By Matthew Kim
Interviewees: Anushka C., Sophia D., Yifan L., Arjun N., and Zehra S.
The Sunrise Movement is a youth-led movement with the intent to stop climate change through advocacy. To accomplish this goal, student-led Sunrise hubs have been established around America. A local Sunrise hub in Montgomery County, Maryland is located in Poolesville Highschool (PHS). This interview, taken with five of the student-leaders of the PHS Sunrise Hub, regards how students can be student leaders when advocating for the environment.
Q: What is Sunrise?
A: Sunrise is a national movement that mobilizes the youth in the fight against climate change through climate action and activism. It does this by building both people and political power. Sunrise is structured in a hub system, in which anyone under the name of Sunrise (once they complete a few steps) can create their own Sunrise hub to fight for climate change at a local level.
Q: What inspired you (interviewees) to take part in Sunrise?
A: PHS has a Global Ecology Program, and the Sunrise movement was brought up in the program. At the time, PHS didn't have a Sunrise hub despite having a Global Ecology Program. The goals and principles of Sunrise interested us and inspired us to establish a Sunrise hub in PHS.
Q: This school year, the PHS Sunrise Hub has organized local clean-ups, an environmental rally, and other environmental projects. How do you think the PHS Sunrise Hub's efforts have impacted society, and what are the PHS Sunrise Hub's plans for the future?
A: A large part of Sunrise is mobilizing the youth and putting pressure on our elected officials and our general community. Though PHS Sunrise Hub's actions may be considered small, it still impacts our local community in educating others and putting pressure on politicians regarding environmental policies. In other words, Sunrise's actions are like a stirring stick in a lake. Some of Sunrise's actions may not feel like huge title waves, but the actions repeatedly stir up the water, leading to a larger effect. Sunrise helped build a bigger community in PHS that fights against climate change.
Q: Why is it important that students take action in regards to advocating for the environment?
A: It is important for students to take action in regard to advocating for the environment because as young people, we are the largest stakeholders in the whole climate debacle. Since climate change affects the youth the most, we should be the ones that stand up to climate change, so our futures can be bright.
Q: What does it mean to be a leader or student leader to you?
A: Being a student leader means taking action. Often when life poses an issue, people may feel anxiety over the issue but won't necessarily do anything to resolve the issue. Being a student leader is taking steps to address issues.
Being a student leader also emphasizes motivating others to push to resolve an issue. It is essential that student leaders pick up other people and build relationships to make a change. There is no greater power than people getting together with a common interest, and leaders help this to be possible.
Q: Do you believe anyone can be a student leader when advocating for the environment?
A: Yes, anyone can be a student leader, given that they have the passion and drive to push for what they want. Just by taking steps to advocate for an issue is enough for a student to be a student leader.
Q: What are some tips or advice for students interested in advocating for the environment?
A: You don't have to start a giant club in your school. It can be as small as everyday things, such as recycling or choosing not to litter. Start with small things and build off. Don't feel pressured to create something big. Opportunities do come along, so take them.
Pick up something you want to change and get people willing to be involved. Educating yourself and building a community of like-minded people is an important key.
This article was paraphrased of the contents of the interview.
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