On Sept. 20, individuals and organizations around the world are planning on holding what is expected to be the biggest public march event ever related to global warming.
A group of local citizens is planning a march and rally in Salmon Arm for people from this community and all around the Shuswap, to place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20, starting at McGuire Lake Park near Hudson Ave.
So far, at least 750 organizations around the world are committed to stage marches and rallies. This public demonstration is happening in advance of a UN summit of world leaders in New York City on the climate crisis.
“People are invited to participate and send a signal to our governments, at every level, that we the people take this matter seriously, and expect them to act,” says local organizer Warren Bell.
He points to a recent article in the Guardian newspaper which notes that in Canada, Australia, the USA and the UK, politicians are rejecting evidence and expert opinion about climate change.
The article states: “The subject of global warming is less politicized for America’s neighbors to the north, but their leadership seems not to have the least interest in doing anything about it. To the contrary, the Canadian government appears determined to exploit the Alberta tar sands to the fullest extent possible.
However, continuing to expand tar sands production will make it impossible for Canada to meet its promised carbon pollution cuts. The Harper government seems satisfied to pay lip service to the critical issue of climate change whilst muzzling its climate scientists and maximizing its dirty fossil fuel production.”