I got back late last night from speaking at Dr. Phillips High School and University of Central Florida on “We Can Kick Climate Change one Step at a Time: An Expanding Role for Youth.” (I’ll get a copy of some of the lecture in the next few weeks or so and will post it up)…What a tremendous experience. There is such great energy around the campus and the Global Perspectives Lecture Series; I have to give a shout out to John Bersia and Gabriela Orton who made the day go smoothly.
Before I head to campuses, I like to touch base with some key influencers to see not only what they are doing on the grassroots level, but what they are also looking to accomplish. If there is any way that I can aid them, I’ll try to do that in the short time that I have. It was nice to hear from Rich of Focus the Nation UCF who helped me organize some direct action after the talk- in the form of letters to Representative Feeney and the two Senators: Martinez and Nelson, as well as sign-ups for support of Green Jobs. And it was also a pleasure to hear from Mandy Hancock from the Southern Energy Network, who will be bringing 200 students to Powershift this February 27-March 2. Thank you also to the students who were able to spend some time after to engage in further discussion.
I’m also so happy to get feedback - of any form. It’s always great to hear from attendees because the more feedback I get, the more I am able to understand what is going through people’s minds and tailor my talk more effectively -
Thanks Ben for putting together your critical analysis of the talk. Well taken and love to speak with you about it more. Let’s arrange a call.
I do believe there are tremendous young leaders in the audience and was so happy to have met many of them and hope to cross paths again. I got a nice flood of discussion from Facebook, which I’d love to share with you below. I left names anonymous, as they were personal messages, but kept the first initials…Thanks guys and gals!
“Hello! I saw you speak today at UCF and really loved your speech! I am a member of the Student Sustainability Alliance so I’m so glad you inspired me and other students to get involved.” - J.
“Hello! I saw you speak today in Orlando at UCF and was just so impressed with your speech and everything you’re doing to motivate our generation to get involved and speak up. You mentioned you had facebook so I thought I would just send a message and let you know what a great job you did! I’m a student at UCF and decided on the major of Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Environmental Science and it’s turning out to be the best major because it combines a number of focuses, all of which I’m thoroughly interested in. Good luck with everything - just wanted to let you know I appreciate all you’re doing! :)” - G.
“Thank you so very much for coming to UCF today to speak with us. Your words, passion, presence, and story were all incredibly uplifting for me. I find myself in the unique situation of also being on a path uncharted and at 18 it is a bit daunting! However, I know I am going to do great things and it is just the most amazing thing to know that there is another bright, young woman willing to put it all on the line to pursue what makes her come alive. Please do let me know when you will be travelling back to Orlando. I would love to have the chance to sit down with you and talk. Thank you once again!” - A.
“The planet and I want to thank you for your continued participation in saving us.” - J.
“I was at your presentation today at UCF…I thought you did a great job, and you were very inspiring…I hope you the best in the future.” - M.
“Great presentation today! I wish you the best in the future, you are a great speaker.” - M.
“I attended you presentation today at UCF (which was awesome by the way) because I was interested in your take on the climate crisis since a lot of society will rather heed the warnings it seems. I’m currently a Freshman at UCF and your story about setting your goal for the future instead of completing your major impacted me as I had not thought of it that way. So thank you!” - K.
“Hey. My mom (the teacher who talked to you at DP) said I should poke ya. You’ve taken out that option, so I’m sending you a message instead. From what she said, you sound like a twin, and you’ve actually found something to do with your passion, and I would LOVE to hear about it. I’m hoping you can help me make this world just a little bit greener (and bluer…and browner…).” - C.
“Hi Summer! I was at your presentation today at UCF although admittedly, I am not a student there. I have a friend who is and she invited me to come along. I really enjoyed your presentation and heard your invitation to add you on Facebook, so I wanted to do so. I’m actually from Upstate NY, around the area you attended college. Right now I’m a law school student in Orlando and an avid environmentalist. I really love the PlanetGreen channel and watch it as often as I can, and I’m surprised when people haven’t heard about it… I tell everyone they have to watch it, especially Greensburg, as I’m a huge Leo DiCaprio fan as well! Anyway, enough about me and thanks for the opportunity to hear you speak.” - B.
“I was at your presentation at Ucf today, and justed wanted to say congratulations for all you have done so far, and for everything you will achieve in the future. You are a moving speaker, and I support everything you are doing. I wish you the best of luck.” - J.
“I enjoyed your environmental enthusiasm. I found it inspiring to think about what I could do with five thousand youths at my command. I am most fascinated by the idea of more green collared jobs for the “new economy”. What has been the most progressive group you have been a part of or has just speaking to people been enough to create change?” - M.
“Great presentation today!!” - T.
“I believe your message about Green Living and Climate Change is important…You had a good talk. I’ve probably done something like 15-20 of these and yours was among the better ones. You may have knocked the quantum physics speech from last year out of my top 5! :)” - W.
“I had to run out of the seminar right after the speech to go to work, but I thoroughly enjoyed everything you had to say. I am not at all a traditional student, and everything you said is pretty much what I have believed in my whole life. The future we want is never given to us, so we must get out there and get it if we want…Sorry for any rambling, but your speech just got me so fired up and helped me remember why I put up with all the sleepless nights I do working hard for my future.” - R.
“Wanted to let you know that the entire day was fabulous. I understand now why she wowed your office. She spoke to two groups, a high-school audience totaling about 60 and our afternoon keynote here (with about 425). Both were great.” - J.
“Thanks for speaking at UCF I love seeing other people our age as passionate about something as you are. I really think you lit some fires under some asses which is always good!” - C.
Thanks everyone. Please feel free to send along more feedback - comments, critical thoughts, or other thoughts of getting your community engaged. x, sum
- My book style, naturally debuts in USA Today alongside a number of other green reads, includes Starre’s and Treehugger’s book.