ALBUQUERQUE– On May 10, 2014, the Great March for Climate Action will co-host a community march and rally with the Sierra Club – Rio Grande to boost awareness of the impacts of climate disruption. The rally will begin at 12:00 PM at the Washington Middle School Park. The public is invited to join in a banner procession march at 10:30 AM that will start on Central Ave. between 86th and Unser and will end at the rally. This event is part of a cross-country trek intended to bring attention to the sources and impacts of climate change. Marchers began their journey on March 1, 2014 in Los Angeles and will end their march in Washington, DC on November 1, 2014.
“The Climate Marchers are arriving in New Mexico just as the Sierra Club and many other partners launch two weeks of Climate Action,” said Camilla Feibelman, Sierra Club – Rio Grande Chapter Director. “Their walk weaves together events in Albuquerque and Santa Fe that include BLM hearings on Methane leaks from Natural Gas Extraction to a PNM Rally for Renewables where we will call on New Mexico’s largest utilities to replace dirty coal with clean renewable energy. The marchers are the flag bearers of this important message of climate action.”
The Great March for Climate Action joins the Sierra Club, 350.org, Citizens Climate Lobby, Organizing for Action, Albuquerque Pledge of Resistance, New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light, and New Energy Economy for Two Weeks of Climate Action at a significant time in New Mexico. This follows a decision made by the Environmental Protection Agency to support the state of New Mexico’s plan to shut down two of PNM’s coal-fired power-generating units in the Four Corners area. The closure will drastically reduce emissions of mercury, sulfur dioxide, carbon, and particulates after a regional haze dispute to improve visibility in the Four Corners, and the closure will reduce water consumption by half in a state plagued by drought. A strong plan is an important step to reduce the pollution in our national treasures, enhance air quality for communities, and slow the devastating effects of climate change.
In addition to the rally, marchers will have a concert and fundraiser open to the public on Friday, May 9th from 6 – 10 pm at the Source, 1111 Carlisle Blvd. SE. On May 11th from 9 am – 3 pm they will be at The Public Market in the Blacksmith Shop Building at the Albuquerque Rail Yards before they depart to continue on to Washington, D.C.
Marchers will be walking 2,980 long miles, away from family, friends, work and school, to bring attention to the growing threat of climate change. This group represents 36 different states, 6 countries, and range in age from 20 to 73 years, including local marcher Debaura James from Silver City, NM. Along their journey, at least 250 other marchers will walk a segment of this route to demand action on the climate crisis. To join the march or for route details, March history, and additional information about the Great March for Climate Action, please visit www.climatemarch.org. For more information about the Two Weeks of Climate Action visit http://riograndesierraclub.org.
Wednesday, May 7, 2014, 5:00 a.m. CST
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Ki Coulson at (805) 270-5232 or ki@climatemarch.org