Partly Cloudy, 64°
Climate change is an existential threat facing humanity, in scope unlike anything we’ve seen before. This sober fact is undeniable. That’s why I believe a strong, diverse movement of young people advocating to end the corrupting influence of fossil fuel executives on our politics is critical. As such, I’m proud to support Sunrise’s bold and necessary efforts to stand up for the health and well-being of all people. However, there is one area in which the activist group is not doing enough: I just wish they’d send me more emails.
As a long-time climate activist, I was proud to sign up for Sunrise’s listserv at the activities fair my freshman year. However, I soon became disillusioned when I began to receive emails about the group’s happenings nearly every day.
Nearly every day is not enough. Climate change happens every day. And the problem is only getting worse.
Not a day should go by when I don’t receive at least ten emails from Sunrise. Any time that I am not receiving an email from Sunrise is time spent not thinking about Sunrise, and their mission to end climate change. That’s a problem.
Look, I believe that Sunrise is a vital organization. I participated in a climate strike twice this year. I wrote to my Congressman in support of the Green New Deal. I even marched with Sunrise to the Rhode Island State House. However, I can’t shake the feeling that these actions were all for naught when I don’t know what Sunrise is up to and how I can get more involved every waking moment of the day.
In an ideal world, I would receive no other emails than those from Sunrise, and a new email from Sunrise would appear in my inbox before I could finish reading the previous email from Sunrise. I would wake up to bountiful Sunrise emails in my inbox, and the gentle sound of Gmail notification pings would lull me to sleep. This ideal world is possible, and it is the world I want my children to live in.
Some may say that I’m an “idealist,” or that my views are “implausible,” or “unrealistic.” And sure, I may be a dreamer. But we as a generation uniquely know the power of a bold, progressive movement, as well as the self satisfaction from feeling like you’re doing something important online.
So Sunrise, please send me more emails, especially the ones where you ask me for money. We don’t have much time to waste.
