The base of Burton Memorial Tower was not the iconic location we had originally planned to have our day of climate action in Ann Arbor. We met there as a concession--a second choice. After the fact it seemed especially appropriate for at least two reasons. Although Burton Memorial Tower is its official name, in common parlance it is often referred to as either "the Clock Tower" or "the Bell Tower."

Many of the speeches made in the shadow of this familiar symbol for the University of Michigan reminded us that "time" is running out for life as we know it on our planet. The massive clocks on all four sides are not alone in marking time. They are accompanied by the 43-ton, 55-bell Baird Carillon. Hearing the bourdon bell chime to mark the hour was a reminder of the historic significance of bells being tolled to call a community together--to ring out warning or danger--not to elicit fear but to bring people together to face whatever the challenge before them with a sense of purpose and shared responsibility.

A coalition of more than 25 community groups, student organizations and university departments came together to urge Congress to adopt legislation that addresses global warming and alternative energy. An estimated 250 people braved the cold and cloudy spring day to add their voices to the call for action.

Jerry Mack, host of WCBN's "Nothin’ but the Blues" was the emcee and local musicians Katie Geddes and David Mosher got things rolling shortly after 12 noon with Joni Mitchell's classic song "Big Yellow Taxi." Co-organizer Jenni Gordon spoke first, welcoming the gathering by recognizing our common humanity and our shared responsibility to act in the face of the growing global climate crisis.

Senior Fellow with the Environmental Leadership Program, Bodhi Burgess, a dual degree student in the Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise and the School of Natural Resources and the Environment (SNRE) spoke about a collaborative approach to sustainability.

United States Congressman John Dingell--Dean of the Congress and chair of the powerful Committee on Energy and Commerce spoke about his commitment to protecting this world we borrow from future generations for those future generations. Author of such cornerstone environmental laws as the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act, Mr. Dingell vowed to draft legislation addressing climate change early this summer.

Mr. Dingell was introduced by State Representative Rebekah Warren and followed by State Senator Liz Brater. Both spoke about the role of policy makers and individuals in making choices for environmental protection. Ms. Brater emphasized the false dichotomy that has been set-up between providing jobs and protecting the environment.

Knute Nadelhofer, Director of the U of M Biological Station and Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, spoke about the overwhelming evidence of humankind's detrimental impact on the increase of greenhouse gasses. Fellow SNRE faculty member Duncan Calloway gave hopeful evidence that renewable energy and energy efficiency are "coming of age" and that new technology in alternative energy may reverse Michigan's economic slump by building a low-carbon energy manufacturing industry.

The Reverend Peggy Garrigues-Cortelyou focused on the importance of working together to make a difference, using the example of Michigan Interfaith Power and Light, and the story of how she became motivated to begin working with Al Gore.

Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje spoke about how the city of Ann Arbor continues to lead the way in using renewable energy, setting future benchmarks for decreasing our carbon emissions locally.

Tables with displays and information were available from many of the participating groups. Two people in polar bear costumes stood as visible reminders throughout the day of how our actions affect other living creatures far from our homes. After an overhead group picture was taken from Burton Tower, Brett Miller Levy led the gathering in an original song he wrote for the event. The call to "Step it up!" and "Speak out!" both individually and communally left a lasting impression of our need to urge our representatives in congress to Step it up! and cut carbon 80% by 2050.

Participating Organizations:

American Institute of Architecture Students
Ann Arbor Vineyard Church
Alaska Wilderness League
Campus Climate Challenge
Clean Water Action
Climate Crisis Action Washtenaw
Ecology Center
Environment Michigan
GetDowntown Program
Guild House Campus Ministry
Huron Valley Greens
Michigan Interfaith Power and Light
Michigan League of Conservation Voters
Michigan Peaceworks
Michigan Student Assembly Environmental Issues Commission
National Organization of Minority Architecture Students
Population Connection
Sierra Club -- Huron Valley Group
University of Michigan Energy Conservation & Outreach
University of Michigan Dance Marathon
Volunteers to Draft Al Gore for 2008
Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition
Washtenaw County Democratic Party
Wesley Foundation, United Methodist Campus Ministry

U-M DEPARTMENTS

School of Natural Resources and the Environment
Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning

Congressman John Dingell and Senator made moving, encouraging, inspiring speeches!

At noon today, over a hundred Ann Arbor community members came together on the University of Michigan campus to stand alongside tens of thousands of others across the country at similar rallies to tell Congress that we need to ?cut carbon 80% by 2050!? The event was part of a national day of action choreographed by Step it Up 2007.
The speakers at the cold Ann Arbor rally were all excellent. The event was in many ways a roll call of the state?s leading environmentalists given Ann Arbor?s good sense in electing such leaders. Congressman Dingell, the influential Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee spoke at the beginning. Following him was State Senator Liz Brater. Also speaking was State Rep Rebekah Warren and Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje.
When the speaker?s list was extinguished, everyone crowded together for a picture taken from six stories up in the Michigan bell tower. The crowd dispersed with a specially written Step it Up song playing in the background.
It was a great success and we?re looking forward to reading about the other events across the country and the action it inspires in Washington!

A picture review at
http://flickr.com/photos/simplehiker/sets/72157600076370922/