Change

Recently Capital Hill was taken over by students from around the country who don’t want to inherit a world crippled by climate change. Change-It ’06 alumni Jackie Sargent was there and she’s sent us this dispatch from the front lines…

From Nov 2-5, nearly 6,000 students from every state in the nation attended Powershift, the largest national youth summit on global warming, which was held at the University of Maryland, College Park. Students attended workshops and panels and learned all about environmental initiatives and how to make their campus/city/state/nation a more sustainable one.

There were speakers such as Ralph Nader and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. On the last day, students went to the Capitol for a rally and more than eleven hundred students visited their local state representatives to talk about what matters most to them – the environment, social justice, and a better world for all.

Alright, that's the background. Now for my story…

I know it's only just October, but it seems like ages since I was in DC this summer with Greenpeace and 200 inspired students who were fighting for their beliefs and for this precious earth that we all share.

I had nearly lost the spark that Change It had given me, the hope that I had gleaned from so many positive, passionate people. But then I saw this video, created by our good friend Rob at Black and Blue Productions, and it all came rushing back.

But forget about me! We created the video to share that spark of hope with YOU!

As many of you already know, this summer Seventh Generation over 100 students to Washington, DC to be trained by Greenpeace to become activists in the growing movement towards social and environmental justice. This 10 minute Change It video showcases some of the highlights from that training.

in awe of all they brought
and the energy leaving the room
missing it already

we end with reciprocal gratitude, sweaty hugs
and what’s the next chapter?
what change will be brought by those empowered?

I can feel the momentum created
and know that it can’t be stopped
an overdue change has become inevitable

________

Yesterday was new for me. I received so much gratitude, so many heart-felt hugs, and even a standing ovation (during which I turned bright red); at first I felt really embarrassed by all of it, like I didn’t deserve their thanks.

Change It 2006 was finally born on Friday night. And it’s amazing!

After nurturing Jeffrey’s idea for over nine months, with the equal support of our partner Greenpeace, we’ve birthed this wonderful program into the world. And now my role has changed – I've become the Seventh Gen sponge so that I can share the inspiration with you. Below is what I’ve soaked in so far.

Day 1 - 10pm

As I read the news these days, it's almost impossible not to come to the conclusion that things are bad and getting worse in a hurry! But as is usually the case, the good news is just harder to find because, well... It doesn’t make very good news.

So to brighten up your day, take a look at a story in the July 31st issue of The Nation by Mark Hertsgaard, Green Grows Grassroots. It’s an amazingly thoughtful and hopeful look at how grassroots organizing is making a comeback that is producing some pretty impressive positive change.

That change is symbolized by the new chairman of the board of the National Wildlife Federation, Jerome Ringo, a former petrochemical worker from Louisiana's "Cancer Alley." One of my favorite quotes is:

"Most environmental groups "were founded by people who fished to put fish on the wall, not by people who fished to put fish on the table.”

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, but being here has definitely changed me. It's more than the learning and it's more than the experience. I feel moved. Moved to a new place. I am moved to a greater connection with this earth, moved toward a greater appreciation of all things in nature, moved to get out of the 'burbs, moved to convince the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival to compost their trash next year, moved to buy more organic, moved to remove plastic from our house, moved to get my daughters outside every day, and so much more.