Greenpeace

What I've learned this weekend is that neither unfavorable weather conditions, nor the threat of legal repercussions can discourage passionate environmental activists from supporting their cause. Last Saturday, participants in over 5,000 events worldwide joined 350 and Greenpeace in a united effort towards climate action. The creative demonstrations of International Day of Climate Action were as varied as the different weather conditions across the United States and the 180 other countries that participated.
Here in New York, we had rain, and while on any other typical gloomy Saturday afternoon I would have vouched to remain cozy and lethargic inside, I braved the outdoors for a good cause. I spent the afternoon upstate New York in New Paltz where I found that students from the University, and local residents and business owners had also chosen to embrace the muddy puddled Hasbrouck Park in order to partake in this epic opportunity. The day, filled with polar bear costumes, environmental raffles and displays, bands and public speakers, support for local agriculture, and the gathering of local green businesses, culminated in the human formation of "350" in the park, despite the the sticky mud.

Across the Brooklyn Bridge, activists, undaunted by the murky overcast, marched towards a better future. They held signs that demanded a strong climate treaty from our world leaders when they meet in Copenhagen.

In Chicago, eight activists from the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization were arrested during a peaceful blockade of the Fisk Coal Plant. Their actions demonstrated what they are willing to sacrifice in order to dissolve the deceitful term of "clean coal."

Rising sea levels due to Global Warming could cause devastation to coastal areas, so Bostonians expressed their concern by rallying behind a pseudo-sandbag wall on the harbor. The participants were geared up with goggles, water caps, and other scuba gear to survive the threat of underwater submergence.

Every event was unique and the participation around the world was far greater than I could have imagined. Uniting that many people on one day, for one cohesive cause was a powerful step towards our goals. International Day of Climate Action and everyone involved had a substantial influence in the future because we refused to be ignored. Check out this video which sums up the collaborative efforts of Greenpeace activists and other volunteers on October 24.