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Last week, one of the most anticipated documents – Pope Francis’s encyclical on climate change – was released. His message was heard all across the world, including our nation’s capital, where decision makers and GOP presidential candidates all gathered for the Faith and Freedom Conference. Interning at the Sierra Student Coalition (SSC) in the national office in Washington, D.C. has provided me with a unique opportunity to engage in various demonstrations and convergences at this political epicenter. Given the impeccable timing of the conference with key faith and political leaders and the Pope’s Encyclical, I gathered at the hotel with the other student activists for a press conference, followed by bird dogging candidates about their stance on the Encyclical and climate change. Bird dogging is a tactic used to put continuous pressure on your target about your issue, and is just one example of the many ways that young people can utilize in organizing local coordinated actions at the grassroots level.
While trying to track down presidential hopefuls was an exciting and new experience for me, even more exciting is what is written in the Pope’s Encyclical and what it stands for. In it, Pope Francis frames climate change as a moral issue and calls for sweeping action to address the immediate threats it poses to the world, especially the most vulnerable populations. It stresses the strong interrelated ties to environmental and social injustices, consumerism, and of course, how it fits with the teachings and practices of Christianity. As someone who grew up and identifies with a religious background, it excites me that the Pope’s Encyclical makes a huge milestone in bridging the gap between faith communities and the environmental movement to reach new people who might not otherwise see the necessity to care or take action.
As Pope Francis said, “I urgently appeal, then, for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. We need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all.”
The Pope’s thoughts echo the refrain of the People’s Climate March - to change everything, we need everyone. Making the connections from local to global is a crucial point of demonstrating power, and 2015 is a big year to just that in the build up to COP21 in Paris. Organizing anything from a bird dogging event in order to influence local leaders to planning a solidarity event for the Gulf South Rising - the mass mobilization to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina - are all examples of potential ways young people can take tangible steps to answer the call; regardless of one's religious or secular beliefs. To find out more on how to get involved with the SSC, sign up to receive email updates on the website and take action in the International Committee.
Students have the power to lead the movement and put pressure on domestic politics and university administrations at every step – the moment is now.