(Guest Post by Will Bates)
For years now we have been calling for action on global warming. We have been calling for a movement to stir up change and demand leadership on this, the most urgent and pervasive of issue of our time. Throughout many of those years, hope was a limited resource. Global warming is showing no signs of subsiding. But this past weekend, we learned that neither are the people. Hope is increasingly becoming infused into our lives and our action.
This past Labor Day, hundreds of Vermonters completed a five day trek across west-central Vermont on a walk called “From the Road Less Traveled: Vermonters Walking Toward a Clean Energy Future.” (For Bill McKibben’s notes from the walk check out his dispatches in The Grist. The walk was a success on every level. Those who walked the full five days, or even part way, though fatigued and warn from countless steps across the unforgiving asphalt, enjoyed the creation of a new community of passionate friends. Our walk was not simply a political act. It included music, local foods, laughter, adventure, spiritual enrichment, and worship. A profound energy and spirit guided our walk as we grew and grew in numbers approaching Burlington, Vermont’s largest city.
Monday morning we started off with roughly 450 or 500 folks walking from Shelburne Farms turning north for the final 8 miles of our journey into Burlington. As we neared our destination our numbers swelled to around 700, stringing out over half a mile through the Burlington streets. The group flowed into Battery Park overlooking Lake Champlain, mountains and hills glowing in scattered sunlight, and we gathered around a stage to engage our Vermont political candidates on this most critical issue. At walk’s end with fifty miles of concrete behind us, memories and support abound, over 1000 people stood together to witness our political candidates sign a pledge committing to real action. Democrats and Republicans alike complied in responding to us, the people, and committed to working for 80% carbon reductions by 2050, 20% renewable energy by 2020, and automobile mileage standards of 40 miles to the gallon. We created a new minimum standard for what serious political candidates in Vermont must do to be elected.
It was a glorious sight, and generated a new hope. The movement is taking off. Let’s run with it. Let’s make our road less traveled the mainstream. We won’t make it a highway. It will remain the beautiful, friendly roadway we enjoyed here in Vermont, but it will be filled with hopeful, thriving communities. Our politicians will come take this road with us if we build it. Onwards…
Love the idea of “the Road Less Traveled” – Nice work!!
Just wanted to ask why you use the term “Global Warming” instead of “Climate Change”?
Is this a U.S. thing?
And what’s the theory behind using “Stop” climate change vs. “slow” climate change, or “fight” climate change?
Is it for the simplicity of the messaging? Do people connect with that slogan easier?
The reason why I ask is because we most definitely can not “stop” climate change/global warming. It is already happening and all we can do is stabilize our emissions so that the effects of climate change do not run away in a positive feedback loop. Also, climate change/global warming is a natural process (obviously one that we are completely accelerating and screwing up) – but none the less, nothing that can be “stopped”.
Maybe we’re too nitpicky here in Canada – haha – it’s a total possibility.
I just find it interesting to see all the different campaign slogans that come up from our generation, depending on the country.
I guess it’s the tug-of-war between being more complicated and politically correct, or being simple and straight forward, even if it means being slightly off the mark.
Would be interested to hear what you think!
Again – excellent work – love it! SO inspiring to see people of all ages and political parties and backgrounds, walking in unison – ultimately for the good of people and the Earth.
Very powerful – Kudos to all you INCREDIBLE Vermonters!!!!!!!!!!!!
Way to go Green Mountain State! I love getting your message across by actually doing it! In other words, I think actions where people are engaging in the world in the way they wish others to engage, like utilizing zero emissions means of travel such as walking, is the most effective way to make your point. Well done!
I have to agree with Zoe (Zoe you’ll have to forgive me as I can’t figure out how to get the two dots on top of your elegant vowel – sorry) in that language is important. I think we are both raising this issue as a friendly recommendation and invitation for dialog about the issue.
Zoe has explained why the specific diction in your post, awesome post rather, is a bit misleading. I would like to elaborate on why we need to be careful (not nitpicky) with language in other areas as well. For instance, the “war” in Iraq is long over. We are now involved in an “occupation” that is exacerbating a “civil war”. Make this distinction when the issue is raised during elections. Another favorite example of mine is often used in marketing or mainstream economics classes where a corporation is referred to as a “person”, and citizens are referenced as “consumers”. Think about how similar assumptions are made with words like “growth” and “development”.
Language is something we need to be quite careful with because it really defines our discourse. Language paints our context. It molds our cultural parameters.
I’m obviously guilty too. In fact, I have a sticker on my bike helmet right now that says “Stop Global Warming” and I think I’ll go take it off when I’m finished writing this. Maybe I’ll replace it with one that says “celebrate clean energy” or something. Because really, we’re not referring to “alternative” energy sources when we talk about the sun or wind. We are talking about what is slowly becoming the going rate, once again! Cheers to you all. I love you and apologize for my lack of blogging. You’ll here more from me later. Word. Rock on with the Campus Challenge!!!
I wish I could have been there – such an inspiration. I hope this model spreads to other states and provinces. Beautiful.