International Day Of Action

On October 24th over 3000 events will take place in over 170 countries calling for meaningful action for climate change. For information on the Vancover event check out www.bridgecoolplanet.org

The day of action has been organized to ensure that our political leaders know we want them to negotiate a fair binding treaty to address climate change at the up coming negotiations. This December, 2009, world leaders will meet in Copenhagen, Denmark to discuss the future of the Kyoto Protocol—the international treaty to reduce the greenhouse gases which cause global warming.

If the Canadian government makes the wrong choices, our tax dollars will be used to increase carbon emissions and speed up climate change. We are already seeing dramatic changes, such as the massive die-off of pine and spruce forests in western Canada, rapidly spreading desertification in Africa and the rapid loss of sea ice in the Arctic. But it also made something else clear: if we act now, we can stop the worst impacts of climate change.
Join us at the centre of the Cambie Street Bridge at 12 noon this Saturday October 24th.

Midway across the bridge, a massive banner is unfurled over the water with a clear message for our Prime Minister: Make us proud in Copenhagen! As the parade begins to move down off of the bridge it is led by a procession of decorated bicycles. A giant red paper lantern bobs above the crowd.

Those who arrive at Science World after the parade see a vibrant and inviting festival where music, workshops, theater, performance, and engaging discussions are happening simultaneously. Everyone is eager to learn how they can reduce emissions and energy use in their own lives and share ideas about how to make our city a better place.

Excitement has been building for some time in anticipation of this collective call for action on global warming, and faith groups, unions, businesses and community organizations have all joined in the planning for this event. A Coast Salish prayer and multi-faith service have set a thoughtful tone for the day, and homeless citizens who enjoyed a pancake breakfast have stayed to join in with other activities.

Bhangra-cise, Tai-Chi and Taiko Drumming classes have all attracted enthusiastic participants, and equal numbers are actively engaged in workshops on gardening, bicycle commuting, and how solar hot water pre-heating can reduce their home energy use. By popular demand, a nearby philosopher’s café has started an intense but gracious discussion of the question, What’s more urgent: global warming or homelessness?

The smell of delicious cooking wafts from nearby booths, where restaurants from our city’s diverse cultural communities are presenting tasty offerings under the theme of “sustainable traditions.” Nearby, a farmer’s market beckons for those wanting local fresh produce for a picnic lunch while they enjoy the view. Along the False Creek shore, a provocative art installation dramatically highlights how much of our shoreline will be underwater if we don’t take urgent action to stop global warming now.

Many who came to the event in anticipation of the art, food and music are moved to send personal messages to government calling for action on global warming. They take advantage of the solar powered laptops to send emails to the Prime Minister, add their voices to those of others on video recordings calling for strong leadership in Copenhagen, and write heartfelt appeals to their MP’s on postcards. Children are working with seniors to add to personal notes on their hopes for the future to a giant banner, under the guidance of artists from the Downtown East Side.

Media outlets are taking it all in, and the story is on the national news. Everyone takes pride in the fact that our diverse communities have come together to collectively voice their concern for the fate of our planet.