{"id":20481,"date":"2024-12-23T09:58:10","date_gmt":"2024-12-23T17:58:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/?p=20481"},"modified":"2024-12-23T09:58:49","modified_gmt":"2024-12-23T17:58:49","slug":"student-energy-15-years-of-empowering-youth-in-the-energy-transition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/student-energy-15-years-of-empowering-youth-in-the-energy-transition\/","title":{"rendered":"Student Energy: 15 Years of Empowering Youth in the Energy Transition"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Student Energy&#039;s 15th Year\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/H7C_WOD-8G0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In celebration of Student Energy\u2019s 15th anniversary, we interviewed Executive Director Helen Watts to reminisce on Student Energy\u2019s 15 years of progress and what\u2019s next for our burgeoning youth-empowerment and clean energy charity. We also had the opportunity to catch up with Janice Tran and Kali Taylor, two of Student Energy\u2019s founding members, to reflect on their time with Student Energy and how this organization helped them excel in the energy industry.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Birth of a Movement<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-20493 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2-2-1024x384.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"384\" srcset=\"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2-2-1024x384.png 1024w, https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2-2-600x225.png 600w, https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2-2-768x288.png 768w, https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2-2-1536x576.png 1536w, https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2-2.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Student Energy was established during a time when the global conversation around climate change was in its early stages. The organization\u2019s founders, including Taylor and Tran, recognized the need to connect energy systems with environmental challenges and saw young people as critical drivers of this transformation. As Taylor recalls, the idea for the first \u201cInternational Student Energy Summit\u201d in 2009 was born out of a desire to create a space where youth could engage meaningfully in energy discussions. The overwhelming response from young people worldwide led to the formal creation of Student Energy.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h4><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe idea for clean energy is born over 15 years ago. It was a recognition that the impacts of climate change was going to be the greatest for young people and the students were in a unique position to change it and become the leaders that the world needs.\u201d <\/span><\/i><\/h4>\n<h4><b>Janice Tran<\/b><\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-20494 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/3-2-1024x384.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"384\" srcset=\"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/3-2-1024x384.png 1024w, https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/3-2-600x225.png 600w, https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/3-2-768x288.png 768w, https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/3-2-1536x576.png 1536w, https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/3-2.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At its core, Student Energy\u2019s mission has been twofold: to address the climate emergency by transforming energy systems and to empower young people to take the lead in this transformation. From the outset, the organization has emphasized youth empowerment, recognizing that young leaders, with their creativity and passion, have the potential to drive innovative solutions. Many early members, like Tran, did not come from energy backgrounds but were united by their desire to make a difference. As she reflects, \u201cIt really was just a leap of faith\u2026 and the rest is history.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Student Energy\u2019s Growth and Evolution<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-20489 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/3-1-1024x384.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"384\" srcset=\"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/3-1-1024x384.png 1024w, https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/3-1-600x225.png 600w, https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/3-1-768x288.png 768w, https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/3-1-1536x576.png 1536w, https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/3-1.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From its humble beginnings, Student Energy has grown into a global organization with over 30 full-time staff and a presence in numerous countries. Helen Watts, Executive Director of Student Energy, recalls the early days when the organization operated more like a startup, with only a few staff members juggling multiple roles. &#8220;We were chasing opportunities, always on the lookout for new funding,&#8221; she explains. Today, the organization no longer has to ask for permission to be part of critical energy discussions\u2014now, it is invited to the table.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h4><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cStudent Energy has had such a massive impact on me, both personally and professionally&#8230; it\u2019s <\/span><\/i> <i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">taught me the importance of putting those big visions out there and going for them. It\u2019s the only <\/span><\/i> <i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">way we\u2019re going to make change.\u201d <\/span><\/i><\/h4>\n<h4><b>Kali Taylor<\/b><\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The organization&#8217;s growth has also allowed it to focus more on long-term strategic planning. With a dedicated and expanding team, Student Energy has been able to develop programs that directly respond to the needs of young people worldwide. Watts highlights that the organization has shifted from merely surviving to thriving, allowing it to proactively create opportunities for youth to engage in the energy transition.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Empowering Youth to Tackle the Climate Emergency<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-20490 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/4-1-1024x384.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"384\" srcset=\"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/4-1-1024x384.png 1024w, https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/4-1-600x225.png 600w, https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/4-1-768x288.png 768w, https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/4-1-1536x576.png 1536w, https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/4-1.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Central to Student Energy&#8217;s mission is the belief that young people are key to addressing the climate emergency. Youth are disproportionately affected by decisions made today regarding energy systems, climate policies, and sustainability efforts. Yet, as Watts points out, young people are often excluded from decision-making processes. &#8220;Young people&#8230;are provided with very little agency to have decision-making power,&#8221; she notes, emphasizing the need for intergenerational equity.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h4><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0\u201cYoung people are often disregarded or thought of as disruptors who don\u2019t understand what\u2019s going on&#8230;even though these decisions will impact their lives more than older generations.