Please read the article below and comment as you always do! DON'T FORGET to MAKE CONNECTIONS to other things we are learning in this class! It is not enough to comment/make an opinion about what you've read--you MUST make connections between what you've read and what we've already learned in here!
Taking a Call for Climate Change to the Streets
Legions of demonstrators frustrated by international inaction on global warming descended on New York City on Sunday, marching through the heart of Manhattan with a message of alarm for world leaders set to gather this week at the United Nations for a summit meeting on climate change.
Coursing through Midtown, from Columbus Circle to Times Square and the Far West Side, the People’s Climate March was a spectacle even for a city known for doing things big, and it was joined, in solidarity, by demonstrations on Sunday across the globe, from Paris to Papua New Guinea.
“I’m here because I really feel that every major social movement in this country has come when people get together,” said Carol Sutton of Norwalk, Conn., the president of a teachers’ union. “It begins in the streets.”
From the scientists holding an oversize chalkboard to the Hurricane Sandy victims toting life preservers, the march was a self-consciously inclusive affair, with the organizers intent on creating a very big tent, which they hoped would hammer home the relevance of climate change and its effects.
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The march attracted leading lights in the environmental movement, most notably former Vice President Al Gore. It drew the secretary general of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, who will preside over this week’s United Nations climate summit meeting. And it included Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York, fresh off his announcement that he was committing the city to an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2050.
But it was mostly an event for concerned ordinary people, many of them veterans of climate change efforts, others relative newcomers.
From as close as the Bronx and as far as at least Rome, the demonstrators came in vast numbers. At one point early in the afternoon, the march came to a halt because the entire 2.2-mile route was full, and more than two hours into the procession, people were still setting out from the starting point near Columbus Circle.
Organizers, using data provided by 35 crowd spotters and analyzed by a mathematician from Carnegie Mellon University, estimated that 311,000 people marched the route.The signs that marchers held were as varied as the movement: “There Is No Planet B,” “Forests Not for Sale” and “Jobs, Justice, Clean Energy.”
The diversity of the demonstrators made for some odd juxtapositions. On West 58th Street, the minaret of an inflatable mosque bobbed next to a wooden replica of Noah’s Ark the size of a school bus. Nearby, Capuchin Franciscan monks in flowing brown robes, who were in town from Rome for the march, mingled with nuns, while a group flying a pagan flag beat a drum.
Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Manhattan for a rally to demand action on climate change.
Video Credit By Colin Archdeacon on Publish Date September 21, 2014.
The climax of the march came in the early afternoon. All along the route, crowds had been quieted for a moment of silence. On Avenue of the Americas at 57th Street, there was an eerie silence as marchers raised their arms and looked down.
Then at exactly 1 p.m., a whistle pierced the silence, setting off a minute-long cacophony intended as a collective alarm on climate change. There were the beats of the drums and the blaring of horns, but mostly it was whoops and cries of the marchers.
One of the key organizers of the event, the international advocacy group Avaaz, presented a petition with more than 2.1 million signatures demanding action on climate change. “It’s a testament to how powerful this movement is,” Ricken Patel, executive director of Avaaz, said. “People are coming in amazing numbers.”
Like the march, the summit meeting on Tuesday at the United Nations will be flush with speeches intended to build support for addressing climate change. But the gathering of world leaders is not meant to be a formal negotiating session for a potential 2015 agreement.
Behind the scenes, though, the real work toward forging a global deal was underway. A few blocks from the march, in a hotel conference room on Lexington Avenue, Secretary of State John Kerry convened a meeting of foreign ministers of the 17-member Major Economies Forum, focused on climate change, and Todd Stern, the chief United States climate change negotiator, held back-to-back meetings throughout the day.
Mr. Kerry said he intended to keep a focus on climate change throughout the week, despite the pressure of other crises, including insurgent terrorists in Iraq and the Ebola outbreak in Africa. “The grave threat that climate change poses warrants a prominent position on that list,” he told reporters. “Those are immediate. But this has even greater, longer-term consequences that can cost hundreds of billions, trillions of dollars, and lives, and the security of the world.”
Last week, meteorologists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced that this summer — the months of June, July and August — was the hottest on record for the globe, and that 2014 was on track to break the record for the hottest year, set in 2010.
