Minnesota High Schoolers Making a Difference

Minnesota high schoolers Eric Weiman and Taylor Mork, above, are working at the Sierra Club this summer through a program called Unity Summer, which educates young people about social justice and how they have the power to change society. Taylor is going into the 11th grade at South High School in Minneapolis this fall and Eric is entering the 10th grade at Edina High School. In July, each wrote letters-to-the-editor about Renewable Energy Standard and CAFÉ (corporate average fuel economy) legislation and sent them to their respective congressperson--in Eric's case, Republican Jim Ramstad. Eric lauded Ramstad for signing a bill mandating greater fuel economy standards, and urged him to sign onto the Udall-Platts Renewable Energy Standard bill. The letter, which was published in the Edina Sun-Current, prompted a personal phone call from Ramstad, saying he wanted to talk more with Eric about energy issues and leaving his personal cell number. As Minnesota Sierra Club Legislative Director Brian Pasko puts it, "His mom flipped out!" When the two spoke, Ramstad told Eric he had signed on as a co-sponsor of the bill and would be supporting its passage in Congress. To Taylor and Eric, the Sierra Club says: "Thank you! You are making a difference!" Learn more about smart energy solutions and the Sierra Club's clean car campaign.