Global warming is a worldwide issue—and yet an issue one Wood River High School student has opted to take upon her shoulders.
After seeing former Vice President Al Gore's feature film documentary on global warming, "An Inconvenient Truth," Whitney DeBree decided to make a difference. "The first time I saw the movie an older lady sitting in front of me turned and said, 'I am glad this is not my generation.'"
That was all the motivation DeBree needed.
"I was really moved, almost kind of upset. This is going to be my generation. I think this is our future. It's up to us to stop global warming," DeBree said.
DeBree's first course of action was to begin an environmental club at Wood River High School as part of her senior project.
"At our first meeting we had nearly 20 members," she said. "I realized there was a lot of interest within our school."
In the effort to open eyes in the valley, DeBree and her environmental club are offering a free viewing of "An Inconvenient Truth" on Wednesday, Jan. 10. The movie will be shown at the Community Campus in Hailey. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The movie will start at 7 p.m.
"I just hope people leave with knowledge," DeBree said. "Global warming is in fact real, and everyone needs to know they can be involved."
The scope of change DeBree and the environmental club hope to bring about is not limited to the community at large but is aimed at the classrooms and the school they attend.
DeBree said that even though biology teacher and environmental club advisor Larry Barnes has "been great and very helpful ... we really don't have any environmental classes."
DeBree went on to note that "there are a few classrooms that have recycle bins, but if they were more accessible, like in the cafeteria, for example, I am sure more students would recycle more."
In an effort to put recycling in the forefront of the student body and the faculty's conscience, DeBree hopes to hold a competition to see which classroom can paint the most creative recycle bin. It's an effort DeBree hopes will lead to the school placing a bin in every classroom.
What DeBree and her fellow students hope to express to residents of the Wood River Valley is that everyone can make a difference.
"Big change doesn't always happen with big decisions" made either by government or large corporations, DeBree said. "Not everyone needs to take these huge steps. If you choose to recycle or ride your bike to school, you are making a difference."
In addition to the viewing of Gore's movie, DeBree is also organizing a group of students to travel to hear Gore speak at a conference at Boise State University. Gore's speech will be called "Global Warming, Beyond the Inconvenient Truth," and will be on Jan. 22.
Although college is just a stone's throw away—and. as it stands, Oregon appears to be where the ripples from this adventurous and active-minded young lady will resonate—DeBree plans to continue to remain vigilant in the Wood River Valley.
"I am frustrated and saddened at what we're doing to the Earth," she said. "This valley holds some very environmentally concerned people. With all our resources I just know we can do more."
Wood River High School senior Whitney DeBree is working to bring global warming to the forefront of the local conscience. Photo by David N. Seelig
