As you may have heard, this Sunday will be the last day of summer.
You may also have heard that next week, on September 23, world leaders will be gathered in NYC for a landmark U.N. Climate Summit. "This summit represents yet another step towards the corporate takeover of the UN climate negotiations and the privatization of land, water, and air resources under the guise of a global climate compact. The climate crisis is a symptom of a deeper problem: an economy based on extraction and exploitation of resources and people. This economy benefits a few at the expense of communities and the planet."
It is to counter this event that an unprecedented number of organizations and celebrities, authors, and athletes have decided to gather in NYC before and during the summit in order to send a loud and clear message to the masters of the universe that the time for dithering on catastrophic climate change has passed.
In preparation to the summit there will be three separate major events where those who are truly concerned about the climate can meet and voice their opinions with likeminded folks:
1) On Friday and Saturday there will be a Global Climate Convergence to demand the end of fossil fuels and mobilize for system change and social justice.
2) On Sunday, September 21 there will be a massive, history-making march in New York City with hundreds of coordinated actions around the world. For background, you can watch and share the hourlong documentary Disruption made by some of the organizers in preparation to the march. The march will start at Central Park West, between 65th and 86th streets. at 11:30am.
3) Finally, on Monday and Tuesday, there will be a People's Climate Justice Summit from 10-5 at the New School featuring the voices, strategies, and solutions of climate-affected communities around the world.
For those who would like to take part in direct action, there will be several actions planned September 17-24.
I know we are all busy on weekends, that we feel cynical and helpless about the state of the world, and that we would rather watch the next episode of Dancing with the Stars or play a round of golf instead of doing something that may not bring immediate gratification.
Still, there is a solution to our predicament but it will take some kind of effort on everyone's part. That's because unless we have billions of dollars at our disposal to buy off politicians and major stakes in large corporation we will have to put our bodies on the line. That's where the power of the people resides, in numbers.
It is for this reason that, if you live in the NYC area and unless your daughter is getting married, or your dog is getting a molar extraction, you may want to consider attending at least the march on Sunday. Your presence in body and spirit is all that's needed. Two-hundred-thousand likeminded people are expected to attend so bring your children, your significant other, your friends and join what will be the beginning of the end of business as usual. Your grandchildren and their progeny will be eternally grateful. To those who don't have children, like me, these children will be even more grateful.
Thank you for your time and see you on Sunday.