Activists slate vigils in run-up to Copenhagen

| Dec 4, 2009

micah-oct-rally

ACTIVE: Micah Parkin addressing climate change rally in Boulder Oct. 24

By Micah Parkin

The United Nations Climate Change Conference begins next week in Copenhagen, Denmark, and President Obama has said he and other top administration officials will attend. We will call on the President to fight for a legally binding international treaty on climate change and strong short term targets for reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions.

Also, with the Obama administration proposing emission reduction targets based on federal clean energy legislation currently making its way through Congress, we will highlight the need for Senators Udall and Bennett to prevent weakening of the Senate’s version of the bill by special interests.

There is so much happening locally to build momentum for real action nationally and internationally on climate change! Please join us at one or more of the following local events as we demonstrate our vision for a safe climate and clean energy future! And help us spread the word!

Sunday, Dec. 6th, 5:30pm: Candlelight HOPE March in Boulder! Please bring your friends and family out for a Candlelight March on Pearl St. calling on President Obama to lead the world toward a strong climate agreement at the U.N. International Climate Talks in Copenhagen, which begin next week. Join us as we march along Pearl St. with banners, candles, and music. Then we’ll gather at the Courthouse to spell out HOPE, listen to several of Boulder’s Copenhagen delegates, and wish them well at this fun, high-spirited Bon Voyage gathering.

Where: We’ll meet by the Daily Camera parking lot (1048 Pearl St., Boulder, CO 80302) at the west end of Pearl St. to distribute “Hopenhagen” buttons, Obama/Strong Action Now candleholders, and candles. Then we’ll begin our march to the east end of Pearl St., and then back to the Courthouse for our HOPE/Bon Voyage Gathering. See Facebook group

D.C. Phone-a-thon – extended until Sunday – please make your call today! Thanks so much to everyone who volunteered at our D.C. Phone-a-thon Headquarters Wednesday and to all of you who made phone calls! We generated 565 calls! With your help, we know we can reach a goal of 1,000 calls by Sunday. So, if you haven’t yet, please make 3 quick calls now! (Please let me know you called so we can count you)! Senator Michael Bennet – (202) 224-5852 and 2) Senator Mark Udall – (202) 224-5941. Leave a comment with your name, city, and that you’re “calling to urge the Senator to be a climate champion and work hard to pass the strongest possible climate and clean energy bill as soon as possible and don’t allow it to be weakened by special interests”. As the President joins the International Climate Change Conference, he is looking to Congress for guidance on emission reduction targets, so we need our Senators to stand strong against industry lobbyists and ‘hold the line’.

Call the White House comment line: (202) 456-1111 and “urge President Obama to fight for a fair, ambitions, and binding international treaty on climate change when he attends to United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark on Dec. 9th. Obama is our HOPE in Copenhagen, and U.S. leadership is critical”.

Thursday, Dec. 10th, 5-5:45pm: HOPE FOR COPENHAGEN VIGIL, at 18th St. and Champa, outside Senator Mark Udall’s office in downtown Denver. In response to the appeal by 350.org leader Bill McKibben for vigils to be held in conjunction with the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, Colorado Interfaith Power and Light, Eco-Justice Ministries, and other organizations will be holding a vigil in Denver Dec. 10 to indicate our hope and our determination for world leaders to commit to a strong climate agreement limiting global emissions of greenhouse gases. Come and show your support for national and international climate agreements which can begin to put the brakes climate change which threatens everything we hold dear. Bring lights–flashlights, glow-sticks, candles (with wind and drip protection). Bring children–make this a “teachable moment” for the next generation, and to remind us why we must commit to reducing greenhouse pollution. Bring prayers, poems, songs. Call your city council people and legislators, and invite them to join you at the vigil. For questions, contact Nelson, [email protected].

Friday, Dec. 11th, 5-6pm: CANDLELIGHT VIGIL FOR WORLD SURVIVAL, at SW corner of 6th and Main, Longmont. Join us to show your support for strong action at the UN’s Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 350 ppm and for the survival of island nations such as the Maldives and the rest of the world. Longmont’s vigil is part of a worldwide network of similar vigils. Bring candles and wear warm clothing. For more information, call 303-772-1954 or 303-588-4452.

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If you have any questions, please contact:
Micah Parkin
1Sky Colorado Organizer
504-258-1247
[email protected]