Greenpeace

Fears of increased radiation levels continue at Fukushima. Greenpeace's team on the ground in Japan have found dangerous radiation levels outside the evacuation zone ordered by authorities. Our thoughts remain with the Japanese people.

Today, President Obama spoke at Georgetown University about this country's "energy security," and encouraged the increased development of coal, oil and nuclear power. Greenpeace USA's Executive Director Phil Radford said:

"President Obama's energy policy has already been riddled with disasters, so it's astounding that he would encourage even greater dependence on dangerous energy sources like oil drilling and nuclear power at a time when the risks have been made all too clear. For the millions of Americans put at risk by the inherent dangers of nuclear power, or those whose livelihoods have been destroyed by the Gulf oil disaster, more of the same is hardly the path toward 'Energy Security.' True leadership in the face of these disasters would mean setting out an energy plan that would move us away from our dependence on fossil fuels and dangerous nuclear power and instead harnessing abundant, safe and clean renewable energy."

As he arrived in his motorcade, he waved to the crowd gathered outside. And, to be sure that President Obama knows that we want a truly clean energy future, I and other Greenpeace activists were there to send a message. We shouldn't be building new nuclear reactors, and we can't rely on risky offshore drilling or dangerous coal. How about a Clean Energy Revolution?

For more photos, go here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/greenpeaceusa09/sets/72157626388115590/with/5574323409/

The Energy Action Coalition brought together over 5,000 young people for Power Shift 2007, the first national youth conference to solve the climate crisis. This is me, taking pictures onstage as Van Jones addressed the crowd gathered at the Capitol Building. A year earlier, I graduated from the Greenpeace Semester and was catalyzed into the youth climate movement.

The Greenpeace Semester empowered me with the skills and confidence to tackle my generation's biggest challenge: averting catastrophic climate change. By the following summer, I found myself back in Washington, DC organizing for the largest gathering on climate change the world had ever seen.

I still remember sitting on stage listening to Van speak: "Forever around the world people will remember this date, November the 5th, 2007 because the revolution starts right now! Remember, remember the 5th of November!" The crowd cheered and I was brought to tears by what we had accomplished. This was huge. Here is one of the photos I took as he spoke.

At Power Shift 2009, we amplified our voice, doubled in size, and 12,000 young people came back to DC to hold the new administration accountable.

This April, we'll be back, stronger and louder than ever for Power Shift 2011. In six weeks, we will reclaim our democracy from big corporations and push our nation to move beyond dirty energy sources that are harming the health of people and the planet. Join us.

Since Power Shift 2007, the movement has grown in incredible ways. Three years later, young people in every corner of the country (and globe!) are still fighting for the clean energy future we deserve. Wondering where I ended up? After organizing with the Energy Action Coalition for several years, I'm back where I started. I'm honored to train passionate young activists in all the skills necessary to win victories for people and the planet through the Greenpeace Semester.

So, join us at Power Shift in April and apply today to spend a semester with Greenpeace honing your skills and leave ready to make real change in your community. See you soon!