Conservation, elected leaders to gather in TC, march for clean air, Great Lakes

Traverse City – This Saturday, April 29 at 12:00 p.m., local leaders and residents will gather at the Open Space Park in Traverse City to rally and march in an effort to shine a spotlight on the dangerous effects of climate change and pollution on Northwest Michigan and the world.

The event will feature remarks from Lisa Wozniak, executive director of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Traverse City Mayor Jim Curruthers, Percy Bird of the Grand Traverse band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians and many others. The events and actions were organized to coincide with the People’s Climate March also happening in Washington D.C. that same day.

As the Trump Administration continues its assault on our air, land and Great Lakes, it is up to us to stand up and fight for clean air, public health and our Great Lakes,” said Wozniak. “We must demand our elected leaders do more to reduce dangerous pollution by expanding our use of clean, renewable energy and transitioning away from burning coal and foreign oil. And we must celebrate the bold, important leadership found at the state and local levels, and within the private sector, where real, positive action is taking place to address our changing climate.”

The march will start at 12:45 p.m. at Open Space Park, on West Grandview Parkway, Traverse City and run along Front Street. Following the march, there will be musical performances by local artists as well as an after party at Oryana from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. The event is being organized by the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, with the support of local sponsors and community partners.

In Traverse City, we believe in protecting our air and Great Lakes, which is why our city set a goal to generate 100 percent of our electricity from clean, renewable energy,” said Eric Keller, Michigan League of Conservation Voters’ northern Michigan regional coordinator. “Expanding clean energy will reduce dangerous pollution while creating local jobs and reducing electricity costs for Michigan families. Michigan’s tourism industry and agriculture has already been adversely affected by extreme weather and climate change, so we have a responsibility to speak out.”

The march is free and all are encouraged to attend. Additional co-hosts of the event include the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Neahtawanta Research and Education Center, Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council (NMEAC), Northern Michigan ​Citizen’s Climate Lobby, Michigan Climate Action Network, Michigan Environmental Council, Women’s March Michigan and Women to Women.

For additional information about the march, contact: Eric Keller, 734-686-7385, [email protected]

Click Here to RSVP For the March!

Photo: South Bend Voice via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.