People’s Climate March:  solidarity actions across the Peninsula on Sept. 20-21

On the weekend of Sept. 20-21, people around the world will gather for what promises to be the biggest climate demonstration in history, centered upon the People’s Climate March in New York City on Sept. 21, two days prior to a special climate summit being called by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, where world leaders (not just their climate negotiators) will be called upon to get serious about a world climate action plan.

The message:  it’s time to act.  And here on the Olympic Peninsula, we will march in solidarity in three places:

Port Angeles:  “People’s Climate March:  Connecting the Dots”

On Saturday, September 20, 2014, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., beginning and ending at the Port Angeles City Pier, OCA, along with other community groups, will lead a vigil, rally, and march.

10-10:30:  Semi-silent vigil led by faith communities (or family time at the beach)

10:30-11:30:  Rally with speakers from a variety of organizations speaking about how climate change impacts them in their lives and work

11:30-12:30:  March around downtown Port Angeles, ending at the observation deck at the end of City Pier for photographs

12:30-1:  Semi-silent vigil to close the activity (or more family time at the beach)

The “dots” are the various issues that impact and are impacted by climate change.  We are seeking broad involvement by people involved in a myriad of social issues, because climate change will affect us all.  Here is a partial list of participating organizations, along with OCA:

• Stop the Checkpoints
• MoveOn
• Green Party
• Veterans for Peace
• St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
• Port Angeles Dzogchen Sangha
• Sierra Club North Olympic Group

The visuals will center around a large painting of Earth which will be visually connected by ribbons to smaller “dots” with phrases suggesting the surrounding issues.  These images will be carried in a long line during the march and then displayed in sunburst fashion, with Earth at the center, for a photograph with marchers at the City Pier observation deck.

People’s Climate March PA Poster

Photos from that day:

Sequim:  Climate talk and march at Railroad Bridge Park

On Saturday, Sept. 20, OCA member Bob Lynette will give a talk on climate change and its local impacts at the Dungeness River Audubon Center from 10-1.  Following his talk, OCA members will lead a brief march and photo shoot in support of the worldwide mobilization.

Port Townsend:  Rally, song, and march at Pope Marine Park

Our colleagues at the Fossil Fuel NW Action group will hold a rally and march on Sunday, Sept. 21, beginning at 3 PM at the Pope Marine Park waterfront.  PT Peoples Climate Action poster

Two numbers of import:

401: The peak concentration of carbon in the atmosphere (in parts per million) measured by the world’s leading scientists this spring — higher than any time in human history.

Zero: The amount of progress we’ll make if we stay home. There’s no guarantee this will work. The only thing that’s for sure is if we stay home, nothing will change — except the climate.  More than 2000 events are being planned around the world, in 130 countries…let’s do our part on this beautiful corner of the planet!

Disruption chronicles the making of the People’s Climate March

As a lead-up to these solidarity actions, Disruption weaves together political intrigue, mind-blowing science, and an insider’s view of the largest climate mobilization in history.  It features Bill McKibben, Naomi Klein, Van Jones, and some fresh faces with powerful new stories.  Watch it here.