Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, from ribena
We’re very lucky to publish the second in our Guest Blogger series, this fantastic overview by Robin Dennis (ribena) of what we here in the U.S. can do next month—and from here on out—to combat global warming. —along
Right now, we are at a critical moment in changing U.S. environmental and energy policy in order to curtail climate change. NASA’s top climate scientist, James E. Hansen, tells us we have ten years before it is too late to make the necessary shifts, and the public is persuaded of the scientific truth: my Republican mother reported that she cried while watching An Inconvenient Truth and hopes Americans can find a way to push for these changes, for the planet’s and our own sake.
Two days ago, Al Gore testified before Congress regarding global warming, but politicians answer first and foremost to their constituents. There are the usual emails and phone calls and letters that will demonstrate that our leaders must take real action. There is also a national day of action, on April 14: Step It Up.
An Alaskan glacier, from glaciergirl1
Currently, more than a thousand Step It Up events, in all fifty states, are lined up, and it’s easy to find one near you on the site. (You can search by zip code or by state for existing events—or organize a new one.) An essential ingredient of the action day is documentation—photos and videos of events, small and large—something Fotologgers are really good at.
More (or, um, less!) Global Warming
Among the most visually arresting effects of unabated warming will be rising sea levels. If the Antarctic and Greenland ice shelves continue to melt at the rates projected by scientists, sea levels are expected to rise ten feet over the course of this century. That rise would completely reshape the maps of our coasts, including New York City’s. Much of lower Manhattan would be underwater. Broad Channel Island and its Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, which is one of my annual photo stops, would be lost into the bay.
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, from ribena
That’s one reason why I’ll be joining the “Sea of People Rally” in New York City on April 14.
Sea of People Rally
New York, New York, 12 noon – 3pm
Gathering at Castle Clinton in Manhattan’s Battery Park, thousands of people dressed in blue will create a “sea of people” to show the future sea line. Participating groups include the National Resources Defense Council, the Church of Stop Shopping and Reverend Billy, Transportation Alternatives (which is organizing a pre-rally bike ride), and more.
Anchorage, Alaska, from glaciergirl1
A sampling of other events planned for April 14:
For Now and For Good
Deception Pass State Park, Oak Harbor, Washington, 10am – 2pm
Twenty thousand cars pass through the Deception Pass State Park on a typical April day. Step It Up participants will rally at the Deception Pass Bridge to highlight the impact of vehicles on the park and on the environment worldwide. Conservation work and a party for volunteers will help protect, preserve, and celebrate this iconic state park.
A grackle, from amaw
Earthly Delights
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 10am – 4pm
Plant native trees, shrubs, grasses, and flowers in the Shartel median, feed compost piles, visit tables of information & take actions to reduce climate chaos, share food and drink, place event waste into worm compost beds, listen to music/elected officials/speakers, see electric tractors & electric vehicles, buy seedlings, worm castings, mushroom logs and most of all… have fun.
Wind turbines at Altamont Pass, California, from colorstalker.
Reef Relief
Key West, Florida, 8:30am – 1pm
Join Reef Relief for an excursion to the coral reef off the shore of Key West, where divers and snorkelers will stand underwater, proudly displaying signs to stop global warming, and be filmed by underwater videographer Tom Jackson and Reef Relief founder Craig Quirolo. The boat departs from Lost Reef Adventures at the Historic Key West Seaport, 261 Margaret Street, Key West, and reservations are required. Depending on gear needs, there may be fees for divers or snorkelers. Waterproof cameras recommended!
Cook Islands, from thypsy, on nature
You can also check out a New York Times profile of Bill McKibben (subscription required), one of the organizers of this national day of climate action, or hear a great archived interview with NASA’s Jim Hansen. (I work with Bill in my job as a book editor, and he is truly remarkable.)
Please join us at Step it Up on April 14—to reduce carbon 80% by 2050!
Also: Do you have a favorite photo that represents what will be lost if we
don’t stop global warming? We’d love to see it. Please leave a link in
the comments! —ribena
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11 Responses to “The Heat Is On!”
rodro @ 2007-03-23 09:33:03 AM says:
excelentess fotoss ;)
http://www.fotolog.com/enelbaldio
dangerpaws @ 2007-03-23 03:52:40 PM says:
wow, r. april 14th here i come.
that thypsy photo is incredible!
ribena @ 2007-03-23 04:04:52 PM says:
Hat’s off to the phenomenal along, who pointed that wonderful shot of the Cook Islands out to me.
The pre-rally bike ride should be great–”ress like you are underwater”!
ribena @ 2007-03-23 04:05:19 PM says:
(Ahem, that should be “dress like you are underwater”!)
virgorama @ 2007-03-24 06:22:59 AM says:
Watching this completely unsettled my feelings on this issue
http://www.channel4.com/science/microsites/G/great_global_warming_swindle/index.html
They presented very compelling arguments.
pitufina @ 2007-03-24 03:00:32 PM says:
saludines
besititos
y demases
nos vemos
por ahi
chussss
Tim Connor @ 2007-03-26 10:01:10 AM says:
Hi Robyn,
Excellent piece. Thanks for doing it. I wanted to point you & other interested people to a very smart blog written by a scientist I work with. It’s particularly good at debunking the kind of right wing propaganda contained in the documentary (”slays global warming”) alluded to above by virgorama. Blog is called Climate 411: http://environmentaldefenseblogs.org/climate411/. Check it out.
Tim (colorstalker)
jkh_22 @ 2007-03-27 02:26:24 AM says:
robin, i am humbled by this post. so informed, and eye opening. a great example of how fotolog can help facilitate real change….through images, but also via smart words like your own and commentators. i am so excited - someone over here just came back from london with the dvd of “an inconvenient truth”; we’re going to gather at her house on thurdsay to watch it.
Lisa @ 2007-03-27 10:15:19 PM says:
and the debate goes on right here, with resources in spades… thanks everyone! and thanks, ribena!
costan @ 2007-04-02 03:22:37 AM says:
amazing pics
kiss
negra loka♥ @ 2007-04-07 09:44:59 PM says:
qe lindo todo esto
bueno bine de pasda
besukiss
chiau (K)
♥