This commentary is by Rowan Clough, a student at Harwood Union High School, and is based on her experiences talking with legislators at the Statehouse.
Just the other day, I was talking to my 12-year-old sister and she told me that she had been crying about the prospect of The Willow Project, the oil drilling project that has been approved by the Biden administration. She is only a sixth-grader.
I was in a very similar position at her age, just so upset about the predictions of climate scientists that I had multiple panic attacks, before even leaving elementary school. But the difference between my younger sister and me is that I am five years older and five years more angry. I am moved to action because of our collective anger as youth.
On Friday, March 17, around 20 students and I left our classes to go to the State house to advocate for the Affordable Heat Act (S.5). My question for you, our legislators, our adults, is at what point will our anger be enough to spark your action? Are our anger and our pleas for action enough for you to pass this bill?
As a young person in Vermont, it is upsetting that after almost two full legislative sessions, the Senate added an amendment that would delay implementation of the Affordable Heat Act for another two years. Don’t get me wrong; I think that the Affordable Heat Act should and needs to pass because it’s an important bill that adds equity into climate legislation, but that’s so little payoff for such a long time. Do you know how infuriating it is to watch nothing happen as more time passes?
The fossil fuel industry has already spent around $40,000 in trying to stop the biggest opportunity Vermont has to equitably reduce carbon pollution this session. That is a disgusting amount of money. We as youth don’t have $40,000 to push back.
We need this bill to pass so we have something to say for the last two years. Vermont needs to be a leader in climate legislation as our president decides to make political decisions about reelection rather honoring his promises to care about our future. The idea is that, with so much political gridlock at the federal level, if we can make meaningful statewide change, other states will follow. But because of vetoes and bills dying at the end of the session, we have barely made any progress. And it makes me so angry.
I understand that democracy moves slowly, but we need to hurry up.
A little more than a year ago, I was at the Statehouse and did a very similar thing to what I did March 17. We were calling for action, and I assure you next year we will be back — especially if we are not satisfied with the legislation. And the year after that, 2025, is the year where according to the Global Warming Solutions Act, we are supposed to have met the first of our emissions reduction requirements as a state.
I am almost certain that when 2025 rolls around, youth will be at the Statehouse and will be involved because we care so much. Our future is at stake. Young Vermonters will not leave or be quiet until we see meaningful change. We have the energy to try to change what is not being done. We deserve to be represented in decisions that affect our future directly and, without the ability to vote, we have no say in who is elected, but that doesn’t mean we won’t make sure you are doing your jobs.
Gov. Phil Scott has already said that he will veto the Affordable Heat Act if it passes this session. Again. He has said we need more time. The IPCC just issued its latest report, making it very clear: We are out of time!
He has said we need further study. S.5 requires much further study before being enacted, so he is getting what he is asking for. I want — and young people deserve — much better reasons why he won’t support S.5.
What I hear is that you do not care. How are we going to get you to care as much as we do? We have the energy. When will you get the energy?
Please, tell your House representatives to vote yes on S.5. Call the sergeant-at-arms and leave a message for your representatives. Anything helps.
Let our representatives know that their constituents want S.5 to pass. I strongly urge legislators to vote for the Affordable Heat Act, and I urge all of you to write or call to your legislators showing support for this bill. Show young Vermonters you care about the future.
