- Read the Declaration
- Sign the Declaration
- See Who Has Endorsed the Declaration
- About the Declaration and FAQ
- Printable version of this Declaration [.pdf]
- Printable 1-page summary of this Declaration [.pdf]

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About the Cascade Climate Declaration (and FAQ)

The CCN is working to gather support for the Cascade Climate Declaration, a document emphasizing the need to address climate change by transitioning toward a sustainable, just, and prosperous future.  This document includes:

    1) a Preface
    2) five Principles, and 
    3) five Immediate Actions. 

The Preface provides the context for why we as youth see this problem as both the largest challenge and opportunity requiring our attention.  We think of this as our mini-manifesto, a statement of purpose and commitment.

The five Principles proposed are meant to be timeless and are intended to guide our transition toward a sustainable, just, and prosperous future.  They serve as a litmus test for solutions that move us toward our envisioned future.  If a solution (be it a policy, politician, or personal action) is to create sustainability, justice, and prosperity, it will be consistent with our five principles and if it does not agree, we question its efficacy.  

The Declaration concludes with five Immediate Actions, which we feel are critical priorities of this transition.  It should be noted that these Immediate Actions are not policies in and of themselves.  Rather, they serve as a guiding backbone and examples of steps that should be implemented at any level – individual, community, state, regional or national – to put us on a course towards a sustainable, just, and prosperous future.  Moreover, specific actions mentioned in the Immediate Actions section are not the exclusive answers to the climate crisis.  We fully acknowledge that this problem will require all varieties of creative solutions and if they agree with our Principles, they have our full support.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Declaration

Who wrote this Declaration?

    This document was written by a group of Oregon and Washington students and youth representing 10 different schools.  It was written during a weekend summit in early October 2007.  Check out this post on the youth climate movement blog, ItsGettingHotInHere.  To our knowledge, the Declaration is the first document written by youth in the Pacific Northwest to express a vision of how to address the climate crisis in our states and region.

Who is being asked to sign this?

     Student governments, student body presidents, and students and youth themselves in Washington and Oregon are signing and thereby pledging their support for the Declaration.  This is a statement written by youth, for youth, but anyone of any generation is welcome to sign it in solidarity.  We as young people have a unique stake in catalyzing this transition to a sustainable, just, and prosperous future, and we need to build broad support and share this vision of action.  Sign the Declaration online here.
 
How does signing the Declaration translate into action?

      By signing the Declaration, youth in Washington and Oregon are speaking with a strong and unified voice and weighing in on the impending debate on next steps to address the climate crisis.  Supporting the Declaration is a spring-board from which we can choose any number of important actions that advance the future envisioned by the Declaration.  

    Building strong support for the Declaration adds weight to whatever actions the many members of the Cascade Climate Network take, be it keeping liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals out of our coastal communities, championing statewide limits on greenhouse gas emissions, or campaigning to support a candidate for public office who would champion the ideas and actions outlined in the Declaration.  

    In addition, by accumulating support before an actual voting process ensues, we are identifying strong and active supporters and influencing the drafting of legislation and the views of candidates.  

    There are those among us who have grown impatient with the slow process of political work and waiting for our turn to be in power.  We do not have that luxury with the climate crisis.  Action is needed now, and our futures are at stake.  We as young people have outstanding energy, innovative ideas and organizing skill, and that breeds political power.  We are now harnessing that political power together with this Declaration.  Join us and help us decide what our next action will be!

Shouldn’t there be specific policy “asks” in the Declaration?  Why are such policies not included?

    The Declaration intentionally does not include any specific policy “asks” (such as the implementation of a carbon cap-and-trade program, new vehicle emissions standards, a specific tax incentive for renewable energy, etc.). 

    Our voice is strongest when we harness our energy, commitment and passion.  We are leading older generations on this debate and we need to show our elected officials what direction to head.  This Declaration serves as that guide.  We don’t need to lay out specific policies in order to show policy makers what we want.  In fact, it is their job to mold policies to our demands as citizens.

   Moreover, if we included a specific policy “ask” in this document, achievement of the goal would render that part of the Declaration mute.  Instead, the document is intended to be timeless.  If a proposed action or solution abides by the five principles, we – and the thousands who have signed their support for the Declaration – are big fans.  Likewise, if it fails to meet our litmus test, we think it deserves no place in our transition toward a sustainable, just, and prosperous future.

How can I personally support the vision outlined in the Declaration?

    You can support the Declaration and sustainable, just, and prosperous future it envisions by signing the Cascade Climate Pledge.  Sign the Declaration online here, or contact a CCN Coordinator near you to find out how to add your voice to the thousands of Oregon and Washington youth calling for an end to the climate crisis and a transition to a brighter future.

    The Pledge asks everyone who signs it to indicate their level of support for the Declaration.  It specifically asks people if they:

• support the principles outlined in the Declaration.
• will vote for candidates in upcoming elections who endeavor to support these principles.
• will strive to personally implement the first steps outlined in the Declaration.
• want to actively help out with the Cascade Climate Network's campaign for a sustainable, just, and prosperous future. 

    Want to do more than just sign the Pledge?  Great!  Check out ways to get involved here.