Power Shift 2011

In the largest grassroots training in U.S. history, over 10,000 youth climate change activists met in Washington, D.C. over the weekend of April 15-18. Power Shift 2011, the 3rd annual meeting of its kind, drew together activists for grassroots training and discussions of clean energy, climate change legislation, and taking on the U.S. fossil fuel industry, and features speakers like Al Gore and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. In a powerful opening speech, 350.org founder Bill McKibben “you are the movement that we need… there is no one else,” aptly summarizing the urgency of climate change activism and the challenges that this grassroots movement faces.

The weekend was focused around the power of youth to make concrete change. On Friday night, former Vice President and Presidential candidate Al Gore said “young people are leading this movement. You are the core of this movement.” On Friday, 12 young activists met with staffers at the White House, and were surprised with a half hour visit from President Obama, who discussed their concerns with the Administration’s energy policy and reminded the activists that this youth grassroots movement has the power to change the country.

Today, at least 5,000 people gathered in Lafayette Park behind the White House

to march on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, an industry lobby organization that opposes action on climate change.

With a Congress inclined to challenge the science of climate change, a tight budget environment, and a President facing a tough re-election campaign, young American activists certainly have their work cut out for them. Power Shift 2011 helped equip us with the tools and energy that we will need to take on climate change.

Click here for pictures from Power Shift 2011