On the morning of May 30, 20 young climate activists convened at a coffee shop in downtown Salt Lake. While early risers ordered espresso, we stuffed banners into our backpacks and synchronized our phone alarms.
In a few hours, we would be sitting under crystal chandeliers at the annual Governor’s Energy Summit. When our alarms blared, 20 minutes into Gov. Gary Herbert’s policy discussion with Energy Secretary Rick Perry, we would be signaled to jump on the stage, adding the youth voices that the summit lacked, and demanding that our government officials invest in our future.
When we walked into the summit, we were surrounded by business people in suits.