September 21st marked a true milestone in the history of the climate movement. Over 400,000 people gathered in New York City under different banners but with the same singular ask of our local, national, and global leaders: Act On Climate.
The People’s Climate March was an opportunity to make a stand and demand change, and Maryland was there in force. As stories continue to roll in (check out the blog from our new Beyond Coal Intern, Alex, to read her thoughts on the march here), one of my favorites is the excitement Maryland brought to the March with hundreds of people (and frankly, that’s a very conservative estimate). Marylanders woke up early, climbed aboard buses, marched through Manhattan, and made their way home tired, excited, and inspired. It was truly great to see such a large presence from our state on Sunday.
Looking at the March now, I recognize that it was a perfect snapshot of Maryland. The People’s Climate March was organized under 6 contingents, all of which are directly linked to our state.
Frontlines of Crisis, Forefront of Change
Maryland is particularly vulnerable to climate disruption. As a coastal state, we are due to experience impactful sea level rise in communities from Ocean City to Annapolis to Baltimore, and everywhere along the Chesapeake Bay. Just this summer, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) cited Baltimore and Annapolis as the top two cities in the entire country in terms of increased nuisance flooding. This is no longer a problem in 2100, it’s happening now.
The Debate is Over
As a state, Maryland has moved past the climate “debate.” Our important state leaders have acknowledged the climate challenges facing our state are a result of fossil fuel consumption. Governor O’Malley said “Climate change is not an ideological issue any more than gravity is. It’s not about whether we move left or right, but whether we move forward or whether we slip back.”
We Know Who is Responsible
In case you didn’t know, over 50% Maryland’s electricity comes from fossil fuels, with coal leading the way as the single largest electricity generation source for the state.
We Can Build the Future
Our state is home to an active youth climate movement, with high school and university organizations advocating for and creating change inside and outside their campuses. We are home to a growing renewable energy market, including serving as a leader for the innovative offshore wind industry. We are not afraid to tackle this challenge.
We Have Solutions
Maryland is in the midst of an exciting Greenhouse Gas Reductions Plan, with the statewide goal of 25% reductions from a 2006 baseline by 2020. There’s more work to do, but we’re on the right track.
To Change Everything We Need Everyone
In Maryland, the climate crisis is not an issue simply for environmental groups and individuals. Labor groups, faith groups, public health scientists, social justice advocates, higher education institutions, and entrepreneurial minds are all working on this far-reaching issue and demanding ambitious change.
The Climate Movement is everywhere in Maryland, and you don’t have to look too hard to find it.
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Sometimes you need a march to send a message to those in charge. In President Obama’s remarks at the UN Climate Summit on Tuesday, he said “The alarm bells keep ringing, our citizens keep marching, we cannot pretend we do not hear them, we have to answer the call.” The world was watching and listening. Now it’s time to act.
Check out the Sierra Club’s calendar of events, our campaign pages, and the rest of this Newsletter to learn how you can become engaged. There is so much work happening on climate disruption in our state that there is no shortage of areas to get involved in. We work on transitioning from fossil fuels to a more efficient system powered by clean renewables. We work to ensure the Chesapeake Bay and our important waterways are protected and prepared for the stress of climate change.
My favorite phrase from the People’s Climate March is “To change everything we need everyone.” I’m excited to see you at one of our events soon, carrying with you the energy from the People’s Climate March.
David Smedick
Beyond Coal Campaign and Policy Representative
Check out the blog from our new Beyond Coal Intern, Alex, to read her thoughts on the march here.
PS - For the past few months I worked with amazing people to get those 500 people to the March, and I would be remiss if I didn’t explicitly thank those that are truly responsible for making Maryland’s experience at the March a success. The Maryland Sierra Club’s People’s Climate March team: Seth Bush, Kira Austin, Dave O’Leary, Ruth Alice White, Regina Minniss, Alex Evans, Beth Ingalls Vernon, Sharon Garlena, Rich Reis, Justin Lee, Maya Spaur, and the rest of the Maryland Chapter Staff and Interns
1 http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2014/20140728_nuisanceflooding.html
2 http://climatechange.maryland.gov/news-and-events/maryland-governor-martin-omalley-on-climate-change/
3 https://data.maryland.gov/goals/renewable-energy