Bay Area, California— Over 400 student leaders from across the state of California will join 10,000 youth Feb. 27 -- March 2 in Washington, D.C. for Power Shift '09. They will demand that the President and Congress pass bold climate and energy policies that dramatically reduce carbon emissions, create millions of green jobs, transition the nation towards a clean energy future and reengage it as a leader in the global community.

More than 100 students from the Bay Area alone—representing 13 diverse California schools—are among some 10,000 young leaders nationwide who are pushing for projects like solar power and green roofs, energy efficient buildings and other initiatives that they believe can both stimulate the economy and stabilize the climate. Nina Rizzo, the California Climate Organizer for human rights organization Global Exchange is a recruiter for Power Shift '09 on college campuses throughout the state. Rizzo says students have played a vital role in mounting political pressure with local residents to increase alternative energy projects on the west coast.

"We are creating a Power Shift amidst a perfect storm of science, political will and youth power," says Rizzo. "We're at a defining moment in history and our generation is stepping up to lead because our future survival depends on it."

California is ravaged by poor air quality and high asthma rates, drought and wildfires, and as sea levels rise much of its coastal cities will be under water. Rizzo says that the Bay Area is particularly poisoned by the Chevron oil refinery and other toxic sites and that a clean and just renewable energy future is a solution for all these interconnected issues.

"I'm from a community that's overrepresented when it comes to the adverse effects of climate change and underrepresented as advocates for solutions," says Reginald James, student from Laney College in Oakland. "I'm attending Power Shift in DC to learn effective strategies that I can use and share with my community that will help empower them to advocate for solutions to climate change."

The Power Shift '09 summit kicks off on Friday, February 27 and culminates on Monday, March 2, when young people will meet with elected officials at the Capitol and put forward their ideas on climate action in a special Congressional subcommittee hearing. The four day event will feature speakers such as Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Representatives Donna Edwards and Ed Markey, Van Jones, Dr James Hansen, and special musical performances by The Roots and Santigold. On Monday, thousands of youth will converge for a rally on the Capitol steps.

Rizzo, James and students from schools statewide are available for interviews.

For more information visit: www.powershift09.org

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Power Shift '09 is organized by the Energy Action Coalition, which has grown over the past four years to include 50 national organizations, over 700 local groups and hundreds of thousands of young people all working together to successfully fight for clean energy solutions, and the creation of new green economy.

Global Exchange, a member of the Energy Action Coalition, is an international human rights organization dedicated to promoting social, economic and environmental justice around the world.