Calling all students: the climate needs you

This summer experience a leadership training opportunity

Students at college campuses and high schools around the country have been keeping busy. They're passing green fees to purchase renewable energy and retrofit old buildings. They're passing policies that require new buildings to meet LEED certification standards. They're converting vehicle fleets to bio-diesel. They're getting their schools to commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero over the next couple decades. It's like the '60s without the drugs.

How did they do it? Many of these students attended one of the Sierra Student Coalition's Summer Environmental Leadership Training programs. Recognizing the urgency of the climate crisis and the importance of setting a new direction for the country, in 2008 the SSC is running 10 week-long trainings across the country. Visit www.ssc.org/sprog for dates and locations.

"I've been working with these programs since I was a student myself," said Jon Barrows, trainings director for the SSC, "and they just keep getting better. If you are or know a student or a teacher, please pass the word along."

This program will focus on giving high-school and college students the skills to be effective grassroots organizers in their schools and communities. Over the week students will learn from other students how to start or sustain a group, recruit and develop new leaders, plan strategic campaigns, plan effective events, work with the media, and lobby - and much, much more. Additionally, students will enjoy playing games, hiking, and meeting other like-minded students.

Led by some of the nation's top student environmental leaders, this program is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Past participants have gone on to become the national director of the SSC, sit on the Sierra Club's national Board of Directors, and fill dozens of other prominent leadership positions locally and nationally.

According to past participants, the program "bridges the gap between wanting to make a difference, and actually being able to make one."