As a young voter, I am excited to participate in the caucuses and show my support for a candidate who advocates for the issues I care about. My top issue this caucus season is climate change and how we can combat it through investing in clean energy.

Iowa is an example of a clean energy success story that could be translated to other  states across the country. Iowa’s wind industry provides over 6,000 jobs and over 25 percent of the state’s electrical needs—which is projected to grow to 40 percent in the next five years. Solar energy use is also increasing across the state. In 2014, $36 million was invested in solar installations. Just look at how successful CFU’s Simple Solar campaign has been; so many members wanted to buy shares that the company decided to expand their installations. It will be the state’s biggest community solar project and shows that we are dedicated to promoting clean energy.

Iowa is proving a successful clean energy economy is achievable. As the caucuses approach, it’s time for the presidential candidates to recognize Iowa’s clean energy success and lay out plans to make 50 percent of America’s energy use clean by 2030.

-Gabriella Ruggiero, junior philosophy major