"Step it up" indeed

In all 50 states, in 1400 communities and iconic settings, citizens activated yesterday to tell Congress to "Step it up: Cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2050."

Birthed as an effort to transform the fight against global warming into a mass-based, community-built movement--buoyed, but not limited to, the acadamy, science labs, and nonprofits--the Step It Up campaign was mighty impressive--it was no less then the largest rally against global warming ever.

Among the many spirited organizers, we can thank Bill McKibben, who expected his initial inspiration for the National Day of Climate Action to spark maybe 100 actions. With 14 times the response he expected, McKibben is left to observe that "it's gone off like a rocket ship."

Check out McKibben's day-after reflections at Grist. Especially interesting is his notion of "old ideas about environmentalists are in need of updating. If you're worried that it's nothing but old white people with lots of money, think again."

So what the heck happened yesterday? Here's a small rundown of the action reports:

In Cleveland, OH, 100 people--including families and children--arrived at the shores of Lake Erie with their colorful signs and lots of layers. Speakers passionate about the planet's health kept spirits high.

In Hamilton/Corvalis, MT, there was a Step It Up contra dance, speeches about state and federal environmental legislation, and a pie-auction to raise money for a Missioula office devoted to global warming issues.

In Albion, MI, made posters, signs, and other art for the Step It Up march they will participate in on April 25.

In Knoxville, TN, the conservation chair of the Sierra Club showed slides and answered questions during his interactive presentation at a local sports bar.

The Interfaith Climate Action Committee in Saratoga Springs, NY organized a 500-largerally outside a city center that was sponsoring an Environmental Expo. With folk music, visits by Ed Begley Jr. and Daryl Hannah, the the community's call to action is loud and clear.

Durham, NC , saw its Step It Up action strike a chord in students, seniors, and families alike.

There as a bike parade, a "global warming cafe," music, waterfront tours, a green car display, other resources available in Olympia, WA.

Locals of Kane, PA, inaugerated the Step It Up campaign with a six-mile hike and a picnic lunch. This wasn't a casual choice: their route followed "where the North Country Trail was completely obliterated for a stretch of about a half mile. We chose this spot to highlight the all too common practice on the Allegheny National Forest of cutting trees and replacing them with oil wells! The Allegheny National Forest has more oil wells than ALL the other national forests in the country COMBINED! Oil drilling has increased 500% since 2003 and if this trend continues, many more areas that provide high-quality recreation opportunities will be lost."

Traverse City, MI locals handed out energy efficient lightbulbs in their downtown march and rally.

And "600-1,000" people showed up in Boise, ID, to reveal their commitment to ecological justice--including the mayor and a state legislator. Locals proudly note that two months ago, Al Gore sold out a local arena faster than Elton John did.

I'm so inspired by this nationwide action that I'm tempted to just keep listing the hundreds upon hundreds of other community events, but I trust you'll peruse them yourself.

And lest you think this was a one-day catharisis, get fired up with the longterm plan to keep the heat on (so to speak) global warming as a national priority.