Greenpeace

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