AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH: AYEA teens demand action on global warming by state and national leaders

This past week, a team of teens from the Alaska Youth for Environmental Action (AYEA) program traveled to Washington, D.C. to demand action on global warming by our national leaders. The delegation brought with them 5,000 teen signatures on a "Letter to our Leaders" petition asking Congress to address global warming through emissions reduction and investment in renewable energy.

The letter was written by AYEA graduate Verner Wilson, a Yup'ik Eskimo from Dillingham, upon hearing about the devastating impacts of global warming on Alaska. "“I started this petition to ask our leaders to help protect this place that Alaska youth have inherited, and to protect our lifestyles and cultures. Communities like Shishmaref are sinking underwater, and invasive species are negatively impacting our environment. I want our leaders to know that if they do not take action today, there will be huge consequences tomorrow,” Wilson said.

This past week was the culmination of a three month campaign by AYEA to educate and engage Alaskan youth about global warming. Teens developed a power point presentation on the impacts and science of global warming, then delivered this educational presentation in over 300 classrooms throughout the state, collecting signatures on their petition from interested teens.

Teens from over 105 Alaskan communities signed the petition before the delegation took it to Washington, D.C.

On April 25th and 26th, AYEA members Verner Wilson (Dillingham), Tim Treuer (Anchorage), Charlee Lockwood (St. Michael village), Justin Hurst (Anchorage), Valerie Jensen (Yakutat) and Drew Cason (Anchorage) delivered the signatures to Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, who expressed support for their efforts. Senator Murkowski requested that AYEA teens meet with climate change scientists in Fairbanks to share their stories and express their concerns.

The AYEA team also met with Senator Landrieu (Louisianna), Senator Baucus (Montana), Representative Boehlert (New York), Senator Bingaman (New Mexico), Senator McCain (Arizona), Senator Reid (Nevada), and Alaska Representative Dong Young and Senator Ted Stevens. Senator Baucus, so impressed with the teens' message and effort, exclaimed, "Why isn't there an AYEA program in Montana?!"

Even Senator Ted Stevens acknowledged the devastating impact of global warming on Alaska's infrastructure. Senator Stevens requested the teens spread the word about the need for funding to aid Alaskan communities in dealing with these impacts.

To top it all off, on April 26th the AYEA team joined an exclusive screening of Vice President Al Gore's new film on global warming, An Inconvenient Truth. The movie is frightening, informative, and also full of inspiration about the power of the people to take action on this overwhelming issue.

In addition to the national effort, AYEA member Gabrielle Vance and several other teens presented the signatures to the Juneau Assembly and urged their city to be a "role model in addressing global warming." Anchorage AYEA members joined Mayor Mark Begich in declaring a need for action on the issue, and Mayor Begich used the opportunity to share steps he is taking to reduce emissions, conserve energy, and save taxpayer dollars--including joining the Chicago Climate Exchange in the future.

For more information/news articles:

TEENAGERS ASK CITY FOR ACTION ON GLOBAL WARMING http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/042506/loc_20060425006.shtml

ALASKA STUDENTS TAKE GLOBAL WARMING WORRIES TO WASHINGTON http://www.news-miner.com/Stories/0,1413,113~7244~3298621,00.html

ALASKA TEENS COLLECT SIGNATURES ON GLOBAL WARMING http://ap.peninsulaclarion.com/pstories/state/ak/20060422/3807401.shtml

LETTER SIGNED BY ALASKAN TEENS CALLS FOR ACTION ON GLOBAL WARMING http://ap.alaskajournal.com/stories/state/ak/20060422/3807405.shtml

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/ap_alaska/story/7652648p-7564157c.html

5,000 YOUTHS GRAB MAYOR'S ATTENTION http://www.adn.com/news/environment/story/7669586p-7581067c.html

ALASKA STUDENTS TAKE ON GLOBAL WARMING (podcast) http://www.goodpoliticsradio.com/ak