What's Happening In Alaska

Alaska youth answer the question "What can I do about global warming?" with a results-oriented action campaign

"We decided that we wanted to do something about global warming since it's having huge effects in Alaska. And we the youth of Alaska are going to be its next generation and we'd like to inherit a healthy planet," said Lizzie Evans, AYEA, Anchorage chapter.

The Alaska Youth for Environmental Action (AYEA) decided they wanted to "do something" about global warming. With their mind set on making a difference, they crafted a plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions through a program they called the "3-2-1 Efficiency Campaign." Their strategy was to invite individuals to take a pledge to replace 3 incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, turn their thermostat down 2 degrees in the winter, and unplug 1 household appliance when not in use.

The first year of the 3-2-1 Efficiency Campaign was a huge success, and it is estimated that as result of their campaign there was an annual prevention of almost 10 million pounds of carbon from entering our atmosphere. They continued their work, expanding the reach of their campaign and raising the level of actions they are asking pledge-signers to commit to. Most recently, AYEA partnered with the Alaska Association of Student Governments (AASG) and turned their campaign into a contest. The AASG Districts are now competing to get the most people to take the new 3-2-1 pledge. In the pledge, signers commit to unplugging 3 electronic appliances, bringing 2 reusable bags when going shopping and replacing 1 incandescent bulb with a CFL bulb. Their goal is to get 5,000 people to take the pledge which will reduce carbon emissions in Alaska by an estimated 19.8 million pounds.

In addition to their 3-2-1 Efficiency Campaign, AYEA received the 2006 President’s Environmental Youth Award for their work in statewide global warming outreach and education. AYEA teens developed a petition requesting national action through legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and invest in renewable energy. AYEA collected 5,000 teen signatures from 105 communities in Alaska, which represents more than 10 percent of the enrolled high school population. They presented their petition to Senator Lisa Murkowski, who requested that AYEA members meet with climate change specialists in Fairbanks to bridge the “science and public awareness” divide, which they continue to do through their organization.