Across the globe, young people are leading the fight for bold climate action and climate justice. What’s on your climate agenda? Tribal Sovereignty? Water rights? The Pine Tree Amendment? A Consumer-Owned Utility in Maine? Us too.
On April 27th from 10am to 1pm, Maine Youth for Climate Justice, Maine Youth Action, Maine Environmental Education Association Changemakers, JustME for JustUS, Maine Youth Power, and Young People’s Caucus are hosting a Youth Day of Action at the State House in Augusta. This event will be a day for youth in Maine to mobilize and present our vision and demands for our future. The day will include a rally, press conference, lobbying, and networking. We will also be live streaming the event. Register here and RSVP to our Facebook event here!
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As we count down the days to the Youth Day of Action, we'd love for you to join us in taking action on our legislative priorities for climate justice! The 131st Maine State Legislature is in session and we are tracking a few different bills! Check out our Bill Tracker for the bills we are following, important dates, and to read the testimony that MYCJ members are submitting this legislative session! Below is a guide on how to engage at the State House as our day of action approaches. Our April Statewide Call for Youth, on Tuesday April 18th at 5pm, will also cover YDA advocacy, so register here to learn more about the legislative process!
Youth Rally Speakers
Tribal Sovereignty
Tribal Ambassador Osihkiyol "Zeke" Crofton-Macdonald
Zeke (he/him) is a Wolastoqey person from unceded Wolastoqey territory in Meduxnekewiyik in Maine and Welamukotuk in New Brunswick Canada. He currently serves as the Tribal Ambassador for the Maliseet Nation in Maine at Meduxnekewiyik, also known as the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians. Zeke has spent his life so far advocating for Wolastoqey rights and nationhood on both sides of the international border.
Pine Tree Amendment
Audrey Hufnagel
Audrey (she/her) is a junior in high school from Damariscotta, Maine. She is a climate justice activist and an advocate for the Pine Tree Amendment. Audrey believes that all people should have access to a clean and healthy environment and fights for a future where everyone can thrive.
Offshore Wind
Elise Hartill
Elise (she/they) has a M.Sc. in marine biology from the University of Maine where she studied cold-water coral ecosystems. She received a National Geographic Society Early Career Grant in 2019 to support a science education and communications project in Southeast Alaska, where her graduate research was based. She is motivated by the need to develop community-driven resilience to climate change by supporting robust public education, local food systems, involving communities in citizen science, and developing adaptive strategies that meet each individual community's needs.
Youth Day of Action Emcee
Phoebe Dolan
Phoebe (she/her) is a rural youth organizer. She founded Maine Youth Power in 2020 along with 6 other young Mainers. Her passion is to build a movement that is accessible to all rural people and channel rural youth power into tangible changes in the state of Maine. Phoebe lives in the small town of Swanville, 10 minutes from the Maine coast and she is *amped* to be emceeing Youth Day of Action!
Education
Amara Ifeji
Amara (she/her) is an internationally awarded non-profit leader in climate and environmental justice. Amara advances legislative solutions focused on systemic transformation to ensure equitable access to outdoor learning for ALL youth.
Amara's barriers in accessing environmental learning compelled her to lead community science efforts for students of color like herself.
As the Director of Policy at the Maine Environmental Education Association, Amara mobilizes youth-led, grassroots movements to advance state and federal environmental education policies. Most recently, Amara contributed to securing $2 million for climate education in Maine. In recognition of her work, she was named a 2021 National Geographic Young Explorer and 2022 Brower Youth Awardee.
Protecting Water Rights
Luke Sekera Flanders
Luke (he/him) recently graduated from Fryeburg Academy. Luke has been a strong advocate for water justice from a young age, he is co-founder and Youth Lead for Community Water Justice, a statewide network of frontline communities resisting water privatization and working toward sustainable access to clean water for all people. Luke was also a MEEA Changemakers Fellow, working on education and mobilizing support for environmental justice efforts in Maine. Luke hopes to help strengthen the movement for environmental justice in Maine by supporting other young organizers.
Public Transportation
Cole Cochrane
For the past few years Cole (he/him) has developed a deep passion for Maine’s environment, focusing on both electoral and legislative affairs to address issues regarding climate change. He was campaign manager to Representative O’Neil of Saco. In addition to being avidly involved in elections, he pursued his interests in the legislature by proposing bills that invest in climate action projects on the municipal level, on public transportation issues, and even lowering the voting age. During his time as a policy development coordinator, he built coalitions and negotiated with organizations for support, one of them being MYCJ. Shortly thereafter, he became a volunteer legislative team member for MYCJ and co-founder of Maine Youth Action.
Take Legislative Action for the Youth Day of Action
Welcome to the 2023 Day of Action! Whether you’re able to join us at the State House on April 27th or not, you can participate in the youth climate movement by taking action via this guide. Read on to learn about the day of action this year, our demands, and to take tangible steps towards bold, equitable climate policy in our state.
History of the Day of Actions
The statewide coalition Maine Youth for Climate Justice has organized Day of Actions to advocate for climate policy in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. These have included rallies, lobbying, occupying Maine Climate Council Meetings, press conferences, and workshops. Additionally, there have been climate strikes across Maine in 2019, 2020, and 2023 organized by youth. We’ve made incredible progress through these events, and will continue the momentum this year.
If you are interested in joining MYCJ’s legislative team, you are welcome to join weekly calls on Mondays from 6-7 PM. The meeting link is here and our call notes are here.
You can also keep up to date with our legislative priorities using this spreadsheet.
