Xiuhtezcatl Martinez - We Rise: The Earth Guardians Guide to Building a Movement that Restores the Planet

Mention of specific companies, organizations, or authorities in this book does not imply endorsement by the author or publisher, nor does mention of specific companies, organizations, or authorities imply that they endorse this book, its author, or the publisher. Internet addresses and telephone numbers given in this book were accurate at the time it went to press.

2017 by Xiuhtezcatl Martinez
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any other information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher.

Note: Page numbers listed below refer to the print edition of this book.
All photos courtesy of Tamara Rose with the exception of the following: Vanessa Black, xiv; Jade Begay, 161, 162, 171; Diana Bray, 137; Chris Castro, 121; EarthGuardians.org, 235; Amir Erez, 105; JHenryFair (www.jhenryfair.com), 134, 142; Razz Gormley, 94; Brian Hardin, 9; Paul Hilton, 76, 79; Robin Loznak, Our Children's Trust, 46; Jeff Orlowsky, 84; Cassidy Rass, 191; Ietef Vita, 118

Thanks to Lighthawk (www.lighthawk.org) who piloted the plane for the photo of a fracking wastewater holding pond on page 142.

Book design by Amy King
Researcher: Russell Mendell

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file with the publisher.

ISBN-13: 9781635650679 hardcover
ISBN: 9781635650686 e-book

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To the youth who dont have a voice and to future generations who will inherit the Earth

Indigenous Roots:
Connecting with the Ways of My Ancestors

Kid Warrior:
Developing Purpose at a Young Age

Composing Revolution:
Creative Passion into Action

Moving from Crisis to Opportunity:
How Did We Get Here?

Holding Back the Sea:
Confronting the Climate Crisis

Wilderness Warriors:
Where Have All the Wild Things Gone?

Troubled Waters:
Defending Life below the Surface

Future Food:
Re-Envisioning Our Food Systems

The True Cost of Fossil Fuels:
The Future of Energy Is Not Down a Hole

Fracking for Fools Gas:
The Crisis of a False Solution

From Protestors to Protectors:
What Standing Rock Taught the World

Justice, Not Just Us:
Growing Intersectional Movements for Lasting Change

A Rising Generation:
Uplifting the Voices of Those Who Will Inherit the Planet

There are moments in our lives that help shape the way we see our world. They shift our perspectives and help us understand our immense potential to define our future. The first 17 years of my life have led me to believe that everything happens for a reason. Maybe thats why I didnt feel at all phased as I looked out into the audience of world leaders from more than 100 nations. Id been given a stage at a pivotal moment in history, and I saw the world needed fresh perspectives if we wanted to make real progress on climate solutions. Weve spent the last 20 years pointing the finger and passing off responsibility. We are in a place where we cant afford to wait for others to solve this problem for us. We have all the tools we needthe only thing missing is the will to help us get there.

My name is Xiuhtezcatl (pronounced Shoe-Tez-Caht). I am 17 years old, and Im doing everything I can to fight for change in a collapsing world. In 2015, I had just finished middle school, and the state of the climate was descending into chaos. That year, global temperatures were the hottest in recorded history, sea levels had reached an all-time high, and greenhouse gases had never been more present in our atmosphere. Climate scientists worldwide were alarmed by how much faster the ice caps were melting than previously projected.

In response, world leaders were preparing to meet in Paris for the most important conversation on climate in our history. This was the COP 21 United Nations Climate Change Conference, and we werent about to let our voices be excluded from this pivotal moment in history. In the climate movement, we talk a lot about tipping points, and we know that were running out of time to act before climate change becomes irreversible.

Earlier that year, on Earth Day, I was featured in a short film called Kid Warrior. This was a documentary telling the story of my life and my work as the Youth Director for Earth Guardians, a global movement working to empower the younger generation to use our voices and create positive solutions. The film was meant to inspire other young people to get involved, connect, and engage in climate action and other important social issues of our time. I also wanted to show the world that my story is more than just activismthat Im just a regular kid chasing big dreams in a crazy world.

After the Kid Warrior short hit the Internet, e-mails from young people flooded Earth Guardians, asking how they could get involved and start Earth Guardian crews of their own. I was swamped with interviews, speaking invitations, and media opportunities. One of those invites came from Susan Alzner, head of the United Nations Non-Government Liaison Service and by far my favorite person working at the UN. Shes helping build bridges to connect the UN General Assembly and voices of the people, by identifying civil society attendees and speakers for high-level events, conferences, and summits. One of her topics of interest was climate change, and she got wind of Kid Warrior and the Earth Guardians movement, leading to me.

While I was kind of surprised that the UN heard about me through social media, it was pretty remarkable to get an invite to address the general assembly. My intention was to plant the seeds and lay the foundation of hope for the upcoming Paris climate change conference, while representing the many youth voices that wont be heard by the UN. I was only the second nongovernment person to address the general assembly.

Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner was first. She addressed the United Nations in 2014. At the time, she was a 26-year-old woman from the Marshall Islands, a small island nation that sits about 6 feet above sea level and is already experiencing the impacts of climate change. Rising sea levels and severe storms have come extremely close to destroying these beautiful islands.

In her speech, Kathy indicated that, no matter how hard it might be, we have to solve the issue of climate change. In a truly emotional and beautiful moment, she recited a poem to her infant daughter, promising the little girl that she would do everything she could to protect her from rising seas. She entitled the poem Dear Matefele Peinam, and here are the first few verses:

dear matafele peinam,
you are a seven month old sunrise of gummy smiles