Step It Up - TOMORROW - ACTION DIARY

Tomorrow is the day to Step It Up!

Launched by Bill McKibben, the Step It Up initiative - a day for climate change action - has blossomed into a amazingly diverse movement, with close to 1,400 events organised across the USA.

It's still time to join, and to participate! Please go see their website to see if there is an action near you, or if you can get one started.

My apologies for the really short diary (and the duplicate from yesterday), but I really hope you nevertheless can recommend it - it's a worthwhile cause and it deserves all the publicity it can get. You can go see my diaries from a few weeks ago or more recently, or go on the Step It Up website directly.

See also the increasing press coverage.

•  I'm Going

  As a bonus, Mayor Rocky Anderson is speaking.

  by Misty Fowler on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 02:42:12 PM PDT

  •  mayor

    Our mayor here in Seattle, Greg Nickels, will be speaking as well.

    by tosscandy on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 05:58:37 PM PDT

    •  Oy

      I may attend the rally just for that (was only planning on doing the Climate Solutions Fair) - so I can mock him and his half-assed commitment to the issue.

      Yeah, I think our mayor is writing checks his ass can't cash when it comes to his rhetoric on climate change.

      by eugene on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 06:40:21 PM PDT

•  John Edwards is speaking at a Step it Up Rally

  From a OneCorps email:

  When John Edwards says he wants to fight global warming, he doesn't stop there.

  Last month, he laid out a bold and detailed energy plan that the League of Conservation Voters called, the "most comprehensive global warming plan of any presidential candidate to date" and announced that he would make his entire campaign carbon neutral.

  Tomorrow, he's even taking it one step further and he's counting on all of us to join him.

  Tomorrow, Saturday, April 14th, John Edwards will be rallying with environmental activists at a Step It Up event in Fort Myers, Florida and speaking to the crowd about his plan to halt global warming. While it may be difficult for most of you to join John at the same rally, we all can join with him, and thousands of others nationwide, at one of the over 1300 events happening across the country.  (Follow this link to find and join a Step it Up! rally in your area.

  These Step It Up events are part of a national effort by environmental groups to tell Congress that it's time to take action on climate change and cut carbon emissions 80 percent by 2050.

  But of course, John's asking us to go even one step further. Not only does he want us to rally around a plan for the future, he thinks it's critical that we take action now in our own communities. So it's important that we attend these Step It Up rallies on Saturday both to add our voice to the national call, and to invite folks we meet to join us the following weekend as part of our Earth Day "Reduce Your Carbon" efforts.

  con't...

  by NCDem Amy on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 02:48:22 PM PDT

  •  Here's a link

    http://blog.johnedwards.com/...

    Is any other of the 08 candidates supporting Step It Up?

    by Jerome a Paris on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 03:08:42 PM PDT

    •  I don't know

      I haven't heard about any other candidates supporting Step It Up but of course, that doesn't mean none are.

      Thanks for the link!

      by NCDem Amy on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 03:12:20 PM PDT

      •  John Edwards is the only one appearing

        As one of the organizers for the Atlanta event, we hear about these developments and he's the only one.  

        by liz on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 05:30:17 PM PDT

      •  We Need Obama and Clinton

        to Step It Up and "step forward" and co-sponsor the "Securing America's Energy Independence Act" of 2007.

        Senate - only 15 sponsors
        House - only 54 sponsors

        Go to

        http://votesolar.org
        or
        http://solar-nation.org

        to support the bill and urge your congressional reps to co-sponsor.

        by flatsville on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 07:07:14 PM PDT

    •  Thanks Jerome...I want my 3 year-old daughter

      to have a planet left when she grows up.
      Peace ;)>

      by rogerdaddy on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 04:41:56 PM PDT

      •  Action For functioning planet for your daughter

        Save the African rain forest. Click on the link at the end of the diary and take action.

        by FishOutofWater on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 05:24:40 PM PDT

        •  Thanks...will do. ;)> n/t

          by rogerdaddy on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 05:45:01 PM PDT

      •  It is a motivator ...

        isn't it ... Thinking about the world your (my ... our) children will face can drive us to serious efforts. ... They deserve a better future than what inaction would create.

        by A Siegel on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 08:22:45 PM PDT

        •  Shout out to McKibben

          He called attention to global warming in his first book, The End of Nature, in 1989.

          He's reasonable in his arguments, sober, and clearly affected at a deep level by what's happening to the world we are leaving to our kids.

          by Plan9 on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 08:31:36 PM PDT

          •  Did you read

            Imagine Life Differently?

            by A Siegel on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 08:37:41 PM PDT

            •  Yes

              If that's true, if we can't imagine living any differently, then all else is mere commentary.

              This is the crux of the problem.  Years before Katrina, experts were lecturing on what would happen to New Orleans if a powerful hurricane scored a direct hit.  Probabilistic risk assessment backed up the prediction. Scientists made recommendations about ways to mitigate the impact.  But in a poor state, funding a preventive project seemed like a waste of money.  Nothing was done.

