Al Gore and the "Step it Up 2007" Campaign

Al Gore is on a roll. He won an Oscar, and he is up for a Nobel Prize. He is all over the news for his efforts to bring more light to the very serious concerns that global warming represent. It seems like an interesting karmic twist. After the confusion and drama of the 2000 presidential election, many people just wanted to forget about him. They wanted to move on. But as fate would have it, the person selected by the Supreme Court to move us on has faltered. And the very real problem of climate change caused by global warming has moved from the realm of scientists and climatologists to the mainstream. Mr. Gore has proven to be a more than adequate spokesperson. His film An Inconvenient Truth continues to be a hit. World leaders vie for face time with him. And now he asks all of us to do more, to help push the movement. To "step it up."

"Step It Up 2007" is the title given to the next step in the plan to applaud leaders and individuals who have made changes and to bring pressure on those who have not yet done so. The action is centered around local events. As of this writing, there are more than 1200 actions planned around the country for Saturday, April 14th or the entire weekend. The rallies are being organized by groups and individuals from all walks of life who agree on one thing. The time has come for our elected officials to take bold and immediate steps to combat global warming.

Step It Up organizer Bill McKibben says "the groundswell of support for this effort is incredible. This is truly a viral grassroots movement, organized mainly through word of mouth, email outreach among friends, and the online community."

The events are varied and open to all. And if you can't find an event that suits you, organize one! There is still time, and the movement will welcome you. The only constant theme is that someone takes a picture of a poster or placard which says something along the lines of "Step it up Congress! Cut carbon 80% by 2050!"

What is happening here in Oregon range from a weekend conference for high school students where they can learn how to mobilize for the movement to bike rides, a "polar bear" dip in the Willamette River, a concert with the band Railer, downtown events, a gathering at the beach, a camping excursion to the glaciers on Mount Hood, and on and on. I am sure before the 14th gets here more will be planned.

Get online, and find and event in your area. Or plan an event in your area. But make it happen! The time is past for us to try to rely on Washington to solve our problems. We are the solution, because we can demand the action! Thousands of people with concern about the future of all of us ask you to join us on Saturday, April 14th. Be there!