After words, will there be action?
I marched Sunday with tens of thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds around Central Park and through the canyons of Manhattan. Of all the images I absorbed, the one that struck most deeply was a 6-year-old girl dressed up like a mermaid, with her mom and her homemade sign, on one side "Save Ariel" and on the other "Action Not Words."
It's important to note that more than 500 Minnesotans bused, flew and drove to the People's Climate March and are bringing home that message of local action to address the impacts of climate change right here in the Gopher State.
Marching with the Citizens' Climate Lobby with volunteers from all over the country and our biggest supporter, former NASA climate scientist Dr. Jim Hansen and his family, was inspiring.
Our message of "Tax Carbon Pay People" was one of many actions that will lead to revitalizing our economy toward sensible, clean, nontoxic energy solutions and the kind of jobs and careers that my young heroine can embrace.
Now we will see what comes from Ban Ki Moon's special U.N. Session Tuesday and whether the words will turn to actions.
PAUL THOMPSON, Edina
The writer is regional coordinator of the Citizens Climate Lobby.
