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Last month, five KSEC leaders traveled to the Ohlone Territories in San Francisco to attend the It Takes Roots Solidarity 2 Solutions Summit, or Sol2Sol, to stand with those international indigenous and local frontline communities directly impacted by the devastating effects of fossil fuel extraction and deforestation. Together, we spoke out against the false solutions promoted by elected officials and business leaders at the Global Climate Action Summit hosted by California Governor Jerry Brown and advocated for the indigenous and frontline community voices whose leadership ought to be centered in these important conversations. The week’s activities included:
KSEC members Destine Grigsby, Olivia Harp, Lakyn Fulton, Sophia Dovenbarger, and Rob Morgan were there to represent the voice of the Kentucky youth environmental justice and climate justice movement. Several had never traveled so far from home, nor attended an action so large, creative, and inspiring. Read on to hear what Destine and Rob learned during the week and how they intend to bring these lessons to their organizing work back at home. Destine Grigsby: My week in California on the Sol2Sol trip involved a lot of firsts. It was my first time on a plane, my first time in the west coast. Most importantly, it was my first time seeing what I always thought was impossible. The tour of Richmond, California, was the most impactful for me. We boarded a tour bus as if we were going to a large city, but instead we went around a small city of about 100,000 people and saw at all the work they were doing. We stopped at seemingly trivial places like community centers and street art, but what I took away was far from trivial. The tour guides spoke of how they organized after a refinery explosion. A few years back, a refinery miles away from the city exploded sending toxic chemicals and smoke into the air. More than a thousand people were sent to the hospital with respiratory issues. The community now moved into a fight against the company, attempting to prevent something like this from ever happening again and to ultimately stop their dangerous practices. They did not completely win, but they were able to secure funding for the local hospital for years to come. Despite a subsequent string of losses, our tour guide still told stories of the community rising against their oppressors. Richmond seemed to have so many obstacles: they face problems with environmental issues, affordable housing, gentrification, food deserts, and more. On top of that, they have an extremely diverse population. There are large Laotian, Black, and Hispanic populations all living in one city. However, they have managed to bring the community together despite their many differences. Aside from the amazing organizing work going on, I was also inspired by the vast amount of civic engagement in Richmond. It seemed that even everyday people were involved in social justice, not just the middle class white folk that we see in Louisville. In everything they do, they utilize grassroots power, they never spoke of a single campaign without also talking about the canvassing that they did. Even their project on affordable housing involved canvassing. It is this type of desire to involve every community member in the work we do that social justice groups in Louisville need to adopt. I never knew that it was possible for a community to be so involved, that it was possible for every single person in the community to care about what is going on. Richmond showed me that grassroots power is possible and necessary for the change we want to make. Rob Morgan: I didn't know what to expect from Sol2Sol, but the week of action was more organized than I thought it would be. All I knew going in was that there would be over a thousand people involved. Anytime I’ve dealt with that many people, chaos ensues. A crowd of that size fighting for a common goal is a sight to behold. It brings hope back from those who are apathetic to the world around them. The Richmond tour was one my of the most enlightening activities from the week. It took me through a community affected by the oil industry. If equipment fails, residents must seal themselves in their homes to avoid exposure to the deadly gasses coming from the refinery. I felt so angry knowing that fellow humans were forced to deal with this threat over their head on a daily basis. This made the fight for environmental justice feel much more real. Seeing thousands demand that affected communities have a say in environmental issues was inspiring. We made our voices heard, even to the New York Times! It was a week of firsts for me: first march, first fight for justice, first time truly helping a community far from my own. Back in Hopkinsville, I plan to get my campus group, Sustain HCC started doing our part. It may not be much, but we can help by planting trees, improving our recycling program, and getting people to vote. Fighting together, we can win against those who wish to profit off of a changing climate. Check out a video below of the first several days' events:
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This post is cross-posted from Coral J Bear's blog find the original here Written by: Nicole White Recently I went to a summer program for young activists. This program was put on by the Kentucky Student Environmental Coalition (KSEC) and was to focus on environmental politics and activism. While there, I met some amazing people, learned a lot of necessary things for my career as an activist, and grew so much as a person. This is the story of how that program, Catalyst, changed my life. As most of you may know, I have the pleasure (haha) of living my life with anxiety and depression. So even going to this place, without knowing anyone before hand, was a HUGE step in the right direction for me. What happened while I was there was even better and I could not have expected any of it. At first I was my usual scared self who just kind of stayed to myself. It was extremely hard for me to open up to this group of complete strangers. I mean, I guess all friends were at some point strangers but like this was different. I was surrounded by people I knew nothing about for an entire