One of GCBL’s dedicated interns, Lora DiFranco, is featured in an interview on MTV’s social activism site think.mtv.com. Lora publishes a “zine” (a homemade magazine) for young people interested in becoming active in sustainability. It features tips on how to reduce your environmental impact, do-it-yourself projects, art, and personal stories written by high school and college students in Northeast Ohio.

After talking to teens, Lora found that many feel powerless to affect change at school or in their communities. GreenLight’s articles and events all aim to show young people that they already possess many of the skills needed to make a positive difference in their communities.

"GreenLight is a way for young people to express creativity and have fun while educating themselves and making change," says Lora.

The Willoughby Hills native takes advantage of the strong local music community to reach people that might be interested in environmental issues. “As a newcomer to Cleveland’s local punk scene, I’ve been blown away by the impact that music can have on young people. Music gives people a sense of community, and this is my vision for GreenLight, too.”

When thinking about other forms of media that are available to this age group regarding environmental issues, the Internet is the first thing that comes to mind. However, by printing a zine and having a physical final product, Lora hopes that GreenLight will be more present in the lives of readers. It’s also exciting for young contributors to see their writing and art published in the zine, leading to a more invested and dedicated group of contributing youth.

How to get involved

The third issue of GreenLight has just been released and is all about water issues and conservation. To get a copy or submit an idea for a future issue, send an e-mail to greenlightzine@gmail.com or visit GreenLight’s MySpace page. Look out for GreenLight at the Less Than Jake/Big D and the Kids Table concert on July 8th at the House of Blues where they will have an informational table.