Bill McKibben is the founder of Step It Up, what some have noted as the largest American demonstration about climate change to date. He is also an author and frequently writes about global warming, alternative energy, and the risks associated with human genetic engineering.

Read more of this story »

In McKibben and the Step It Up Team’s new book, Fight Global Warming Now: The Handbook for Taking Action in Your Community (Henry Holt, $13.00), the authors show how normal, everyday people, without any community organizing background, were able to create successful events to rally support for addressing climate change. Reflecting on the success of Step It Up allows the authors to repeat what worked–and discard what didn’t. Their seven tips (make it credible, snappy, collaborative, meaningful, creative, wired and seductive) are a framework for understanding how community organizing works in the 21st century.

The book is a quick read written in simple, conversational tone that empowers the reader. Really? Is it that easy to organize a rally? McKibben and group seem to think so, and highlight many anecdotes from the first Step It Up to show how novice activists can create powerful events. These anecdotes also serve as a type of scrapbook of the first Step It Up 2007, illuminating the hundreds of events and thousands of individual experiences. Just in case you might need some help with your own event, the authors clearly outline areas for concentration to establish credibility, drum up publicity, and finance your event. There’s also a resources page directing you to further reading on both climate change, activism, and other resources necessary for creating your own successful event. From online networking to how to create aeriel art, from media attention to attracting politicians, someone who did it for April’s Step It Up has advice for you.

McKibben and team make it seem so simple. How else can they get people to realize that we have everything we need to be activists? We don’t need to sit around and wait for Al Gore to organize a carbon-spewing concert. We all have within us the ability to lead, to create, to organize. They’re just providing a little push. If you’ve ever wanted to organize, but never thought you could, this is a must-read that will give you the tools you need to call yourself an activist and organizer. Step It Up is happening again on November 3rd. It’s never too late to get organized. In fact, the theme for November’s event is "Who’s A Leader?"

Fight Global Warming Now was released October 22nd.

Activist and founder of Step It Up Bill McKibben (also in blue) spoke to the sea of people before he headed off to DC (via train) for the evening rally there. The crowd cheered as McKibben listed several of the 1300 Step It Up events taking place across the country, more than he ever imagined would come together to send congress a message to reduce emissions 80% by 2050.

Volunteers had stacks of postcards ready for signatures to send off to Washington and at least one congressman was listening - Anthony Wiener who represents the NYC boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens also spoke at the rally.

Sea of People organizers were pleased with the turnout and the fact that the weather cooperated. Participants went all out with very creative blue costumes. There were polar bears, whales, an iceberg, blue flippers and swimming goggles, crowns, tiarras, and lots of face paint. The crowd got some strange looks from tourists waiting in the line for the ferry to see the Statue of Liberty.

Most of the major NYC area media outlets were there (TV, radio and newspapers - it got a small mention in the NY Times) and by the end of the day reports from the Sea of People event and other Step It Up events throughout the US were posted on the Step It Up website, which has called the campaign a success.

A few months ago Michael told GO readers about Step It Up!, a grassroots movement created by activist Bill McKibben to mark April 14th as National Day of Climate Action. Instead of holding one big climate change rally, Step It Up! calls for people across the U.S. to come together in the largest day of citizen action for climate change to create their own events locally.

As of today there are 1364 events planned in 50 states (that's twice the number of events and 6 more states since Michael brought us this news.) And all of them will be sending the same message: "Step it up, Congress! Enact immediate cuts in carbon emissions, and pledge an 80% reduction by 2050."

There are 32 events within 20 miles of me in New York City, including the Sea of People rally where thousands of people (dressed in blue) will stretch along the streets of lower Manhattan marking the anticipated water line if the sea levels rise.

In Maria's area (St. Paul, MN), Sierra Club Executive Director, Carl Pope, will be one of several speakers at an afternoon rally at the Minnesota State Capitol Mall, where they'll feature local performers and attempt to create the world's largest footprint petition.

UPDATE: If you're in St. Louis be sure to check out GO's senior editor, Jeff McIntire-Strasburg, who will speak at the Washington University Climate Change Rally.

And not all events are big rallies. The Saguraro Group in Cave Creek, AZ will be planting trees. People are biking in Jupiter, FL, holding a music festival in Stanwood, WA, and screening An Inconvenient Truth in Columbus, OH.

Find out what is going on in your area by visiting the Step It Up! website and entering your zip code. Go ahead. It will be fun. The GO blog team wants to hear all about your climate action adventures, so let us know how you celebrate National Day of Climate Action.

While we may each have our views on how our government (or world governments) are handling the issue of climate change, one thing is for sure: this problem is not going away anytime soon. If you feel that more can be done but don't know how to voice your opinion (or would rather not travel to do so) a new site called Step It Up! may just have the answer.

Created by activist Bill McKibben, Step It Up! is a grassroots movement that inspires people to hold local climate change rallys across the U.S. on April 14th. This might mean kayaking, playing basketball, having a dance-off… whatever gathers people around your message. The call to action? Have Congress step up legislation that reduces carbon emissions by 80% by 2050.

With the Bush Administration's recent declaration that it has no such plans to curb emissions, this might look like a tough proposition to pass. The nation, however, is 'warming' to increased attention on the issue of climate change; and with over 527 events in 44 states already planned for the 14th, that message of change will not abate any time soon.

If you jump over to the site, you can sign up and organize a rally of your own on the 14th. People entering their zip code can then be made aware of your event and join in the fun. Within my zip alone there are seven different rallys occuring! Punch those numbers in — and if nothing is happening near you,'step it up' and help make a difference.

Link: Step It Up!