Buffalo Youth Traveled to D.C. to Participate in Empowering Workshops and March for Climate Justice

Recap: MAP Youth Attend D.C. Climate March

Author: Mariama McCoy, MAP Youth  |  Re-posted from GrowWNY.org

June 12, 2017

Climate JUSTICE and YOUTH

Youth from Buffalo's Massachusetts Avenue Project (MAP) had the chance to go to D.C. for the People’s Climate March to represent agriculture and youth for they affect and are also affected by climate change.  Although the trip began with an overnight bus ride with very uncomfortable seating and walking very far with suitcases, the youth were lucky to have found free accommodations at a local church.  There they played Uno and Jenga while waiting to for the Youth Contingent to start.  They attended the People’s Climate March Youth Contingent workshops to talk about topics that connect some youth to climate change issues at Standing Rock, including a chief’s son.

At the Youth Contingent, they participated in a skit that showed the power of action, starting with disempowerment and then putting in place changes that could empower youth. They learned that to fix our country’s economy we have to address underlying issues such as racism.  They learned chants and songs for the day of the march, and obtained some free posters to march with.  They heard speeches from several different organizations and leading people in climate social justice movement.  After the workshops there was a dance party where the youth met teens from other organizations such as the Alliance for Climate Education (ACE) fellowship in New York City, as well as the Young People’s Action Coalition.


The next day, the youth took public transportation and caught a ride on golf carts to meet the Sierra Club Niagara Group bus from Buffalo.  Before the march even started, they saw a girl faint from heatstroke.  During the march, people were selling water for $5 a bottle, but luckily the youth had already gotten water for only $1 a bottle.  The march was a far walk in the heat, but the youth had the chance to yell chants into a bullhorn, things such as “water is life” alongside Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, Youth Director of Earth Guardians.

Finally, they marched past Trump’s hotel and saw some awesome art work, including a life-size piece “Putin’s Puppet”.  Together with thousands of people, they sat down in the street and all patted their hearts to make a heartbeat for 100 seconds for the first 100 days of Trump being in office.  Their trip ended with a trolley ride to get lunch before boarding the Sierra Club buses and return to Buffalo.

Looking Back: Paris, Pope and WNY Rise Up for Climate Justice Campaign

RISE UP FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE CAMPAIGN  

September to December 2015 

By Lynda Schneekloth, 
Sierra Club Niagara Group

December 2015 will be remembered as a significant time for the history of the world and the Earth. Over 190 countries, from the U.S. and China to the small island nations, sat together in U.N. Paris Climate Talks (COP21) to develop an agreement about a global address to the increasingly dangerous climate crisis. The people of Western New York had been preparing for four months for this meeting through the Rise Up for Climate Justice Campaign, sponsoring and attending gatherings, rallies, vigils, films, presentations and a community fast. We knew how important these meetings were and we had sent our message to the world leaders demanding a just and sane agreement. 

This campaign began In August 2015, as the Sierra Club Niagara Group was discussing the shift in the world’s imagination and actions on climate change. Pope Francis had released Laudato Si, On Care for our Common Home and its impact has been felt across the world. And the U.N. Climate Talks (COP21) were already in process with individual nations preparing their “Intended Nationally Determined Contribution” (INDC) that is, how much they would cut the emissions. 

What could we do in Western New York to make people aware of the urgency of immediately addressing climate change? How could we reinforce a conversation in our region about the moral imperative to stop burning fossil fuels and transition to clean energy? How could we manage this energy transformation in a democratic manner? From these questions, the Rise up for Climate Justice Campaign was born. Are you for Climate Justice (RU4CJ)? The Niagara Group made a commitment to spend some of our limited funds to support this effort and developed some aspirational goals for the work we had set for ourselves. 

We set out to raise awareness of the upcoming Paris Climate talks – a specific and time constrained objective. We organized public events for education and urged our elected leaders and institutions to push for ethical action from Washington. We used a “Climate Justice Pledge” to open the conversation and to give people an opportunity to take action about the Paris Climate Talks through collective and individual commitments. The Pledge had three aspects: We call on President Obama and the U.S. to lead the world in cutting greenhouse gas emissions; We call on our state and local leaders to take climate action through a just transition; and we call on each of us to take action on behalf of the Earth and future generations. 

