November 06, 2009, 3:00PM
More than 500 student and youth organizers working for clean and
sustainable energy practices are meeting this weekend at the University
of Oregon to learn skills for building a grassroots movement.
Power Shift West '09
features workshops, panel discussions and guest speakers, including
Corvallis Mayor Charles Tomlinson, a vocal proponent of sustainable
communities. The event, which begins today and concludes with a march
Sunday through the streets of Eugene, focuses on four goals:
Passage of an international climate treaty at next month's U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.
Generating support for a high-speed rail corridor from Vancouver, B.C., to Eugene.
Organizing and supporting local community groups involved in sustainable living practices.
Uniting campuses throughout the West to advocate for an end to coal-powered electricity.
"Young
people recognize that the current debate on climate change is critical
to the future of a clean energy economy in the United States," said
Charles Denson, state chairman for OSPIRG.
The
student activists represent Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho,
Nevada, Montana and North Dakota. The Eugene event -- organized by Cascade Climate Network, OSPIRG, Sierra Student Coalition and university student groups -- is one of 11 regional Power Shift campaigns.