It was concern about the consequences of that warming that drew people to the march, organized by a dozen environmental, labor and social justice groups, and that inspired some of the event’s most sober and most outrageous expressions, some of them not even on the route.
In front of the Flatiron Building, on Fifth Avenue, a 3,000-pound ice sculpture spelled out “The Future.” Dripping onto the sidewalk, it had been carved over two days in Queens by a group of Japanese ice sculptors. “I would say we are melting down the future,” said Nora Ligorano, one of the artists who conceived the work. “It’s a comment on what we are doing to the planet.”
At Columbus Circle, there were bare-breasted women and people with dreadlocks and homespun clothing. There were Muslim women wearing hijabs and groups of older women with signs proclaiming they were “Grandmas Against Global Warming.” and that “Gray Is Green.”
Two high school seniors from Long Island, Kirsten Cunha and Alexandra Dos Santos, both 17, marched with dust masks over their mouths. “Wearing masks like this could quite possibly be our children’s future,” Ms. Dos Santos said.
The issue of climate change is becoming a pressing issue. There are multiple facts from around the world that show the climate changing remarkably quickly. People are realizing this, as the thousands of people at the climate change march, or then million signatures on a petition prove. Marches like the climate march are a way for the people to raise publicity on an issue to help it be raised up on the policy agenda. The issue of climate change is usually ignored for issues such as the ebola outbreak or the trouble with isis, but this issue is important too.
ReplyDeleteThis connects to the 1st amendment of the bill of rights which stated the freedom of speech and the right to assembly and petition. Especially this protest is for a good cause. We really should care about the climate change, it would affect us soon and by the time we know it, it might be too late. We only have one planet, if we don't take care of it, it would harm us too. Public goods such as clean air and water might not be there anymore in the near future if we continue to ignore the issue of climate change and add to the destruction of mother nature.
ReplyDeleteAwesome connections, Jemellee!!!!
DeleteThis was a very surprising article to read because i have not heard of this event taking place and the fact that they brought out the 3,000 pound ice sculpture to show what was happening it was like they were saying the world was going to in. I was also in shock to see how many people stood around and march for this protest to make sure the government new what there concerns were about. This will be something that will be talked and mess with in the linkage institution.
ReplyDeleteThis article reminds me of the Madisonian idea that the majority should be limited by indirect control of the government. While masses of people feel a certain way about climate issues, ultimately it is not in their power to directly cause change. The protesting and demonstrations are a method of influencing the elite with power to respond to their concerns. Whether or not those with government power actually choose to do anything is up to their discretion,.
ReplyDeleteThis relates to the public and how the public can affect the policy agenda. With the five rights that they hold from the first amendment of the bill of rights, they have the right to assembly, speech, and petition. These people protested for action against global warming and recieved 2.1 million signatures. The people caught hold of the media and hold of the former Vice president and a guy from the United Nations attention. This is an example of how the issues and policies are circulated in government. They created a huge scene and now are gaining attention for it.
ReplyDeleteI think you made a connection with EVERYTHING we've been learning about in here! Well done, Christina!!!
DeleteFrom what had been said, the astounding juxtaposition between cultures magnifies the fact that the issue is far-reaching, or at least many believe that it will be so, and has no bounds; it has almost become fact, with few shaking their heads at the idea of retarding climate change.
ReplyDeleteBecause the first amendment of the Bill of Rights gives us the freedom of speech and assembly and petition, these people fighting for a cause are doing it so that the message about conserving our land can be heard. Similar to what the posters the petitioners were holding, ẅe only have a planet b¨ and with that comes the responsibility of taking care of that. I appreciate that society is slowly progressing into creating things that are less harmful to the earth, but I do believe there can always be more opportunities to help further that.
ReplyDeleteIt's true that all of the pollution people cause is destroying the planet. Global Warming is a big issue that needs to be looked into and fixed somehow. Most of the people that are marching for Global Warming want instant results. That could never happen, with all countries using fossil fuel as energy how can we give an instant result to Global Warming. It would take time to make enough electric cars or cars that run on renewable resources. I think we should come up with a solution to Global Warming but thats going to take some time.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that it is going to be on the policy agenda but it is a big issues that a lot of people feel strongly about. We all have rights, our nature rights, like we all know life, liberty, and property or pursuit of happiness. We all should have the right to have clean air and a healthy environment and I think a lot of people would vote yes if they were asked if we should have clean air. This depends on if our government feels if this issue is important enough to deal with. So the people try to show hoe bad this cause is.
