After three years working in the Crossroads of America I have made my way up to the Land of 10,000 Lakes. As someone who is new to Minnesota there is a bit of a learning curve for me when it comes to working in a new state. I'm not new to the youth climate movement however and I know that when opportunity knocks, you answer. Right now in Minnesota, opportunity is knocking hard. 

One of the first chances I had to engage with young Minnesotans is an event that goes above and beyond the typical forms of youth  engagement. Happening right now is the Next Generation Environmental Congress, a rare chance for young people to weigh in on the states environmental priorities and to take action on climate change. This event was proposed by the state government. SERIOUSLY. How often does it happen that politicians approach young people to propose solutions and really mean it when they say they will listen? In my experience, not too often. So here I am with 200 young folks from around the state, spanning the ages between high school and post grad, deciding on their generations priorities, meeting with their state legislature and elected officials and talking with their Environmental Quality Board to ensure that progress is made on climate change and clean energy. 

What an incredible introduction. It's nice to come to a place and see almost immediately that people are engaged, passionate and taking action on every level to effect positive change. Holy cow. 

The Sierra Student Coalition is re-engaging on the clean energy work here in Minnesota at a time when incredible things are happening. We know that if we want to win on climate we need to not only fight dirty fossil fuels but empower a new generation to take action to develop the clean energy economy we have been striving for. So let's do this Minnesota! Now's the time. This is where the rubber hits the road when it comes to making progress on climate change. Ya'll have been doing great things, moving mountains and creating something beautiful. I am so excited to be a part of it and see how far we can go together.