The science is clear on our obligation in confronting global warming – our country must lead the world in having greenhouse gas emissions peak and decline before 2015 towards a minimum of 80% reductions below 1990 levels before mid- century if we are to avoid the collapse of the climate. We can make that happen with only 2% reductions per year over the next forty years.

But this level of action and organizing must begin at the local level, which is why the SSC is hosting a Climate Summer program in West Virginia and Ohio this summer. We are bringing students to the frontlines of communities being poisoned, killed and displaced by the coal industry and standing in solidarity with them to stop the destruction and build safe, healthy communities throughout Appalachia.

To do so, the Sierra Student Coalition, the Sierra Club, Meigs Community Action Network and other community based organizations and Energy Action Coalition partners are coordinating with Mountain Justice Summer to engage 8-12 students in a unique fellowship program to:

1. Work in solidarity with directly impacted community groups and local leaders to support their organizing efforts.
2. Amplify local voices through strategic campaign events, media outreach and actions.
3. Begin learning how to do community organizing, be anti-oppressive in our work and get first-hand knowledge of environmental injustices in Appalachia.
4. Share these experiences and build power and support for disproportionately impacted communities by taking these experiences back to your home and giving presentations and trainings throughout the school year.

All Climate Summer Ohio/West Virginia organizers will receive intensive trainings in community organizing, power analysis, anti-oppression, solidarity work, basic organizing skills, working with the media, training for trainers and environmental justice issues. Organizers will apply these skills immediately in their daily work performing organizing tasks with communities, planning large-scale actions and events and preparing to take the messages and lessons learned home to a broader audience.

Apply today by filling out this form and be part of the movement to empower local leaders to speak for themselves in the face of environmental injustice and oppression!

Application Timeline
• March 21: Applications publicly available
• March 30: First round of applications DUE (this is the priority acceptance round and all interested in project leadership/coordinator role must apply by this date)
• April 2-4: First round interviews
• April 9: First round acceptances announced
• April 13: Second round of applications DUE (this round is dependant on applications from round 1)
• April 16-18: Second round interviews
• April 19: Second round acceptances announced

Program Logistics
• Dates: May 21-June 30, 2007
• Locations: Knoxville, TN (training), Meigs, OH and Charleston, WV
• Accommodations: All housing and food will be paid for; housing will vary depending on location but will include organizing houses, camping and staying on the farm.

Learn about our full summer Climate Summer programs in Iowa and New Hampshire.

For more info on the Ohio/West Virginia program, please contact Kim at kim[at]ssc.org

For more info on the Iowa or New Hampshire programs, please contact Jared at jared.duval[at]sierraclub.org