The three months leading up to the Paris talks were intense for members of our Executive Committee and the Climate Justice Coalition that emerged. We used the insights of the NY City People’s Climate March (Sept. 2014) and our own local experience to build a diverse and large coalition. We formed a strong relationship with faith groups and together helped organize the Interfaith Climate Justice Community. The Catholic sisters, Creation Care and Network of Religious Communities were the leaders of this sector and together we began our campaign with a Prayer Vigil on Sept. 1, called by Pope Francis as the “World Day of Prayer for the Creation.” 

We contacted our brothers and sisters in labor and shared conversations about the ways in which this energy transformation was going to impact their working lives. The Western New York Environmental Alliance, a coalition of over 100 environmental groups, stepped up and agreed to use their annual Congress on the topic of Climate Justice. The coalition for social/economic justice groups -- Partnership for the Public Good and Open Buffalo -- worked with us and helped engage their members. And the University at Buffalo Law School played an important role through two seminars, including one in which students and faculty member, Jessica Owley, would actually travel to Paris for the talks. 

One of our initial acts was to contact the City of Buffalo Common Council President, Darius Pridgen. We asked for and received a resolution on Climate Justice unanimously endorsed by all member. Council President Pridgen opened our first rally in front of City Hall in Niagara Square with a fiery talk on the necessity of ‘justice’ in action on climate change. The rally was held on September 24, 2015 in support of Pope Francis’ U.S. visit and his address to Congress. 

Rally in Niagara Square [Click to enlarge] Photo: Nate Schneekloth

Whenever possible, we crafted our events to reinforce state and worldwide climate actions to involve our community in the global climate justice movement. 

Between September 1 and December 19, 2015, seventeen different organizations of the coalition held events focused on climate justice: films, presentations and panel discussion, public hearings, hikes and bike rides, art showings and a “Party for the Climate.” The RU4CJ coalition itself assumed responsibility for four major events: the Rise Up for Climate Justice Rally on September 24 with over 400 people attending; a ‘thunderclap’ on the Oct. 10 Day of Action that reached over 73,000 people; The Gathering, a ritual gathering of over 200 people to speak to our concerns and hopes about the Paris talks held on 11/28 as a part of world actions at the eve of the Climate Talks; and on 12/19, Report from Paris where we met with those from our community who attended the COP21 Paris Climate Talks and heard their words of insight, and yes, hope. 

Being hopeful is not to say the agreement is what we had hoped for; the agreement is not nearly enough as it doesn’t even reach the standards set by the former Kyoto Agreement. In fact, if all of the pledges agreed to by nations in Paris are strictly met, the Earth will still experience catastrophic climate change as it will only limit global warming to 3.5 degrees C (6.3 degrees F) above pre-industrial levels by the year 2100. This level of warming would result in injustice throughout the world, with the most vulnerable the most impacted, and would leave a devastated planet for our descendants. One of the reasons there is no legal binding agreement is because it is known that the U.S. Congress would never sign such an agreement, a great sadness to all of us living in this country. What is hopeful is that all the nations of the Earth did come an agreement about action; they even identified an aspirational goal of 1.5 degrees C above pre-industrial levels; they agreed to a review country goals in five years instead of ten, and agreed to annually report action toward their pledge. They have established a framework for action, this is the good news. 

These leaders tried and most of them engaged with a great sense of purpose. We are, after all, the first generation to really understand the catastrophic impacts of global climate change, and we are also, perhaps, the last generation to do something about it. But the negotiators could not step out of their role as heads of state to understand that we, together, share this planet. There will be no winners if we don’t all win. So we, the people, must lead: we must create a massive, global climate justice movement so overwhelming that they cannot help but act. This must be addressed at the international level but must work deeply into cities and regions. This is where most humans live, have the power to take action themselves, and the forum to impact our leaders. Regions like Buffalo Niagara can and should lead the way. 

Computer analysis of the text in the Buffalo News article “UB law students to attend climate conference - Two to present scroll of local pledges in Paris.” Size of the words reflects frequency of citation in the article. [Click Image to enlarge] Image: D. Kowalski

And our Climate Justice Pledge? We gathered over 2000 signatures from our community, 60 organizations, unions and churches, and 20 elected officials. We put these names on a scroll that measured 42’ when opened. The scroll was carried to Paris by UB Law students, presented to Michael Brune, head of the Sierra Club in a small ceremony, and in turn, Brune delivered our pledge to John Kerry, Secretary of State of the United States. Our call to President Obama was taken to the talks and the voices of Western New Yorkers concerned with the necessity of immediate action on climate change and climate justice was heard. 