Our Demands & Related Legislation
Demand #1: We recognize that any successful climate justice movement must support Indigenous rights and call for tribal sovereignty. We are demanding the passage of (LR 1184) to place Wabanaki tribal citizens on similar footing as the other 570 federally recognized tribes across the country.
We are supporting Wabanaki Alliance advocacy for many pieces of legislation, including tribal sovereignty (LR 1184)
How can you support this legislation?
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Follow Wabanaki Alliance legislative priorities using their bill tracker
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Find your legislators here and make sure they support tribal sovereignty by setting up in-district meetings. (If you’re interested in doing this, please reach out to Ezra (ezra@mycj.org) with questions)
Demand #2: We support an interdisciplinary education system that works for all students. We want the education system to pay attention to the needs and values of children and young people, including climate science, providing access to outdoor spaces, and teaching accurate history.
We are supporting LR 1018, which will increase access to outdoor education for everyone.
How can you help support this legislation?
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Learn about LR 1018: Outdoor Education for All
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Read the educational 2-pager here
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Use the talking points here to advocate for this legislation
We are also supporting LR 1566, which will strengthen Wabanaki studies in Maine
Demand #3: That those in positions of power commit to taking the necessary action to mitigate and adapt to climate change on the time scale that science and justice require, including transitioning to renewable energy in an equitable and just way and investing in accessible public transportation.
We are supporting offshore wind education and facilitating important conversations
We are also supporting LR 741, which would open the door to equitable offshore wind implementation in Maine.
How can you help support offshore wind?
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Help educate yourself and others by watching our offshore wind speaker series and panel discussion here
We are also supporting increase public transportation accessibility through LR 1777 (bus services) and LD 1170 (passenger rail).
Demand #4: We demand that people are put first when it comes to addressing the climate crisis and recognize the long-term right to a healthy environment must take precedent over the short-term profits of a few large companies.
We are supporting LD 928, also known as the Pine Tree Amendment.
How can you support this legislation?
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You can write testimony in support, using this testimony template
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You can turn your testimony into an op-ed piece and submit it to your local newspaper (here are some examples of op-eds in local Maine newspapers)
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You can order a yard sign here (free with an option tol donate)
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You can organize a Pine Tree Amendment educational event in your local community. If you are interested in doing this, please reach out to Anna Siegel (annasiegel6@gmail.com)
We are also supporting LD 1111, which will limit extractive bottled water companies to three-year contracts and require all municipalities connected to a watershed to agree to contracts with these companies.
How can you support this legislation?
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You can use this template to write supportive testimony and/or an op-ed in your local newspaper.
Stay tuned as we update this page to reflect the most pressing advocacy asks!
REACHING OUT TO YOUR LEGISLATORS
Whether you are attending the Youth Day of Action in person, or looking to take action virtually, reaching out to the legislators who represent you in Augusta is a great way to make your voice heard. Remember - your legislators represent YOU! Here are a few tips for reaching out to your legislators:
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Look up your legislators and their contact information here. You will have both a State Senator and a State Representative
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Do a google search! Learn more about your legislators parties, platforms, and what they are interested in
If you are attending the Youth Day of Action in person:
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Email or call your legislator to let them know that you’ll be in Augusta on April 27th. Let them know you’ll be in the State House from 11am - 12:15. See sample outreach email below.
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On the day of, text or email your legislator to remind them you’ll be there and confirm your meeting time. Legislature schedules tend to change often, so don’t be alarmed if the meeting time changes!
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During the meeting, talk about why you are there - what makes you passionate about climate action? Why is climate action important?
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Choose a few of the bills or topics to discuss from the toolkit. You don’t have to talk about them all, especially if you know your legislator already supports a bill!
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Thank them for their time, and let them know you’ll be following up with them via email
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In the following days, send a follow up email thanking your legislator, and include a summary of what you discussed. Feel free to add any links, fact sheets, or other information on the bills you talked about
If you’re taking virtual action:
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Email or call your legislator to request a time to meet (sample email below)
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On the day of the meeting, text or email your legislator to remind them you’ll be there and confirm your meeting time. Legislature schedules tend to change often, so don’t be alarmed if the meeting time changes!
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During the meeting, talk about why you are there - what makes you passionate about climate action? Why is climate action important?
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Choose a few of the bills or topics to discuss from the toolkit. You don’t have to talk about them all, especially if you know your legislator already supports a bill!
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Thank them for their time, and let them know you’ll be following up with them via email
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In the following days, send a follow up email thanking your legislator, and include a summary of what you discussed. Feel free to add any links, fact sheets, or other information on the bills you talked about
Sample email for Youth Day of Action:
Dear [Representative/Senator___],
My name is ______, and I am a resident of ______. I am reaching out today because I will be in Augusta on April 27th for the Youth Day of Action, and I am hoping to schedule a time to meet with you to talk about climate action and to learn more about your interests.
In particular, I am interested in talking with you about [bill/topics].
I will be in the State House from 11-12:15 on the 27th. Is there a time then that would be possible for a meeting?
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to meeting you!
Sincerely,
[Name]
[Phone #/email]
Sample email for virtual meeting:
Dear [Representative/Senator___],
My name is ______, and I am a resident of ______. I am reaching out today because I am hoping to schedule a meeting with you to discuss the demands and related legislation prioritized at the Youth Day of Action.
In particular, I am interested in talking with you about [bill/topics].
Would it be possible to schedule a time to meet? Here are some times in the coming weeks that would work for me [insert times or a doodle poll]
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to meeting you!
Sincerely,
[Name]
[Phone #/email]
Youth Day of Action Sponsors
We wouldn't be able to host the Youth Day of Action without the financial support of allied adult-led organizations, we have a deep gratitude for their support of youth-led activism.
