On September 8th and 9th several communities in Maryland held different events centered around the theme of “Rise for Climate, Jobs, & Justice!”. These events were part of the People’s Climate Movement, and all focused on moving towards clean renewable energy, and environmental justice for all. These events took place all around Maryland, including Rockville, Annapolis, Baltimore, Frederick, Howard County, Calvert County & St. Mary’s County. Read short summaries of a few of the events below!
Rockville 9/9/18
Several hundred intrepid souls braved heavy rains to attend the R4C event, clambered for action on climate change, and engaged in spirited discussions about the needed changes.
Marc Elrich, Montgomery County Council and Democratic candidate for County Executive, emphasized that sometimes we need to set our goals incredibly high, and the rapid pace of climate change makes now one of those times. Congressman Jamie Raskin pointed out that there have been other perilous times in our history and we prevailed then as we must prevail now. He noted that event is important because “…it is one of hundreds of such events across the country designed to mobilize climate forces.” He stated “It has been a tough period with Donald Trump as president, putting us on the wrong side of environmental history by withdrawing from the historic Paris Climate Accord.” When asked about what individuals can do he noted: “We need to demand political leadership that understands that we are in a civilizational emergency right now and policy decisions and actions must be geared toward building resiliency and recovery from the terrible climate catastrophes that confront us. The climate movement must be super well education about the science of the problem and insist that protecting the climate must come before everything else.”
Jansikwe Medina-Tauv, a high school junior and native American (Piscataway Indians), expressed the view that events like this are important because “… they increase awareness to the climate crisis, brings people together, and gives them power and energy.” She noted that young people need adults to support them, vote for people they can trust, and provide opportunities for them to discuss and share their opinions.
Destiny Watford, winner of the Goldman Environmental Prize, reminded us that climate change has a strong science base, while Joelle Novey of the Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light and Rev. Abhi Janamanchi of the Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church emphasized that protecting the climate is a moral imperative. Sue, a volunteer from Takoma Park voiced the opinion that climate change is the most important global concern.
Despite the seriousness of the issue, the event was upbeat and fun. The moderator, climate scientist Danielle Luttenberg-Meitiv, kept things lively. There was music and art and games for the children. Some 18 different MoCo climate groups provided information about climate change, discussed the many related issues, and provided guidance on how people could get more involved. Many of those attending signed the following pledge:
I pledge to Rise for Climate in Montgomery County! We are in a global climate emergency and need action, not just words. I pledge to act to help achieve Montgomery County Council’s unanimous resolution for an 80% percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2027. I join citizens across Montgomery County who are calling on our local and state officials to take immediate action on the following:
1. Dramatically accelerate the transition to 100% clean, renewable energy;
2. Stop the production of dirty, unsustainable energy in our county;
3. Aggressively reduce fossil fuel holdings in the county pensions;
4. Consider climate in all county legislation, investment, planning, and regulatory actions; and
5. Push for the State of Maryland to adopt the same emissions targets and climate policies that we are pursuing in Montgomery County.
Howard County 9/8/18
This Rise for Climate event took place at Clarksville Commons National Drive Electric Week celebration. This event showcased several different electric cars to promote clean transportation options. There were also short movie clips shown from the film Reinventing Power. Local environmental groups and informative speakers also attended to inform citizens of current issues in the area.
Check out more great photos from the Baltimore Sun
Baltimore 9/8/18
The Festival for Change: Climate, Jobs, and Justice took place at the Baltimore War Memorial. Grassroots community groups came to talk about action taking place in Baltimore to improve jobs, housing, and climate. The event featured live music and informative displays about the different local environmental issues.
Anne Arundel, Calvert, & St. Mary’s County 9/8/18
All three counties hosted a film screening and discussion of Sierra Club's new documentary “Reinventing Power: America's Renewable Energy Boom.” The film takes viewers across the country to hear directly from the people making our clean energy future achievable. These individuals are working to rebuild what’s broken, rethink what’s possible, and revitalize communities. Critically, Reinventing Power underscores the notion that jobs, economic growth and innovation don’t have to be sacrificed for a clean environment. Over the film’s 50 minutes, it focuses on people in eight states whose lives were changed by the renewable energy industry while exploring various aspects of clean energy from innovation to installation. More info on Reinventing Power can be found here: https://www.sierraclub.org/reinventing-power
Calvert County
About a dozen folks came to the Calvert Library in Prince Frederick to watch the enlightening movie about how we are advancing green energy and making lives better through clean means to provide our power while making jobs and better lives for those who have left coal mining jobs and joined solar and wind companies. After the film, we had about an hour and a half of spirited discussion of fracked gas jobs and the industry in our county and how to make it safer by demanding air quality monitors, a better escape route for people who live near the plant and encouraging our candidates local, state and federal to hold Dominion Cove Point accountable for any releases of toxins. Gas infrastructure projects were discussed also. There was one county commissioner candidate and a representative of another in attendance.