The Rise Up for Climate Justice Campaign is over, the U.N. Climate Paris Talks are over. But the work is just beginning. Join us as we initiate next steps in our local and regional communities to cut greenhouse gas emissions, to increase ‘carbon negative’ actions, and to ensure that this energy transformation is embedded in a just transition and promotes energy democracy. 

Stay involved – Get involved! 

Link to the Buffalo News article: UB law students to attend climate conference - Two to present scroll of local pledges in Paris

For more information, see: niagarasierraclub.com; RiseUpforClimateJustice; Twitter.com/RU4CJBuffalo 

Funded in part by a grant from the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo and the Sierra Club Niagara Group; Communication Workers of America Int’l; United Auto Workers 9; Buffalo Teachers Federation; Peace Education Fund; Western New York Environmental Alliance. 

With support from The Interfaith Climate Justice Community; Network of Religious Communities; PUSH; Buffalo Zen Dharma Community; Working Families Party; ADK; WNY Peace Center; Western New York Land Conservancy; Partnership for the Public Good, PUSH, Open Buffalo.

Images of the Massive PEOPLES CLIMATE MARCH in NY City

LARGEST Climate March in History! 

400,000 march in NY City - Events held in over 150 countries

“We said it would take everyone to change everything — 

and Everyone showed up!”

Eddie Bautista, Exec. Director of the NY City Environmental Justice Alliance.

President Obama gives a nod to the climate marchers in his speech at the UN Climate Summit on Sept. 23 (see below).

NY City - Sept. 21, 2014

[Click image to enlarge]

VIDEO: Aerial View of the Massive Climate March 

 

The March was held two days before the 

UN Climate Summit in NY City - Sept. 23, 2014

President Obama's quote (above) in the context of his UN speech:

"So the climate is changing faster than our efforts to address it.  The alarm bells keep ringing.  Our citizens keep marching.  We cannot pretend we do not hear them.  We have to answer the call.  We know what we have to do to avoid irreparable harm.  We have to cut carbon pollution in our own countries to prevent the worst effects of climate change.  We have to adapt to the impacts that, unfortunately, we can no longer avoid.  And we have to work together as a global community to tackle this global threat before it is too late. 

We cannot condemn our children, and their children, to a future that is beyond their capacity to repair.  Not when we have the means -- the technological innovation and the scientific imagination -- to begin the work of repairing it right now.

 As one of America’s governors has said, “We are the first generation to feel the impact of climate change and the last generation that can do something about it.”  So today, I’m here personally, as the leader of the world’s largest economy and its second largest emitter, to say that we have begun to do something about it."

France was one of the 150 Countries that participated in the Peoples Climate March:

Buffalo Activists at PEOPLES CLIMATE MARCH in NYC

Video: 'Flash Mob' in Buffalo promoting the Climate March

Courtesy of Nate Schneekloth

Boarding the Buses for the overnight trip to NY City!
168 People filled 3 Buses chartered by Sierra Club Niagara Group

[Click image to enlarge]          Courtesy of Rick Steinberg

Part of the Buffalo Herd in New York City

Buffalo Activists say it's Time to Lead!

UB Students back the Planet at the NYC March

UB Students March for the Climate

Buffalo Climate Action!              Youth 'Walkin' the Walk'!

Buffalo State NYPIRG 

Van Jones (CNN) and Buffalo-born Jason Kowalski (350.org DC) 
meetup after the NYC March

 

Buffalo Climate Activists Takin’ it to the NYC Streets

Advocates for action on climate change will take it to the streets in New York City

By Lynda Schneekloth
Chairwoman, Sierra Club Niagara Group

 It’s not as if no one has tried to get the attention of the government of the United States and other world leaders since the early 1990s.

It’s not as if we haven’t known that carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas for well over 100 years. But the world is full of distractions, disinformation and people getting very wealthy by not addressing climate change and staying the course with fossil fuels. One has to admit that the climate scientists had it wrong 20 years ago. They thought that we had until 2050 to substantially limit greenhouse gas emissions to avoid serious catastrophe.

