Power Shift 2009

Photo Credit: Chris Eichler

The Power Shift '09 Platform

Climate change and the fight for a clean and just energy future are the defining challenges of our time. We ask you for leadership and action, and encourage you to pass the strongest possible climate and energy legislation in 2009. Our economy, our future, and the health of our communities depend on it.

As young voters, we turned out in record numbers in November. More than 24 million 18-to-29 year olds voted on November 4th. We voted for the candidates we thought would fight for real solutions to climate change and our energy crisis. Now we have come to ask you to make good on your campaign promises.

The enormous challenges we currently face are also powerful opportunities. We know that the solutions to the global warming and energy crises will also pave the way to recovery from our current economic crisis. We can create jobs, reinvigorate our economy, and secure our future through investments in clean energy, efficiency, and new infrastructure. For our generation, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

These solutions can and must be carried out in a just and equitable manner that respects the rights and heeds the voices of urban and rural communities, low-income people, workers, people of color and Indigenous Peoples. On behalf of the most diverse generation in American history we ask for nothing short of a clean and just energy future for ALL of us. As we work towards these solutions, we ask you to keep the process open and transparent – hold hearings and listen to your constituents, not just the special interests.

We know that we cannot wait. Bold climate legislation must be passed in 2009. The scientific timeline tells us we must begin reducing emissions immediately and dramatically, and with only 10 months until Copenhagen , it is our responsibility to show the world we are committed.

Our generation calls on the United States Congress to pass comprehensive climate and energy legislation in 2009 that adheres to the following principles:

1. Cut Carbon Dramatically and Immediately

Reduce global warming pollution by the targets science tells us are necessary: 25%-40% below 1990 levels by 2020; and 80%-95% below 1990 levels by 2050.
Set an aggressive cap on carbon immediately. If a cap-and-auction mechanism is chosen, 100% of pollution allowances must be auctioned. Any revenue generated from this cap must be used to address the climate crisis in a just and equitable way; none of this money should go to polluting industries.
Conserve and restore the world’s forests, ecosystems, and carbon sinks, which are the best natural defense in a warming world.

2. Invest in a Green Economy

Create 5 million new jobs through investments in clean energy
Develop a “Clean Energy Corps” to create service, training, and job opportunities in the clean energy economy
Train a generation of workers and volunteers to build our clean energy future and help communities adapt to the already changing climate

3. Power our Future With Clean Energy, not Dirty Fuels

We see a future powered by clean, renewable energy like wind, solar, and geothermal; 100% of our electricity should come from these sources, and we should invest in sustainable transit and energy efficiency
End our dependence on dirty energy by enacting a moratorium on financing and development of new coal and nuclear plants, and oil shale and tar sands infrastructure
Immediately begin phasing out dirty and dangerous energy sources and methods of extraction, while also ensuring a just transition for affected workers and communities

4. Lead the World to a Clean and Equitable Energy Future

Work with other nations to reach a strong new global climate treaty in Copenhagen that puts us on track to reduce carbon below 350 parts per million
Assist vulnerable communities and developing countries in the transition to low-carbon economies and with adaptation to the changing climate

As young people, our future hangs in the balance of your decisions, and we implore you to join with us. There is no waiting. There is no higher priority. We demand the passage of bold climate and energy legislation in 2009.


	The Campaign The Conference The Energy Action Coalition The EAC Legislative Ask Register for the Conference Conference Agenda Speakers Workshops Conference Logistics Community Organizing Central Materials and Resources Photo Credit: Chris Eichler The Power Shift '09 Platform Climate change and the fight for a clean and just energy future are the defining challenges of our time. We ask you for leadership and action, and encourage you to pass the strongest possible climate and energy legislation in 2009. Our economy, our future, and the health of our communities depend on it. As young voters, we turned out in record numbers in November. More than 24 million 18-to-29 year olds voted on November 4th. We voted for the candidates we thought would fight for real solutions to climate change and our energy crisis. Now we have come to ask you to make good on your campaign promises. The enormous challenges we currently face are also powerful opportunities. We know that the solutions to the global warming and energy crises will also pave the way to recovery from our current economic crisis. We can create jobs, reinvigorate our economy, and secure our future through investments in clean energy, efficiency, and new infrastructure. For our generation, the stakes couldn’t be higher. These solutions can and must be carried out in a just and equitable manner that respects the rights and heeds the voices of urban and rural communities, low-income people, workers, people of color and Indigenous Peoples. On behalf of the most diverse generation in American history we ask for nothing short of a clean and just energy future for ALL of us. As we work towards these solutions, we ask you to keep the process open and transparent – hold hearings and listen to your constituents, not just the special interests. We know that we cannot wait. Bold climate legislation must be passed in 2009. The scientific timeline tells us we must begin reducing emissions immediately and dramatically, and with only 10 months until Copenhagen , it is our responsibility to show the world we are committed. Our generation calls on the United States Congress to pass comprehensive climate and energy legislation in 2009 that adheres to the following principles: 1. Cut Carbon Dramatically and Immediately Reduce global warming pollution by the targets science tells us are necessary: 25%-40% below 1990 levels by 2020; and 80%-95% below 1990 levels by 2050. Set an aggressive cap on carbon immediately. If a cap-and-auction mechanism is chosen, 100% of pollution allowances must be auctioned. Any revenue generated from this cap must be used to address the climate crisis in a just and equitable way; none of this money should go to polluting industries. Conserve and restore the world’s forests, ecosystems, and carbon sinks, which are the best natural defense in a warming world. 2. Invest in a Green Economy Create 5 million new jobs through investments in clean energy Develop a “Clean Energy Corps” to create service, training, and job opportunities in the clean energy economy Train a generation of workers and volunteers to build our clean energy future and help communities adapt to the already changing climate 3. Power our Future With Clean Energy, not Dirty Fuels We see a future powered by clean, renewable energy like wind, solar, and geothermal; 100% of our electricity should come from these sources, and we should invest in sustainable transit and energy efficiency End our dependence on dirty energy by enacting a moratorium on financing and development of new coal and nuclear plants, and oil shale and tar sands infrastructure Immediately begin phasing out dirty and dangerous energy sources and methods of extraction, while also ensuring a just transition for affected workers and communities 4. Lead the World to a Clean and Equitable Energy Future Work with other nations to reach a strong new global climate treaty in Copenhagen that puts us on track to reduce carbon below 350 parts per million Assist vulnerable communities and developing countries in the transition to low-carbon economies and with adaptation to the changing climate As young people, our future hangs in the balance of your decisions, and we implore you to join with us. There is no waiting. There is no higher priority. We demand the passage of bold climate and energy legislation in 2009.
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