week. I was scared I was going to annoy them and scare them away and have an awful week stuck in the middle of nowhere with no one to talk to. Then something changed. We did an activity called the Identity Walk where we wrote down all of our identities, such as sexuality, gender, etc. This activity was so nerve wracking for me because I’m not much of one to like putting labels on myself, but it was honestly so empowering to be able to write down who you are without someone else trying to fit you into some version of a box that just doesn’t suit you. After this I realized we were obviously all different people and I shouldn’t be scared to be me because none of them would judge me. This was an ENTIRELY new experience for me. I was in a safer place for an entire week. I felt like I was a part of a family that I got to choose. I wasn’t left out for being something different. I wasn’t looked down upon for having feelings and expressing them. I was just allowed to be me in a space where everyone was wholeheartedly loving of every difference. I made some really amazing connections with a lot of the people there and I will forever be grateful for being able to meet them and having them in my life now. These people mean the world to me and I wish I never had to leave them but because of the lessons I learned there I know for a fact that we’re all going to do amazing things. I learned SOOOO much while I was there. This wasn’t your average class-like lessons either. These trainings taught me not only how to be a better activist, but also how to be a better me. They taught us everything from how to organize a campaign to proper self care. I met people who are making change in the real world NOW. I met young people who know that their voices need to be heard and won’t allow anyone to silence them. It was so empowering as a college student to learn that I have power too. I’ve always been very vocal about the problems in our society and I’ve always tried to create change, but until Catalyst I didn’t know how to or that it was actually even a possibility. After Catalyst, I’ve already started recruiting people for an organization I want to start in NKY and I’m so ready to get back to Louisville in less than a month and really raise some hell for the politicians who won’t listen to us. While at Catalyst, I felt loved, like I had never been loved before. I made friends with people that otherwise, I would’ve never met. My life would be so much worse off if I had never met them. Catalyst is one big family that I know will always have my back. I love each and every person that I met there with my entire heart and I know they’re going to do amazing things. I learned so much from all of them. They taught me how to feel confident in who I am. They taught me how to love myself despite all of the flaws. They taught me that I deserve so much more than a toxic relationship that’s always bringing me down. They taught me how to be a better activist, friend, and person in general. I will never forget this experience because it lead me to the person I know I can be and it gave me a family that I can truly be myself around. Thank you so much KSEC and the Catalyst trainers for everything you’ve done for me!  By: Grace Engelman Last week, I attended the 6th Congressional Candidate Forum at Kentucky State University along with a few other KSEC members. As a part of KSEC’s Political Working Group, I feel a personal duty to not only keep tabs on Kentucky politics, but also to ensure that the concerns of young Kentuckians are a part of our political dialogue. Most of the 6th District Congressional candidates were in attendance, including Democrats Jim Gray and Reggie Thomas. While the forum was certainly informative, it was a reminder that we, the public, are often unable to control the political narrative. Not only was the audience prohibited from taking photos or videos; audience members’ opportunity to contribute to the discussion was limited to submitting notecards that were drawn at random. I had gone into the forum with the hopes of contributing to the discussion. Instead, the event seemed to be more for the candidates’ stump speeches than it was for the voters. Politics is no longer a dialogue between voter and candidate; it feels as though the electorate is being talked at, not talked to.
This is a common theme in today’s political climate. Sure, many of us may be able to cast a vote. But, only the media and the politicians themselves control the narrative. In my experience, every candidate event is just another opportunity to outline their platform on social welfare or the pension or the budget or taxes. All of these issues are obviously important, but they are not the only issues that concern Kentuckians. As a young Kentuckian, I would like to know these politicians’ plans for coal severance and a just transition; I would like to know how they will take action to mitigate the effects of climate change; I would like to know if and how they plan to address the growing socioeconomic inequality faced by millions of Americans. When these candidates do discuss the environment, they say that it must be protected, but very little is said on how we will take action to save our planet. When they do talk about the rights of people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, women, and other oppressed groups, they go on about equality, but rarely do they offer specific policy proposals to promote this equality. We won’t settle for the mere mention of “environmental protection” and “equal rights” when these candidates won’t propose actual political solutions. It is time for us to demand our voices to be heard, to make a place for ourselves in today’s political discourse, and to change the narrative. It is time that young Kentuckians have a seat at the table. We will no longer be ignored. DESTINE
