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Last updated 8:51 am CT February 09, 2010.
Students Head To VP Debate
"We want them to realize the urgency," said SIU student Ashley Cline.
They're part of Power Vote, a nationwide movement that's been collecting more than a million signatures at colleges and universities, urging politicians to support environmental issues. SIU student Ashley Cline is one of four people who will speak at the rally.
"I hope that youth all over the country go out to the polls and they start engaging their politicians, voting is the minimum you can do so engage your politicians take action and get energized," said Cline.
Many of the students admit the environment has never been a hot topic for voters, but that's why they're going to St. Louis.
"On most people's list they're not in the top 10 so we just wanna raise that awareness so people can pressure their politicians to implement sound environmental policy," said Trevor Hinckley, an SIU student.
But with only one debate between Sarah Palin and Joe Biden, the students admit environmental policy may not be addressed.
"I'm actually thinking its not likely and that's part of the problem and part of why we're doing what we're doing is because the issues that we want to be addressed aren't," said Megan Pulliam, an SIU student.
The rally outside the debate included students from seven other universities, including SIU Edwardsville and the University of Illinois.
By Ryan Kruger
rkruger@wsiltv.com
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