Idyllwild group is one of event’s organizers
By Democrats of the Desert
Contributed
Seas are rising. Horrific hurricanes are wreaking havoc. The Salton Sea is shrinking. Drought is bringing raging wildfires to California. One-third of North American birds have disappeared. Climate change is not coming. It’s here.
A group of concerned area activists are holding a free, community-wide forum from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9. The forum, “Confronting Climate Change … for our Children, Our Communities & Our Future,” will be held in Coachella’s Veterans Memorial Park.
Speakers confirmed at this time are: RL Miller, chair of the California Democratic Party’s Environmental Caucus and founder/political director of Climate Hawks Vote; Joy Silver, member of the California Democratic Party’s Environmental Caucus and lead organizer of Courageous Resistance/Indivisible 36; Sylvia Montenegro, former Coachella mayor and member of the Salton Sea Coalition; Jaya Daniel, Extinction Rebellion; and area youths Solange and Valerie Luna.
Invited speakers include: Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D., D-Palm Desert; Wade Crowfoot, secretary of California’s Natural Resources Agency; Riverside County Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez; California Assembly Member Eduardo Garcia, D-Coachella; California State Sen. Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, and California senate president pro tempore; and Dr. Cameron Barrows, research ecologist at University of California, Riverside.
“To survive this climate crisis —this climate catastrophe — for our species to survive, we need to break our addiction to fossil fuels,” Silver said. “We’ve studied the problem and we know there are solutions. Now we need to act.”
“The members of the Sierra Club know that it is time for local decision makers, including elected officials, to be leaders against this ongoing climate crisis,” said Kim Floyd, Sierra Club conservation chair. “Time to stand up and protect our world for our children and grandchildren. The crisis is here now.”
“This is a pivotal moment in history. We are the last chance humanity has to change its course,” Daniel said. “Future generations will not have this gift, and we must not let them down. We know what we need to do and together we can do it.”
Democrats of the Desert President Dori Smith said that in 2016 the Environmental Protection Agency reported that the earth’s climate is changing. Temperatures are rising. Snow and rainfall patterns are shifting, and more extreme climate events — like heavy rainstorms and record high temperatures — are already happening. “We urge residents to demand local political leaders take action now on climate change,” Smith added.
The free event will include a creative arts table for children, food vendors and information on what individuals can do to combat climate change. Attendees are encouraged to bring picnics, lawn chairs and blankets.
This event is organized by Citizens Climate Lobby (Idyllwild), Courageous Resistance/Indivisible36, Democratic Women of the Desert, Democrats of the Desert, Desert Stonewall Democrats, Extinction Rebellion, Sierra Club, Sun City Democrats and area youth.
For more information, call Dori Smith at 760-774-5513.
