Local events to raise awareness of climate change concerns
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Written by: George McCrory

The Great March for Climate Action will be in Coralville and Iowa City Aug. 19-21 as it works its way across the United States to Washington, D.C., in an effort to raise awareness and initiate change in response to concerns about a climate crisis.

The group of approximately 30 marchers arrived in Iowa on July 30 and will wrap up the Iowa leg of the cross-country trek in Davenport on Aug. 26.

Their journey started on March 1 of this year in Los Angeles with the mission of walking the 3,000 miles across America to the nation’s capital, making it one of the largest coast-to-coast marches in U.S. history.

The theme driving the local response to the march is “Climate Literacy to Climate Action, Stepping Up the Pace." While in Iowa City, the organization will team up with local supporters to host events to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change and garner volunteers. Area residents can get involved by attending the activities planned in Iowa City and Coralville or by bringing a dish to potluck meals.

The following activities are planned:

Tuesday, Aug. 19

  • 1:30 p.m. - Community welcome in Tiffin. Meet the marchers as they enter Tiffin and stop for ice cream at Jon’s Ice-Cream Store. Residents are encouraged to bring lunch for the marchers and themselves. Following lunch, the marchers will follow Highway 6 to the Coralville Public Library.
  • 5 p.m. - Casserole potluck at Coralville Public Library. Welcome the Great March for Climate Action in meeting room A of the Coralville Public Library. Sign up here to bring a casserole to share.
  • 6:30 p.m. - Climate Literacy Fair. Hosted in meeting room A of the Coralville Public Library, this will be an open mic and showcase event of all things sustainable in Johnson County. Topics and displays, such as solar homes, carbon capture, environmental justice, and more, will be showcased. Organizations with exhibits will include Soilmates, Take a Kid Outdoors, Johnson County Soil and Water Conservation District, Eagle Point Solar, 100 Grannies, and many more. If your organization is interested in participating, email emily.monroe13@gmail.com to reserve a table.

Wednesday, Aug. 20

  • 8:30-10 a.m. - Local Burrito Breakfast at New Pioneer Food Co-op in Coralville. Fuel up at New Pioneer Co-op with Local Burrito before the march into Iowa City. Free breakfast burritos made with locally donated ingredients will be available to all registered day-marchers (register here) and for sale to all.
  • 10 a.m. - March from New Pioneer Food Co-op in Coralville to downtown Iowa City. Marchers are welcome to bring signs to display along the march route.
  • 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Iowa City Climate March Rally in the Ped Mall. Marchers and audiences members will have the opportunity to speak and listen to stories and experiences, including local Iowa City activist Miriam Kashia of the 100 Grannies, as she passes through on her journey across the country.
  • 5:30 p.m. -Unitarian Universalist-sponsored potluck, at the Unitarian Universalist Society, 10 S. Gilbert St. in Iowa City. A potluck dinner for community and marchers will be hosted at the Unitarian Universalist Society.
  • 7 p.m. - Join a Citizen’s Hearing at the Iowa City Public Library on the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed plan to cut carbon emissions from existing power plants. Testimony will be received by Peter Thorne, UI professor of occupational and environmental health and member of the EPA’s Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Maureen McCue, Iowa Physicians for Social Responsibility, will present a briefing of the proposed rule, followed by an opportunity for public comment. David Osterberg, Iowa Policy Project, and the Rev. Susan Guy, Iowa Interfaith Power and Light, will also be present.

Thursday, Aug. 21

  • 7 to 7:30 a.m. – March from College Green Park to Earth Source Gardens and West Branch. Marchers will meet at College Green Park in Iowa City for a final send-off. Local supporters can also offer final well wishes at Earth Source Gardens, northeast corner of Rochester Avenue and Scott Boulevard in Iowa City, or continue the march to Scattergood Friends School in West Branch, where a Monarch Move Event is planned. This event encourages the planting of essential pollinator habitat and preservation of the “dance of life” for pollinators, people, and the planet. To sign up for the day, visit www.climatemarch.org/join-the-march.

The Johnson County portion of the Great Climate March is being organized by Iowa Physicians for Social Responsibility, 100 Grannies, and Unitarian Universalist Society in Iowa City, with support from the UI Office of Sustainability, UI College of Public Health, and UI International Programs.

See the Johnson County Climate March Facebook page for updates and more information.