Forward On Climate / Post by Katie Billing of Polar Bears International
President Obama said in his State of the Union Address, “We can choose to believe that Superstorm Sandy, and the most severe drought in decades, and the worst wildfires some states have ever seen were all just a freak coincidence. Or we can choose to believe in the overwhelming judgment of science—and act before it’s too late.”
U.S. Citizens are now holding President Obama accountable to his statement. On February 17th 2013, over 40,000 climate change activists rallied on the National Mall in Washington, DC to push President Obama to reject the Keystone XL pipeline. This is the largest Climate Rally in History! Saying “No” to the Keystone XL pipeline is the beginning for change. Many activist groups including the Sierra Club and 350.org hope to see the president lower green house gas emissions and help the U.S switch to renewable energy.
The rally aimed all actions directly at President Obama, the man in charge. Activists used a reinvented Obama “O” campaign symbol as graphic leverage to promote the “Forward On Climate” march.
James Gerken of Huffington Post interviewed 350.org founder Bill McKibben at the rally. Mr. McKibben stated, “For 25 years our government has basically ignored the climate crisis: now people in large numbers are finally demanding they get to work,” (Gerken, Huffington Post). Several other passionate citizens addressed the president, including former White House green jobs advisor Van Jones, whom said, “This will define your legacy, Mr. President” (Henn, 350.org).
The people have spoken and only time will tell if President Obama has listened and accepted their request. Perhaps the rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline will support activist hopes in reinventing the United States as an environmental steward for other countries.
