The U-Sustain Environmental Club will host a rally to promote awareness of global warming Saturday, April 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the West lawn.
The rally is among more than 1,300 events planned in 50 states for Step It Up 2007. The campaign was created by noted environmentalist Bill McKibben, an author and activist who spoke at Union in February. McKibben predicts the nationwide event will be the largest environmental protest since the original Earth Day in 1970.
The event is open to the public with a $10 charge to attend the barbecue. Students should bring their IDs to have the barbecue applied to their declining balance.
Numerous groups on campus are expected to participate in the rally, which will advocate for an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emission by 2050.
The groups have worked together to create 14-foot-by-40-foot banner that will be displayed at the rally. Students, faculty and staff will be invited to sign the banner and a photograph of the participants will be taken with the banner and sent to Congress.
Additional festivities for the day include an organic barbecue provided by Dining Services; music from WRUC and a speaker on environmental issues. Following the rally, at 2:30 p.m. the campus community will join the Schenectady Coalition Against Global Warming at the downtown Amtrak Station for additional speakers and entertainment.
The U-Sustain Environmental Club is a student-run organization that sponsors speakers, raises environmental awareness and money for ecological organizations and organizes and participates in area service projects. The club works with U Recycle, Ozone House and Ozone Café and coordinates with the college to promote sound environmental policies.
In the event of inclement weather, both events will be moved to the Union College Fieldhouse. For more information, contact Nathali Neal at nealn@union.edu.