Almost 45,000 people came to Copenhagen last December to be a part of the United Nations Climate Change negotiations. Among them were more than a few Truman Scholars. Whether as government representatives, researchers at universities, or leaders of advocacy groups, we continued a long history of international Truman public service in the fight to stop climate change.

The two of us came as leaders of the youth-run sustainable development policy organization SustainUS. Jennie co-leads SustainUS's Agents of Change program, which brought more than 25 U.S. youth to participate in the Copenhagen talks, and Kyle chairs the organization and served as our official Head of Delegation in Copenhagen. SustainUS has advocated for a fair and binding science-based climate treaty for several years at the UN meetings. This was not the first UN climate negotiation for either of us, but it was easily the biggest.

While deeply concerned by the outcomes in Copenhagen, we were excited to be a part of the growing international climate movement, represented by the tens of thousands who tried to participate in the talks (we made it in, but many were locked out due to overcapacity in the negotiating halls), and the more than 100,000 who marched outside in Copenhagen’s streets. We were also thrilled to help lead the development of the international youth climate movement, which brought more than 1,500 young people from over 100 countries to participate in the negotiations, and last year secured formal UN recognition as a civil society participant. SustainUS helped to facilitate the training and coordination of some of the estimated 500 U.S. youth who came, including almost 200 inside the meeting and more than 300 in the streets.

We were also thrilled to be a part of the diverse Truman presence in Copenhagen. Paul Bodnar (CA ‘98) and Clare Sierawski (PA ‘04) serve on the State Department’s climate negotiating team. Scott Moore (KY ‘07) came with Oxford University’s Environmental Change Institute, and Emily McGlynn (PA ‘08), supported by SustainUS accreditation, attended as part of her work as a winner of the German government’s Transatlantic Renewable Energy Fellowship.

Many other Trumans have lent their talents to the international climate change effort, including some we probably don’t even know about (sorry!). Both Scott and Kelly Greenman (FL ‘08) were SustainUS delegates to the Bali negotiations in 2007, where the path to Copenhagen was agreed on. Michael Gale (WV ‘02), who now serves on SustainUS's Board of Directors, participated in the 2005 Montreal negotiations, essentially helping to start what would later become the international youth climate movement. Before that, Joy Hecht (MA ‘78) co-authored an influential paper in 1998 on the Kyoto Protocol and biodiversity conservation that SustainUS still references in its forest policy work today. And we learned just last month in the Class Notes section of this blog that Tom Burack (NH ‘80), Commissioner for the State of New Hampshire’s Department of Environmental Services, chaired the Climate Change Policy Task Force established by the Governor to develop a Climate Action Plan (CAP) for his state, and now chairs the NH Energy and Climate Collaborative.

Climate change didn’t end in Copenhagen. Neither, we suspect, will Truman Scholars’ efforts toward its solutions – internationally in UN climate negotiations, locally in our communities, and everywhere in between. Humbled by the legacy we’re now a part of, we look forward to seeing new Scholars apply the same passion and ingenuity toward this global struggle that made them Trumans in the first place.

Kyle Gracey (PA ‘05) is Chair of SustainUS and Master's student at the University of Chicago, and Jennifer Hatch (ME ‘09) is Agents of Change Coordinator of SustainUS and a senior at Wellesley College.

The SustainUS Copenhagen delegation - Kyle and Jennie 2nd row, 2nd and 4th from left

Preparing for a State Department meeting - Jennie and Kyle 1st row, far left and far right

It’s hard to believe that nearly a year has passed since the 2009 Truman Scholars National Conference was held in Washington, DC. In only two weeks, I’m excited to meet many of you again at our Reunion Weekend in Independence, Missouri, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Truman Scholars Leadership Week (TSLW).

I know that many of you are unable to attend the upcoming Reunion, but don’t fret! The Truman Scholars Association (TSA) is committed to bringing Scholars together, in person and otherwise. Programming this past year has included the National Conference and Reunion Weekend, as well as our In the Running Workshop for Scholars interested in elected office, and Finalist Dinners and Meet-and-Greets in cities around the country. Through these events, hundreds of Scholars have come together to connect and reconnect with each other. In addition to these in-person initiatives, TSA has also collaborated with the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation to enhance our virtual communication with Scholars through tools such as the Truman Scholars Blog and monthly email newsletter.

Of course, we can’t bring Scholars together without your help – all of these past events have relied on time, talent, and donations from fellow Scholars. Now’s the time to get involved and keep the momentum going. For instance, Terry (PA ’96) and Brian (MD ’01) Babcock-Lumish have organized a “Satellite Reunion” in London for Scholars who are unable to make it to the Reunion Weekend in Missouri. Kevin Lee (KY ‘98) has spearheaded a mentorship program for Scholars and Truman-Albright Fellows in Washington, DC. Also, Bradley Bowen (MT ‘04) and Michele Buckley (CO ’06) have been instrumental in hosting a variety of events in Seattle. Recently, TSA announced the upcoming election for our Board of Directors, to be held in July; I encourage all of you to consider applying (more details forthcoming). These are only a few examples of how each of us can play a role in strengthening the Truman Scholar Community.

The upcoming Reunion Weekend is another opportunity for Scholars to take ownership of our community. During the Reunion, we have set aside time for Scholars to brainstorm ideas and ask questions about the future of the Truman Scholars Association. This process, however, will be incomplete without feedback and ideas from those of you who are unable to attend. The various initiatives mentioned above were the direct result of feedback from Scholars like you.

I challenge you to contribute to this conversation, even if you are unable to attend the Reunion. Please email us at tsa@trumanscholars.org, tweet @trumanscholars, post a comment on Facebook, or contribute to the discussion on LinkedIn with any thoughts or ideas you have for the future of TSA, which will greatly enhance our discussion at the Reunion.

I look forward to connecting with you soon – whether at the Reunion, another event, or virtually.

Sincerely,

Pooja K. Agarwal
MO ‘05
President, Truman Scholars Association