Steppin’ It Up Montpelier Style

On Saturday Nov. 3 200+ hardy folks came to the steps of the golden dome to make their voices heard on climate change. With the national theme of “Whose a leader?” everyone was encouraged to offer their ideas on how Vermont and specifically our governor can be a leader in addressing climate change and steering the state toward a clean energy economy. Needless to say no one at the Montpelier rally was shy. And with excellent tunes from Paul Markowitz and the Great Brook Blues Band keeping our hands clapping and toes tapping and deeelicious cider, apple pie and ice cream from Cold Hollow Cider Mill and Ben & Jerry’s no one seemed to mind the chilly temperature and cloudy skies.

The rally was cosponsored by VPIRG, Vermont Natural Resources Council, Vermont Alliance of Conservation Voters and the National Wildlife Federation and it drew one of Vermont’s most historic leaders to the podium. Former Gov. Phil Hoff spoke movingly about the challenges he faced as head of the state during the turbulent times of the civil rights movement and issued a challenge of his own to the assembled activists: “I find that environmentalists as a group have tended to talk to themselves and I think the challenge now for those of us involved in the environmental movement is to get down and talk to the average person on the street.”

Sen. Bernie Sanders also sent a message to those Stepping It Up in Montpelier, outlining recent action in Washington and urging Vermonters to keep the pressure on Congress to pass meaningful legislation on climate change and clean energy.

Once again, as at past Step It Up and other climate change events, Vermont’s Governor Jim Douglas, although invited, did not show up. His absence was noted with an empty chair and a giant pair of scissors.