Conscious Choice Seattle: Sole-ful Action in Seattle

May 2007 | From the Editor

Sole-ful Action in Seattle

By Ritzy Ryciak

We marched in the rain. Ankle-deep Puddles filled the streets and by the end of our walk my maroon Converse were sloshing sponges on my feet.

Last month, more than 1,400 gathered in downtown Seattle for a Step-It-Up demonstration aimed to increase Global Warming awareness and urge congressional action. As in, let’s cut carbon emissions in the U.S. by 80 percent by 2050.

In true Seattle fashion, our crowd of demonstrators was packed with clever signs, Rollerblading salmon, a marching “forest” and an inflatable earth that spanned 10 feet in diameter.
We began our trek in Pioneer Square and ended at the waterfront. April showers were in full effect. The sky was an ominous gray and the raindrops were plump and cold. This was not a drizzle.

A lovely twist in the day occurred by the time we reached the march’s end at Myrtle Edwards Park: The sun began to shine brightly. The park was filled with upbeat reggae music and hundreds of people simultaneously removed raincoats and sweaters. Booths set up by businesses and organizations (committed to tackling our climate challenges) lined the perimeter of the park.

One of the best things about living in this town is that Seattle is a little “big city.” Stay here long enough and it’s hard to leave your house and not encounter a familiar face. Marching at the Step-It-Up rally and landing at Myrtle Edwards Park, I felt like I was at a family reunion. Granted the family was huge and I still hadn’t met all of my aunts and uncles, but we were related nonetheless. I saw many people who I recognized and ran into handfuls of friends.

I also found myself viscerally reminded of Bill McKibben’s “silver lining” of climate change. It was a Saturday afternoon and more than one thousand Seattleites came together and marched in an effort to decrease carbon pollution and make our planet a healthier place. Whether we like it or not, global warming—this frightening scientific phenomenon—is a unifying force.

Ron Sims, our King County Executive, spoke at the rally and compared the day’s events to the civil rights demonstrations of decades ago.

“The change was within their reach,” he said referring to the millions of Americans who fought against segregation and racial prejudice. “They had to march. You are going to have to march again and again and again. Because good things happen when people wear out their shoes.”
“Good things happen when people wear out their shoes.”

That line immediately struck me. It brings to mind “pounding the pavement” and “hitting the streets.” Good things happen when people take action and move.

In this month’s CC we aren’t wearing out the soles of our shoes, but we are marching. The truth is, global warming requires sole-ful action in a multitude of ways. Whether it’s grocery shopping (our Raw Food feature), personal growth (finding yourself in Labyrinth Walking) or taking another look at the coming Electric Car Craze, one scary and exhilarating thing about our planet heating up is simply—we are all in this together.

Being at the Step-It-Up rally last month, listening to the speeches and interacting with friends and acquaintances, I felt nothing but hope and faith in the future.

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