3 Things I Learned from LCV’s ‘Young Leaders Lobby Day’

Michigan LCV
Aug 8, 2017 · 5 min read

Written by Christian Gerard Koch, Michigan League of Conservation Voters

This past June, I got to be a part of the 2017 Young Leaders Lobby Day where I had the opportunity to represent the great state of Michigan and advocate before our elected officials to protect our natural resources and environments.

The most valuable things I learned from my time in Washington D.C. had little to do with new information I received when meeting with legislators, but rather in connecting with the larger conservation movement of which I got to be a part.

  1. Our Air, Land, and Water Unite Us.

“With or without U.S. leadership, other countries, businesses, states, cities and citizens are continuing the unstoppable march toward the clean energy economy…and [together, we] will continue holding this administration accountable, fighting back, and making progress in cities and states across the country.” — Gene Karpinski, President of League of Conservation Voters, (06/02) https://www.lcv.org/article/week-climate-inaction-3/

MLCV Young Leaders Lobby Day participants with Gene Karpinski, President of League of Conservation Voters

During LCV’s Lobby Day, I was only one of about one hundred other Young Leaders representing 16 other LCV state chapters from around the country, who traveled all the way to Washington D.C. to make our voices heard by congressional leaders from our home states.

Although this was my first time attending this annual event, it was clear this year’s cohort of attendees were especially fired up after President Trump’s recent decision to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement.

So, while there may be a lack of leadership in protecting our environment on the federal level, the conservation movement is not letting our clean water protections or our clean energy future go down without a fight. And our greatest asset is our people power.

Americans from all walks of life care deeply that our water is safe to drink and our air is safe the breathe.

After meeting with other Young Leaders during the Youth Lobby Day event, it was refreshing to see so many people from diverse backgrounds working to create positive change and advocating for conservation issues in states across the country. We are not willing to wait for our problems to be solved, we are ready to make it happen ourselves.

We know that when people show up at events like the People’s Climate March, the March for Science, or other events such as LCV’s Youth Lobby Day, it reminds our elected officials that we care deeply about the health of our communities and our natural resources. It also reminds them that we are ready to hold them accountable if they fail to keep us safe.

Despite the challenges we are face, now is the time for action. It is time to stop agonizing and start organizing!

2. Michigan Has a Unique Responsibility to Lead.

“Next to health care, I’ve gotten more response all across the state from people who believe in protecting the Great Lakes. There’s just a heightened awareness of what’s at stake right now.” — Senator Debbie Stabenow at LCV Lobby Day 2017 (06/14)

Michigan LCV meeting with Sen. Stabenow at LCV National Lobby Day (06/14)

Out of all of the conservation issues that we discussed with legislators, one clearly rose to the top: clean water.

When you’re living in “The Great Lakes State” — surrounded by 90% of the nation’s freshwater supply, and 25% of the world’s freshwater supply — you have a special role to play in stewarding this incredible resource.

If you ask me, having clean air, land, and water are non-partisan issues; and after meeting with elected officials from both sides of the isle, I’m glad that so many of our state’s representatives understand Michigan’s unique responsibilities to our abundant natural resources.

Unfortunately, the notorious Flint Water Crisis also serves as a reminder that the problems facing our clean water and the welfare of our communities are far from solved.

Michiganders must continue to push for Great Lakes Restoration Funding, reduce outbreaks of harmful algae blooms, decommission the Line 5 pipeline, and hold our elected officials accountable for doing so as well. There are many problems facing our state, but citizens of the Great Lakes State understand the stakes and we aren’t backing down.

3. It’s Important to Engage With Our Leaders, Even If We Disagree.

“Lobbying has always had a negative connotation to me, but witnessing the meetings first-hand made me realize the importance of conversing with and educating lawmakers, whether they believe in our cause or not, about policies that could have detrimental impacts on different communities.” — Danielle Moni Zo’obo on LCV Lobby Day (04/11)

I’ve had my share of participating in grassroots organizing and campaigning on behalf of conservation-minded candidates running for office. However, after my time in D.C. for Lobby Day, I have a new appreciation for the act of “lobbying” because — despite its negative connotations — I learned that in this critical moment citizen advocates like me can really make a difference.

By sharing your story within a short meeting, you — out of the dozens of people they talk with every day — have the opportunity to be someone they remember. By sitting down and engaging with lawmakers, you have the chance to explain why these issues are so important to you and why you care, and why they should care.

By simply sitting down and connecting with another person and sharing your perspective, you may be surprised what you can accomplish.

The nonpartisan, political voice for protecting Michigan’s land, air, and water. Explore what leaders in the MLCV community are saying about the issues.

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