Where are you located and what’s your favorite thing to do there? I am located in Louisville, particularly in the Southend. Most definitely, my favorite thing to do is visit the falls of the Ohio. I especially loved crawling through the caves and taking as many rocks as I could fit in my pockets home as child. What work are you doing within KSEC and what drives your passion for it? Previously, I have been a delegate for my school. Two things really drive me to do this, first being how educational the experience is. I have learned so much about the issues and people of Kentucky throughout my term that I no longer hold certain biases and can hold educated conversations about the future of my state. Second, it has made me feel that I am a part of something larger than myself and my school. This immensely motivating for me to continue the battle that is social justice. What are you most looking forward to in your work with KSEC? I am looking forward to attaining more skills that will shape me into a proactive organizer so that no matter where I end up for college or adulthood, I know that I can take a stand against injustice around me. What is your favorite hobby or activity? Despite its seamless lack of purpose, I love reading mangas and manhwas (Japanese and Korean comics). What’s your favorite food? It changes every time I am asked, but right now it is Kroger brand coffee flavor ice cream. If you could go anywhere for a day, where would you go? I would love to go to Ecuador. My close friend is Ecuadorian and she tells amazing stories about their markets, the city life, and the beautiful rainforests. CACI Where are you located and what’s your favorite thing to do there? I live in London. When the weather is nice, we like to go out walking and get some fresh air. We split our time between Main Street, Levi Jackson Park, and the Veteran's Park in town. What work are you doing within KSEC and what drives your passion for it? I work full-time as the Eastern Kentucky Organizer. I spend my time working on just transition issues and providing support to Eastern Kentucky campuses. I'm from Bell County, and I've spent my life hearing about how we'll never have jobs here and we'll never have a future. I grew up, like most of my peers, planning to leave as soon as possible. But now I believe that there is a future for Kentucky and for Appalachia, and I'm excited to be a part of the solution. What are you most looking forward to in your work with KSEC? I'm excited to work with other young people, to feel connected to the community, and to help other young people feel that they can have a future in Kentucky. I love being in a room filled with KSEC members who feel hopeful and energized. What is your favorite hobby or activity? I love any sort of creative pursuit, especially if it has a result I can share with my friends. I spend a lot of time cooking, writing, and playing Dungeons & Dragons on the weekends. What’s your favorite food? I'm a huge fan of anything cinnamon, and will never turn down cinnamon rolls or French toast. If you could go anywhere for a day, where would you go? I'd love to visit all of America's National Parks, but honestly I'd probably just disappear up into the Smokies and spend the day reading and hiking. CARA Where are you located and what’s your favorite thing to do there? I live in Lexington and my favorite thing to do is to go out dancing. We have a great music scene and several really fun venues. Al's Bar is probably my favorite place to go because they have cheap cocktails , has an awesome Caribbean restaurant inside (Fida's) and it's walking distance from my house. What work are you doing within KSEC and what drives your passion for it? I work with KSEC's State Network, Political Working Group, Gas and Pipelines Working Group, and our summer camp, Catalyst. I feel really lucky to do this work because I believe that young people have the power to create a better, more just and sustainable future. KSEC allows me to connect young Kentuckians to grassroots organizing skills and a supportive network so that they can be a part of the movement. What are you most looking forward to in your work with KSEC? I look forward to meeting even more awesome and inspiring young Kentuckians and helping to build a bigger, more inclusive state network. What is your favorite hobby or activity? I love to grow, cook and share food with my friends and neighbors. What’s your favorite food? This question is too hard. Depends on the day and the season! If you could go anywhere for a day, where would you go? I've been thinking a lot about visiting Glacier National Park lately. Ya know, before all the glaciers melt MEAGAN Where are you located and what’s your favorite thing to do there? I am located in Paducah Kentucky and my favorite thing to do is take my niece to the park. What work are you doing within KSEC and what drives your passion for it? I am in an internship as a student to give political workshops, host events, and recruit people to build a long term partnership on campus. I am passionate about this because I feel like many people my age would like to stand for something bigger than themselves and I am excited to be able to show them the tools to do that and make friends with like minded people along the way. What are you most looking forward to in your work with KSEC? Bird dogging politicians. What is your favorite hobby or activity? My favorite hobby is hiking and going on nature walks and learning about plants. What’s your favorite food? My favorite food is Pizza. If you could go anywhere for a day, where would you go? If I could go anywhere for a day I would go to Bhutan. OLIVIA Where are you located and what’s your favorite thing to do there? I am located in Hazard Kentucky. Things I like to do in my town is a lot of community gardening, I am a member of Grow Appalachia and I'm starting to think that may be my dream job. What work are you doing within KSEC and what drives your passion for it? The work that I'm doing in KSEC, is an internship to build grassroots leadership and political engagement in my area and especially my community college. What are you most looking forward to in your work with KSEC? The thing I look forward to most working with KSEC is that, though I preach against littering I don't really make that much of a difference, I want to produce change in my area. I want to spread awareness and help bring information to those who it normally wouldn't reach. What is your favorite hobby or activity? My favorite hobby would definitely have to be gardening, along with painting and creating a tiny house. What’s your favorite food? My favorite food is hard to choose, type of