Niagara Sierrans off to fast start with Climate Justice campaign

 

On Sept. 24, more than 300 people gathered in Niagara Square in downtown Buffalo to initiate a three-month campaign, Rise Up for Climate Justice.  The date was selected in solidarity with Pope Francis’ address to the joint session of Congress. 

 

The campaign is designed to raise awareness of the upcoming UN Paris climate talks which we all know are critical to the future of our planet. As #ActInParis says, “We are the first generation that is seeing the lasting effects of the climate crisis but may be the last generation that has the chance to do anything about it.” Moreover, the title, “Climate Justice” builds on the message and language of Pope Francis and last year’s People’s Climate March. 

 

The Sierra Club Niagara Group, with the support of the Interfaith Climate Justice Community, is asking: What specifically can we do in the Niagara region? How do we get people involved? How do we encourage and support collective and individual action?  This three-month campaign is designed to respond to these questions.

 

We have gathered a group of diverse campaign partners and it was evident in the rally. Our organizing vehicle is a Climate Justice Pledge that we are asking organizations, elected officials and individuals to sign. The language outlines the critical nature of the climate crisis and asks people:

At the rally there was an hour of creative festivities focused on climate justice issues to generate an energetic crowd—dance, song, the U.S.S. Climate Justice parade float, face painting, poetry readings by young people and information tabling. 

 

The talks began with a rousing address by Common Council President Darius Pridgen, who proposed and had passed a resolution to affirm the Climate Justice Pledge by the Buffalo Common Council. The speakers included the range of partners:  union brothers and sisters, with Deborah Hayes speaking for the Communications Workers of America; Sister Sharon Goodremote, who spoke as a representative of Catholic Bishop Malone; Agnes Williams and drummers spoke on behalf of the Seneca and indigenous people; Maxine Murphey, from People United for Sustainable Housing (PUSH), spoke about lack of affordability in the energy sector; Subashni Raj about her country, Fiji, an island on the front lines of climate change and others.

 

Already 20 unions or union leaders have signed the pledge, as have elected officials, including state senators Marc Panepinto and Tim Kennedy, and Paul Dyster, mayor of Niagara Falls. The Western New York Environmental Alliance, representing over 100 organizations, is a partner as well as the Partnership for the Public Good, PUSH, the Working Families Party WNY, the League of Women Voters, and many others.

 

And we have only begun.  The next three months will be devoted to widening the list of partners committed to taking action on climate change. We will be offering programs and events for education, including solidarity with national/international programs, as possible; we will be visiting the offices of all of our elected officials to push for their climate actions; we will provide support for everyone who wants to engage their organization, church or school in this campaign; we will all take what action is required to put pressure on Washington; and we will offer support for making individuals changes that move us to a more sustainable, healthy, and just life here on planet Earth. 

 

And during the Paris talks, we will be taking action to ensure that our small part of the world is aware and participating in this critical moment of history, where we hope our generation will step up to its opportunity and responsibility.