ReplyDeleteThis article can be related to what we have learned about the first amendment, the freedom of speech and the freedom to peacefully assemble. Many people gathered to peacefully protest global warming. Many groups of people came to express their concern for ending and reversing the process of global warming as the problem is getting noticeably worse as time goes on. The US leaders are aware of the problem and are paying attention to peoples concerns on the problem and will hopefully do not only what the people want, but what the world needs.
ReplyDeleteThis article reminds me of the Madisonian idea that the majority should be limited by indirect control of the government. While masses of people feel a certain way about climate issues, ultimately it is not in their power to directly cause change. The protesting and demonstrations are a method of influencing the elite with power to respond to their concerns. Whether or not those with government power actually choose to do anything is up to their discretion,.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the Bill of Rights everyone has the freedom of speech and the freedom to protest. I think the way this large group of people were protesting was great. It doesn't sound like they were being violent, or taking anything too far. For the most part it sounds like they kept it at a respectable volume (aside from the minuet of vocal alarms). It is very inspiring to read how diverse the group was. That just proves that people from all walks of life can work together. As far as global warming goes I'd say I'm in the middle. I see both sides of the argument. But I don't see anything wrong with this group exercising their rights to protest.
ReplyDeleteI like that there was a massive parade about global warming and that the awareness of global warming is hitting a bigger scale. We all know that global warming is happening but yet we are not taking the measures we need to help preserve our planet. Maybe one day there will be a law that will seriously address what we need to do for our planet and how to keep it alive.
ReplyDeleteI am personally moved by the article. These people that we don;t know are there, wants us to make sure we are keeping our air and our atmosphere clean. Its only money that we are spending on the future of our children, even though it might cost us billions and trillions of dollars, think of the future. We are still killing the world by polluting and letting off chemical gasses today that we could have prevented years ago. Our future is melting me need to join the movement and get the climate changed now.
ReplyDeleteThis an example of the American public exercising the power of the 1st ammendment. This is an issue that should be addressed, and it is a pressing matter that will have lasting impacts on everyone in the world. The Framers of the Constiturtion did not want the majority to have direct say in government affairs, but if they dont get their way, than life on earth will become a minortiy.
ReplyDeleteI believe that it is great for people to stand up for what they want. These people think that there should be a climate change and I would totally agree. Because of the weapons used in the wars and all the pollutions we create we have to think of Earth and try to make a change before it's too late. These people have the right to assemble according to our first amendment and they also have the right to petition, and that is exactly what they're doing. They want a better and healthier enviornment
ReplyDeleteI think this article could somehow relate to how the Anti-Federalists wanted some changes to the Constitution. They wanted their needs and preferences to be heard so they rallied up and made sure government noticed them. The same could go for the marchers and how they're rallying up for climate change and creating petitions. They have problems they want to be solved so they form groups and try to get the governments attention. The Anti-Federalists got the changes they wanted in the Bill of Rights so maybe the Climate Change marchers can get what they want too.
ReplyDeleteThis post has a lot to do with the first amendment, they have the right to assemble, freedom of speech, and freedom of petition. Those things all have to do with what we are talking about in class because we are talking about the Bill of Rights. Those people have the rights to do all of what they are doing because of the Bill of Rights and the first amendment which is contained in that.
ReplyDeleteI believe that it is great for people to stand up for what they want. These people think that there should be a climate change and I would totally agree. Because of the weapons used in the wars and all the pollutions we create we have to think of Earth and try to make a change before it's too late. These people have the right to assemble according to our first amendment and they also have the right to petition, and that is exactly what they're doing. They want a better and healthier enviornment
ReplyDeleteThere are people that believe that global warming is occurring and there are some that don't believe it, and people are titled to their opinion. Assembling in the streets peacefully and having a march is part of their first amendment which is freedom to assemble and they were exercising that right to do so. In my opinion I have believe that there is too much pollution in the air and that it is causing our ozone layer to start to go away but I don't see why people are fighting for less of a greenhouse effect but there are some that still drive gas guzzling cars and stuff.
