Hands across the bridge

Bear Mountain rally to demand action on climate change Bear Mountain —Hudson Valley residents and community leaders will link hands across the Bear Mountain Bridge to demand that Congress step up action on the climate crisis. As they join hands at noon on Saturday, April 14, the group will call for U.S. lawmakers to require an 80 percent cut in carbon emissions by 2050. Citizens are expected to stage rallies in over 1,000 locations in all 50 states. Groups are organized around a common understanding that the climate crisis has been caused by human activities that burn large quantities of coal, oil and gas, releasing carbon dioxide and trapping the sun’s radiation in our atmosphere, resulting in an increase in the earth’s temperature beyond that seen in human history. The results of this “global scorching” are projected by the February report of the International Panel on Climate Change to be disastrous for human communities, the economy, and public health. Scientists on the panel forecast, among other effects, more intense hurricanes and typhoons, droughts in some areas, and flooding in others, with rising sea levels. Organizers of the local Bear Mountain Bridge “Call for Action” say the escalation of global warming will be uncontrollable if Americans continue to burn fossil fuels at their current rate. Yet organizers say they are optimistic that the runaway effects of rising temperatures can be curbed if Congress and the American people act decisively. To join the the “Call for Action,” visit http://events.stepitup2007.org/ events/show/531 or call 917-273-0808. The schedule for the day is as follows: • 10 to 11 a.m. — Music and gathering at Bear Mountain State Park, in the field next to the parking lot and the Bear Mountain Inn. • 11 - 11:30 a.m. — Press conference and opportunity for photos. Speakers include Connie Hogarth of the Center for Social Action; Andy Spano, Westchester County executive; Shirley Lasker, Clarkstown Town Board member; Connie Coker, Rockland County legislator; Lisa Rainwater, Riverkeeper; Michael Kaplowitz, Westchester County legislator; John Hall, member of Congress. • 11:30 a.m. to noon — Walk to the bridge (through tunnel and zoo); and walk on the bridge (south side sidewalk) carrying banners and signs. • 1 p.m. — Walk back through the zoo and tunnel to Bear Mountain State Park. Sponsors of the event include Philipstown for Democracy, Mid Hudson Progressive Alliance, Beacon Sloop Club, Hudson Highlands Land Trust, Lower Hudson Sierra Club, Garrison Institute, Riverkeeper, Rockland Coalition for the Future, Center for Social Action, Clearwater, Climate Keepers, Fishkill Democratic Committee, and Philipstown Democratic Club For more information, call Margaret Yonco-Haines at 917-273-0808.