This past weekend I had the pleasure of working for the Obama for President campaign. Though the town hall meeting I attended with Barack and Michelle Obama was truly inspirational, the most motivating was meeting fellow students, from all high school + college grades campaign as well. We knocked on doors at 6am and made calls at 11. We hung literature on gates and held signs at intersections. Wherever we were students driving past or helping out were the most fired up. The students of this country know that the time has come for America to turn the page. Our environment is in peril and we must respond with comprehensive legislation to cap greenhouse emissions, to preserve our streams, lakes, marshlands and oceans and to start conserving energy.

Each of us knows the simple things we can do to help. All of us know that driving less and walking or biking can save tons of carbon each year. We know we should be making the right choices about the light bulbs, appliances and construction materials we buy. We also know we should be eating more organic food and shopping locally so as to save oil. We know all these things. The time has come to make turn the good ideas and actions into a larger campaign to transform our schools, community centers, churches and cities. Students will play a central role in this fight and that is how results can be achieved on the environments behalf.

As a leader of my high schools environmental club I have seen good ideas die and wither away. Even affluent schools like mine find it hard to pitch in a few extra dollars to buy recycled paper or to purchase organic meats. The students must be vigilant and results will began to appear. I urge everyone to start an environmental club at your school, organize a club building activity, such as a hike or trash clean up, and embark on campaigns to encourage less environmental waste. Encourage your gym to use more efficient lighting, ask about organics in your cafeteria, and see about switching to recycled paper at city hall. Together we can all create a greener community. The change begins with you. Students are the future.