Nika Farokhzad '27 is a beat reporter for Campus Life covering the faces of Stanford, a weekly installment profiling a campus student, faculty or staff member. Contact Nika at news 'at' stanforddaily.com.
James Paleologopoulos
Boston University Statehouse Program
BOSTON A month after Gov. Charlie Baker signed an expansive climate change bill into law, state lawmakers are continuing to push for action on carbon emissions and more, with several highlighted by youth organizers at Beacon Hill during “Earth Week.”
Bill S.9, also known as “An Act Creating a Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy,” was signed last month and, among other actions, establishes a timeline for the state to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Though happy to see the bill’s passage, high school students from throughout Greater Boston are calling for further action, gathering Thursday in front of the State House to mark Earth Day with chants and speeches.
Student Nika Farokhzad feels it is essential that youth have a voice in politics - especially local politics.
To her point - without strong turnout among voters aged 18-30 nationwide, Democrat Joe Biden might not have beaten President Donald Trump in November, according to the Associated Press.
In Georgia, where there was a runoff slated for two Senate seats on Jan. 5, the campaigns and activist groups reached out to younger voters to play a pivotal role in the election.
Closer to home, although Farokhzad cannot vote yet, the 15-year-old has taken concrete steps to help youth become involved with causes and candidates important to them.