The Kyoto Protocol, now 17 years old, outlined actions we might take, but didn’t. The United States in particular seems to be sleepwalking into the future regarding climate change. Now we know that scientists seriously underestimated how quickly things were changing.

The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change tells us of the irreversible climate impacts occurring right now, and outlines disastrous impacts into the future. Leaders in the climate movement tell us this is Decade Zero. We take action now or it will be too late.

The question is: How do we get the attention of people? How do we connect with world leaders, our president and Congress, governors and local officials? How do we get the attention of everybody, since climate disruption is not simply an environmental problem, it is a planetary crisis? Pope Francis says, “I think a question that we’re not asking ourselves is: ‘Isn’t humanity committing suicide with this indiscriminate and tyrannical use of nature?’ ” Suicide or perhaps genocide?

Now is the time to take to the streets, to shift this movement out of a segment of our society and to bring all of the people together to be more effective. It is time to take to the streets to address climate change, to invest in a new energy economy that has green jobs, to stop the monopoly of the fossil fuel giants and build shared energy production and distribution – in other words, to fight for a just transition to a new, more sustainable world.

And we are taking to the streets on Sunday in New York City at the gathering of world leaders at the United Nations, who will meet to discuss world action on climate change.

More than 100,000 people are expected to march – an alliance of environmental, climate and labor movements, indigenous communities and other social, economic and democratic justice movements, all calling for ecological sanity.

We are building a big, loud movement together, for it appears that taking to the streets is the only way to protect global ecosystems from collapse and ensure a future for our children.

The text of the above article was originally published as an 'Another Voice' op-ed at The Buffalo News online on September 16, 2014. 

~  ~  ~

For Bus Tickets to the NY City Climate March,  Click Here

"Students on hundreds of campuses, and thousands of youth vote leaders across the country are bringing their power and voices to the People's Climate March to say enough is enough," said Maura Cowley, director of Energy Action Coalition.

FLASH MOB for People's Climate March - Friday at 6:30pm

[Click image to enlarge]

Join us on Friday, Sept. 12 at 6:30PM on Elmwood Ave. & West Ferry St. in Buffalo for a FLASH MOB to invite the public to Get on the Bus for the People's Climate March in NYC!

The choreography is easy and civil. Participants holding orange buffalo cutouts (see image - we have 100 of them) will walk across the street at the intersection when permitted by the lights for just 10 minutes. And then we’ll stop.   

While we cross the street, we’ll be handing out postcard ads for the People's Climate March to be help in New York City on September 21st.

Please come and invite your friends! It will be fun and effective!

Did you know that 1000+ Organizations are Partnering with the People's Climate March? Click Here to see the list.

Update - Sept. 12:  Peoples Climate March & Flash Mob  
Interview: Lynda Schneekloth, Chair, Sierra Club Niagara Group. Read the interview at Buffalo Rising

'DISRUPTION' - Powerful Film about Climate Change

When it comes to Climate Change, 

why do we do so little when we know so much?

Disruption lays bare the science, the shattered political process, the industry special interests and the civic paralysis that have brought us to this social, moral and ecological crossroads.

This is the story of our unique moment in history. We are the first generation to feel the impacts of climate disruption, and scientists say that we are the last generation that can do something about it. 

The film also takes us behind-the-scenes of the efforts to organize the People's Climate March, which promises to be the largest climate rally in the history of the planet.

Watch Disruption online [ watchdisruption.com ] and share it with your friends.
  Stay tuned for local showings of Disruption at venues in the Buffalo area.

Take Action on Climate Change: Get on the Buffalo Bus to NY City for the People's Climate March! Sierra Club Niagara Group has chartered buses and tickets are available here.

Can't go to the Climate March? Take Action by making a Donation to Sponsor Riders who can go in your place.

Over 1000 Organizations are Partnering on the Climate March! Businesses, unions, religious groups, environmental groups, schools, social justice groups, and more. To see the list, Click Here.

UPDATE - Sept. 9: THURSDAY, September 11, SCREENING of ‘DISRUPTION' - Viewing and discussion of film and the Sept. 21 People’s Climate March. 6:00pm-8:00pm, University at Buffalo, North Campus, Capen 107, Amherst. Free & open to public

CLIMATE MARCH in NY CITY - Reserve Bus Seats Now!

