This is the second year that the Liberty Bell Youth Climate Action Group and Methow Valley Citizens Council have hosted a youth climate lobby day in Olympia. In 2019, students lobbied their elected officials on several bills including SB 5116, which requires 100 percent clean energy usage by 2045. This bill passed the legislature and was signed into law last year. Several of the bills students worked on last year are once again in the legislature. This year’s students continued to advocate for SB 5811, a bill which would implement California’s clean car standards and programs and HB 1110 which would implement a clean fuel standard and provide funding for electric vehicle charging stations throughout the state.

LBHS Sophomore Stella Gitchos had the opportunity to testify in front of the House Approriations Committee to urge them to pass SHB 2248, a bill which would expand community solar opportunities for communities across the state. A video clip of her testimony can be viewed here.

“I think it’s really important for people my age to get involved with climate issues. Visiting the capital, speaking with representatives, and giving testimony in front of a committee was honestly terrifying, but it is so amazing to have your voice be heard and to look your representatives in the eye and tell them to fight for your future. I can’t wait to keep fighting for this issue alongside my friends,” said Stella Gitchos.

One day after Stella’s testimony, Representative Mike Steele, a Republican representing the 12th district which includes the Methow Valley, voted to approve SHB 2248.

“This year’s lobby day was definitely the highlight of my year so far. I think it’s incredible that fifteen and sixteen-year-olds from such a small town have the opportunity to go to the capital and lobby on the climate crisis, that we are all so passionate about.” said Wyatt Lodato Albright. “Although speaking in front of the legislators was terrifying, it was also very empowering to realize that we have a chance to sway their votes on behalf of something that is very personal and important to us.”

The young delegation of climate activists met with Representative Steele and Representative Keith Goehner and staff of Senator Brad Hawkins, who was unable to meet with the students because he was not in Olympia that day.

“My experience talking to my representatives in Olympia was unforgettable. It made me realize that young people can truly make a difference. This is our future and it was very enjoyable to advocate for myself and my peers,” said Masie Shaw. Shaw added that her favorite part of the experience was talking to Representative Steele. “I felt like he was interested in what I had to say. I really appreciate this opportunity I was given and can’t wait to make more of a difference next year.”

For four of the teens, this was their first time lobbying their elected officials in Olympia. All students had previously met with Senator Hawkins to ask him to support climate legislation during his Listening Tour stop in Twisp this past September. One student, LBHS Junior Lena Nelson, participated in the 2019 trip and has spent the past year volunteering as a Junior Board Member with the Methow Valley Citizens Council.

“This trip was super inspiring. It’s so interesting to see the inner workings of something that actually has an enormous effect and the potential to make such a difference, and which is something we could possibly even have sway on. Being in the midst of this at the capitol really impresses upon you the importance of your voice,” Nelson added. “Each of us has been directly influenced by the changing climate, which makes our work so much more powerful, along with the fact that we are high school students, which caused numerous double takes while in Olympia. Having youth involved in the climate movement is absolutely crucial because it is our futures’ that will be influenced, our lives that will continue to drastically change.”