Various environmental groups are supporting a major event on Parliament Hill next Saturday, October 24th. The event begins at noon, with a big photo stunt happening at 2:00pm. 3,559 such events are scheduled around the world, in 161 different countries. Groups involved in this non-partisan event include Oxfam Canada, the Canadian Federation of Students, 350.org, and KYOTOplus.
With the Copenhagen climate change negotiations less than 70 days away, this is a good opportunity to demonstrate that you are concerned about the issue, and hope that Canadian politicians will do more to address it. So far, Canada’s record is very poor. Our emissions are way above where we pledged to be through the Kyoto Protocol. Furthermore, while we do have climate targets for 2020 and 2050, we do not yet have a viable plan for meeting them. Changing that will require showing Canadian politicians that citizens aren’t satisfied with the meagre efforts put forward so far.
Beyond attending the event itself, if anyone wants to help with postering and general awareness raising, they can contact me and I will put them in touch with some of the organizers.
[Update: 18 October 2009] A postcard for the event is available.
[Update: 19 October 2009] Here are some posters in English and French.
[Update: 26 September 2009] I have put my photos and videos from the event online.
Have you ever wondered where Canada has lost it’s climate change plan or misplaced its international leadership? Now is the time for Canada to be rising to the challenge, and yet we seem to be moving in the wrong direction.
If you feel this way, we have a great day planned for you.
On October 24, 2009 ºClimate Day: Fill The Hill will bring together tens of thousands on Parliament Hill to make climate change history. Canadians from all walks of life will speak in a collective voice: we will insist on genuine, immediate action to significantly reduce Canada’s contribution to global climate change. We will demand that our leaders accept their true responsibility. We call upon leaders to embrace the vision of a healthy, sustainable, secure Canada.
Fill The Hill is a fun, family-friendly and peaceful day of activities that will educate, inspire and engage. We believe that our collective voice must be heard, and have some fun while expressing it! Through this act of citizenship we will participate in our nation’s political decision-making. We are going to show Canada’s leaders that they CAN make the right decisions.
So how does this involve you?
Join us on Parliament Hill!. Be part of history in the making. Check out http://www.climateday.ca. We will soon post discount travel and accommodation options. Canada is a large country, so if you cannot join us, do not fret! There is likely an event happening near you on October 24th to get involved in. Check http://www.350.org for more information.
Questions, comments, etc? info@climateday.ca Interested in volunteering? volunteer@climateday.ca Are you from an organization interested in partnership? info@climateday.ca
Are you a young person?
Check out Powershift Canada, happening in Ottawa October 23-26 that will bring more than one thousand youth together from across the country for four days of amazing climate activities. Participants will be joining us on The Hill, so you can combine two amazing and historic events.
We hope to see you on The Hill on Oct 24th!
Fill the Hill sounds like a good event and a nice chance to meet with like minded people. Is there an equivalent event taking place in Vancouver?
There are events all over the world, including in Vancouver:
What’s happening on Cambie Bridge
11:00 – Bridge Open to Public!
Noon – Welcome and Banner Drop!
12:30 – Parade: Bridge to Pacific Blvd to Science World!
Let’s get together and send our leaders a message: time for action! Come to the bridge – we can make a difference!
Also:
What’s happening at Science World
* Everything kicks off at 1 p.m.
* Hot Salsa, Cool Planet!
* Kid’s stage: music, puppetry, story telling
* Dance Stage with SHAH DJ
* Band Stage – Andrea Curtis, Folk Music Fest
* Eco-Fair: Green Businesses, Action Groups!
Just Google “climate change October 24” and the name of your city, and some events will probably come up.
If people are attending climate events tomorrow, they can submit photos and videos to the 350.org people:
“Submit photos via email by sending them to photos@350.org. In order to be successfully submitted, add your photos as attachments, use your city and country as the subject, and describe your photos with a short caption in the body of your email.”
“The daily back-and-forth, however, was overshadowed by the shouts and demands from a group of climate-change activists who had quietly taken over the north gallery. Their protest started as NDP Leader Jack Layton began asking his questions.
“Bill C-311,” shouted one protester. “Sign it, sign it, sign it,” the others responded. It was a well-orchestrated affair; as some protesters were dragged off by Commons security guards, others would pop up and start shouting again, drowning out Mr. Layton.
Bill C-311 is an NDP private-members bill that demands the government act on climate change at the upcoming Copenhagen conference. It has been delayed in committee by the Conservatives and some Liberals.”
For Bridge to a Cool Planet, Ten Thousand Cross Cambie Street Bridge; Biggest Demonstration in Vancouver Since 2003 Peace March
Thousands of supporters gathered on the Cambie Street Bridge to rally for Climate Change at the wildly successful Bridge to a Cool Planet event this past Saturday.