Greenpeace

The Global Warming Story Tour took on Green Jobs in Nashville, Tennessee. On the National Green Jobs Day of Action more than fifty people - Congressional candidates, singers and performers, activists, students from Fisk and Vanderbilt, and Greenpeace members – all gathered in a local community garden to call on Congress to support local solutions to Global Warming – Green Jobs!

The entire event was powered by the sun – the sound system and the camera for sending solar powered messages to Congress. By supporting a new green economy we have the opportunity to address the economic crisis and global warming with local solutions. We can provide jobs that will build a clean energy infrastructure here in Tennessee and provide nearly 45,000 jobs for people that need them.

I heard this sentiment from young people who are working with a local organization – Y Build, which gives young, urban men between the ages of 18-24 the training they need to get construction type jobs. It was inspiring to see this kind of program already in action right here in Tennessee – ready and waiting in the wings for the skills to start the clean energy revolution and build its infrastructure. Local solutions to global warming are here – we just need Congress to be as committed as we are.

-Carrie Wisinski
Greenpeace field organizer, TN-05

The Global Warming Story Tour had a great visit to beautiful Siesta Key Florida and drew a lot of attention from beachgoers. The Rolling Sunlight was definitely at home here in the Sunshine State – there was a lot of interest about the solar panels, and what they could do. Some people even came down to check out the truck after seeing it on the news!

Our solar paneled biodiesel truck recorded global warming video messages from volunteers, beachgoers, local religious leaders, and Christine Jennings, candidate for Congress. There were also opportunities for participants to write letters to Congress, learn about renewable energy, and meet the crew. We were sure to let everyone know about our upcoming aerial art event, and participants could even email their friends to tell them about it from our solar powered laptops!

People had a lot of different stories about what concerns them about global warming and what they’re doing about it. But everyone wanted to see Congress get serious about real solutions to global warming. Florida has so much to lose if we don’t stop global warming, and so much to gain in a clean energy economy. With just a month until the November election, the Global Warming Story Tour helped send a message: We will vote for leaders who will fight for clean energy and a safe climate.

-Joe Smyth
Greenpeace field organizer, FL-13

We were lucky enough to have two Global Warming Story Tour stops here in Pennsylvania. The first event was on Friday at Phoenixville’s First Friday.

The crowd came out to enjoy the last street festival (with live music!) of the summer. At the event, there was a Grateful Dead cover band named Splintered Sunlight. The irony makes me laugh.

Passersby were excited to check out the truck. The people of Phoenixville stopped to share their stories with Greenpeace about how global warming is affecting their lives, what they are doing to stop global warming, and what they are asking Congress to do in order to stop global warming. One passerby stopped with his daughter to tell his story about his travels to Glacier National Park and how he saw first hand how climate change is affecting the glaciers. Pennsylvanians came out to tell Congress that they are doing their part as Americans, and now it is time for Congress to do theirs.

Message to congressional candidates: Pennsylvanians are waiting for action.

The Global Warming Story Tour also visited Greenfest Philly on South Street the following day. The event had over 200 exhibitors and an estimated 20,000 people. Passersby were again very excited to see the Rolling Sunlight truck and its impressive display of solar panels. I was inspired myself watching the diverse group of people that volunteered to share their stories about how global warming is affecting their life and the steps they are making in their personal lives to stop it.

Even though people from all backgrounds took the time speak about global warming, they all shared the same belief that Congress needs to take action to stop global warming. Symbols of 1776, like the Liberty Bell, remind Philadelphians everyday about independence and revolution. Now Pennsylvanians are joining together and asking Congress for a 21st century energy revolution. We are asking Congress to use energy more efficiently, reduce the amount of global warming pollution dumped in the atmosphere, and invest in renewables like wind and solar.

Congress, here in Pennsylvania we are doing out part. Now it is time you did yours.

-Jillian Costigan
Greenpeace field organizer, PA-06

This weekend, the Global Warming Story Tour came through Bloomington to ask community members how global warming is affecting them. People were very excited and curious to see our biodiesel-powered, solar-energy-equipped vehicle and asked lots of great questions

Many people expressed interest in putting solar panels up on their houses and wanted to know if there was anyone in town who helped out with that. Luckily, the person who runs SIREN (Southern Indiana Renewable Energy Network) kept dropping by the event to answer their questions. People who were not familiar with our global warming campaign seemed excited to know that there was a local group working on the campaign and were eager to get involved.