HOP on the BUFFALO BUS to NY CITY 

for the

 People's Climate March

  

In September, world leaders are coming to New York City for a landmark UN summit on the Climate Crisis. The UN Secretary­ General is urging governments to support an ambitious global agreement to dramatically reduce Global Warming Pollution.

With our future on the line and the whole world watching, we'll take a stand for justice to bend the course of history.

On September 21st, the People's Climate March will peacefully flood the NY City streets in historic numbers to demand the world we know is within our reach: 

• a world with an economy that works for people and the planet

• a world safe from the ravages of climate change

• a world with good jobs, clean air and water, and healthy communities

Over 1000 groups, representing social justice, schools, different faiths, businesses, unions and more, have signed on in support of the People's Climate March together with the Sierra Club, 350.org and other environmental groups.

Hundreds of Climate Rallies will also be held around the World!

This promises to be the Largest Climate Action Ever!

Join us on Sunday, September 21 in New York City!

Reserve a Seat on the Buffalo Bus
  

Area Residents & Students: Sierra Club Niagara Group and local allied groups have chartered Buses to NYC.

• Full Fare is $50 round trip

• Scholarship Fare is $25 for students and others who need support

Buffalo Buses will depart at 11:30 PM on Saturday Sept. 20 from UB South Campus on Main St. (NFTA Park & Ride parking lot) and will return around 11:30 PM on Sunday Sept. 21 

Click Here to Buy a Bus Ticket Online!

or

Pay by Check 

(Note: Checks for Bus Tickets not accepted after Sept. 12, 2014)

Make check out to “Sierra Club Niagara Group” (write Climate March in the notation) and mail it to: Larry Snider, 69 Burdette Dr., Cheektowaga, NY 14225. Provide your contact information including an e-mail address and phone number. Your seat(s) will be reserved when the payment is received as long as there are seats available.

 

Consider Sponsoring Riders: If you can not go to NYC but wish to show your support, consider sponsoring riders by making a Donation Online or by sending a Check (see address above - write Donation in the notation).

Thank you for your support!

Questions? Email niagarasierra@gmail.com

or Call 716-984-2833

For Updates, visit niagarasierraclub.com

Watch this inspiring video from PeoplesClimateMarch.org

Invitation: People's Climate March in New York City

By PeoplesClimateMarch Org .

This is an invitation to change everything.

In September, world leaders are coming to New York City for a UN summit on the climate crisis. The UN Secretary­ General is urging governments to support an ambitious global agreement to dramatically reduce global warming pollution.

With our future on the line and the whole world watching, we'll take a stand to bend the course of history.

We'll take to the streets to demand the world we know is within our reach: a world with an economy that works for people and the planet; a world safe from the ravages of climate change; a world with good jobs, clean air and water, and healthy communities.

To change everything, we need everyone on board.

Sunday, September 21 in New York City. Join us.

Already over 300 different groups representing youth, parents, faith communities, labor unions, and more have signed on in support of the march. 

Buffalo Area Residents & Students: Sierra Club Niagara Group and local allied groups are organizing Buses to NYC and offering Scholarship Tickets to students and qualified participants.

To show your support and get in line for the Buffalo Bus to NYC, 
visit: http://j.mp/BfloBusToNYC

Questions? Email sierraclub.climatemarch @ gmail.com  
  

Watch this Video!

 Mass Mobilization of PEOPLE is a way to shock the system into ACTION. 

MOBILIZE.  MARCH.  MAKE HISTORY. 

For more information visit PeoplesClimateMarch.org

Web Chat: Organizing for the Climate March in New York City

WHAT: WEB CHAT - Organizing ahead of the People’s Climate March in New York City

WHEN: Tuesday, July 8th, 8:30pm

WHERE: Online! We'll send you a link after you RSVP.

Click here to RSVP for the People’s Climate March web chat.

Can’t make the web chat but still want to help lead local efforts around the march? Click here and we’ll get in touch with you.

This web chat will cover the basics of how communities are organizing ahead of the march and outline some of the resources we have to help you take the first steps to get involved.

Already, we’re seeing individuals organize their own communities. Artists are making beautiful art and organizing art convergences. Parents are organizing other parents through PTAs and summer camps. Students are organizing other students to come out. It’s all about thinking about what communities you’re part of and digging in.

Sign up for the web chat or sign up to be a local leader, and find out how you can plug in to make September 21st a historic day.

Here’s to making history,
Anna 350 and the PCM team