High school students proclaim 'This is our time'
By Kaleb Stevens, Ames High School
Amongst humans, one fact has remained the same since the dawn of man: we are all different. From religion to race, culture to customs, income to intelligence, human diversity exists on so many different levels that sometimes it’s hard to see our similarities. However, the entire human population does hold in common one frightening fact: No matter who we are or where we live, we are all affected by climate change.
Since climate change is everyone’s problem, it makes sense that everyone is responsible to find and implement ways to slow its onslaught. Unfortunately, there are situations and mindsets that will prevent certain members of society from aiding in the fight against global warming. Some are too busy trying to put a meal on the table to worry about minimizing their carbon footprint. Some don’t believe that climate change is actually happening, and thus are not concerned with taking steps to prevent it. Others are simply too stuck in their ways to change. Many will die before they can make a positive impact.
When the older members of society complete their individual life cycles, climate change ceases to become their problem. Responsibility is shifted onto the younger generations who will continue to live with the increasingly negative effects of climate change. Since so much pressure is riding on the shoulders of the young, it is important that they are educated at an early age about the dangers of climate change and what they can do to help.
The problem facing parents and educators today is how to talk about something as serious as climate change in a way that doesn’t alienate young people. Thankfully, Water Rocks! believes that it has found the answer in their music video titled “This Is Our Time.” The song was written by Todd Stevens and Jacqueline Comito. The video was produced in collaboration with several central Iowa teenagers. Noah Stevens and Emily Waskel are cast as the lead rappers as well as singing backup vocals along with several other high school and college students. They found the perfect fit in Noah and Emily.
“When I first heard the song, it came to me that it would be cool if my character was speaking from a presidential podium and Emily’s character was taking it to the streets,” Noah, an Ames High School student said. “I think the final video is sick. The rest of the kids also think it is really good.”
“This Is Our Time” features the high schoolers rapping, singing, texting and tweeting about the current status of the environment and what young people can do to make it better. To bring the music video to life, Water Rocks! enlisted the talents of director Josh LaVille and “social media” graphics editor Alyssa Dreeszen. The effectiveness of the music video rests in its late 1980’s, early Apple theme injected with 2015 texting, tweeting and technology, mixing decade-specific items such as pink jumpsuits and touchscreen cell phones.
“The music video for 'This Is Our Time' shares an important message about stepping out of this world of technology to work on the real world. I think this is a message that many people—young and old—need to hear. Our phones and other devices should be tools to solve problems, not an end in themselves!,” commented Emily Waskel, a recent graduate of Southeast Polk High School and current Iowa State University student.
“This Is Our Time” is a reassuring message to the young: Don’t worry—we have the ability to solve problems and make the world a better place. It is also a message from the young to the old: Time to look the problems straight on, roll up your sleeves and get to work. Check it out and share it with others! Enhanced learning activities are also available to accompany the video!
"This Is Our Time" was honored as a 2015 Iowa Motion Picture Association Award Winner in the categories of Educational Production, Visual Effects, and Original Music Score.