Burlington Vermont, home to some of the most environmentally friendly citizens hosted a hugely memorable eco friendly event. The day began with a gathering of citizens who performed a variety of service projects. Three groups dispersed throughout the city promoting the Way to Go Commuter Challenge (a local non-profit devoted to reducing carbon emissions), a CFL light bulb exchange (light bulbs donated from Burlington Electric), and a demonstration of 1 lb. of carbon pollution. In the evening, 450 Vermonters gathered in the shadow of the Green Mountains on the shores of Lake Champlain to celebrate Step It Up! Senator Bernie Sanders was the key note speaker and he not only educated but inspired the crowd. Local environmental groups, including VPIRG and the Sierra Club, had the opportunity to engage the public in a dialogue about their efforts to reduce carbon emissions through a variety of presentations. Many representatives spoke passionately about local and national policy geared toward remedying environmental ills. Burlington truly stepped it up today to show Vermont and the Nation that climate change is real and needs real answers.