During the busiest part of the event, four of our Congressman’s staffers (that would be Rep. Baron Hill) stopped by to check out the festivities. I asked them if they wanted to do video testimonials, and they politely declined.

Still, I think we got some great video testimonials from people who really represent southern Indiana, so I’m excited about that. Overall, it was a good event!

- Lisa Ramsden
Greenpeace field organizer, IN-09

“And thank you, also, for showing me a side of Greenpeace that I really didn't know about before.”

-Cathy Puchalski, Superintendent of Recreation, Arlington Heights Park District.

Sometimes the elephant in the room is that people just don't know what the environmental movement is really about — what Greenpeace truly stands for. After all, for almost 40 years we've been up against rich companies whose PR department budgets probably outstrip the GDP of Finland. Greenpeace's global warming campaign is challenging perceptions while simultaneously giving notice that people aren't going to sit by anymore and let their voices be ignored. And we're doing it right where the fat cats are most uncomfortable seeing us, and where we can best show everyone our true hearts for the cause: in the heart of American communities.

People know that global warming is here, and it's affecting us in our own backyards. They've bought their canvass bags and they're trying hard to remember to bring them every time they go to the grocery store. They're teaching their kids about recycling. They're making the small changes in their own lives that show Americans care.

They want their government to step up to the plate. But not everyone can ship out on the Rainbow Warrior or lead a march on Washington. After all, there are the bills, the job, the kids . . . But what's this? Greenpeace? At my local park? With — let me get this straight — activities for my kids, letter-writing tables for me, and a whole lot of smiling volunteers educating people and taking pictures and videos to send to Congress? I never knew Greenpeace did . . . that.

Thanks to the hard work of volunteers from Illinois' 10th District and from the Rolling Sunlight's crew, lots of people in Arlington Heights got a glimpse of how they can help stop global warming, right here, right now. And they're seeing a Greenpeace they never knew before.

- Adam Smit
Greenpeace field organizer, IL-10

As the Story Tour continues to roll across the country, they’re not only finding a variety of ways global warming is affecting people, they’re finding a variety of events drawing people out to talk about it.

Urbana-Champaign saw two Story Tour events. On Thursday, August 28th, the truck powered over 3 hours of music. And on Friday, August 29th, the Rolling Sunlight set up in downtown Champaign.

The concert on the 28th provided a fun venue to bring people together and introduced us to some wonderful new members of the community. On Friday, state representative Naomi Jakobsson came to share her story after hearing about the concert the day before, and we also had an appearance by Democratic challenger for Congress Steve Cox, who
rode his bike to the event and pledged his support for science-based legislation to combat global warming.

It was great to see people so eager to share their stories. Folks were literally lining up to make sure Congress heard their stories. Events like this really accentuate the fact that people in east-central Illinois are doing their part to stop global warming. Nearly everyone
who attended the event walked or rode a bicycle, and all the energy used by the bands came through the squeaky clean solar panels atop the Rolling Sunlight truck.

We heard stories about people shopping at the farmers market, composting and recycling, riding their bikes more, and eating meat less. We also heard a lot about how much this community wants to see Congress take the lead on this very non-partisan issue. What we really need now is strong leadership in Congress on this issue.

More than anything, I think the two events we had here in Champaign-Urbana show that this community is trying to do it’s part. We just hope Representative Tim Johnson is ready to lead.

- Drew Chiaro
  Greenpeace field organizer, IL-15

The Global Warming Story Tour hit Columbus, Ohio on Tuesday, and the two politicians hoping to represent us in Congress turned up to see and hear firsthand why so many voters are telling them that they need to be leaders on global warming if they want to be elected.

"We can work together and face this issue, and it's important to raise awareness like they're doing today," Republican candidate Steve Stivers told a reporter from the Columbus Dispatch who was at the event. "Global warming is an issue that cuts party lines, and people are really starting to understand that this issue is a big deal."

Democrat Mary Jo Kilroy is getting the message as well.

