An Email from Energy Action Coalition

Here, for you, an email we'd like to share:

"Congressional recess is over. School is starting back up.

Across the country young people are getting back to work, and we're not alone.

During August, young people found the moral courage to confront dozens of politicians, demanding they stand with people not polluters. Meanwhile, Big Oil was busy handing out their dirty energy money and polluting our politics. Politicians and the media began to take notice; the New York Timesdescribed it as a 'clash' between Big Oil and grassroots groups [1].

But things are just heating up. And as we dig our heels in for the fall election season, we'll need more leadership.

Over 200 campuses and communities have stepped up to lead Power Vote - can you help us get to 300 by next week?

Help build our ranks so that we can counter the dirty energy industry and get to work in a major way.

Let's face it. As we approach the 2010 elections people are disenchanted with failure of leadership, partisan gridlock, and an utter lack of progress on federal clean energy and climate legislation. People are looking for inspiration, looking for leadership.

This election season, the leadership we need is our own. We need to show politicians that we're getting to work, that we're building our movement and our power.

And we're seeing this leadership all across the country. The 200 campuses and communities who have signed up to lead Power Vote are building the political support for the local clean energy solutions we're working on in our communities.

Share the inspiration:

• Abbie from University of Mary Washington stood up to Governor McDonnell of Virginia to educate and press him on the dangers of offshore drilling. Young people in Missouri, Florida, Georgia and more have joined her in demanding that their politicians stand with people, not polluters. [2]

• Megan and her group at University South Florida in St. Petersburg have helped bring over 130 people into the movement in the last week. Our movement is growing bigger with Power Vote pledge drives like this happening at back to school events across the country.

• Students from Howard University in DC kicked off the semester with an environmental justice event to commemorate the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

• Scott from Detroit is planning some major community outreach and home weatherization efforts for the 'Global Day of Work Parties' on October 10th. With events in every corner of the globe, this day is shaping up to be a huge opportunity to get our 'Get to Work' message across.

Share the inspiration: Forward this email, share it on Facebook, and invite an emerging activist to become a Power Vote Leader.

In the coming weeks we're excited to work with all of you to make our mark on the upcoming elections. We need to show our power more than ever - not just by turning out to vote but by asking tough question of candidates, by bringing new solutions into the dialogue, and by believing in our own ability to lead and getting to work ourselves."

With gratitude for your leadership,

Whit Jones

Co-Field Director
Energy Action Coalition

PS. Share this on Facebook and Twitter: I just joined the Power Vote campaign for clean energy. You should too http://bit.ly/b3G1V3

[1] New York Times: Oil Groups, Climate Bill Supporters Clash In Summer Campaigns: http://nyti.ms/a4nXvh
[2] Virginia Youth confront Governor on Offshore Views: http://bit.ly/cWeOaO

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Energy Action Coalition is a youth-led coalition of 50 organizations working together to fight for a clean, just and renewable energy future. Get live updates from the youth climate movement on Facebook and Twitter. For a list of Energy Action Coalition partners, please visit our Energy Action Partners page. unsubscribe