Fires on the West Coast, drought in the Midwest, floods in the Northeast, hurricanes in the gulf hurricanes, and heat waves nationwide!  Unusual weather or climate change?

Concerned about climate change several hundred intrepid souls braved heavy rains to attend the R4C event (sponsored by Sierra Club and other local climate groups), clambered for action on climate change, engaged in spirited discussions about the needed changes, and cheered the diverse and inspiring group of speakers on the need for climate action, including Congressman Jamie Raskin, Jansikwe Medina-Tayac, a high school junior and native American activist from the Piscataway Indians, Destiny Watford, winner of the Goldman Environmental Prize, Joelle Novey of the Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light,  Rev. Abhi Janamanchi of the Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church. The event was moderated by the environmental scientist and activist, Danielle Luttenberg-Meitiv.

Councilman Marc Elrich (Democratic candidate for Montgomery County Executive), an ardent and longtime environmental advocate, described climate change as the defining environmental issue of our time. Elrich emphasized the resolution he authored with others calling for a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2027 and elimination by 2035. He said, “… 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 stated that there have been other perilous times in our history and we prevailed then as we must prevail now. He noted that this event is important because “…it is one of hundreds of such events across the country designed to mobilize climate forces.”  He noted that “It has been a tough period with Donald Trump as president, putting us on the wrong side of environmental history by making of his first acts withdrawing from the historic Paris Climate Accord.”

    Jansikwe Medina-Tayac expressed the view that events like this are important because they “… increase awareness to the climate crisis, bring people together, and gives them power and energy.”  She emphasized 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.

    Danielle Luttenberg-Meitiv reminded us that climate change has a strong science base. 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.

Participants had a variety of reasons for attending. For example, Sue, a volunteer from Takoma Park voiced the opinion that climate change is the most important global concern. Bob from Wheaton said he came to the event because he wants to leave the world a safe and healthful place for his grandchildren.

    Despite the seriousness of the issue, the event was upbeat and fun. 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. Most 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. Accelerate the transition to 100% clean, renewable energy;  

2. Stop the production of dirty, unsustainable energy;

3. 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 sound climate policies.

Now it is up to us, as Congressman Raskin noted when asked about what to do next: “The climate movement must insist that protecting the climate must come before everything else and demand political leadership that understands that policy decisions and actions must be geared toward building resiliency and recovery from the terrible climate catastrophes that confront us.”