Sioux Falls Joins Global Action

What an amazing day! Those who participated in the 350 action today were among the hundreds of thousands of people across the globe, from all walks of life, who gathered in support of stronger climate change legislation to lower carbon emissions to 350 parts per million.

Our action in Sioux Falls started with a parade from 5th and Phillips to the Horse Barn Arts Center and ended with good food and environmental discussion at the Falls Overlook Cafe.

Included in these pictures is the banner everyone painted and wrote messages on about what SD means to them along with the kind of future they would like to see for the state and its people. There were even international students present who added to the banner their wishes for global collaboration on climate change!

To everyone that participated in some way today, thank you for your presence, your enthusiasm, and your hope while working to make a better future possible for all on this planet. Climate Change affects everyone, and it is only when the people of the world come together to collectively solve the problem that we will arrive at the sustainable environment everyone desperately needs. Today's event was proof that people are ready for the commitment.




To see the rest of the photos, go to our flickr page. If you were unable to participate in the 350 Day of Action but are still looking to do your part, contact me at jamieh@willstegerfoundation.org for ways that you can get involved.

Happy International Day of Climate Action!

October 24th has arrived: the greatest day of environmental action in history! It's a great feeling to be a part of a movement led by people across the globe, in 181 countries to be exact, all because people around the world realize the eminent nature for strong climate action to be taken to protect our future. Starting today, 350 will become the most popular number in the world: it's the scientifically-determined number of parts per million of carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere that is the safe upper limit of pollution, and it's a number we have to reduce our current levels (387) down to.
I've been checking out photos from around the world to see what people have been doing for their 350 actions, and here's a few of the many events that have happened:
-a 24 hour diving party in the Maldives (they are in danger of literally losing their country because of sea level rise) --the President has been holding underwater conferences to emphasize the importance of working towards a healthier planet.
-architects in China standing in a 350 formation on their rooftop
-climbers at the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro noting that if the glaciers keep melting as they are, it will be very difficult to do any trecks to the top because of lack of water

and those are only some of the many intriguing and powerful photos!
Sioux Falls will soon be a part of this monumental day. We're ready to go, and now the only thing left is YOU! Come out to Falls Park @ 3:50 pm and take part in an action that will help save our environment, our homes, and our futures! This event is free, open to the public and all ages, and it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Meet the Delegates

Check out this video to get to know the delegates! We'll be reaching out to the Midwest through our blogs before the Climate Change Conference and while we're in Copenhagen this December.

Here's a brief overview of our roles:

1) Engaging youth throughout schools across each of our states (North and South Dakota, Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota) about the upcoming negotiations in Copenhagen:
SD has importance not only as a major food producer for the Midwest but also as a state of global exchange. We connect with people across the globe every day, and it's important for our voices to be heard during the United Nations conference so that we can share our concerns for the future of our state. What happens in Copenhagen will affect the decisions that are made in the US.


2)Students and youth have a great opportunity to make a difference for our state, and it is my job to help you be a beacon of hope for the future! I'll be going out to schools to let students know what they can do to help their communities become more sustainable and ensure a lasting future for the youth that will continue to call SD their home.

3) While in Copenhagen, I'll have the chance to display the messages of South Dakota residents to the entire United Nations! Send me a message of your hopes for the future of the state, and I'll take it with this December.

Stay tuned for more...in the meantime, here's a blog with additional information.