Communities are making noise about climate change. Hopefully leaders are listening.
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Climate change is a serious issue that most Americans – for reasons I can’t understand – don’t give a frack about. But those who do recognize the dangers of the warming world and how it impacts not only the air we breathe, but the food we eat, are making a noise in ways that are unprecedented, and now the issue is finally getting the attention it deserves.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to convene on the streets of New York City, two-days before the UN Climate Summit on September 23rd, to send a clear message that the public is ready for action on climate change and will support any progress made in the Climate Summit, which is being led by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who invited world leaders to discuss ambitious action on climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Nearly 3,000 Philadelphians have confirmed they will be traveling to the nation’s most populated city to participate in what many are calling “the largest climate mobilization in history.”
“I’m proud that Philadelphia will be well represented at the People’s Climate March and that it has created an opportunity for so many organizations to come together around what I consider to be among the most critical issues of our time,” writes Mayor Michael A. Nutter in a letter endorsing the family-friendly event. “I have one ask of you though,” he continued, “please don’t leave your energy in New York City. Bring it home to Philadelphia with you and come back reenergized and committed to working on solutions here.”
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Despite Philly’s Greenworks plan – which Mr. Nutter claims is advancing work on a wide range of sustainability initiatives, many of which directly address climate change mitigation and adaptation – Philadelphia is the eleventh most polluted city in America and has seen a notable increase in smog – the worst since 2009-2010, according to the State of the Air 2014 report.
“Environmental issues such as flooding, increase asthma rates, and pollution impact low income communities and people of color more than any other group of people in the city,” said Action United member Terry King, a passionate activist who can be seen around Philadelphia demanding fair funding for Philly’s schools.
Ms. King’s observation of “environmental racism” has been noted by MotherJones.com, who reported:
“People of color are exposed to 46 percent more nitrogen dioxide pollution each year than white people.”
Though people of color are disproportionately impacted by environmental decline, they don’t seem to be as visible as their white counterparts in the climate action movement – that’s quickly changing.
The Hip-Hop Caucus, founded by iconic activist Rev. Lennox Yearwood, a strong supporter of the climate march that’s aggregating more than 1,000 local, national, and international organizations, are launching a historic climate album any day now that features Common, Ne-Yo, Raheem DeVaughn and many more.
Entitled H.O.ME (healing our Mother Earth), the production is meant to represent the “voices of millions of Americans who want solutions to climate change,” explains Rev. Yearwood, who noted “pollution is killing our communities and we’re going to use our culture to speak to that.”
A party to celebrate the release of the eco-centric, musical endeavor is scheduled for next Tuesday in Washington, D.C. at the famed Howard Theater.
Using music and media to mobilize communities is a tactic that Techbook Online, a semi-finalist in Echoing Green’s first-ever climate competition and the publisher of a series of climate change Techbooks that foster values, attitudes, skills and behaviors that support environmental advancement, fully embraces and endorses.
As the CEO and Founder of Techbook Online Corporation, a 100% paperless organization dedicated to promoting the science of econology, I fully support the Climate March and its message of protecting the poorest and most vulnerable in our society, and prioritizing solutions for those who have borne the brunt of the problems.
As the human race, it’s imperative that we put aside our differences on race, religion, sexual preference and political affiliation and focus all our energy on building communities and economies that are both socially and ecologically sustainable.
Thanks for reading. Until next time, I’m Flood the Drummer® & I’m Drumming for JUSTICE!™