Science News Staff, Science, April 14, 2017

Vol. 356, Issue 6334, pp. 119

Summary

What started out as a March on Washington, D.C., has grown into well over 400 marches in more than 35 countries on 22 April.

Science correspondents interviewed more than a dozen international participants from around the world about their reasons to join and their hopes and expectations for the march.

Some are worried about science under the Trump administration; others have local concerns; many feel that science and reason are under threat.

For the full text of these and other interviews see http://scim.ag/2o13lPz.

There’s nothing Donald Trump hates more than mass protest – and he hates it because it works.

Since inauguration, we’ve seen what people power can achieve: Trumpcare? Withdrawn. Muslim ban? Blocked. Now Trump’s entire fossil fuel agenda is next.

On Wednesday, movement leaders will gather on a live broadcast to discuss how you can be part of the Peoples Climate March, which is the next step in this historic moment. The session starts at 8 pm Eastern, 5 pm Pacific on April 12 and you can sign up here:

https://peoplesclimate.org/?source=350

We’ve invited a powerful lineup of speakers: Van Jones from Dream Corps, Keith Ellison from Congressional Progressive Caucus, Jordan Marie Daniel from Rising Hearts, and Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman from Massachusetts Interfaith Coalition for Climate Action.

The Peoples Climate March is a full-scale mobilization to defeat Trump’s fossil fueled agenda, push forward our own vision of a clean energy economy, and build real political power. It’s happening on April 29 in Washington DC and across the USA.

100,000 people have already signed up to march. 250 sister marches are being planned across the country. Students, workers, faith communities, Indigenous nations, and environmental groups are all joining together to make this day historic – there’s even a delegation of fisherman traveling to DC by boat.

We want you with us. If you want to learn more about why the Peoples Climate March is so important right now and how you can get involved, sign up to join the mass call on Wednesday, April 12 at 8 pm Eastern/5 pm Pacific.

Together – and only together – can we chart another path for America: away from Trump’s agenda for a cruel, polluted and divided country, and towards a clean energy economy that works for everyone.

At the end of the first 100 days of Trump’s administration, April 29 is our moment to make it resoundingly clear that the people who stand for climate action, justice, and jobs are a force too great to ignore.

It will take all of us. But together, we can change everything.

May Boeve, 350.org

When I first heard of the March for Science that would take place on April 22, 2017, I was elated. However, every single time I’ve searched it on Google there seems to be another article from a popular news source that slams it. According to many, a lot of scientists have labeled it a “bad idea.” They’ll say that science and climate change “should not be politicized.” Yet, I cannot help but think that climate was politicized the moment Trump said that it was hoax invented by the Chinese; or the day that he announced Scott Pruitt would head the EPA.

Wouldn’t now be the time to protest? I’ve seen a lot of articles say that the current administration would retaliate against the scientific community if they marched, but when would be a good time to march then? Is it worth it to wait for “the right time to march?” We are in a race against time and climate change. Women marched in January (I was there), and they did retaliate by trying to attack our reproductive rights, does that mean that we should not have marched? No.

I live in Miami, FL, possibly one of the most climate threatened cities in the US. Our own governor does not allow the term “climate change” to be used in his chambers. Are we to wait till the next election cycle to do something about this? If you’re on this page, and you’re doubting the marches, don’t.

When it has come to people making their politicians hear them, on whatever issue it may be, it has always been through demonstration and brazen dissent. Now is the time to convene and let this administration know that the world is watching. Many are scared that republicans will retaliate and that issues about science and climate change that might be presented to congress will lose republican votes but there is nothing to lose as we never had their votes to begin with. The scientific community is full of our best and brightest, they should also be our bravest. We must continue to resist; this is how we do that. I hope many of you will join the march.

Alessandra

Last week, the new head of the Environmental Protection Agency said carbon emissions don’t cause climate change — contradicting NASA and 97 percent of the world’s scientists. This is not normal.

The Trump administration has made it clear that it will do whatever it takes to dismantle climate protections and bury our voices.

But they do not realize this: We are seeds of the most dedicated and strongest kind. Since day one of Trump’s presidency, the most beautiful and resilient shows of resistance have continued to sprout up and grow across America. Mark my words: our resistance has just begun.

Join the national People’s Climate March on April 29th in Washinton, D.C. On the hundredth day of Trump’s presidency we’ll continue to spread our roots of resistance as we come together across issues to march on our nation’s capital. Will you join us?

In 2014, nearly half a million of us took to the streets of New York City in the most powerful climate march of our time.1 We helped propel the Paris Climate Accord forward and organized for many other local climate victories across the country.

Every victory we’ve worked for is under attack with this new administration — even victories that make clear economic sense, like energy efficiency programs and the rule to capture excess methane from drilling on public lands. It’s now up to all of us to show that we’re not going away.

March with us on April 29th to send the White House and Congress the clear message that we’re not backing down. We’ll continue to fight for our climate, our communities, and our shared future.

We’ll march not just to resist — but to rise above and defeat the threats that Trump continues to unravel. The sound of our feet clicking together will echo our powerful show of unity, and then we’ll bring our unmatched fervor and dedication back to our local communities.

We’ll march to show the Trump administration: We will never stop fighting.

The People’s Climate March will not end in the streets. We’ll carry the drumbeat forward, as we march into our representative’s offices to demand action on climate. As we march into meetings before our local board of supervisors to insist on protection from fossil fuel companies. As we march into our communities to inspire others and ignite the passion that will continue to drive our movement forward.

The threat of Trump’s administration is too big for any of us to take on alone. Stand up with us, together, on April 29th in Washington, D.C. and wear down your marching shoes a bit further. We need you with us.

I hope to see you there,

Mike Tidwell, Director
Chesapeake Climate Action Network
http://chesapeakeclimate.org/

1. “Climate Change March to Descend on Washington in April.” January 2017. Inside Climate News.

I too would like to participate in both the April 22nd March as well as the April 29th March.

The Earth Day March on April 22nd is intended for people who what to defend the science of global warming, as a specific reaction to the Trump Admininstration that mostly denies that mankind is the major factor. The participants here will mostly be people in the science and technical fields.

The Global March on April 29th is to tell the world that global warming and climate change are of such critical importance that EVERYONE should change their life style and political action to save the planet!

They both will be major events and you will not regret attending either. Climate change turns out to be both a scientific and moral issue. Best wishes and thanks for asking.

Duane Nichols

Why are these marches being held on different weekends? Wouldn’t it be much more impactful to have them combined into one really large march?

I cannot possibly attend both as I’m from out of town and I’m sure that is the circumstance for the majority of supporters.

Anne Wolf