Srijesa at Climate Vigil

As I was checking my emails in the middle of the week, I stumbled upon a message from 350.org about a Climate Vigil. Unfamiliar with this terminology, I opened the email and learned that this event was tied to the Senate race between Elizabeth Warren and Scott Brown in Massachusetts. Basically, climate activists of all ages would advocate for Warren and Brown to address climate change in their upcoming debates, after an eerie silence on the issue. Thrilled to learn that I could potentially impact powerful politicians, I decided that I would take part in this event. When I received an email from my ACE Educator Brian about possibly speaking at the event, I realized my weekend plans to go shopping could wait!  This was big.

When I arrived at the Government Center T- Stop, I was excited to see two other students from the Boston Latin School – Carol and Trisha. We chatted about the event, and prepared to share our reasons for caring about climate change with the small crowd around us. As Brian handed me the megaphone, I exhaled and began to share my call to action for climate change. Not only did I discuss the importance of climate change to society because of its universal impacts, also used the Hurricane Sandy as an example of the real-life, current effects of higher temperatures.

Here’s my speech.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p49bki45Go

Once my “speech” was over, Carol and Trisha talked a bit about the projects going on at the Boston Latin School – like the AMAZING Green Roof and a flourishing garden. As the event proceeded, I watched the huddle of a handful of people increase to a more significant crowd.

However, I didn’t realize the true impact of our actions that day until Brian forwarded the following links to me from NPR and the Boston Globe. To my astonishment, the Climate Vigil sent a powerful message to Brown and Warren, who earnestly addressed their opinions on climate change the following day!

Long story short, this is just one of the many examples of how the youth voice is important. After all, we are the voice of the future and we must take responsibility to express the urgency of climate change to others. I hope the Climate Vigil encourages you to get involved and know that your actions, no matter how small, mean something. Keep up the good work everyone!!!