Woops, I just heard about this one, but I’ll be sure to stay tuned in.

At Power Shift ‘09, they are striving to:

1. Push the new administration and Congress to pass bold, comprehensive energy and climate legislation.
2. Prepare our leaders and our movement for the international climate negotiations in December 2009 where we will help build and ratify a strong global climate agreement – one that allows all communities to participate and benefit.
3. Develop a comprehensive strategy for continued political pressure and accountability and a shared vision to facilitate the development and implementation of individual and group action plans for local, state and national campaigns.
4. Strengthen the bonds between diverse youth constituencies while we train and empower each other with the skills needed to create one movement that tackles climate change, environmental injustice, and economic failure.

Many people think of Aiken and horses as belonging in the same sentence. After all, Northeasteners return home bragging about Aiken being “no stress, just horses”.

But I’m here to tell you there’s another passion alive and kicking in Aiken, SC: activism!

I already knew about my Aunt’s mission to insure Aiken’s satellite voting stations opened for Election 2008, about Aiken’s strong activist movement against the dirty coal industry the other night, and just now, I received an email alert from the Coastal Conservation League about the new term on the block: “nuclear reprocessing”.

As you might expect, nuclear reprocessing facilities have an alarming track record of leaks, contamination, and health risks to the surrounding population.

Whether it’s dirty coal emissions in the air, or mercury in the water, South Carolina has plenty of environmental concerns to deal with.

Some amazing, concerned citizens here in South Carolina have been going out of their way for us as stringent activists against the dirty coal industry – even taking off a year from college and one winding up incarcerated. Obviously we don’t want anybody winding up in jail, but sometimes, desperate times call for desperate measures.

With help from informed individuals like them, and the fine people behind our South Carolina Sierra Club & other environmental groups, we will turn the table on these Earth-killing corporations.

One way you can help clean up dirty coal plants now is by signing the S.C. Sierra Club Petition today.