Representatives from UT environmental and biology groups recently attended Power Shift 2007, a youth summit aimed at solving the climate crisis.
The event, hosted by the University of Maryland and the Energy Action Coalition, was packed by over 5,000 students representing schools and universities across the U.S.
Students attended the conference to network and learn about alternative energy sources as well as how to implement and encourage environmental change in their schools and communities.
UT representatives were funded through the University of Tampa College of Natural ‘ Health Sciences and Student Government.
Their purpose in attending Power Shift was to gather ideas and lead UT students in creating a more sustainable future.
These students attended workshops discussing the future green job market, how the meat industry contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, the environmental platforms of the 2008 presidential candidates and how different sources of energy impact local communities.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Ralph Nader, Representative Ed Markey, and green jobs movement leader Van Jones spoke to Power Shift attendees about the vital role they play in creating awareness among government officials to bring about immediate national change.
They encouraged students to promote the drafting of bills that eliminate coal as an energy source and decrease overall emissions.
The summit ended with a rally on Capitol Hill that centered on getting lawmakers to enact the One Sky Climate Initiative. The Initiative is based on 3 principals; a moratorium on coal, a 30% reduction on carbon emissions by 2020 and 80% reduction by 2050, and the creation of 5 million new green jobs.
Look for Focus the Nation, a campus-wide global warming awareness event, in January 2008.