It's always dope to run into young people making an impact in their communities and even doper to live in a Frack free neighborhood without worrying about my loved ones dying of some horrible cancer or disease.  Kate Dye is our kick ass Power Shift All-Star who is extremely active in environmental justice issues in Columbus,Ohio.  In between her demanding clean energy for her neighborhood and campus, I was given the pleasure of chatting it up with her in Chicago for the Power Vote Campaign Training.   Read below more of this interview:   

Zakee - What environmental and energy issues are young people working on in Ohio?

Kate - Young people are working on a huge range of environmental issues, from Fracking to MTR and Power Vote to clean water issues. In Ohio we as students are focusing on Fracking. The industry is quickly invading our state and we are working diligently to stop it before the damage is irreversible. 

Zakee - How is Power Vote helping build the power of the movement in Ohio?

Kate - Power Vote is helping build power in the movement by growing the movement. We are getting new students involved and informed through pledge cards and events across the country. Its also building the movement by building the voter turn out, we need to elect politicians who will listen to us and side with clean energy. 

Zakee - Who are the biggest dirty players corrupting politics in Ohio? And what are you doing to push back on them?

Kate - One of the biggest dirty players in Ohio is Duke energy, they provide much of the energy in southern Ohio near Cincinnati. So far this year we have delivered 

Zakee - How did you get involved in grassroots organizing and the Power Vote campaign?

Kate - I got involved in grassroots organizing about a year ago when I went to the November 6th Kaystone Pipeline action in D.C. and my eyes were opened to all of the dirty energy we were using and also inspired me to do something. From there I worked with 350 and The Ohio Student Environmental Coalition,which led me to the Power Vote campaign.

Zakee - What advice would you give someone just getting involved in organizing?

Kate - A bit of advice I would give to someone just getting involved in organizing is to HAVE FUN! That sounds obvious but more than just having a good time make your actions and events fun and silly, that is often more attention grabbing than something scripted. Keeping fun in mind also keeps you motivated and others around you willing to keep fighting! 

To learn more about how to get involved in Power Vote click here

To get a free download of the Power Vote All-Stars Podcast click here