Power Shift '09 Is Hungry for Food, Inc. (Photos)

I'm in DC this weekend for Power Shift '09. 12,000 students are taking over the convention center for this historic national youth summit that is mobilizing the next generation of leaders on climate change and energy policies. Earlier today we screened clips from Food, Inc and hosted a panel discussion about the industrialization of food and the inextricable link between food and climate change.

Here are some pics and tidbits from our trip so far!

We thought this sign was just for Participant Media. Turns out, it isn't.

Our rockin' Food, Inc posters and postcards.

This is what 12,000 powershifters is 1 ball room looks like.

Lisa Jackson, head of the Environmental Protection Agency was greeted with a standing ovation. She is committed to bringing science back to the EPA. A novel idea, right?

Testing the screen to make sure it works.

The room is filling up...

Standing room only!

That's me introducing our panelists.

Moderator Sloane Berrent with panelists Chantal Wei-Ying Clement, Meredith Niles and Patrick Woodall (more about them and their responsive organizations are below!)

The clips are about to begin!

We had a little sound situation: we couldn't seem to get the volume loud enough. Finally Russell Williams II (pictured above) came to the podium and solved all of our problems by placing the laptop that was playing our clips right next to the microphone (novel idea, right?) Turns out Mr. Williams is a two time Academy Award winner for Best Sound and the first African American to receive multiple Oscars in any category. WHAT?! How awesome (and a little mortifying) is that?!

Chantal responds to the Food, Inc. clip about Monsanto.

Taking some notes during the discussion....

I'm twittering for TakePart during the panel (don't worry, no one could see me behind the screen : )

The panel is coming to an end.

Asking questions to moderator Sloane Berrent.

Meredith from Cool Foods Campaign is chatting after the panel. Meredith's opening remarks noted that this conference with over 200 panels has only 2 devoted to food issues. And yet the food industry accounts for as much as 31 percent of the planet’s greenhouse gas emissions and the livestock industry alone is responsible for nearly one-fifth of the total—more than the entire transportation sector.

Sarah Newman answering questions about the Food, Inc social action campaign.

Take action table!

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takepart with FOOD, INC.

Thanks to Power Shift for including us in these unprecedented gathering. It is such a thrill to be here!

Quick shout out to WE ADD UP and their fabulous shirts  ;)

Here is where you can find more information on all of our panelists and their respective organizations:

Moderator Sloane Berrent at The Causemopolitan (follow her on Twitter!)

Patrick Woodall from Food and Water Watch

Meredith Niles Cool Foods Campaign

Chantal Wei-Ying Clement from the Organic Consumers Association

Thanks to Daniel Maree for taking all of these photos!