Last week on the brisk morning of October 10, CFACT Collegian representative Ariana Alonso took to the sidewalks of William Patterson University with a purpose.
Sporting her collegian t-shirt and equipped with a clipboard and caffeine, she set out to inform and persuade her fellow students about the importance of halting construction on the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline project in the upper Midwest.
Fraught with environmental concerns and private property violations, the heavily subsidized energy project has long been criticized by farmers, locals, and CFACT’s policy experts alike.
Attracting passing students with her confident demeanor and bubbly personality, Ariana chatted with group after group of students on their way to class about signing the petition calling for an immediate halt on the pipeline’s construction.
Her argument was well met, with most students she interacted with more than willing to sign the petition after hearing what she had to say. One student even enthusiastically exclaimed, “sign me up. This is awesome!”
In no time at all, Ariana’s petition sheet was filled with signatures from like-minded students (contact information has been scrubbed from the photo for privacy). Her event was so successful in fact that Ariana reports other students have been inspired by her to conduct their own petitions on campus.
“People said they wish more people were doing petitions on campus because they think things should change all over the world. It was an awesome experience, talking and engaging with so many students on campus. I’m so excited for my next event!”
