Global Day of Action on Energy Policy Climate Change

35 people in Rochester Join 176 Countries in Global Day of Action on Energy Policy Climate Change

On bicycle and by foot, Rochester joined a massive global day of action Saturday to move beyond fossil fuels.

Rochester, Minnesota

Edward Cohen, event organizer, said “A great many people in town are concerned about these issues. We just needed to create an opportunity for them to gather where we could learn what is really going on in our area and how to get involved and increase activism.”

A seemingly endless series of record floods, drought, historic fires and loss of property over the past year have inspired new people to join local efforts to fight climate change. Many attendees pointed to the connection between the low cost of gasoline compared to the rest of the world and our over consumption and inefficient use of it. Several people pointed out that by not including the significant uncounted costs of oil and gasoline, such as the military costs to protect overseas oil and the economic and health impact of rising greenhouse gases, we are giving inaccurate price signals. With bad price signals, people make bad choices. Others saw that too much corporate money in politics from fossil fuel companies is a reason for why we find ourselves in the sorry situation we are in now. Rev. Sparks of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church pointed out that there is no conflict between faith and science. “We are called by scripture to be good stewards of the earth.”

Edward Cohen said, “Climate change or a better name, climate instability will be the defining environmental issue of this century. If we think we can improve the lives of people in America or elsewhere, but not reduce our greenhouse emissions, we are sadly fooling ourselves. America’s lack of a real energy policy makes it very unlikely that we can be where the world goes to buy green energy equipment. Without creating demand at home, we won’t see the buildings across America upgraded and the jobs and cost savings that come with them.”

There was no precise outcome of the event. Many of Rochester’s environmental, social justice and faith communities were represented. No decision was reached on whether energy and climate policy issues will be picked up by one of these established groups or become a new entity. Yet with six organizations sponsoring the event and the “energy” that was felt in the room that day, something will likely happen. To see photos of the Moving Rochester event go to http://www.moving-planet.org

“President Obama always said he would need pressure to help him move his agenda forward. We’re doing more than signing petitions–people in every corner of the country are showing the path ahead. Nearly 180 countries participated in this year’s Moving Planet day of action, with more than 2000 actions across the globe and nearly 700 US cities joining in to move beyond fossil fuels.

– More than thirty five concerned individuals turned out for a rally/march and afternoon of education and interaction in Rochester on Saturday to call for bold action on our energy policy and climate change. After a rally and march along Silver Lake trail, participants including Rev. Doug Sparks, MPCA water quality expert Norman Senjem, City Councilman Michael Wojcik and State Representative Tina Liebling shared their comments and concerns with a motivated audience. Everyone present was there to demonstrate their commitment to moving beyond fossil fuels and to a climate policy based on science.

CONTACT: Edward Cohen Rochester Minnesota 507.226.8040 e.cohen@sbcglobal.net

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