Dear Friends,
A coalition of 37 organizations just announced a major climate initiative, to be held a couple days prior to the Iowa Caucuses. Scheduled for Saturday, February 1 at 12:00 noon, the Climate Crisis Parade calls out the mainstream media for ignoring the urgency of the climate crisis. The launch was this past Tuesday through Facebook, and in less than two days, nearly 1,000 people signed on as Going or Interested!
Here are three things you can do:
1. Join the effort on Facebook and share it with others.
2. Sign-up to participate through Eventbrite and we’ll keep you posted with updates.
3. If you’re with a group that would like to join the coalition, email communications@climatemarch.org or call 858-35-MARCH (858-356-2724).
Please get it on your calendar and spread the word, because …
The Great March for Climate Action in the 2014 Independence Day parade in Culbertson, Nebraska.
CLIMATE CAN’T WAIT!
Date: Saturday, February 1, 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Cowles Commons and the Iowa Events Center, Des Moines, Iowa
What: We’ll gather at Cowles Commons, then “parade” to the Iowa Events Center where media from all over the world will assemble in advance of the Iowa Caucuses. We’ll have parade “floats” that call attention to one or more dimensions of the climate crisis, e.g., species extinction, the Dakota Access Pipeline, health impacts of climate change, impacts on minority and Indigenous communities, threats to our water and food supply.
Here’s how the coalition is describing and promoting the action:
“As individuals and organizations, we’re doing amazing work to raise awareness about the impending catastrophes that are guaranteed if we do nothing to combat climate change. Unfortunately, a large segment of America still has a blind spot about what’s happening. That includes the mainstream media, whose coverage of climate change during this presidential campaign has been totally insufficient to inform the American public about the urgency of the crisis.
“Because of the Iowa Caucuses, Iowans have a huge opportunity to influence the media and the public across the country. Most Democratic candidates have elevated climate in their agendas, which is great. The press, however, has remained largely silent.
“Des Moines will be swarming with national and international media during the days leading up to the Caucuses on February 3, giving Iowans a unique opportunity to take our message about the urgency of climate change to the media and the general public.”
As of today, 37 organizations have signed on! Here’s the complete list. Join us! — Ed
100 Grannies for a Livable Future
Ames Climate Action Team
Bold Iowa
Catholic Peace Ministry
Central College SCATE (Students Concerned About The Environment)
Central District United Methodist Women
Citizens Climate Lobby, Des Moines
Citizens Climate Lobby, Iowa City
Citizens Climate Lobby, Mason City
Climate Action Iowa
Climate March
Climate Reality Project, Des Moines Chapter
Creative Visions
Des Moines, Order of the Sacred Earth
Des Moines Valley Friends (Quaker)
Environment Iowa
Homes 4 My Peeps
Indianola Green Team
Indigenous Iowa
Interfaith Green Coalition
Iowa Climate Strike
Iowa Interfaith Power and Light
League of United Latin American Citizens, Council 307
Methodist Federation for Social Action
Millennials for Climate
Moms Clean Air Force
NAACP, Des Moines
National Wildlife Federation
Physicians for Social Responsibility, Iowa
Physicians for Social Responsibility, US
Plymouth Church Creation Care and Justice Coalition
Sage Sisters of Solidarity
Seeding Sovereignty
Student Climate Strike, Iowa City
University of Iowa Environmental Coalition
Urban Ambassadors
Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom, Des Moines Branch