While I spent my summer at home in Illinois, the House was busy passing the American Clean Energy and Security Act, the first bill that has actually called for a cap on greenhouse gas emissions. Now that I’m back in Des Moines and working with the Iowa Global Warming Campaign again, I’m more than ready to roll up my sleeves and help push for similar legislation to be passed in the Senate. 

The events of this fall could prove to be more significant than we can even imagine right now. We have been in need of comprehensive climate change policies for decades, and the time is here to get legislation passed. This is probably one of the most important bills that will affect my generation because it marks the beginning of a major shift. From now on, environmental issues will not only be on the map, they will be in the forefront. Changes in legislation will not only help to curb the effects of climate change, but will hopefully also spark a feeling of responsibility in the average citizen. I don’t think I’m being idealistic in saying that more and more people are beginning to have an awareness of their impact on the world around them.

I say this is the beginning for my generation because this legislation will be behind us as we enter the workforce and start leading adult lives. It will positively color the way we do business and live our lives. Still, this legislation is important for everyone. Not only will we all benefit from how climate legislation will undoubtedly help the environment, but also from the jobs it will create.

Climate legislation is something we really can’t afford to walk away from, and it’s something we have to get right. That’s why it is so vital to pay attention to the Senate right now. It will be more difficult to pass a climate bill through the Senate than it was through the House, and the bill runs the risk of being much less comprehensive than ACES.

This is why writing to and calling your senators is so important right now. Let them know that you demand serious climate and energy legislation.  We are on the verge of taking a giant step with regard to climate change. Let’s make sure it’s in the right direction.