Probably readers will recall the Step It Up rallies that we organized in the spring–1,400 protests in each of the 50 states that helped make calls for 80% cuts in carbon emissions a standard part of the global warming debate.
We’re at it again–on Nov. 3 we’re holding demonstrations all across the country (well, except in North Dakota, at least so far).
This time we’re trying to cut the number down a little bit (last time we had a bit of the cannibalization problem that Burger King must encounter when opening new sites) and instead concentrating on getting politicians to actually come address the issue, head-on no excuses, tell us what the hell you’re going to do. (You can see the map of all the rallies so far at stepitup07.org, and it’s not too late to organize one in your community.)
To get the politicians out to these gatherings, we’ve invented (well, not me–I’m not really the software-engineering type) an new little widget that allows you to easily send invitations to both your Senators, your Congressperson, and all 17 presidential candidates, inviting them to the nearest rally. It won’t take more than a few minutes.
And it works. Here’s a new tool we debuted last week, and now people are inviting their politicians by the hundreds every hour. And we’re starting to get RSVPs. Over the last few days Edwards, Kucinich, and McCain have all agreed to come on board. The word is spreading fast–here’s an op-ed from yesterday’s LA Times, and a post from Grist. But we can make this a juggernaut if everyone will take a few minutes and do some heavy duty clicking.
Look–I’ve been working on this stuff for twenty years, ever since I wrote the first book for a general audience about global warming. There’s finally the start of a real political movement (and the Nobels last week really helped). But at the moment we’re losing the race: Arctic sea ice is melting so fast that even scientists are shaken. If they’re shaken, then we better be stirred to action. This is the easiest opportunity you’re ever going to get to help out (there will be harder ones ahead) Many many thanks!
