Violette Ballecer is Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s Northeast Regional Fellow and is earning her Bachelor’s in environmental analysis and policy and Master’s in energy and environment at Boston University. Violette’s passion for environmental advocacy stems from growing up in Central Valley, CA, America’s agricultural capital.
What I remember is the smell of burning — everything burning. I can still see flecks of ash falling outside my classroom window like sad little snowflakes. I also remember my lack of surprise: in California’s Central Valley, a couple-dozen miles shy of Yosemite National Park, a “normal” summer’s forecast includes ever-worsening heat, drought, and subsequent wildfire events.
I grew up in one of the most devastatingly beautiful places in the world. Where else can a person find firefalls, fairy pools, skiable mountains, and fields of wildflowers that could put a kaleidoscope to shame all within a 30 mile radius? However, in my 18 years of living there, the landscape had become unrecognizable due to climate change. Some of the meadows, streams, and lush forests to which I had dreamed of bringing my own children someday simply do not exist anymore. Seated front-row to the blistering demise of my home drove me to pursue a career in which I can make measurable change through policy.
When I got to university, I knew I wanted to get involved in local climate advocacy efforts. I started working with a fantastic organization called Our Climate, and through that opportunity, I found my way to Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL). Working as the Northeast Regional Fellow for CCL has given me a behind-the-scenes look at the complex process of passing climate legislation. More importantly, I have had the great honor of mentoring and advising passionate, civic-minded students as they discover how to use their voices to engender change. I am currently enrolled in a degree program training as a scientist so that I may one day create science-based, equitable environmental legislation.
Though it is profoundly rewarding, I must say I learn as much from the students I mentor as they do from me. My well-rounded understanding of how science translates into policy makes me a more effective scientist, the relationships I forge with those I advise make me a more effective educator, and my practiced ability to communicate productively with my local legislators makes me a better constituent. These are all skills which have been honed by my climate advocacy work at CCL. I know that my time with them has prepared me for a life of serving, protecting, and bettering my own community. I have become the person I wish existed when I watched climate change slowly raze my home.
When the flames are extinguished and the smoke clears, I believe the future will be brighter. I have a vision of a world in which I don’t have to worry about what kind of planet my grandchildren will inherit. The only way we can make this dream a reality is through education--educate friends and family, educate legislators, educate yourself. Without informed climate action, we won’t just lose serene meadows and magical fairy pools — we will lose everything. So, it’s up to us what we choose: antiquated values and greed or the planet we hold so dear?