Six weeks after superstorm Sandy, much of the New Jersey Coast -- where I grew up and my family still lives -- remains in ruins.
No one is allowed to move back permanently yet -- and none of us were prepared for what we saw the first time we were let in to view the damage. The first floor of almost every house was gutted. It's surreal and heart-sickening to look down the streets and see the piles of people's storm-damaged possessions -- carpet, furniture, appliances, toys, and clothing -- lined up like haystacks.
The climate crisis is here, it is now, and it is affecting real lives. It has never been clearer that we need bold and immediate leadership. That's why on February 17, thousands of citizens will head to the White House and demand President Obama take serious action on climate -- you should be one of them.
Traveling to D.C. is no small task, but something this big has to start early, and it has to start with the people who care the most.
8,000 activists have already RSVP'd. Join them at the White House in Washington D.C on February 17 and make this the biggest climate demonstration yet:
Those affected by Sandy are not the first Americans touched by the climate crisis. Last year, the U.S. had 14 storms that caused more than $1 billion in damages each, breaking all records. And across the country, wildfires have destroyed thousands of homes from Texas to Washington.
But there is good news. Together, we've proven time and time again that grassroots voices can speak louder than Big Coal and Big Oil's deep pockets. The last time we gathered in Washington, D.C., to demand climate action, thousands of us surrounded the White House -- and it worked. Right when every political "expert" said the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline was a done deal, we beat the odds and convinced President Obama to take a year to study it.
So this Presidents Day, activists from the Sierra Club,
350.org, and other partner groups are going back. This will be the biggest climate demonstration yet -- if you can make it, you need to come and be a part of history.
You can make this a Presidents Day that President Obama won't forget -- sign up to join the rally, stop the toxic Keystone XL pipeline, and create tangible momentum for further climate action. Together, it's our job to make sure the President sees a movement on climate that he can't ignore. We'll have more details about the rally next month, but for now, start making travel plans and circle February 17 on your calendar.
See you in February,
Michael Brune
Sierra Club Executive Director
