By Melanie Shao and Willa Wang
As Dan Schrag mentions in his Ecosystemic interview, “Climate change is a global collective action problem.” This assessment rings especially true in the context of the youth movement. The Sunrise Movement, a prominent United States-based environmental organization, emphasizes the power of “we”, as portrayed in its principles:
- We are a movement to stop climate change and create millions of good-paying jobs in the process.
- We grow our power through talking to our communities.
- We are people from all paths of life.
- We are nonviolent in word and deed.
- We tell our stories, and we honor each other’s stories.
- We ask for help and we give what we can.
- We take initiative.
- We embrace experimentation and we learn together.
- We take care of ourselves, each other, and our shared home.
- We unite with other movements for change.
- We fight for the liberation of all people.
- We shine bright.
The organization’s principles are almost poetic with the repetition of “we.” This powerful, two-letter word, signifies unity and togetherness and emphasizes the imperative nature that the collective plays in leading a successful movement.
“We’re building an army of young people to make climate change an urgent priority across America, end the corrupting influence of fossil fuel executives on our politics, and elect leaders who stand up for the health and wellbeing of all people,” Sunrise’s website states.
Initially launched in the summer of 2016, the movement was co-founded by a group of students passionate about combating the climate crisis.
Since then, Sunrise has held nationwide events, such as the August 2018 “Heat Week” and the summer 2020 “Wide Awake” actions, both intended to mobilize youth around the nation and advocate for political change. Sunrise also supports the Green New Deal, an essential congressional resolution that aims to reduce emissions through economic transformation.
In his presidential campaign goals, Sanders envisioned to “reach 100 percent renewable energy for electricity and transportation by no later than 2030 and complete decarbonization of the economy by 2050 at [the] latest,” according to his website. Representative Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (AOC) preaches the same ideals.
The problem, however, is not that simple to solve.
According to Harvard University Professor of Geology Daniel Schrag, decarbonization will take much more time than Sanders anticipates. “If [Sanders] actually believes he can do it in 10 years…he’s pandering because he should know that it’s not possible for all sorts of reasons,” he said.
But this fact doesn’t discourage the Sunrise Movement or its supporters. Many of Sunrise’s initiatives provide stepping stones that work to eventually achieve a Green New Deal. According to the Sunrise Website, this summer, Movement School and Sunrise plan to train cohorts of young people in cities across the country to organize their communities for a “Green New Deal for Public Housing.” This training will occur in cities across the United States. Through narrowing in on specific parts of the Green New Deal and advocating for them in local regions, Sunrise breaks down the ambitious agenda while maintaining the principles of the proposed legislation
Photo: The Sunrise Movement.
For those who want to contribute to the Sunrise Movement, the first step is to join a Sunrise hub–– a local group–– nearby. There are over 400 hubs scattered throughout the United States, and according to Sunrise’s website, “[h]ubs do the most important work of the movement: growing participation, elevating the urgency of climate change and challenging to win political power.” By joining a hub, you are thinking globally, but acting locally and making an ambitious agenda far more manageable.
Additionally, people can participate in welcome calls to further connect with Sunrise and student activists from across the country. Welcome calls are held over zoom every Tuesday from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. EST. Individuals can also donate and volunteer to help with Sunrise’s virtual phone bank promoting the “Good Jobs for All Campaign,” one of the movement’s major focuses.
The impact of Sunrise within the youth environmental movement is substantial, and we encourage all readers to get involved. Join the collective! Become a part of the “we.”
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