Demonstrations took place Saturday April 29th across the nation on the 100th day of the Trump Presidency in response to his position as the only world leader that denies climate change. Known as the People’s Climate March, supporters took to the street in support of climate, jobs and justice. The largest of the satellite events in Idaho took place in Boise at the State Capitol Building, organized by coallition including the Sierra Club to bring a clear message to our leadership in Idaho.
“A decade ago Governor Butch Otter endorsed the science behind climate change and warned of future economic and environmental impacts for Idaho, yet the state has been slow to act in the following ten years,” said Casey Mattoon, Conservation Program Manager at the Idaho Sierra Club. “Just look to the fact that this spring Idaho was the only state in the nation to remove references to climate change in school science standards, the opposite of progress.” As public conservation around climate change has been heating up in Idaho, the public has demonstrated unprecedented support for science and solutions.
“The vast majority of Idahoans are concerned about the risks of climate change, the science overwhelming supports these concerns, and we have viable options to start mitigating the risk.” said John Segar, one of the speakers and a retired Chief of the USFWS Fire Management Branch. He referenced a study from Boise State that demonstrates widespread public support that climate change, noting that climate change resonates deeply with him based on his 36 years of exprience fighting and managing wildfires in the west.
Other speakers included representatives from the faith community, a middle school student, Idaho Stands with Standing Rock, and elected officials. All are talking to the same message, they support strong leadership from our state, city and businesses to address climate change, create jobs, and move towards a more just and sustainable Idaho. The youngest speaker was Soren, a 6th grader from Anser Chater Schook, recieved an uproar of appluse when he urged adults to teach the yough about the impacts of climate change. Celia Espinoza spoke about the injustice around extraction issues and environmental discrimintation that often hits disadvantaged communities first, refrencing her personal experience with organizing in support of Standing Rock.
After citizens spoke, two elected leaders took tot he state to discuss their vision for moving Idaho forward. “The fight for climate is really about people. Because Boise will always fight for the best future for her people, we’re going to fight - and lead - on climate,” said Boise City Council Pro Tem Lauren McLean. “That’s why we're building more net zero-buildings, pledging to increase our use of renewable energy, seeking innovative ways to reuse our water and expand our geothermal systems while starting composting programs, seeking transit solutions, and protecting our clean water and air. Our citizens both demand and deserve this, and we’ll do all we can to build a better future for all of us.”
This message of a better future resonated with Representative Ilana Rubel, the Assistant Minority Leader from Southeast Boise. She spent much of the past session trying to get an official hearing on climate change, but was met with resistance. Rep. Rubel planned the hearing anyway and it was the largest event during the session, drawing in more than 600 folks to hear from scientists and leaders.
During her speech Rep. Rubel highlighted the misinformation that is driving state policy and the reluctance of leaders to act depsite the projected billions in economic impact estimated throughout Idaho. She urged everyone in attendance to understand that climate change is very much an Idaho issue, and that we must all continue to do our part by showing up. “It is our duty to fight for our planet,” says Rubel, “and it is our duty to win."
At the Sierra Club, we have been fight for just that, with our successful work to move Idaho Beyond Coal and now our focus on Ready for 100. To learn more about how you can affect public policy for climate change with the Sierra Club, contact me at casey.mattoon@sierraclub.org.
Casey Mattoon, Conservation Program Manager
Press:
http://www.kivitv.com/news/differing-opinions-at-idaho-climate-march
http://www.idahostatesman.com/opinion/readers-opinion/article144473509.html