In an effort to increase environmental awareness before the upcoming presidential election, the Student Environmental Action group hosted a non-partisan rally yesterday afternoon in front of the Brown Science and Engineering Library.
As part of the “HallowGreen” movement, based in Arlington, Va., to unite young activists on the issues of climate change and clean energy, rally attendees traveled toward the Downtown Mall to visit and to deliver a letter to local political offices in order to show that many young voters are concerned about energy and environmental issues.
Fourth-year College student Lynne Ellison, a rally participant, said the primary purpose of the rally was to “hold the future president, whoever he is, accountable for environmental awareness.”
Fellow participant Daniel Michaelson, a third-year College and Engineering student, said although he does not think the rally will impact the upcoming election, he believes it will make observers more aware of present sustainability issues.
The group’s letter reminds candidates for political office that “the climate crisis does not end on November 4th and neither does student interest in environmental issues.” It states that they will be watching to ensure the elected president upholds his platform while in office, highlighting the local adverse environmental implications of mountaintop removal for coal extraction and the prospect of developing clean coal burning practices.
Cordel Faulk, Center for Politics Communications Director, said he is unsure whether the HallowGreen movement and the affiliated rally yesterday could have any significant impact on potential voters but noted that actions such as these can certainly affect officials seeking election who see just how important this issue is to their constituents.
Faulk said he believes energy and environmental issues are very important in the upcoming election, noting that “it’s crept up in the national agenda since the 1970s,” especially among suburban voters. These suburban voters are particularly important in this presidential election, Faulk said, and environmental issues therefore might play a more vital role in the election.
Faulk added that issues regarding energy and the environment are critical because they also affects the economy; he noted that problems such as fluctuating gas prices and our dependence on foreign oil have “taken a huge chunk out of the economy.”
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