- Read the Declaration
- Sign the Declaration
- See Who Has Endorsed the Declaration
- About the Declaration and FAQ
- Printable version of this Declaration [.pdf]
- Printable 1-page summary of this Declaration [.pdf]

The CCN is working to gather support for the Cascade Climate Declaration, a document calling for an end to the climate crisis and a transition to a sustainable, just, and prosperous future. This document includes:

1) a Preface
2) five Principles, and
3) five Immediate Actions.

The Preface provides the context for why we as youth see this problem as both the largest challenge and opportunity requiring our attention. We think of this as our mini-manifesto, a statement of purpose and commitment.

The five Principles proposed are meant to be timeless and are intended to guide our transition toward a sustainable, just, and prosperous future. They serve as a litmus test for solutions that move us toward our envisioned future. If a solution (be it a policy, politician, or personal action) is to create sustainability, justice, and prosperity, it will be consistent with our five principles and if it does not agree, we question its efficacy.

The Declaration concludes with five Immediate Actions, which we feel are critical priorities of this transition.

It should be noted that these Immediate Actions are not policies in and of themselves. Rather, they serve as a guiding backbone and examples of steps that should be implemented at any level – individual, community, state, regional or national – to put us on a course towards a sustainable, just, and prosperous future. Moreover, specific actions mentioned in the Immediate Actions section are not the exclusive answers to the climate crisis. We fully acknowledge that this problem will require all varieties of creative solutions and if they agree with our Principles, they have our full support.

Student governments, student body presidents, and students and youth themselves in Washington and Oregon are signing and thereby pledging their support for the Declaration. This is a statement written by youth, for youth, but anyone of any generation is welcome to sign it in solidarity. We as young people have a unique stake in catalyzing this transition to a sustainable, just, and prosperous future, and we need to build broad support and share this vision of action.

By signing the Declaration, youth in Washington and Oregon are speaking with a strong and unified voice and weighing in on the impending debate on next steps to address the climate crisis. Building support for the Declaration provides a spring-board from which we can choose any number of important actions that advance the future envisioned by the Declaration. Pease sign your support and add your voice to others calling for a sustainable, just, and prosperous future for all!

Take the Cascade Climate Pledge
(sign the pledge below)

Cascade Climate Declaration (Summary Version)

    As youth of the Pacific Northwest, we recognize that the climate crisis we currently face presents both the defining challenge - and the greatest opportunity - of our generation.

    We fully acknowledge the truth that human activity is rapidly driving the climate crisis, and we accept and embrace the moral responsibility that we must act boldly, decisively, and quickly to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a sustainable, just, and prosperous future for all.

    Tackling the climate crisis will require us to break our current reliance on dirty, unsustainable, energy sources and implement a rapid transition to clean, renewable, and local resources. The technology to begin this transition exists today; all we lack is the political will.

    We recognize that this transition will require change at both the individual and societal levels, and are committed to working towards both.

    We, the youth of today, make this pledge to future generations: we will end this climate crisis within our lifetimes, because failing to do so is unconscionable.

    We refuse to let the climate crisis continue and we pledge to hold ourselves and our elected representatives accountable. We therefore present these principals which should guide us in our transition:

1. Real solutions, like energy efficiency and renewable energy, are sustainable and just.
2. False solutions, like LNG, “clean” coal, and nuclear power, prevent us from building a sustainable, just, and prosperous future.
3. We value community-based solutions.
4. We believe humans are indivisible from the Earth.
5. Educational institutions should be models and leaders in the transition to a just, prosperous, and sustainable energy future.

    Following from the principles listed above, we believe our region must take the following immediate actions to begin a healthy response to the climate crisis. In particular, we seek commitments from current decision-makers to work towards implementing these immediate actions:

1. Commit to prioritizing energy efficiency and conservation measures.
2. Commit to providing strong support for the development of clean, renewable, local, and just energy resources to meet our region’s remaining energy needs.
3. Commit to immediately halt all new fossil fuel infrastructure development projects to serve our region’s energy needs.
4. Commit to immediately begin phasing out the importation of fossil fuels into the Pacific Northwest.
5. Commit to adequately funding educational institutions as centers to train, empower, and otherwise prepare youth and community members for their roles in the transition to a sustainable, just, and prosperous future for all
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We the undersigned pledge to contribute toward a better future as envisioned by the Cascade Climate Declaration.
(Signatories have the option to check their level of support)