              Unfortunately it is very hard for people to imagine living any differently.  Bill has done an excellent job of helping people make that leap.

              by Plan9 on Sat Apr 14, 2007 at 05:48:52 AM PDT

    •  22 Senators and Representatives Appearing

      List of legislators appearing at events in my diary.  Includes some netroots favorites and a bunch of people we just helped elect for the first time.

      And you can add to the list:
      Sen. John Kerry - Santa Fe, NM

      by Solitaire on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 06:27:51 PM PDT

•  Oh you KNOW

  I'll be at my local event, and so will tons of people I know!

  by Science and Art on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 02:49:10 PM PDT

•  Yep yep

  There's 4 within a 10 mile radius of my home. I think I'll go rally hoppin. :D

  Recommended!

  by kml on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 02:55:47 PM PDT

  •  There is a Step It Rally near me too

    I'll be there!

    http://events.stepitup2007.org/...

    Speakers will discuss current science, impacts on the Inuit people, proposed NC bills on energy, and the faith and kids' perspective on global warming.

    Entertainment from the Raging Grannies and Radical Cheerleaders! Bluegrass from Big Fat Gap! Take action on current bills! Kids' activities include Sylvio the Storyteller, It's Up 2 You Relay, Games from the Arctic Olympics, and crafts! *Displays on green building, biodiesel, electric cars, and a stop global warming mosaic! 1 Edenton St, Raleigh- Free parking in all public lots.

    by NCDem Amy on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 03:00:59 PM PDT

•  I wish that the issue would get more

  interest here (environment, etc).

  I ranted about it earlier in my birthday diary (which included ranting about a lot of things).

  I updated your tags to include Environment and Global Warming.  Hopefully people searching on those tags will find this.

  Thanks!

  by jhritz on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 02:57:15 PM PDT

•  I would attend, but

  the nearest locations to me would require that I drive to get there (not easily accessible via public transportation or foot.)  So this time I will "take action" against global warming by not attending.
  I will save my carbon emission "ration" for the month to attend an Earth Day event next weekend.

  by FoundingFatherDAR on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 02:58:26 PM PDT

  •  This is even more frustrating ...

    ... when I looked for events, I found that there was on listed that was on the bus route ... a rally at Kent State. It was listed as being either Thursday or Friday ... not Saturday (the date listed on the find an event system was inconsistent with the description).

    And Saturday was when I had made sure to be free to go!

    by BruceMcF on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 03:27:30 PM PDT

    •  Pretty lame...

      ...that there'd be an event not public transportation accessible.

      by eugene on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 06:41:04 PM PDT

      •  From where I live, its pretty cool when ...

        ... there is an event that is public transport accessible. The bus from this county to Akron only runs when Kent State is in session ... twice in the morning and twice the the evening.

        by BruceMcF on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 08:27:45 PM PDT

•  I'm attending

  two events in the L.A. area.

  My blog. Come visit.

  by hekebolos on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 03:13:27 PM PDT

•  Thanks for the reminder.

  It is a worthwhile cause.

  by TomP on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 03:16:32 PM PDT

•  Join me in Seattle

  I'll be at the Climate Solutions Fair at Myrtle Edwards Park, from 4-6 tomorrow afternoon:

  http://www.stepitupseattle.org/

  Anyone wishing to join me can contact me via e-mail, which is on my user page.

  by eugene on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 03:20:14 PM PDT

•  I'll be there in DC!

  I'm going to the event in front of the Capitol Building in DC. I have to hand it to John Edwards and One Corps for making me aware of this event!

  by be inspired on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 03:24:46 PM PDT

  •  Me too!

    see you there!

    by okamichan13 on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 08:54:47 PM PDT

•  Boston--are you gonna be there?

  I'm going to the Davis Square Somerville event first (11-1)--where we will wear blue for the big photo at noon--and then on to the big rally on the Common.

  http://www.stepitupsomerville.org/

  by mem from somerville on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 03:42:54 PM PDT

•  NYC event tomorrow at 12 in Battery Park!

  I'll be there as a volunteer and hope more NYC Kossacks will join us - as volunteers or participants.  Speakers at noon, including Bill McKibben and then the crowd in blue parades out of Battery Park to create the waterline that we'll be left with in Lower Manhattan Manhattan if we don't work towards the 80% reduction in carbon emmissions by 2050.

  Come join us - make a statement and have fun doing it.  The organizers expect tons of media coverage and every body in blue will contribute to the effect.

  by conchita on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 04:22:48 PM PDT

  •  Step it Up! Adirondacks.

    In North River (Johnsburg), NY. I'll not only be there, but I'm presenting on the "Greening of our Town".

    Lucky you, getting to share the space with Bill McKibben. I've known Bill for about 20 years. He and his family lived a few miles from me for many years. In fact I saw his wife at the local market last week and discussed the local events.

    I know he'll be in NYC tomorrow, but his heart will be in the mountains!

    We will have presenters covering a wide variety of topics, plus we will have Kirsten Gillibrand's regional representative on hand. A vegetarian buffet is also on the 'menu'.

