science-based goals to curb global warming.

Tell your Congressional Representative to support and cosponsor the Waxman Bill!

Host an Energy Film Festival on Your Campus
Program your own film festival on campus featuring videos from serious documentaries to animated shorts -- all with an environmentally positive message about energy and global warming.
Sierra Club Productions in partnership with the Sierra Student Coalition will lend you the DVDs, send you tools you need to program the festival and encourage participants to take action! Hosting an Energy Film Festival on campus is a unique way to make a difference in your community. By using the power of film to educate your audiences you and your fellow students can influence everything from local energy consumption to campus policy. If you start planning now, you can organize the film fest to be a kick-off event for your fall semester campaign. If you're really ambitious, you can try to reserve the largest auditorium at school and pack it for a mid-semester event.

For more information and to see a list of flims visit the energy film festival website. To host a film festival at your school, contact Kristina Goodman at kristina.goodman [at] sierraclub.org or Yochi Zakai by calling 1-888-JOIN-SSC.

Trainings, Fellowships and Grants
TRAININGS
Democracy For America Night School
With less than 8 weeks to go until November 7, it's time to put the final touches on your campaign plans. Whether you are a part-time volunteer, a first time candidate, or managing a swing congressional race -- Democracy for America's Night School can help you win. And... it's free! Night School is an interactive lesson that couples an on-line presentation with a conference call that puts you in touch with expert instructors.
Every Tuesday evening for the next three weeks you can join a nationally recognized expert who will share tips and tricks for getting out the vote and winning this fall.
September 26: Winning with Social Networks -- Karen Hicks, who directed Howard Dean's innovative House Meetings, will train you in the power of social networking -- and how it can help your community before and after Election Day. October 3: Voting Early, Voting Easily & Voting Safely -- Deb Markowitz, Vermont's Secretary of State, will advise you on early voting, voting by mail and absentee balloting and the necessity of delivering the vote for your candidates and campaigns well before November 7. October 10: Getting Out The Vote -- Robby Mook, a veteran of local, state and presidential GOTV operations and one of the Democratic Party's most dynamic trainers, will help you put the final touches on your Get Out The Vote plans.

Sign up today for the fall semester of Night School

GRANTS and FELLOWSHIPS
Young People For Fellowship
Young People For is a national, youth-driven initiative that aims to equip young people with the skills and resources necessary to bring about positive progressive change on their campuses and in their communities. Young People For will select 180 students from 60 campuses in 12 states to take part in our 2007 fellowship program. Young People For Fellows will receive a free, all expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. from January 12-15, 2007, to attend Young People For’s third annual National Summit for Young Progressive Leaders. At the Summit, Fellows will meet other young progressive leaders from across the county and be trained by experts about ways to create positive social change. Throughout the fellowship, students are offered financial support, technical support and media assistance while implementing self designed “Blueprints for Social Justice.” In addition to support for their blueprints, Fellows also receive help with internship placements, job opportunities, travel opportunities, and networking opportunities that can add to their ability to make an impact as young leaders.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis so apply today! The deadline is October 17th, 2006.

Women for Sustainable Development Leadership Institute
NWF's Women for Sustainable Development (WSD) leadership institute is designed to offer career building skills and educational opportunities to participants, and the opportunity to use these skills to build awareness about international sustainable development issues on their campuses and in their communities. WSD is open to women students seeking an undergraduate degree. Participants selected for WSD will attend a three-day leadership training in Washington, D.C., January 5-7, 2007, where they will learn about current global environmental issues, receive training on skills such as grassroots organizing and media communications, as well as meet with professionals working in the sustainable development field. Application deadline: November 6, 2006

Campus Progress Action Grants
Check out these action grants from campus progress that range from $200-$1000 to support campus groups working toward progressive activism!

Featured Resources
The Campus Climate Challenge Power Directory includes resources for campus-based energy and climate change campaigns including examples of campus policies, victories, technical solutions and organizing guides. Rank the resources you use, and upload your own resources to share!

SSC Events Calendar
The on-line calendar is the spot to find events sponsored by the SSC. This fall's line-up includes State Clean Energy Summits Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and North Carolina as well an extensive listing of other student conferences sponsored by other organizations. If you would like to add an event, please contact anne.smart [at] ssc.org