By:Michael Wheeless
We filled the steps of the state Capitol Building. We held up the troubling Union of Concerned Scientists'
report, NorthEast Climate Impact Assessment, amidst our banners.
We listened to many local farmers present a healthy-for-living-things-and-planet paradigm for future food and energy. Low-carbon-localize! Stop eating fossil fuel!
Our signs read: Eat solar-organic, not petro-industrial food! Local, not global food! We learned that organic soils and natural composting can sequester CO2. That organic farms can better deal with flood and drought. That farmscapes, including marginal land, can be used for small scale and diverse bio-mass, including hemp, cellulosic ethanol, methane, etc.
We heard from Gov. Spitzer's Deputy Secretary for the Environment and several elected officials, and also listened to religious leaders, peace activists, and students.
But first we feasted on local foods and music in the nearby park! And paraded with our banners! And enjoyed the knowing, caring and activism that we share.
Our parade leaves Washington Park for Albany's Capital Steps.
We filled up the main steps at New York's State Capital, with people of all ages who want Congress to StepItUp!
One of the many banners our parade brought with us to the Capital Steps.
StepItUp participants listening to one of our guest speakers.
By:Christian Grieco
Participants of the Washington Park Step it Up event marched from Washington Park to the Capitol Building in Downtown Albany to hear speakers ranging from elected representatives of the State Assembly to Representatives of Congress and NYS Governor Elliot Spitzer as well as local farmers and regional organizations demanding America Step It Up and address global warming by reducing carbon emissions 80% by 2050!!
By:Shawn McConnell
The event started with a picnic and sign making at Washington Park with speakers and performers. Then hundreds marched to the Capital building for a rally. Outside the Capital speakers ranged from local farmers to New York State politicians--all of whom called for serious action to curb climate change.
