As global leaders work to strike a deal on climate change at the United Nations climate summit in Scotland, students in Vermont rallied on the statehouse steps to demand bold action on climate change.“We need support not just from the legislature, who in many ways have tried, but also from Governor Phil Scott,” Rowan Clough said. A coalition with the Vermont Youth Lobby called attention to their Youth Climate Declaration, which passed unanimously in November 2019 by 171 students representing 44 schools from across Vermont. Students delivered that declaration to legislators in January 2020 and later that year, the legislature passed the Global Warming Solutions Act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Still, students say Vermont lawmakers aren’t doing enough to address the climate crisis.“Over the past two years we’ve been coming to the statehouse consistently and every time our leaders say we love that you’re here, thank you for being here, we totally agree,” said Gabe Groveman, a senior at Montpelier High School. “And then when it comes time to write legislation there’s always an excuse.”Gov. Phil Scott’s office tells NBC5 the administration has prioritized climate change mitigation and environmental resiliency alongside the work of the Climate Council, which is expected to draft the state’s first climate action plan by Dec. 1. But Vermont’s youths want more.“This climate action plan is not enough. It’s not enough for us, it’s not enough for the state, and it is not enough for the generations to come,” said Iris Hsiang, a senior at Essex High School.And it’s no coincidence these students gathered on the final day of the U.N.’s global climate summit, COP26.“Almost three decades of conferences with almost no change to show for it,” said Fatima Khan, a senior at Essex High School.These student advocates are envisioning a clean future and hope change is on the horizon.”Vermont must take up the reigns and be a model to the nation with bold action before it is too late,” said Mia Cannizzaro, reading a statement on behalf of a friend.
As global leaders work to strike a deal on climate change at the United Nations climate summit in Scotland, students in Vermont rallied on the statehouse steps to demand bold action on climate change.
“We need support not just from the legislature, who in many ways have tried, but also from Governor Phil Scott,” Rowan Clough said.
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A coalition with the Vermont Youth Lobby called attention to their Youth Climate Declaration, which passed unanimously in November 2019 by 171 students representing 44 schools from across Vermont. Students delivered that declaration to legislators in January 2020 and later that year, the legislature passed the Global Warming Solutions Act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Still, students say Vermont lawmakers aren’t doing enough to address the climate crisis.
“Over the past two years we’ve been coming to the statehouse consistently and every time our leaders say we love that you’re here, thank you for being here, we totally agree,” said Gabe Groveman, a senior at Montpelier High School. “And then when it comes time to write legislation there’s always an excuse.”
Gov. Phil Scott’s office tells NBC5 the administration has prioritized climate change mitigation and environmental resiliency alongside the work of the Climate Council, which is expected to draft the state’s first climate action plan by Dec. 1. But Vermont’s youths want more.
“This climate action plan is not enough. It’s not enough for us, it’s not enough for the state, and it is not enough for the generations to come,” said Iris Hsiang, a senior at Essex High School.
And it’s no coincidence these students gathered on the final day of the U.N.’s global climate summit, COP26.
“Almost three decades of conferences with almost no change to show for it,” said Fatima Khan, a senior at Essex High School.
These student advocates are envisioning a clean future and hope change is on the horizon.
“Vermont must take up the reigns and be a model to the nation with bold action before it is too late,” said Mia Cannizzaro, reading a statement on behalf of a friend.
