KALM Before the Storm: Mam'k Rally Urges CO2 Cuts
photos and text by Lisa Hamm-Greenawalt
(April 18, 2007) As kites whipped around in the wind overhead and kayaks floated onto the sand, about 200 people rallied on the beach at Harbor Island Park on Saturday, April 14, to urge Congress to cut carbon dioxide emissions 80% by 2050. The event was one of 1,300 nationwide for Step it Up 2007 campaign, billed as the largest day of citizen action focusing on global warming in the nation’s history.
As kayakers paddled offshore, adults and kids enjoyed the beach as part of the Step It Up rally at Mamaroneck's Harbor Island Park.
 US Congresswoman Nita Lowey was among the political leaders addressing the rally. Photo by Burt Rozner. |
Speakers included Representative Nita M. Lowey, Mamaroneck Village Trustee Tom Murphy and New York Assemblyman George Latimer.
“Global warming is not natural and should not be happening,” declared Mamaroneck Avenue School third grader Kyra Greenawalt, 9, flanked by fellow members of Brownie Troop 1847. “It gets Mother Nature upset!”
Brownies from Mamaroneck Troop 1847 warned against upsetting Mother Nature.
“Me – and all children around the world – need you adults to do something about global warming NOW – to save this world for us and our future,” said Kyra.
Musical entertainment included the Rye Neck High School band Hugs for Strangers and singer/environmentalist Elza, who wrote a special song for the occasion. Kayakers waving colorful windsocks from their life jackets included Kate Colson of Mamaroneck; her son Max Templer, 8; and members of KALM, the Kayakers Alliance of Larchmont and Mamaroneck.
Kayakers flew colorful flags from their vessels.
The event was coordinated by Mamaroneck village resident Catherine Hiller, whose son, Jonathan Warnow, a 2002 Mamaroneck High School graduate, is one of the key organizers of the nationwide campaign.