Step It UpToday is the day!

Across the United States, in more than 1,300 communities, citizens are gathering together at local grassroots events to send a clear message to Congress: Step it up. Pass legislation that will insure an 80% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The world’s eyes are upon us.

Go here to find an event in your area.

Later today, after I get a little sleep, I will be attempting to chronicle at least some portion of what promises to be a historical occasion. If you’re able, post an account of your community’s events in comments on this thread. I’d also love to receive your pictures — email them to me or point me to where they’re posted. I’ll be poaching a lot of material off of the Step It Up website, where you can also upload stuff.

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Updates to come. Now get out there, and as Bill McKibben concluded in his final message to organizers last night: Don’t forget to smile!

Update [2007-4-14 10:3:22 by David Roberts]: I’m awake!

This isn’t good: a huge storm tore across Texas and up through Kansas today, causing two deaths and possibly flooding later today on the New York coast.

Here’s New Orleans yesterday:

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Step It Up in New Orleans

Update [2007-4-14 10:22:53 by David Roberts]: Where’s the media coverage? Nothing on NYT, WaPo, L.A. Times, CNN, Fox … for now, if you want to know what’s happening, go here.

Update [2007-4-14 10:39:8 by David Roberts]: One of the coolest events today promises to be the Sea of People in Manhattan: “the Sea Of People will take over Lower Manhattan along a 10-foot elevation line or “future sea level” zone — we need your help to make this line a powerful visual statement — WEAR BLUE, bring bubbles, scuba gear, beach balls, etc. Have fun with it!” Here’s the video trailer:

Update [2007-4-14 13:1:50 by David Roberts]: Dang, I shoulda had Grist fly my out to cover this protest in San Juan:

Step It Up in Puerto Rico

Update [2007-4-14 15:13:39 by David Roberts]: Man, reading these accounts, it looks like the national weather really didn’t cooperate today — everywhere it’s cold, windy, and rainy.

Check out the clever people-writing at Clemson University:

Step It Up at Clemson

Update [2007-4-14 15:20:3 by David Roberts]: Here are some hearty backcountry skiers who hiked 5.5 miles up to the summit of Whiteface Mountain in the Adirondacks:

Step It Up in the Adirondacks

Update [2007-4-14 18:3:37 by David Roberts]: Pictures from Manhattan’s Sea of People:

Step It Up: Sea of People

Update [2007-4-14 18:13:35 by David Roberts]: Still nothing on the home pages of the New York Times, CNN, the Washington Post, or the L.A. Times.

Update [2007-4-14 18:47:47 by David Roberts]: Well I’ll be damned! A Step It Up event in my home town, Cookeville, Tenn.:

Step It Up in Cookeville, TN

I never thought I’d see the day.