The Pipeline and the protest – Samo unites against the United States Keystone XL Pipeline Project

Micol AzcarateStaff WriterIn the late ’60s, civic-minded high school and college students would get together for anti-Vietnam war protests, demanding peace and love. Nowadays, they are protesting a different war, the war on the environment.On Feb. 17, thousands of people marched in Los Angeles and Washington D.C. demanding that President Barack Obama take action on the climate crisis. Among them were around 20 Samo students and alums from various environmentalist groups on campus and across the country, all united by a mission to save the Earth.“The rally was a protest against the expansion of the Keystone XL Pipeline that would bring oil from the tar sands in Canada here to the United States,” Samo alumna and former Samohi Solar Alliance (SSA) president Charlotte Biren (’12), who protested in D.C., said. “The pipeline already exists, but the efforts of this protest were dedicated towards preventing the expansion of it.”According to climate change campaign website 350.org, this expansion would solidify the U.S.’s energy dependence on fossil fuels and foreign oil, which would have negative environmental impacts including habitat destruction and the obvious combustion of fuels.“We’ve seen climate change coming for a long time, but now it’s here, and it’s getting worse faster and causing greater harm than we ever expected,” California congressman Henry Waxman said. “People need to take action.”Students from Team Marine, SSA and Marine Biology did; they joined forces at the rally and marched while chanting and carrying signs. Team Marine captain Edie Côté (’13) said the rally was not only a successful event, but also a bonding experience.“It was great to be a part of something so big, and it’s the most fun I’ve ever had with Team Marine,” Côté said. “We had the chance to bond over our common goal.”Many students heard about the rally through Marine Biology teacher Benjamin Kay. He believes that getting together to promote a cause can boost school spirit, a sense of community and a sense of identity.“By being members of something, especially something that deals with an issue that is relevant to everyday life, students can shape who they are,” Kay said. “Many of my students identify with their cause, and say it has helped shape who they are.”Ellie Reynolds (’14), a Team Marine member and club president of Samohi Students for Whale Conservation, believes environmental activism is a rewarding vehicle for teenagers voicing their opinions.“I’m so grateful to be involved with other Samo students in an important cause. My club has helped me make friends and it has showed me the power of youth activism in the environmental movement,” Reynolds said. “We truly can make a difference.”As teenagers, we are torn between our constant struggle to grow up and our apparent lack of experience – but that’s not to say we don’t have power. It’s easy to feel discouraged when facing such a vast issue like climate change, but it seems that neglecting the Earth will always be a fatal mistake.“Teenagers have a voice, and with enough motivation and dedication it can be heard,” Kay said. mazcarate@thesamohi.com