"The concerns I hear from voters on this issue are valid, and they are concerns I share with them. Oil-based economy is in the past, we must look to the future," Kilroy was quoted as saying in the Dispatch's article. (Read the story: "Greenpeace event draws citizens, candidates." Includes a slideshow!!!)

The day was a great opportunity for the two candidates to see the power of clean energy firsthand. Both Stivers and Kilroy had questions about the truck -- What does it run on? (Answer: used vegetable oil.) How much energy do those solar panels provide? (The Rolling Sunlight is packing 256 sq. ft. of solar panels; enough to power three homes with no pollution!)

Perhaps more importantly during this nationally watched tossup election -- Stivers and Kilroy got to hear from real voters who are thirsty for Congress to act on global warming now.

For me and the volunteers working with Greenpeace here in Columbus, it was encouraging to see that the two folks who want to represent us are taking this issue seriously. No one knows who's going to win this race right now, but both candidates can help themselves by continuing to respond to their voters' concerns -- and that means improving their plans to stop global warming.

- David Pomerantz
  Greenpeace field  organizer, OH-15

Greenpeace had the Rolling Sunlight stationed outside The E Street Café in Encinitas, which is a local hub for entertainment, coffee, and socializing with the local crowd. The café is just off the Coast Highway 101, the main drag, so the event drew folks in from all over the city on a Sunday afternoon.

We had approximately 50 attendees and volunteers who made the event possible, and we were able to collect about 20 letters, 25 photos, and 13 video testimonials to deliver to our candidates for Congress, asking for strong global warming leadership! People of all ages and backgrounds participated in sending messages, but perhaps one of our favorites was Spencer, a young man who skateboarded by the event and stopped to see what was going on. When asked how he felt about global warming, Spencer answered, “I just sold my car and now I skateboard everywhere because I want to do my part.” It was fantastic -- when asked if he would tell the same story to our video crew, he jumped on the opportunity!

To add to the success of the event, around 15 Greenpeace volunteers, including Frontline crew, spread all over the streets surrounding the event to recruit people to join us and get postcards signed. They succeeded in getting almost 200 postcards signed, including 50 folks who signed up to get involved volunteering for the campaign! A small handful of those volunteers were folks who came by to check out the event and were so excited about what was going on they decided to throw on STOP GLOBAL WARMING shirts and help out with the event right there.

The Global Warming Story Tour’s stop in Encinitas on Sunday, July 27th, made for a fun and empowering community event for all!

 - Jenny Binstock
   Greenpeace field organizer, CA-50

Yesterday, Michael Alexander of the Huntington Beach Independent called us up to ask some follow-up questions regarding the recent Global Warming Story Tour stop in downtown Huntington Beach – which is part of CA-46, represented by Dana Rohrabacher, who is being challenged by Debbie Cook in this year’s elections.

Today, I checked online, and sure enough, our article is featured prominently on the front page of the newspaper's website! You can read the full article online and check out Debbie Cook's reaction to our event in her hometown. “I like to focus on the energy side of the equation, because it’s an issue that we can all unite behind,” Cook said. Too bad she didn't come on out and see the Rolling Sunlight firsthand -- a vehicle that runs completely off of biodisel (the good kind -- used vegetable oil) and has 256 sq. ft. of solar panels on top. How's that for the energy side of the equation? Wouldn't be much of a Global Warming Story Tour if energy weren't a major part of it, eh?

As for Rep. Dana Rohrabacher? According to the article, "efforts to reach Rohrabacher for comment were unsuccessful."

-Abi Smith
Greenpeace campaign coordinator 

This is my first time in California, really in the West at all. I'm not quite sure what I expected it to be like, but it is not like any terrain I have ever seen. Right now we are driving from Costa Mesa to Palm Springs and I can see foothills to my left. I am used to the mountains back East covered with trees and luscious vegetation. Here I can feel the dry, I can see it. Yes, there are trees, but looking across the range it seems more like brush than anything else. 

We had an event in Palm Springs, Ca. Wake-up time was 0440, talk about some sleep-walking activists! The weather was 113̊ F at the highpoint and 0800 felt like 1100 because of the heat!  It was a good event, otherwise. The organizers and volunteers were helpful and did a good job.

