This event was sponsored by:
IA350, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Iowa City Area Sierra Club, Green Sanctuary of the Unitarian Society of Iowa City, League of Conservation Voters, and 100Grannies for a Livable Future
As thousands gathered in Paris on the same kind of cold morning experienced in Iowa City yesterday (Dec. 2), at 7:30 a.m. a small group of women of a ‘vintage’ age unfurled two banners from the Riverside Drive/Burlington Street pedestrian bridge proclaiming “Climate Action Now” and “Clean Energy Now.”
Acting in hopes of a paradigm shift at the United Nation’s climate summit conference that will spawn an accord, members of 100Grannies.com for a Livable Future braved the elements to catch the attention of drivers in the morning rush hours. More than 100 heads of state and numberless diplomats, aides, and political leaders are meeting at the end of the hottest year on record, hoping to avert an even hotter future.
In cities all over the world, grassroots marches, rallies and other bold events such as the bridge banners in Iowa City are speaking for those whose voices have been banned in Paris following the massacre of Nov. 13. Instead of the massive crowds of global citizens who intended to fill the streets, demanding immediate and effective reductions in carbon emissions, the street is filled with shoes, including Pope Francis,’ neatly lined up row upon row.
Ed Fallon, former Iowa legislator, founder of the Great March for Climate Action across America last year, and leader in the fight against the Bakken pipeline, marched with fellow climate activists from Omaha Beach in Normandy to Paris.
On Nov. 29, Fallon wrote, “There is reason to be optimistic that the Summit will accomplish something of value, despite disappointment at the [French] government’s crackdown on freedom of speech on the streets of Paris. . . . Equally important work awaits us in Iowa. Indeed, if one could identify two critical geographic points for climate activism right now, one would be Paris, the other would be Iowa, where presidential candidates are as thick as flies. . . . What the candidates will take far more seriously than hearing from any single one of us, is hearing from lots of us over and over again.”
Hardy, committed members of 100Grannies braved the early morning cold to bring the message to the commuter crowd.
“Whatever the outcome in Paris,” said banner leader Linda Quinn, “this movement is growing exponentially and will not be stopped.” She encouraged others to find their role and join in helping to avert climate catastrophe