Students from across the state of California gathered in San Francisco this morning to kick off CALPIRG’s Climate Hero Tour. Instead of spending our spring break in Cancun or Florida, over 50 students are traveling around the state building support for global warming solutions. We finally have a President that believes in science and a U.S. Congress that is ready to take action. We are calling on Congress to pass legislation in the first 100 days that is based on science, and dramatically reduces greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2020. The Climate Hero Tour aims to push our champions in Congress to go “greener, cleaner, faster, stronger” in the midst of pressure from the oil and gas industry and other special interests.
At this morning’s press conference, we presented the “Climate Super Hero Award” to Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office for her work increasing renewable energy tax credits, strengthening CAFE standards, and investing billions of dollars in clean energy technology. Students collected photo petitions for members of Congress and staged a rally on the steps of San Francisco City Hall behind a backdrop of solar panels and a giant wooden wind turbine. Channel 2 KTVU was there to record the story for the evening news and a team of professional filmmakers are documenting the trip.
Students set up props in front of SF City Hall.
After a quick lunch, it was off to San Jose City Hall, where students in Captain Cooldown costumes collected dozens more photo petitions, pitched the story to reporters from San Jose Mercury News and dropped by Councilmembers’ offices to generate more support for comprehensive climate change legislation in 2009. It was an exciting day and a great alternative to the beaches of Mexico. For the next four days, students will be driving up and down the state building more support for legislation that will bring a new era of green jobs and environmental stewardship. Check back tomorrow for more updates!
Guys the hugest congratulations! This is incredible!