Events are scheduled Saturday in more than 80 countries, and also here in the Northwoods, to highlight climate change, jobs and justice. It's called the Global Day of Action.
Northwoods Climate Action and co-chair of Our Wisconsin, David Barnhill, talks about the effort....
"....Ever since 2014, an organization called the Peoples Climate Movement has been sponsoring global demonstrations concerning climate change. This year, the action takes place on Saturday, September 8 and is called "Rise for Climate, Jobs and Justice". Events are taking place in 80 countries around the world, including here in Minocqua...."
Barnhill says one of the event's distinctive features is highlighting the social dimension of a climate crisis. He says the event is designed to highlight what he calls the greatest modern social justice issue. He says the poorest people, who contributed least to the problem will suffer the most. He also says the intensified storms, flooding, wildfires and drought will also drive costs up to repair the damage.
He talks about the Minocqua event...
"...We're going to have a march and a rally at 9:30 a.m. The march begins at Calvary Lutheran Church and will march to Torpy Park. From there we will have three featured speakers: Margaret Engebretson, the Democratic candidate for Congress, Bill Davis, the director of the Wisconsin chapter of the Sierra Club, and Dennis O'Brien of the Northern Wisconsin Center For Working People...."
Barnhill says sponsors are calling for a rapid transition to a clean-energy economy. Northwoods Climate Action is a local group educating people to the link between climate change and social justice. He says clean energy is the fastest growing sector of the economy.
Barnhill says you can get more information on Facebook at Northwoods Climate Action Network or on Our Wisconsin Revolution Northwoods Chapter.
