Greenpeace

This semester, I’ve worked with student activists who have coal plants on campus — you know, those antiquated, decades-old, polluting machines that fill the air with toxins like mercury, arsenic, and millions of tons of global warming pollution. At Iowa State University, a monster coal plant looms in the center of campus. The plant consumes over 150,000 tons of coal a year — that's one half the weight of the Empire State Building!

Iowa State had been dumping fly ash from the coal plant into unlined storage ponds, which is incredibly dangerous due to the risk of contaminating ground water supplies (our drinking water) with numerous deadly toxins. Upon learning about this, Greenpeace campus coordinator Graham Jordison organized a protest on the first day of school. The protest generated several media hits and started a conversation on campus about the plant. A nervous university administration quickly issued a public statement vowing to address the issue.

Weeks later, all 3 of the main public universities in Iowa, including Iowa State, announced that they would begin a ground-water monitoring program for the fly ash disposal. Talk about power of the people!

One week after this announcement, Graham and his team met with the university president to thank him, and ask him to shut down the coal plant and replace it with clean, renewable sources like wind power. Although the students didn't get a commitment to close the plant, the President and his administration are definitely listening as the students continue to demand clean energy on campus. Graham said it best when quoted in a newspaper article: “We’re not afraid to step it up, get our activists together and do some non-violent actions. Whatever it takes to get the school to wake up and realize students want this to change.”

Photo: Iowa State student activists protesting at the campus coal plant.

The story is unfinished at Iowa State or at your school, but there is only one ending in which we all win. This ending has 100% clean, renewable energy, where coal is no longer part of our vocabulary. To make this happen, we need leaders to fight for the environment. Join Graham, Iowa State, and the Student Network as we fight for the only planet we’ve got.

Let’s make sure President Obama transitions our country to clean, renewable energy. Send a message to President Obama right now!

For more information about the Student Network, visit our website and friend us on Facebook!

Send me an email right now and I’ll get you started organizing for climate action at your school.

For the climate,

David

On Saturday, October 24th, thousands of people came together calling on our world leaders to act on climate change. The Greenpeace Student Network held events across the country that got over 600 people out on campus or in the streets calling for climate action!

Here are a few highlights:

At Iowa State University, student activists marched with community members to the campus coal plant. Chanting, “no coal is clean coal, clean coal’s a dirty lie,” nearly 30 people came together to demand that Iowa State’s president power past coal. The event had great media coverage and was well received even by workers at the coal plant who were actually smiling and waving when they saw the demonstration!

 
In New York, student activists at SUNY Geneseo held a rally on campus. They had several speakers, including their university president. Over 100 people attended the rally, which wrapped up with a large photo op on the campus lawn. This photo was shown on the TV screens in Times Square with the message to world leaders: “You pick our future.”

 
In North Carolina, student activists from UNC Wilmington held a 5-hour event, which included a full lineup of speakers, music, and a candle light vigil march through the streets of downtown Wilmington. For a city located just miles from the Atlantic Ocean, the event was fittingly called “Turning the Tide,” and brought together over 100 people. Check out a short video of the event!

From rallies to marches, photo ops, and phone calls to President Obama, student activists were heard loud and clear on October 24th. Our movement is growing, and when it comes to climate action from President Obama and world leaders, we won’t take no for an answer!

Visit the Student Network website to get involved today!

You can view more event photos on our Facebook page.

For the climate,

David

                                                                                                                                                    This fall, the Greenpeace Student Network is fighting for our planet’s future and demanding climate action now. All across the country, student activists are holding their first meetings of the semester, having kickoff events, and turning up the pressure on decision makers to implement science based solutions to global warming.

Here are some highlights of what's been happening across the country:

At Iowa State, student activists began their semester by gathering hundreds of petitions and rallying against a dirty coal plant on campus. They even made headlines!

In Atlanta, Georgia State student activists are planning a huge rally for the October 24th International Day of Action on Climate. They are expecting hundreds of people with prominent guest speakers, media, and a unified message that world leaders must act now on climate.

In Virginia, student activists at James Madison University are mobilizing their campus to take on climate this semester. They are doing a large recruitment drive and getting new volunteers each day! A movement, like none before, is growing on campus.

While Congress and President Obama have failed to be leaders on climate, our current generation is stepping up to the plate to deliver results! I am so inspired by the amazing work already underway this semester. Working with student activists has taught me one thing: they are a driving force for positive change.

Are you inspired like me? Are you ready for climate action? Then don't miss a second of the action! Stay in the know about important updates with the Student Network. Join us on Facebook and on Twitter.

To get involved with the Student Network, email us!

Get ready for a movement like you've never seen before!

David

Our planet is in trouble.

Polluting industries and corporations are destroying our planet, resulting in increasing global temperatures, melting icecaps, leveled rainforests, and economic turmoil. All across the country, folks are waking up to the reality that if they do not act now to solve the environmental problems of today, the consequences are unthinkable. If we don't act now, who will?

Fortunately, an amazing team of young leaders are taking action. They are getting involved with the Greenpeace Student Network!

The Student Network is comprised of student leaders who tackle the most pressing environmental issues. We have organized and won inspiring campaigns, convincing corporations to change their ways and politicians to do the right thing. All thanks to our dedicated team of leaders, known as Campus Coordinators.

Campus Coordinators are located all across the United States, and even Canada! They work on priority Greenpeace Student Network campaigns at their schools and in their communities. They organize events like film screenings, phonebanks, and days of action. They hold meetings with elected officials, work with the media, recruit volunteers, and mobilize their campus to take action! They do all of this with top-notch trainings and expert support from our team of Student Network staff. Campus Coordinators develop their leadership skills and become an unstoppable force for green solutions on campus and in their community.