Changing Climate Policy in the South

Copenhagen Climate Negotiations Begin

scclimateaction — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:42:24 +0000

Beautiful short film demonstrating the urgency of climate negotiations: http://www.youtube.com/Cop15

PEAC Youth Give a Shout in Protest of Proposed Coal Plant at Pulic Hearings

scclimateaction — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 19:20:45 +0000

Dozens of students from across South Carolina have been involved in successful efforts from 2008

Students say No More Coal Outside Columbia Courthouse

through Summer 2009 to shut down plans for Santee Cooper’s proposed coal-fired power plant along the beautiful Pee Dee river in Florence County, SC. PEAC members coordinated travel and messaging for the hearings which were held around the state by DHEC. They also attended and voiced their dissent at a hearing by the Santee Cooper Board of Directors. Youth had a consistent voice protesting the mercury and carbon emissions the plant would poision SC and the world with, and raising concern for future generations. As one student put it using the old adage: “”We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.”

A victory was had when Santee Cooper announced their decision to shut down any plans to construct the plant, plans they’d already spent millions on. One of the reasons they cited for the decision: concern for future generations.

PEAC Activists Talk Some Sense into Santee Cooper's Board of Directors

PEAC Member Attends White House

scclimateaction — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 08:54:31 +0000

PEAC and South Carolina Represents at White House's Youth Clean Energy Forum

The Obama Administration hosted its first ever historic Youth Clean Energy Forum this week. Top cabinet members in the Obama Administration like Secretary of Energy Steven Chu and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson spoke and answered questions at the event about building a clean energy future. A Winthrop University student, Lorena Hildebrandt, was invited to attend the event for youth climate leaders and represented the Palmetto Environmental Action Coalition (PEAC).

Coverage:

New York Times: http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/03/the-white-house-convenes-young-green-leaders/

Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jessy-tolkan/youth-climate-leaders-tal_b_379341.html

South Carolina Students and Community Members Take a Stand for Climate and Energy Legislation

scclimateaction — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 08:18:41 +0000

South Carolinians Envision a Carbon and Nuclear Free SC

: Father and Son Rally for Green Jobs and a Clean Energy Future

On 21 Nov. 2009, dozens of students from across South Carolina joined forces at the South Carolina State House to rally Senators Jim DeMint and Lindsey Graham to support strong climate legislation. Clemson University, Winthrop University, USC-Columbia and Aiken, Midlands Tech, and College of Charleston were all represented. Representatives from Sierra Club, 1Sky, Repower America, and the SC Progressive Network attended as well. The event was coordinated by the Palmetto Environmental Action Coalition, a coalition of student environmental groups working across South Carolina for clean energy and climate action.

Handwritten letters, and video and photo petitions were collected to send to the Senators.

Elinor Angel covered the story: http://www.demotix.com/news/youths-south-carolina-demand-green-jobs-and-climate-legislation

Also, the Southern Energy Network’s (PEAC’s organizational support) coverage: http://climateaction.net/sc_news

The SC Progressive Network’s Blog also covered: http://www.scpronet.com/wordpress/2009/11/22/sc-students-rally-for-the-environment/

To view video footage of the event, check out: http://www.youtube.com/user/RussSenNc#p/a/u/0/Zh4oQFD6Lgw