Climate change volunteers canvas on campus

Bright orange tents and people in orange t-shirts standing with writing pads have been constant images for the people at the University of Nevada, Reno for the past few months. These volunteers from NextGen Climate have interacted with students and professors who walk by, trying to educate them on the need for voting and how political choices effect climate change policies.

Though the topic of climate change has received little attention in this election, NextGen Climate has been canvassing and shining light on the issue. This initiative was started by Tom Steyer, a hedge fund manager and his wife Kat Taylor. They have pledged to contribute most of their wealth to charitable causes such as these.

NextGen Climate volunteers have been campaigning since August in battleground states on various college campuses including the University of Nevada, Reno.

“Climate control is important in this election because of its disproportionality and its huge impact on poor people,” said Marty Boren, who graduated from the university in May and has volunteered for the cause for months.

“There has been five times more carbon emission now compared to a few years ago,” Boren said.

DIVERGING CANDIDATES

There has been a stark difference in the views and campaigns of the two presidential candidates. Clinton has been proposing renewable energy throughout her campaign, while Trump has expressed his views on this issue through his tweets.

“I won’t let anyone take us backward, deny our economy the benefits of harnessing a clean energy future, or force our children to endure the catastrophe that would result from unchecked climate change.” — Hilary Clinton on her campaign website.

“This is an important issue for the younger people who are also more aware of this issue. Even if some of the students are Republicans, they understand the need and are changing,” said Boren.

Erin Butler, who was coordinating the tent on the morning of Election Day, was confident their months-long efforts would pay off.

“There is going to be an increase in the turnout of people to vote as millennials understand the need and importance of this election,” Butler said.

With vigorous campaigns and interactions with everyone coming to an end at 7 p.m. on Election Day, they are waiting to see if their efforts have paid off.