People’s Climate March, April 29th

Written by Guest Contributor and Merchant Assistant, Maia Binhammer:

Climate change is no longer a hypothetical. Our earth is warming, our atmosphere is changing, and our carbon footprint is still growing. Scientists agree that global warming is a human-produced phenomenon. To make matters worse, despite scientific consensus, increased public awareness, and rising global temperatures, important and powerful sections of our government now refuse to acknowledge the very fact of global warming, much less take any collective responsibility for curtailing emissions or protecting those environments and individuals threatened by climate change’s most immediate impacts.

Climate change isn’t a fringe issue, and it won’t be fixed by you and I composting our banana peels or remembering to turn off the lights. We’re not winning enough hearts with pictures of despairing polar bears, and while I love a good arboreal embrace as much as the next hippie, the trees need more than a few hugs of encouragement in order to keep up with the pace of our carbon emissions. If we want to inspire and create real action we need to come out in force and show that this isn’t a fringe issue, and that it necessitates real and significant action.

That’s why in Washington D.C on April 29^th, on the 100^th day of Trump’s presidency, the People’s Climate Movement intends to make the peoples’ voices heard in calling for an end to the current administration’s refusal to protect our right to clean air and water, to save the homes and livelihoods of front-line communities, and to advance solutions to curb our climate impact. This is a march for climate, jobs, and justice. It is a march to unite communities and interest groups in order to push government (and business) to do better. We need all the voices, banners and bodies we can get to D.C. to make sure the message rings clear.

If you want to make the trip down to Washington you can find a bus, a train, or a ride-share to get you there here. If you can’t make it to D.C. but still want to march in New York, consider participating in the March for Science in New York on Saturday, April 22^nd, and stay tuned for announcements of a sister People’s Climate March in NYC on April 29^th, too. 

If you’re unable to participate in the marches, consider getting involved with or donating to an organization working to tackle climate change. Better yet, call your local representatives to demand that they push for divestment from fossil fuels and prioritize investment in renewable energy projects. 

It’s our climate, our health, and our planet – let’s make our voices heard!