Citizens in the area were talking to us about how they felt global warming affecting them; most commented on the increased humidity. Deserts are generally arid from what I know, so obviously something is changing in the atmosphere if the humidity is reaching 48%! I did not really notice it, but then again I am from the South East and am used to stepping out of my house and immediately being covered in sticky sweat.  

-Kathryn Hilton
 Global Warming Story Tour crew

The Rolling Sunlight rolled down to Long Beach on Wednesday for an event calling on Congresswoman Laura Richardson (D-37) to become a global warming champion. We set up in downtown right next to City Hall, where Rep. Richardson used to work, and we were able to speak to many of her former co-workers and city employees. People were thrilled to have their voice heard, and spoke about various impacts of global warming, from the polar bears to rising sea levels. 

It seems that everyday, the media reports on how global warming is affecting faraway places — from melting icecaps to disappearing glaciers. And with droughts, floods, and unpredictable weather hitting our own communities, it’s clear that we can’t ignore this problem anymore. The fact is, our children and grandchildren could inherit a very different world from the one we grew up in. We need to act now.

As our friendly polar bear helped to greet passers-by, it became clear that people here in Long Beach are already making small changes in their lives and doing their part to stop global warming by changing their light bulbs, driving less, and buying more efficient appliances. But while important, these small actions alone won’t stop global warming.  We need action from our leaders in Congress—but they won’t do anything until they hear from enough of us.

People here understand the threat that global warming poses to our way of life. And they want action from their government. This isn’t a partisan issue, and anybody running for Congress in this community should commit to being a leader in the fight to stop global warming. The people of California's 37th district are already doing their part. It’s time for Rep. Richardson to do hers.

-Sarah Holzgraf
Campaign Coordinator
Greenpeace Los Angeles

Greenpeace's world renowned solar vehicle, The Rolling Sunlight, made a stop in Pacifica, California today on track with it's nation-wide tour the Global Warming Story Tour. We got to "chill out" today with surfers, families, and constituents of California district 12 in Pacifica's chilly, foggy Bay-Area beach. There were big waves, and the ripples were resounding, and the sea- shells sang "energy (r)evolution!" We are confident this was heard throughout district 12, which embodies parts of Pacifica, Marin, South San Francisco, and the Sunset district of San Francisco. We sent a clear message to Congresswoman Jackie Speier: Your district wants you to act now on climate change!

Many surfers spoke to us about their fears concerning the issues facing the shorelines of California. The general concern was rising sea levels, and the loss of their beaches. We rallied these folks to sign petitions, write letters to Rep. Speier, and we filmed them giving a testimonial on how global warming was affecting them. The overall feeling was that as individuals, they were doing their part to reduce their consumption of energy, and were now ready for congress to step up to the plate. Thanks to all of our volunteers, and all of the kind people we met today!

The San Mateo County Times covered the event, and the San Jose Mercury News ran the article -- Check it out!

-D. Alexander Holmes
Frontline Campaign Coordinator, San Francisco

 

During the Story Tour stop at the Oregon Country Fair, Greenpeace students Lindsey, Teresa, Jessica and volunteers Andy and Karen braved temperatures in the 90s to collect global warming messages to Congress from almost 600 people. Folks were excited to share their concerns about global warming and to urge Congress to take immediate action. Many Oregonians said they were worried about what we’re leaving for future generations, such as the increase in heat waves and the impacts on the salmon population. Lots of people talked about how they want more wind and solar power for Oregon.

One of my favorite moments was when 14-year old Talies from northwestern Oregon sent a video message to Democratic candidate Kurt Schrader. Talies said: “I am one of many who have been immensely disturbed by our political leaders’ lack of action in the face of global warming. I am a fan of clean air, and a diversified ecosystem that is in perfect balance. However, I fear that these lovely luxuries that I consider to be my birthright will not be available to me throughout my life if this issue that is global warming is not addressed seriously by the candidates that will be representing my family and myself. Thus, I ask you good Sir to heed my request and take a clear stance on global warming.”

Visit the OR05 page if you live in Oregon and want to get involved with Greenpeace and help stop global warming!

-Sofia Gidlund
Greenpeace Field Organizer
Salem, OR