Don't let the smiles fool you, we gave lead negotiator Jonathan Pershing an impassioned piece of our minds!

As I sat last evening looking at the thirteen faces of some of the most remarkable leaders in the US youth climate movement today, I had an incredible rush of emotions ranging from nerves to anticipation in thinking about the task that we were about to take on- in moments, we would be meeting with Jonathan Pershing and Todd Stern, chief negotiators for the United States at COP15. As we walked through the halls of the Bella Center towards the United States Delegation offices a sense of excitement started to build, the fourteen of us would soon take on the fast taking, intelligent, and articulate negotiators as representatives of United States youth both in Copenhagen and at home.

The briefing was off the record, so I cannot blog about explicit content, but I will share the emotions and thoughts that went through my mind as the meeting finished. The immediate feeling that I had once our extensive discussion with both negotiators had commenced was pure exhaustion; exhaustion from hearing excuses and exhaustion from hearing that what we’re doing is not enough. I was so overwhelmed by fear and sorrow I began to cry, but as I looked around at the thirteen faces that had tears in their eyes as well, the faces of my friends and the current and future leaders of my generation, a new sense of hope and determination rose within me.

I can say, without an ounce of doubt in my mind, that I will continue fighting for a just, sustainable, and prosperous future for my generation and all generations to come and the best part about it is, that I know that I’m not alone! As youth from the United States, and around the world, we will work together until our elected officials step up and show the strong leadership and courage that is needed to ensure the survival of peoples and future generations.

Although it is impossible for me to describe the range of sentiment that I felt last evening subsequent to the meeting I believe that my friend, Whit Jones, summed it up quite nicely, “the hard hitting and difficult discussion led to a room full of tears, but the bright side is that people emerged more ready to go than ever.”

My apologies to all for the wait but my first update from Copenhagen is finally here! I've been busy everyday focusing my time in working with youth from around the world, and more specifically US youth, on how to communicate, plan, and take action on demanding a legally binding treaty while in Copenhagen. While everything that we're doing here is very exciting and important I've come to realize that the essential key in reaching this goal is strong US leadership-which is where youth currently back home in US come in and are so essential!

In the post below, from my friend Caroline of the Sierra Student Coalition Delegation, learn how YOU and other US youth from across the country can help demand US leadership by joining the Rapid Response Team that was created by US Youth here at COP15!

Hello dear movement friends,

I have a very important ask of you, from one member of the climate family to another. Please read on.

I’m so excited and grateful to be here in Copenhagen for the International Climate Negotiations. These next two weeks are going to be jam-packed and intense. But it’s the organizers in the states who have the big job.
This weekend was the Conference of Youth where over 500 youth delegates from around the world gathered to prepare for our role as youth .

I have met so many inspiring young people- a young woman in Indonesia helping her farmers in her community adapt with the changing climate and its effect on agricultural production… Organizers from Australia who put on a spectacular flash mob dance to cap off their own Power Shift conference. And to think that, as we were embarking as climate leaders in our country, what happened here two years ago (Power Shift 2007) has become a wave of Power Shifts around the world! As you know, the US carries not only a huge carbon footprint, but a powerful influence over the outcome of the conference- what commitments other countries will make (or not make) and ultimately, the fate of these young people around the world.

Tomorrow is when the real job starts. I am committed to connecting with you all throughout my time here- and umm, I don’t really need an excuse to call you, but this will indeed make it certain to happen! I want to make sure you all are represented here, and that what happens here does not go unnoticed- that we as Americans react to the good, the bad, and the ugly with full force! Not just a few hundred of us here at the conference center. It’s YOU who will be able to take the message home to our politicians, to the people who have so much sway over the fate of the entire planet.

That’s why I’m writing to you! Youth delegates (like me about 17 other Sierra Student Coalition delegates) from around the country will be contacting their friends, classmates, and fellow organizers back home so that we can collectively affect the U.S. negotiation position. We’ll all need to use media, grassroots support, and our creative energy to voice our expectations for the negotiations and the Obama Administration- “FAB” fair, ambitious and binding action.

As part of the Rapid Response team, you’ll be part of the team of young people from around the world who are working to positively influence the outcome of these negotiations. You’ll receive breaking updates through emails and phone calls from youth delegates in Copenhagen- and you’ll help us tell our local papers, pressure our state leaders, and remind President Obama that, no matter where we are geographically, we stand together. We need strong international commitments this year.

I’m impressed by the work you each have done- I’m grateful to have such smart, compassionate people with me on this journey. Our story is part of a larger GLOBAL dialogue. We need our leaders to make decisions that reflect SCIENTIFIC REALITIES and that take OUR FUTURE into account. We as youth cannot continue to “wait our turn” to change the fate of the planet.

Please join us. It’s our turn.

As was described above that fact that I, along with the rest of my fellow delegates with the Will Steger Foundation, am in Copenhagen at COP15 is absolutely amazing but what is even more important is the action that youth at home in the US will take! This is the moment of our generation. We must all work together in solidarity to ensure the properous future of our generations and generations to come- Please join us!

School: University of Iowa
Areas of Study: Environmental Studies and History

A life-long resident of Iowa, Holly has a strong background in student organizing. She has worked with many environmental organizations, most extensively with the Sierra Student Coalition, and has organized in Des Moines for the March to ReEnergize Iowa, acted as chair of the National Conservation Committee, and co-directed the Summer Environmental Leadership Training in Illinois. She is currently acting as Chair for the National Executive Committee of the Sierra Student Coalition, sitting on the Steering Committee for the Iowa Sustainability Alliance.

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