Hundreds Rally at State Capitol

A force of over 275 people, many arriving by bicycle, made their voices heard yesterday at the International Day of Climate Action Rally on the Minnesota State Capitol lawn. They joined with millions participating in thousands of 350.org actions held in 181 countries, all on October 24, calling on carbon emissions to be cut to 350 ppm in order to curb the devastating effects of climate change.

The crowd at the Minnesota State Capitol was pumped up by the band Absolute Gruv and warmed up by Peace Coffee. Guests addressing the rally were Senator Klobuchar's Deputy Chief of Staff Jake Spano, Congressman Keith Ellison, State Senator Ellen Anderson, State Representative Jeremy Kalin, State Representative Kate Knuth, and Congresswoman Betty McCollum. Speeches urged the US Senate to pass the Kerry-Boxer Bill and called on the Administration to be a leader at the Copenhagen International Climate Summit. The audience was asked to stay engaged and active. Click here for photos from the capitol.

"Climate change is going to widen the gap between the global rich and the global poor. And we know it will be worst for those who contributed the least to the problem," declared Congresswoman McCollum, an Oxfam America Sisters on the Planet Ambassador. This 'human face' is the focus of Oxfam's climate change campaign and the reason that climate change legislation must include substantial funding for international adaptation. Watch Congresswoman McCollum's complete remarks on climate change and justice here.

Read more about the rally from the Minnesota Daily. The International Day of Climate Action Rally at the Minnesota State Capitol was sponsored and organized by Augsburg College, Oxfam America, Will Steger Foundation, and 1Sky.

Tomorrow - 350 International Day of Climate Action

On the other side of the world, the 350 International Day of Climate Action has already begun. Rallies calling for real action on climate change and its impact on the world's poor have been held from the Great Pyramids to the Great Coral Reef. In a few hours, it's our turn.

Join us under partly sunny skies tomorrow (October 24) for the International Day of Climate Action at the Minnesota State Capitol from 12 PM - 1 PM. It will be a historic gathering calling for agreements to cut pollution and invest in international adaptation to help those most at risk cope with climate change. This nonpartisan rally has grown to include:

Entertainment from:
Absolute Gruv (11:30 PM - Noon)

Fair Trade Coffee from:
Peace Coffee

Speakers include:
Congressman Keith Ellison
Congresswoman Betty McCollum
State Senator Ellen Anderson
State Representative Jeremy Kalin
State Representative Kate Knuth

The event is organized and sponsored by Augsburg College, Oxfam America, Will Steger Foundation, and 1 Sky. Get complete details, including bike routes to the capitol, at our page on 350.org.

World Food Day

Today is World Food Day.

It's a sobering moment to consider the impact that hunger has on more than one billion women, men, and children worldwide. But it can also be an empowering moment. Because we CAN reduce hunger and poverty by working together with poor communities – and by demanding action from our leaders in Congress. At least 70% of the world's poor people depend on agriculture for their livelihoods – but climate change, rising food prices, and unfair trade rules represent extreme challenges to millions of small farmers.

The Global Food Security Act, along with a new global hunger initiative from President Obama, are decisive steps in the right direction. The Global Food Security Act of 2009 [H.R. 3077] was sponsored in the House by Minnesota’s own Rep. Betty McCollum and co-sponsored by Rep. Keith Ellison. These proposals would provide critical resources for investing in agriculture and rural livelihoods – which are both key to reducing poverty. With broad Congressional support, we can invest more – and more wisely – in local agriculture. We can help small farmers find sustainable and innovative ways to rebuild their livelihoods.

Together we can empower millions.

International Day of Climate Action on Oct 24!

Oxfam Action Corps - Minnesota is teaming up with 1Sky & the Will Steger Foundation for an International Day of Climate Action rally at the Minnesota State Capitol on October 24 from 12:00pm to 1:00pm! Activists from across the state (even some from River Falls, WI) will join environmental organizations and policy makers on the capitol lawn for a high energy, nonpartisan call to action on climate change! And we want you to join us!

Confirmed speakers include:
Congressman Keith Ellison
Congresswoman Betty McCollum
State Senator Ellen Anderson
State Representative Jeremy Kalin
State Representative Kate Knuth
With more to be added soon!

To draw attention to the rally and raise awareness about the need for swift climate change action, Reed Aronow, a Minnesota youth delegate to the U.N. climate negotiations in Copenhagen this December with Will Steger Foundation, launched a 15-day bike tour on October 10th. As the ride progresses, Aronow and other riders will visit organizations, farms, and businesses around Minnesota to discuss climate change and the importance of national and international climate change agreements. Follow Reed's trip at bikemn350.blogspot.com. The ride will end at the State Capitol rally at noon on October 24.

Interested in biking the end part of Reed's route the morning of the rally? Bikers are leaving from the MN Zoo at 8:00 AM (Contact: Maia) and leaving from Murphy Park at Augsburg College at 10:45 AM (Contact: Jessica).

Bring your friends, your family, your neighbors, and your energy! Together we will be one big voice for climate change action.

Click here to RSVP and spread the word on Facebook!