Power Vote: Youth Voters for a Clean, Just Energy Future

On campuses and in communities nationwide, youth are leading the way in responding to the global climate crisis.

Now “Power Vote,” a national non-partisan effort spearheaded by the Energy Action Coalition, seeks to elevate the issue of climate change in the 2008 election by mobilizing one million young “climate voters.” To do this, the Energy Action Coalition and its more than forty partner organizations are organizing young people across the United States to pledge their vote "for clean and just energy.”

Power Vote will:

• Harness the political power of one million young voters who want a bold new vision for America's future that reduces dangerous pollution while creating millions of good jobs.
• Elevate energy and climate issues in this historic election.
• Mobilize grassroots support for bold political action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and invest in a clean energy economy.

This is our moment. The “Youth Vote” is more important than ever before.

• “Millennial Voters” comprise 25% of the electorate – and counting! In 2008, a quarter of the electorate will be represented by the 50 million young people, 18-31 years old, who are classified as part of the Millennial Generation. According to a February 2007 Young Voters Strategies report, these voters will number 82 million and make up one-third of the total electorate by 2015. By all accounts, this is a demographic that candidates cannot afford to ignore!

The Power Vote Platform reflects the priorities of young voters.

• Economy: Today’s youth may be the first generation to face a lower standard of living than their parents – and currently young people have the highest unemployment rate in the country. Investing in a clean energy future will create millions of jobs and build new industries, revitalizing our sagging economy.
• Environment: Young voters are the demographic that polling has shown to care most about environmental issues. A recent survey by Opportunity 08 (a project of the Brookings Institution) found that "an overwhelming majority of young people feel Americans should do whatever it takes to protect environment.” Overall, their polling reveals, young voters “are more concerned about the environment than are their parents and grandparents." Recognizing that they will inherit this planet and its climate crisis, the Millennial Generation is demanding bold solutions to begin to address the problem now.
• Peace & Energy Security: Polling reflects that youth support a peaceful, energy independent future. America can break free from its dependence on oil by investing in clean domestic energy
  sources such as wind and solar.

With Power Vote, young voters will make clean energy and a new green economy top priorities in this year’s election and then hold every elected representative accountable to making our vision a reality!