\u201d <\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n<h4><b><span data-rich-links=\"{&quot;per_n&quot;:&quot;Helen Watts&quot;,&quot;per_e&quot;:&quot;helen@studentenergy.org&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;person&quot;}\">Helen Watts<\/span><\/b><\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Student Energy has made it a priority to ensure that youth voices are not only heard but are given real influence in shaping the future of energy. The organization advocates for an energy transition that is not only sustainable but also equitable, ensuring that communities worldwide are supported and that no one is left behind.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Building a Global Network and Impact<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-20491 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/5-1-1024x384.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"384\" srcset=\"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/5-1-1024x384.png 1024w, https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/5-1-600x225.png 600w, https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/5-1-768x288.png 768w, https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/5-1-1536x576.png 1536w, https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/5-1.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of Student Energy\u2019s most significant achievements is its ability to build a global community of young leaders. Through its various programs, the organization has connected youth from different regions, providing them with the knowledge, tools, and networks needed to create change in their communities. Watts emphasizes that this sense of community is one of the organization&#8217;s most powerful assets, noting that &#8220;there is such a sense of family, kinship, and camaraderie&#8221; among those involved.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h4><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHere we are 15 years later, seeing some of those early connections making a real impact. Soon, Energy alumni are creating companies, leading multinational organizations, investing in startups, writing forward-thinking policies. I am an example of this.\u201d <\/span><\/i><\/h4>\n<h4><b>Janice Tran<\/b><\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Student Energy\u2019s impact is evident in the countless success stories of youth who have taken action in their regions. For instance, students from the University of Manitoba collaborated with peers in Algeria to develop clean cooking solutions for their communities. Others have launched high school education initiatives or joined Student Energy\u2019s board to continue shaping the organization\u2019s future. These examples highlight the ripple effect of Student Energy\u2019s work\u2014by empowering one individual, the organization sparks change that reverberates through entire communities.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Looking Ahead: The Vision for 2030<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As Student Energy looks toward the future, its focus is on ensuring that young people have the resources and support they need to stay engaged in the energy transition for the long term. One of the organization\u2019s top priorities is addressing burnout among young climate activists. Watts expresses concern that young people are not receiving the support they need to sustain their involvement in the movement. To address this, Student Energy is expanding its programs to provide more comprehensive career training, mentorship, and funding opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h4><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cA big focus for us is going to be how we create more staying power in the youth, energy transition and climate movement. A real fear of mine and many, many around me is that young people are burning out very quickly and they&#8217;re not getting the support that they need to really have agency and staying power in this space.\u201d <\/span><\/i><\/h4>\n<h4><b>Helen Watts<\/b><\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By 2030, the organization aims to create a robust ecosystem for youth involvement in the energy sector. This vision includes expanding its careers platform to connect young people with employment opportunities and building a mentorship network that provides ongoing support. &#8220;Young people deserve to have purposeful work that\u2019s meaningful to them,&#8221; Watts says, underscoring the importance of creating sustainable career paths in the energy transition.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Charging Forward<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-20495 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/SE-15th-Anniversary-Graphics-1024x384.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"384\" srcset=\"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/SE-15th-Anniversary-Graphics-1024x384.png 1024w, https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/SE-15th-Anniversary-Graphics-600x225.png 600w, https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/SE-15th-Anniversary-Graphics-768x288.png 768w, https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/SE-15th-Anniversary-Graphics-1536x576.png 1536w, https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/site\/assets\/uploads\/2024\/09\/SE-15th-Anniversary-Graphics.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As Student Energy celebrates its 15th anniversary, the organization\u2019s impact on the global energy landscape is undeniable. From its beginnings as a grassroots initiative to its current status as a global leader in youth empowerment, Student Energy has remained steadfast in its commitment to creating a just and sustainable energy future.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h4><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhat I would tell young people who are thinking about getting into this space is we need you .We absolutely need your energy, your passion, your talent in order to make the massive transition that is required of us to be able to protect the planet and give people the future that they deserve.\u201d <\/span><\/i><b>Kali Taylor<\/b><\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Looking ahead, the organization\u2019s vision for 2030 is clear: to continue empowering young people, fostering global connections, and ensuring that youth voices remain at the forefront of the energy transition. As Watts puts it, &#8220;This is a crisis that will not be solved by an individual&#8230; It will be solved by collective action.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; In celebration of Student Energy\u2019s 15th anniversary, we interviewed Executive Director Helen Watts to reminisce on Student Energy\u2019s 15 years of progress and what\u2019s next for our burgeoning youth-empowerment and clean energy charity. We also had the opportunity to catch up with Janice Tran and Kali Taylor, two of Student Energy\u2019s founding members, to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":139,"featured_media":20517,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[555,5,1],"tags":[646,648,645,651,196,172,171,650,647,649,386,180,189,460],"class_list":["post-20481","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alums-network","category-events","category-news","tag-15-years","tag-achievement","tag-anniversary","tag-business-development","tag-clean-energy","tag-climate-action","tag-climate-change","tag-growth","tag-milestone","tag-movement","tag-renewable-energy","tag-student-energy","tag-youth","tag-youth-empowerment"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20481","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/139"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20481"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20481\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20517"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20481"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20481"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentenergy.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20481"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}