On Sunday, February 17th, members of Environmental Action Group of Bowling Green State University marched together with 40,000+ people for the Forward on Climate rally, urging President Barack Obama to reject the proposed Keystone XL pipeline and help lead the country and world to a clean, safe future—to ensure that we will have any future at all.

Before the rally, starting on Friday the 15th, Greenpeace Student Network held the Student Network Activist Convergence (SNAC). Leaders from EAG joined other student activists from across the country to learn how to grow as organizers and activists. It was inspiring to be surrounded by so many dedicated and downright awesome people who are doing many of the same things that we are in Bowling Green. To everyone who made SNAC possible, I say thank you. Thank you for teaching unforgettable lessons on unity and solidarity, for making me feel more empowered than ever before, and most of all, for working so tirelessly to bring change. You are (quite literally) the people our world needs in order to stay afloat. Together, we will change the world.

And as for the rally…

I’ve never witnessed anything like it. As I recall looking over my shoulder and seeing the mass of people in front of the Washington Monument, my spine tingles again. As I recite the speeches from Bill McKibben, Van Jones, Chief Jacqueline Thomas, and others in my head, their words still bring tears to my eyes. As we marched, I fully realized the importance of our battle for the first time. I’ve always known that the change we need is possible, but on Sunday, that change felt destined. 

Two days later, I am still in awe and still energized to continue our campaign for 100% clean energy at BGSU. Our meeting with President Mazey nears (March 26) and crunch time has begun. We have to keep moving. We have to keep fighting for the future we deserve—a future of clean energy. I feel the culmination of all our work on its way. I feel the dominoes beginning to fall. I feel a shift in the balance of power. Each and every one us has the potential to lead the world, and if we choose to act, we are destined to make unimaginable impacts on our world. Over 40,000 of us made history in Washington on Sunday. It was not the first time, and as long as we stay focused, it will certainly not be the last time. This is our moment. We will not let it pass us by.

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