The Passage of the Global Warming Solutions Act H.688!

Iris Hsiang

Today the Global Warming Solutions Act was solidified into statute! The senate overrode Governor Scott’s veto 22-8.We want to sincerely thank every legislator who voted to override the veto and voted for the initial bill. We want to recognize all the work that has gone into this, and the effect that it will have in allowing this state to take more and better actions on the climate crisis. That said we must understand this bill in the context of the extreme crisis that we are in the process of realizing. We see as our siblings to the west burn and our siblings to the south are swept away in storms, and we understand that this is no time to be stagnant, this is no time to settle for small action when what we need is reform and revolution. The passage of this bill is monumental, but it is not enough. […]

Summer Youth Art Contest

Matt Henchen

Contest Details: Children and teens from throughout Vermont are invited to submit original artwork responding to one of three prompts: Show us your favorite place in Vermont (any season) Show us your favorite outdoor activity (any season) Show us what you want the future to look like Submissions are considered for a chance to appear in our 2020 year-end brochure, which is sent to thousands of Vermonters who care about our natural environment. In addition to appearing in our brochure, winners and runners-up in each age category will receive a $50 or $25 gift certificate to a local bookstore, art supply store, or bakery of their choice! The deadline is August 30, 2020. Read more at https://vnrc.org/artcontest/. Submissions can be made here. Contact Colin Keegan with any questions at ckeegan@vnrc.org.

Climate Press Conference Remarks by Gabe Groveman – January 10th

Matt Henchen

Hi, my name is Gabe Groveman, I’m a sophomore at Montpelier High School and a member of the Vermont Youth Lobby. I’d like to bring this all home with a few points on specific upcoming Climate Change legislation that the Youth Lobby would like to see passed. Now that the legislature is back in session, we have the ability to put our words into action and actually pass meaningful climate legislation in this state. Already, we have 5 different bills, each trying to do their part to help with the Global Climate Crisis we’re facing right now. First, there’s the Global Warming Solutions Act – Bill H. 462, which aims to set Vermont on a path toward meeting our commitment to the Paris Climate Accord by 2025 and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, by creating targets with a comprehensive process to achieve them. This bill would ensure that if […]

Youth Lobby Testimony to House Transportation Committee – January 10th

Matt Henchen

Testimony by Hope Petraro & Lili Platt Organizers, Vermont Youth Lobby 1/10/2019     Thank you, committee members, for the opportunity to meet with you today. My name is Hope Petraro, and I am a senior at Montpelier High School and a member of the Youth Lobby. Some of you might recognize me not just because I’m frequently in the building because of my advocacy and activism, but because I’ve interned with Mollie Burke for the past two years, a person who I am truly grateful to have had the ability to work with.    Thank you for your time today. My name is Lili Platt and I’m a senior at Harwood Union High School and an officer of the Vermont Youth Lobby, a statewide, student-led organization that fights for climate action and justice. As you know, we are facing an unprecedented global emergency. Just thinking about the magnitude of […]

An Introduction to Climate Legislation in Vermont

Matt Henchen

An Introduction to Climate Legislation in Vermont By Sophia Jerome, Montpelier High School 2023   “It’s inspiring yet frustrating that young people have to spend their days instead of hanging out with their friends or going to school or going skiing or spending time with their families… at the State House asking people to take this urgent issue, [climate change], as seriously as it is warranted,” says Johanna (Joey) Miller, Energy and Climate Program Director at VNRC. With all of the chaos caused by the novel coronavirus, it has become easy to forget that our previous struggles are still relevant and important to recognize.. Climate change is one of those.   Vermont legislators agree that youth voice plays a large role in the progression of climate legislation, and because of that, it is crucial that concerned students are informed about what is happening at the State House related to climate […]

Climate-Focused Writing Contest – Win $1000

Matt Henchen

Create a Climate Vision Sustainable Montpelier Coalition Invites you to A Competition for Creative Writers and Artists “Hard times are coming…We will be wanting the voices of writers who can see alternatives to how we live now. What if we could see through our fear-stricken society to other ways of being and imagine some real grounds for hope?” Ursula K. Le Guin On a ____day in the year 2047, George and Gina looked out their bedroom window and saw….” Or…….. Writers, help us create a new kind of story! The Sustainable Montpelier Coalition is inviting writers and graphic artists of all ages to imagine what central Vermont will be like in the year 2047. This world won’t be darkly dystopian: rather, it will describe innovative solutions, for how the people of this region are dealing with the growing effects of climate change. What if a 12-foot snowstorm has cut off […]

CANCELLED – 5th Annual Rally for the Planet!

Matt Henchen

UNFORTUNATELY, THE 2020 YOUTH RALLY HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE THREAT CAUSED BY THE CORONA VIRUS. Save the date and plan your field trips! After five years of outstanding youth advocacy, there are now several climate-related bills working their way through the Statehouse.  If you want Vermont to become a leader in climate action, this is THE year to rally.  Please join us as we, once again, Rally for the Planet!  More information coming soon…  

Youth Groups Increasingly Impatient Over Climate Inaction

Beck Andersen

Co-written By: Beck Andersen and Matt Henchen 11/13/19 On November 17th, hundreds of Vermont youth, from middle school to law school, will converge on the statehouse to create a “Declaration of Independence” from fossil fuels. “We’ve been asking for bold and comprehensive climate-related policies for the past several years and most of our political leaders have been slow to respond,” Harwood Youth Lobby member Sydney Kulis argued, “so now we’re going to show them what we expect them to do this legislative session” “We just hope they listen.” “Young people are the least responsible for the climate crisis, but we are the ones who will inherit the dire consequences of climate inaction.” -Lili Platt Youth lobby students are also planning the 5th annual Rally for the Planet this Spring, which they hope will be a “celebration of climate policies that have been passed this year,” said Kulis. “They’ve been telling […]

Register for the Vermont Youth Climate Congress

Matt Henchen

Let’s show them how it’s done! Sunday, November 17th at 12:30 PM Vermont State House 115 State Street, Montpelier WHAT: A civil, civic gathering of students that builds on some of Vermont’s greatest traditions to show lawmakers what climate courage can look like. HOW: Students from across Vermont will unite at the State House to pass a declaration of freedom from fossil fuels and a resolution urging policymakers to protect the future by taking immediate action to the climate crisis. WHY: Vermont youth hold the moral high ground in the climate debate. We are least responsible for the crisis, yet are the ones who will inherit the mess. We are dynamic, trusted messengers who can cut through the noise and connect with Vermonters from all walks of life. Come help us urge Vermont’s leaders to take BOLD action on climate, NOW! REGISTER TODAY!