One word – WOW! Right now I’m winding down from the first ‘Iowa Activist Evening’, a gathering of Iowans interested in creating momentum for positive change on global warming related issues; specifically energy production and use and creating a modern transportation system. The attendees included a number of ‘average Iowans’, as well as college students, renewable energy advocates, committed longtime environmentalists and people whose lives will be directly impacted by the proposed coal plant in Marshalltown. Just shy of 40 people total, a pretty impressive turnout for a week’s work.
The consensus? That there is a strong desire to ‘plug in’ and be involved in real, concrete efforts to better our lives and world. That we have the ability to make change in our communities. And that ideas are great, but action on those ideas is crucial. As far as I can tell from the signup sheets, almost every attendee committed to being involved in one of the ‘teams’ – energy, rail/transportation, campus organizing or producing public comment on the coal proposal. In a decade of political and issue organizing, I’ve never seen this high a level of engagement. Which should lead to a lot of action… which, as I think about it, makes me excited. And even more exhausted. I need a good night’s sleep. And then I need to get back to everyone in attendance; we’ve got a lot to do together!
Thanks to all the participants and the groups involved in making tonight happen. ELPC, Sierra Student Coalition, Iowa Interfaith and the Sierra Club’s Iowa Chapter all deserve credit for partnering to create tonight’s success. Special thanks also to Drake Environmental Action League (DEAL) for bringing students in – you’re a great group and we’re really excited to work with you.
If you couldn’t make it, we want to get you involved; and I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me at asnow@elpc.org.
Andrew
