Fresno Bee
July 9, 2023
Fresno teen walks U.S. Capitol’s halls to bring a message about climate change | Opinion
My heart races as I stroll briskly past the U.S. Capitol, sweat dripping down my back. The unforgiving heat does nothing to stem the surges of nervous adrenaline running through my veins. The grandeur of the place stirs me, yet its ostentation pales in comparison to the weight of the mission I carry: advocating for urgent climate action. As a 16-year-old from Fresno, I grew interested in learning about environmental issues when I witnessed the beauty of our national parks being threatened and local communities destroyed by a series of wildfires that ravaged central California in recent years. I never imagined my evolving passion for the environment wound send me to the epicenter of American political power — D.C. — in a bid to voice my concerns about the impending climate catastrophe.
My fully funded trip was courtesy of Citizen’s Climate Lobby’s; I’m the co-leader of the Fresno Youth Action Team. We’re an international organization, with a shared vision to address the climate crisis through meaningful action. Our lobbying efforts specifically focused on clean energy permitting reform, aimed at accelerating the process of building infrastructure for renewable energy sources, and the EICDA, which is designed to place a fee on carbon emissions while generating revenue to be returned to households as a dividend. My journey to the Capitol, accompanied by fellow CCL members, was dedicated to urging the passage of nonpartisan pro-climate bills. This nonpartisanship is what I admire most about CCL. People can have their own opinions; that’s one of the most crucial aspects of democracy. But my fellow lobbyists and I understood that to tackle a problem as momentous as climate change, we all need to come together as a united front. The importance of this front was underscored during the CCL conference, in the days of preparation leading up to Lobby Day. I encountered some of the most diligent and determined people I’ve ever met there. Among them were representatives from Ghana, who taught me that environmental degradation is not just a regional or national crisis, and CCL higher-ups from diverse backgrounds, who taught me that anyone can make an impact.
I had the privilege of meeting with four congressmen and their staffers on lobby day. The meetings were not without their challenges. While many congressional offices were warm and welcoming, several openly scoffed at the thought of supporting our main requests. I stuttered at first, but with each meeting — even the most demoralizing ones — I grew more confident in utilizing the skills I’d learned as a debater in high school and during the conference. Each skeptical glance and dismissive comment served as a stark reminder of the uphill battle we were fighting.
And each interaction taught me something valuable. The congressmen, even those who disagreed, showed me the complexity of the decision-making process. Each voice had its own priorities, its own concerns. I learned the importance of understanding their perspective, not just promoting my own. As the youngest in the room, I wasn’t just representing myself or CCL — I was representing a generation, one that will inherit the consequences of decisions made today. I finished the trip off with a bang by facing a fear that may even be shared by some congressional members: public speaking. Cracking (dumb) jokes in front of a thousand other CCL members while recounting my experiences was daunting, and perhaps a bit embarrassing, but I am so grateful for the warm reception my comments received. Today, I’m not just a 16-year-old from Fresno, but a climate advocate and youth leader committed to inspiring my generation to act for a more sustainable future. And I plan to fight for this cause for the rest of my life. This story was originally published June 30, 2023, 5:30 AM.
Shiv Mehrotra-Varma
