Preparations are underway for what is expected to be the largest climate march the world has yet seen.
This September, the United Nations will be meeting to engage in climate negotiations. Delegates to the summit will be met by what is being deemed the “largest climate march in history,” to take place on September 21st in New York City. The call was originally raised by Bill McKibben in May who wrote that the event is, “An invitation to anyone who’d like to prove to themselves, and to their children, that they give a damn about the biggest crisis our civilization has ever faced.”
Since then, over 550 environmental, religious, and labor organizations have signed on as participants as have individuals such as Jill Stein and Vandana Shiva. Activists hope that linking climate change to issues such as racism and the economy will result in diversity and inclusivity. The event is being planned using a participatory, open-source framework and organizers are working on solidifying actions and teach-ins that will further activate people to get involved. In doing so, they hope that a large yet collective group of voices will be heard and that real political action will be taken to curb damage to the air, land, and oceans. Some ideas to realize this include boosting initiatives that support renewable energy and public transportation, fossil fuel divestment, continued pressure to block the Keystone XL pipeline, and supporting climate-friendly farming.
Currently transportation and accommodation logistics are being set up so that people from coast to coast can attend. Local protests are also being planned. Stay tuned to Utne Reader as we’ll be on hand for the hopefully-historic NYC march.
Photo byLight Brigading, licensed underCreative Commons.