From our POV.
I am watching the Forest Die More Every Year.
Xiuhtexcatl Martinez, 12, Colorado
I am a 11 year old boy from the Aztec tradition and I live in Boulder,CO. I have been aware of climate change since a young age, noticing the warmer winters and the devastating effects that it has had on our forests. I have always been very connected with nature and have spent a lot of time playing in the Colorado forests. Now I see so many of the trees dying in the forests that I love to play in because of pine beetle infestations.
I sued the state of Colorado, and our case was dismissed. We can't appeal now, but we are engaged
New Mexico Case NOT Dismissed.
Akilah Sanders-Reed, 18, New Mexico
Incredulity. Awe. Confusion. Disgust. Excitement. I’ve gotten a lot of reactions when I tell people “I sued Governor Martinez and the State of New Mexico.” But recently, I had the pleasure of getting the most rewarding reaction: Success.
On May 4, 2011, at the age of 16, I filed a lawsuit claiming that the atmosphere is part of the public trust, and therefore the responsibility of the state to protect for future generations. Anthropogenic climate change has become a polarized stalemate issue, revolving around semi-related economic figures and political agendas. But the climate crisis isn’t about economics, or politics, or convenience – it’s about my generation’s right to a future.
This is a Revolution: Update from Iowa
Glori dei Filappone, 14, Iowa
My name is Glori Dei Filippone and I am 14 years old. I am sick of global warming. Iʼm sick of wondering if our world will last much longer, of not knowing if my children will grow up in a healthy, stable world. The best way to not worry is to fix the problem. Even if it seems impossible, even if we are rejected, we need to keep trying. So thatʼs what Iʼm doing. Iʼm going to change the world.
I am part of the organization Kids vs. Global Warming/iMatter. Teenagers across the U.S. filed legal action in 49 states and with the federal government last year to compel action on climate change. My petition here in Iowa was denied, so I’m taking my case to the Iowa Supreme Court. We are suing our governments for not protecting the atmosphere, which is a shared resource, so it should be included in
I'n our world, the climate crisis is not a debate. And it has nothing to do with politics. We, and most of our friends totally "get it" anddon't waste time wondering if ... we are only concerned about when. But we believe that we are the generation who will not only suffer most...but we are here, at this point in history, to bring about the transition. To do what others say is impossible.
U.S. Government Not Doing Enough to Curb Climate Change
Zoe Johnson, 17, California
Every day, I go to school, complain about homework, and think about my own future. But I also think about the future of our planet, and our environment. I don’t think that I should have to worry about whether our planet will still be inhabitable for my grandchildren, and their children when they are born, but I do. My generation, and every generation after us will have to live with the effects of climate change and, if the government does not regulate greenhouse gas emissions, things are only going to get worse. I refuse to sit back and watch it happen.
Good News from Texas Judge
By Eamon Umphress, 16, Texas
Most 16 year olds I know, including me, are interested in getting a job, a car, buying clothes and hanging out with friends, not saving the world. But I was given an opportunity to do just that. In 2011, at age 14, I became part of a groundbreaking legal effort to protect the atmosphere for future generations, to ensure that we have a planet when we grow up.
I became part of the iMatter/Our Children’s Trust legal action along with kids from 49 states petitioning their state and federal governments to protect the atmosphere from the damage caused by greenhouse gas emissions using an ancient legal concept called the “public trust doctrine”. The doctrine is based on the idea that the government has the obligation to protect things that the community relies on, like
Mr. President: Stop Fighting Us
Garrett and Grant Serrels, 17, Virginia
We can’t vote for another year, but we watched the Presidential campaigns with much interest. We stayed up until 1 a.m. the night of the election and heard President Obama acknowledge that he didn’t want the children of our generation “ threatened by the destructive power of a warming planet.” We are here to hold him to his word.
Get ready to MARCH with me!
Jenna Farineau, 16, Kentucky
After attending a youth environmental breakfast at the festival of faith, featuring speakers Alec Loorz and Bill McKibben, my friends and I formed a group called OurEarthNow. We shared the same passion for the environment; a passion that we all collectively wanted to turn into action, and that is where the iMatter March came into play. Alec spoke about revolution, and we wanted to carry that forward, so we began creation of our own march. The mission to empower youth to take action couldn’t have matched OurEarthNow’s mission any more perfectly, so we did not hesitate when forming the vision of what our march was going to be like.
Youth-led Climate Rally at State Capitol in Iowa
Glori, 14, Iowa
April 17th, 2013, Iowa State Senator Rob Hogg and I hosted an Earth Day rally at the Iowa State Capitol building inside in the rotunda. About 60 people attended along with press. We had great visibility and a lot of support from various environmental groups. Senator Hogg was the master of ceremonies, and there were various speakers who all did a wonderful job and delivered the same message: “We must act now...our government must act now.”
Climate Summit 2013: Obama's "Lincoln Moment"
Victoria Loorz, Executive Director
There is much to do. And there are millions of people already doing. But the reality is that we cannot meet the mandate to reduce emissions by a global 6%-8% per year unless we make it a national priority. And only the President can do that. The reductions needed are not arbitrary. Dr James Hansen and other top climate scientists who understand what it will take to restore balance to our atmosphere.
Climate Summit 2013: Breaking Status-Quo
Valerie Serrels, Associate Director
I welcomed 2013 with some uneasy, or stifled, hope. This spark of hope was kindled as I sat in a White House conference room with a group of very diverse partners committed to a very common goal. I felt grateful and honored to be part of this meeting representing the hopes and needs of the youngest generation. This generation understands what is at stake more than any other.