food would definitely be Indian food. If you could go anywhere for a day, where would you go? If I could go anywhere today, it would be to Ireland, or Iceland. ALLISON Where are you located and what’s your favorite thing to do there? I am from Murray but I live in Lexington to work for KSEC! I love going to the climbing gym, which is only a few blocks from my apartment. What work are you doing within KSEC and what drives your passion for it? I am serving as KSECs Communications and Development Director as an Americorps VISTA ( Americorps is a national service program, you should look into it!). I plan fundraisers, seek out and apply for grants, and work with members on KSEC communications stuff like blogs, letters to the editor, news interviews, social media, and more. I am passionate about empowering young Kentuckians to take a stand for the issues they care about. When we work together, I know we can create a more just and sustainable Kentucky. Communications and fundraising is essential to ensuring KSEC can continue empowering young Kentuckians to pursue their vision for a brighter future. I am so grateful I get to work for an organization I love while nerding out on communications and fundraising! What are you most looking forward to in your work with KSEC? I look forward to amplifying the voices of our incredible KSEC members. I am also excited about ensuring organizational resiliency through fundraising and grant writing! What is your favorite hobby or activity? Hanging out with friends and the amazing folks I know through KSEC makes pretty much anything amazing. Top of the activity list for me, though, is climbing out in the beauty of the Red River Gorge (thanks to the Cumberland Chapter of the Sierra Club for saving it from being dammed up!). What’s your favorite food? If I weren’t trying to minimize my consumption of animal products, I’d say cheese tots from Sonic. But since I’m trying to be more a more ethical eater, my new favorite food is homemade TVP tacos! If you could go anywhere for a day, where would you go? Idaho hot springs somewhere off the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. Or San Francisco. Or Vancouver. Or Yosemite. Idk. By: Cameron Baller Young people are in danger. Our present and our future are threatened by everything from rampant gun violence to corrupt politicians and climate change. Those of us under 18 have no political rights to address the ways our lives are threatened. The rest of us are struggling under tens of thousands in student loan debt and an economy that requires five years’ experience for an entry-level job. In addition, we are continuously degraded by the narrative that we are lazy, apathetic, and entitled. Despite these obstacles, we in the environmental, climate, and racial justice movements have been loud about the threats we face and the solutions we need. We aren’t apathetic, you just aren’t listening.
The Kentucky Student Environmental Coalition (KSEC) has been fighting for our future since 2007. We have won six campaigns promoting campus sustainability, worked hard to champion a just transition to clean energy, launched a summer camp to train young organizers, marched, rallied, voted and much more. Still, we youth are dismissed. This dismissal is embodied by HB227, which caps solar credits and makes it much harder for homeowners with private solar installations to get a return on their investment. This blatant attack on the solar industry threatens the livelihoods of 1,200 solar workers and runs contra to the needs of young Kentuckians. KSEC’s Just Transition Working Group focuses on the economic and environmental challenges unique to Appalachian Kentucky. Our overarching goal is making Appalachia a place where young people can stay. We conducted a survey of over 100 young Appalachians to find out which economic sectors most appeal to them as they look to the region’s future. 63% of respondents cited renewable energy as something they were particularly excited about. Political leaders in Frankfort ought to take notice. Unfortunately, through HB227, special interests are working to weaken Kentucky’s burgeoning solar industry. Last week, Kentucky Coal Association President Tyler White wrote an Op-Ed supporting HB227 that was chock-full of misinformation. White cited Germany as an example of solar’s failings. While it is true that Germany both produces a significant amount of solar energy and has some of the highest electricity prices of any country, the correlation does not imply causation. Taxes and fees are responsible for driving up Germany’s electricity prices, not solar. They account for approximately 54% of electricity costs in Germany, according to a report by Ellen Thalman and Benjamin Wehrmann. Next, White argued that net metering policies shift costs onto other consumers. However, a report from the Brookings Institute found that net metering “frequently benefits all ratepayers when all costs and benefits are accounted for.” The report even states, “far from a net cost, net metering is in most cases a net benefit—for the utility and for non-solar ratepayers…. [D]istributed solar offers net benefits to the entire electric grid through reduced capital investment costs, avoided energy costs, and reduced environmental compliance costs.” Solar energy is exploding nationally and globally. It is essential that our legislators see through the misinformation behind HB227 so that Kentucky is not left in the dust. Furthermore, given the threats facing younger generations—a destabilized climate, debilitating debt, and food and water insecurity— older generations are morally obligated to amplify our voices and legislators are morally obligated to listen to us. To start, that moral obligation includes calling your legislators and asking them to reject HB227. You don’t even have you know who your legislator is, just call the legislative message line ask to leave a message for them. Fighting for our future demands taking meaningful action to support young Kentuckians. |
AboutThe Young Kentuckian is a blog of the Kentucky Student Environmental Coalition where youth share their work and ideas for Kentucky's bright future. Follow The Young Kentuckian on Facebook!
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