Students offer hope on climate change
"Children are the future", so they say, but will they get a fighting chance to address the climate problem?
That is why I was delighted when 13 students volunteered to lobby Rep. Sean Casten, Nov. 15.
"I believe fighting for action on climate change is very important," Mia Danca (Lake Zurich).
The students attended Citizens Climate Education training for a respectful, efficient, inclusive lobby meeting. They picked roles such as note taker, time keeper and appreciator. They decided what questions to ask and who was going to ask them.
"I attended this meeting because I know how much our generation needs to act now on climate change so future generations can live long on this Earth and stay healthy. Attending this meeting was a small step towards great progress," Lillian Higgins (Downers Grove South HS).
"I participated in the lobby meeting because I wanted to hear some information on what is going on in our community about the urgent climate crisis. Last year, I decided to create an environmental club at my school since I thought it was important to inform young people about something that is worsening and is detrimental to their future," Angelica Harris (South Elgin HS).
Other participants included Molly Claus, Sofia Dracopoulos; Emily Huff; Nicole O'Keefe; Sophia Hahn, Sara Tourk (Wheaton North HS); Sohum Mehta (Naperville North HS); Olivia Roti (Downers South HS); and Hannah Etienne, Cristina Mac Cormak (Lake Zurich HS).
Rep. Casten expressed his appreciation and mentioned that when he was in high school, students wouldn't have done this. As these students go back to their high schools and share their experience, hopefully more students will find time to make their voices heard and join groups addressing the climate crisis. Lillian said, "Thank you for giving us this opportunity." Thank you, Lillian!
Mark Ailes
Lombard