Greenpeace

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