Step It Up VT!

The time has come once again to put on your activism hats, get out there and show the world Vermont cares about Global Warming! That’s right, this Saturday April 14th at nearly 70 locations around the state and more than 1,300 locations around the nation people will be gathering for STEP IT UP.

Step It Up is the brain child of noted environmental advocate and author Bill Mckibben who is fighting to cut global warming pollution 80% by 2050. (Read his invitation here) To get this done he has moved away from the standard “million man/woman/zebra march” on the National Mall and instead brought the action, and the issue, to your home town. So this Saturday people will gather all over the nation in places that are important to their environment, their community, and their lives and have photos taken of the assembled group. All the photos will be sent with Mr. Mckibben to Congress to urge them to cut carbon by 80%.

Here in VT we’re adding a little local to the national call: VPIRG has helped organize events in Montpelier and Burlington that will feature Senator Bernie Sanders and local legislators. Surprisingly, as of right now, the governor does not plan to attend any Step It Up rallies.

VPIRG and allies have also created a pledge that asks local legislators to support policies capable of achieving the 80% by 2050 goals; and so far we have commitments from Senator Sanders, Congressman Welch, House Speaker Symington and Senate President Pro Tem Shumlin. Again, no word from the governor. In fact, he has not even returned phone calls to organizers about the pledge. One is left to wonder: If Governor Douglas is really committed to stopping global warming, why won’t he step it up on the 14th?

We hope you will join us at a local Step It Up rally and sign our petition calling on leaders to support 80% cuts in global warming pollution by 2050. You can find your local event at http://www.stepitup2007.org/ and sign the petition here. Brief agendas of the two SIU events that VPIRG is helping to organize are below.

INFO:
Montpelier: April 14th 2007

• 12 Noon at Morse Family Farm: Come for the free Maple Creemees and stay for the action!
• 1pm speeches by those affected by Global Warming
• 2pm a march to the State House
• 3pm State House Lawn
  ~ Senator Bernie Sanders
  ~ Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin
• 3:30 Group Picture
  

More info online

Burlington: April 14th 2007

• 12 Noon under the canopy at Main Street Landing: A discussion on climate change policy, and what you can do at home, followed by service projects around the city!
• 5pm in the parking lot next to the ECHO Center on the corners of Lake and College St.: Speeches by Senator Bernie Sanders, Mayor of Burlington Bob Kiss, and State Representatives Rachel Weston and Dave Zuckerman
  ~ Free Ice Cream From Ben & Jerry’s
  ~ Climo-Dino, a fun way for the whole family to explore climate change!
  ~ Free bands, poetry readings, informational tables and much more!
  ~ Hand stamp will get you discounts at many local restaurants and retailers including Muddy Waters, Nectars, Ben & Jerry’s, and many more!
• 5:30 Group Picture
  

More info online

SHOW UP and STEP IT UP!

-Sean Sarah and Drew Hudson