Just a few days ago, on February 6th, over 50 students at Washington University in St. Louis joined Green Action in officially announcing our campaign to Renew WashU by shifting our school to 100% renewable energy. Here in Missouri, this campaign will not be an easy one, nor will it be won overnight. Not only is Missouri 85% dependent on coal, but coal CEOs sit on the WashU Board of Trustees and fund the University’s Consortium for C!#@n Coal Utilization. We are asking for a commitment to make the shift to clean energy because we cannot rightfully continue our pursuits as a “national leader in education” and also support the atrocities wreaked by coal on our local Missouri communities. Coal has proven time and time again to be Undesirable Number One. 

At our kick-off, we heard first-hand accounts from those affected by our coal addiction in Missouri. Patricia Schuba, a “Water Warrior” from Labadie and the leader of the Labadie Environmental Organization, spoke about living next to the 15th largest coal plant in the country and the threats to our drinking water posed by our local utility Ameren’s proposed coal ash landfill in the Missouri River floodplain. She drove home why this fight for environmental sustainability is also a fight for social justice. Attendees created Valentine’s Day cards to send to Chancellor Wrighton, detailing why renewable energy is so important to them

Though, WashU students come from across the country- for at least a short time St. Louis is our home, and therefore, we are Missourians. We owe it to the city; we owe it to the people; we owe it to ourselves. The accomplishments of Washington University as a research institution are remarkable, but we cannot simply stay tucked away on our hilltop and forget that our actions each and every day are having irreparable consequences on our neighbors in Labadie and elsewhere.

 This shift away from corporate greed, in the name of coal, is one that has been in the making for quite some time. As young people, we understand that climate change is real. It is occurring because of OUR actions- our overconsumption, our apathy, our materialism. And we have realized we must curb our appetites.

In Missouri, the youth climate movement is in full force. Young people from universities all across the state are joining together to demand the shift away from coal and to an innovative, clean energy future. On Wednesday, February 8th, Missouri State University launched their campaign, and University of Missouri will kickoff their campaign next week. Webster University and Drury University are continuing to plug away, and are making great strides.

We are so psyched to be launching into this new adventure of renewing our school and bringing justice not only to the environment but also to the people who have built these communities. If ever there were a time to be bold, it is now. It is about cutting our ties with the crooked coal companies, and designing a renewable, clean future. So join us! Why not? Renew WashU. Or Die. Trademark Pending…

MO Love <333