    Afterwords, we could all go showshoeing. But I think I'll pass on that as I'm getting rather tired of the snow. Almost a foot yesterday, and possibly another foot Sunday into Monday. If nothing else, our recent bizarre weather should get people's attention!

    by RonV on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 05:27:34 PM PDT

•  Be There

  or Be Square.

  by flatsville on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 04:26:36 PM PDT

•  This should be plastered all over DKos

  We have seen the future, and it looks a lot like Darfur. This is as important as any anti-war march that everyone here (including me) got so excited about. Global warming has the potential to make the wars of the 20th Century look like a picnic.

  by AceDeuceLady on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 04:31:36 PM PDT

  •  Environmental Diaries

    generally don't get much "press" here.

    by jillian on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 06:15:36 PM PDT

•  yeah!!!

  by buhdydharma on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 04:45:48 PM PDT

  •  Hey...that's not a

    pony

    by jillian on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 06:21:06 PM PDT

  •  close enough!

    by colorless green ideas on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 08:58:54 PM PDT

•  I suggest you change the title of your diary

  It's unclear what it's about and doesn't make me want to click.  At least put "climate change" in the title...

  by 4democracy on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 04:47:30 PM PDT

•  two genuine events in Omaha!

  Wow, little Omaha, population, well, not very big, has one short outdoor event and one evening event with a topical movie. Whee ....

  by Iowa Boy on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 04:50:22 PM PDT

•  We'll be marching in Arlington, MA

  There are marches starting in Arlington Center and Belmont Center.  They both end in Lexington Center.  Lot's of local politicians will be there along with Ed Markey.

  by yodaddyfrommass on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 05:06:24 PM PDT

•  I will be at this event:

  Arlington, MA

  by lecsmith on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 05:20:30 PM PDT

•  I'll be attending one in Milford, MA...

  ...at the corner by the Burger King on Rt 109, over by Rt 495 - anyone else in the area, feel free to attend!

  by AnotherMassachusettsLiberal on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 05:46:49 PM PDT

  •  now that's temptation n/t

    by le sequoit on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 07:59:10 PM PDT

•  Don't forget to RSVP

  For your event!

  Step it up 2007!

  by Science and Art on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 06:13:29 PM PDT

•  I'm not sure my event is public transpo

  accessible, but now it turns out I have to figure that out because the route into town will be closed all day tomorrow....Guess that's forcing me to be even MORE green... May have to find a smaller event closer....

  by Buffalo Girl on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 06:28:12 PM PDT

•  Step it Up San Francisco!

  I'll be in a polar bear suit, attacking a hummer with an inflatable baseball bat.  (No joke.)

  Hope to see you there!

  Event link.

  by willy mugobeer on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 07:55:29 PM PDT

  •  Shit-

    I'd pay big time to see that lol!  Beat it for me! Beat it for me!

    by Picot verde on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 08:38:02 PM PDT

    •  I'm gonna try to make a video.

      stay tuned & I'll post the link here.  :-)

      by willy mugobeer on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 09:40:48 PM PDT

    •  here you go.

      My first video.  Don't worry, I'm not giving up my day job.  :-)

      http://www.youtube.com/...

      by willy mugobeer on Tue Apr 17, 2007 at 02:58:14 AM PDT

•  Edwards supporters stepping up in DC, 1 pm

  meeting at 1pm, in front of the capitol, 3rd St NW and Independence Ave.

  Come if you can and bring a friend (and maybe an umbrella). We'll be making a huge postcared: 80% by 2050 and sending it to Congress.

  http://blog.johnedwards.com/...

  http://blog.johnedwards.com/...

  by okamichan13 on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 08:53:43 PM PDT

•  Can't attend ..

  I would have to fly and afterall, that's just.. afterall.

  What my friends and I do are the little things.  We turn our heat down, purchase gas-sippers, dry our clothes on racks, buy locally, equip our homes with energy star appliances, cook in crockpots, car-pool when we can, the list goes on and on.  

  We will be there in the greenest of spirit!!

  by sylvien on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 09:12:47 PM PDT

  •  All good things

    I don't use lights since I get enough sunshine and at night get the light just from the computer. I eat a lot of raw food so not much cooking either. My big thing is I have an SUV that I want to find a way to convert to biodiesel to get better gas mileage. I try to walk most days. The SUV has a lower carbon output than most smaller vehicles, luckily, but it is that gas mileage thing that bothers me.

    by crushie on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 09:20:31 PM PDT

    •  SUVs aren't the enemy, not if you mitigate m.

      by walking or purchasing one that has a lower carbon output like yours has.

      We can only do what we do.  At least we are aware which is more than most folks are it seems.

      Sounds to me like you are aware of your energy usage which is 3/4 more than most folks are!

      by sylvien on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 09:27:27 PM PDT

•  I will be attending

  One of the events tomorrow. Should be fun.

  by crushie on Fri Apr 13, 2007 at 09:17:06 PM PDT