Climate March

People are encouraged to bring their energy to two green events this weekend

(Laura Paskus)

By SFR

In anticipation of next week's United Nations Climate Summit, New Mexican residents will have plenty of opportunities to join in on local "People's Climate Marches" this weekend.

The first event will be on Saturday in Albuquerque starting at 9 am at the Immaculate Conception Church (619 Copper Ave.). That march will go to the Federal Court Building and end at Robinson Park around 11 am. Santa Fe's climate march starts at noon that same day at the Plaza. It is planned to go past the Roundhouse and end at the Railyard.

Attendees are encouraged to bring signs and banners addressing "concerns and solutions" about climate change.

"By marching together, we amplify the message that it is past time to take significant action to eliminate human impacts on the climate," reads a statement from Positive Energy Solar, which is co-sponsoring both marches.

At least four local students will be marching in the People's Climate March the next day in New York City. Tammy Harkins, an English teacher at Santa Fe High School, is taking the four students—two from Santa Fe High and two from the University of New Mexico—to the march after winning a contest though the Energy Action Coalition that will pay for their airfare to New York City this weekend.

The contest had them each make a video about their thoughts on fighting climate change while Harkins submitted a brief essay on the topic. Members of the group will also have 20 minutes to share their thoughts and concerns with a UN representative. Harkins says they'll also be spending the weekend attending workshops concerning the issue.

But perhaps the biggest event will be the march, which is said to bring a big turnout.

"They're expecting anywhere from 250,000 to half a million people," Harkins says.

Santa Fe Reporter

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