ReplyDeleteI feel that these people speaking their minds out about the world that we all live in is a great thing. They're showing how the world will be if nothing is done to prevent it, and it's clearly shown that millions of people want change. This whole event happened because of freedom of speech in my opinion. Without it, they wouldn't be able to show how they feel about climate changes, and awareness for it would not be so high. For instance, if they didn't have freedom of speech, the " summit meeting on Tuesday at the United Nations will be flush with speeches intended to build support for addressing climate change" would've never been planned to be packed.
ReplyDeleteGlobal warming is one of those issues that almost everyone has an opinion on. These people just so happen to have the same opinion. They have a right to say what they want to say and the right to do what they want to do under the 1st amendment.
ReplyDeleteMy ideas about the article was that it was not surprising to see so many people take action against such a little subject like climate change. I think that the idea was great. People marched about having a warmer climate in their city. This reminds me of the Bill of Rights which includes petition which is when people gather together and demand change and protest about it which cause media attention like the article states that these people were attracting the attention of the media. If people really feel strongly about a subject, they should take every standard to do something to change it. If people do not do anything about the problem, then there's no way to fix the situation. I personally like the protest and agree with what they are marching and taking a stand about. Also a connection to the 1st amendment, which is the freedom of speech. People have the right to take a stand on their views.
ReplyDeleteGlobal warming is a huge issue involving every human being and should be taken seriously. It should be addressed very quickly considering it affects the world we live in. Starting things like protests, marches, etc gains media coverage and spreads fast. Coming together in such high numbers is a great way to start a change. It can also move the issue higher up on the policy agenda.
ReplyDeleteGlobal warming has been an issue for years now and the drastic climate changes over the past couple years have proven that it is becoming a bigger issue. It is definitely a long term problem and we would most likely be wearing masks over our mouths. They are showing freedom of speech and assembly and the media has noticed it.
ReplyDeleteThis article relates really well to the 1st amendment, freedom of speech. I like how they are nicely protesting about global warming and how they aren't totally going out of control about global warming and protesting about it. Global warming is a big deal now. They have the media attracted to this situation to make it a bigger deal and attract people with more power over us.
ReplyDeleteI basically said that the NSA is now disregarding a landmark supreme court, and that's ironic. The people tasked with keeping us safe are now breaking constitutional law. But then my paragraph disappeared into cyberspace.
ReplyDeleteThese marches are all possible because of the First amendment. But it amazes me how many people got together for this cause and how quickly it spreaded around the world. Global Warming is most likely the biggest problem we face now and in the near future so if everyone can help chip in, in making this world a better place just off some rallies and petitions this will be a great step forward for everyone living and soon to be living.
ReplyDeleteEverybody has their opinion on global warming. Mine, I don't think what we're doing right now is too bad for the environment. Statistics are over-exaggerated and little problems are blown way out of proportion. The media only shows or tells us bad things about the environment and what wrong things we are doing. If you look beneath the news on tv, you'll see there are actually many great things we are achieving and many people and groups that are helping where we live have a clean atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteCaelen,
DeleteMy verbal directions and written directions ask that you make connections between what you have read and what we have learned rather than simply an opinion. Please read some of the other comments for examples. Thank you.
The first thing I will note is that the protestors, obviously, are practicing their right to assemble, granted by the First Amendment. They were protected to do so. This also addresses the policymaking system of the government: a vast majority of the people are concerned about environmentalism, their actions and the situations they stand for got media coverage, and now, the future of the world is on the policy agenda. They will be speaking about the environment at a U.N. meeting! If all goes as it should, environment protection will soon be a law in the U.S. if not in the majority of the world's nations.
ReplyDeleteOf recent years, global warming has constantly been an issue that many political parties and groups have been worried about; rightfully so at that. If we as a nation and on a global scale with cooperation from countless other countries continue to do nothing about this problem, then the generations to come will suffer greatly. Frankly, I hope I don't live to see that day. However, change comes at a slow pace. Change can come through the majority. These 300,000 people that protested last weekend used their First Amendment rights in a manner that it beneficial to not only the United States, but eventually the entire world. Change needs to come, and change will eventually happen, but only if we keep using our 1st amendment rights. This is the only way that future generations to come will thrive. With peaceful protests and petitions, the groups who partake in these actions will have a huge influence on our future.
ReplyDeleteThis is a prime example of people the first Amendment, using the freedom to protest, and freedom of speech. They did it in a very peaceful way which gave them good media. They were very informative and really showed their concern about global warming, and ways to help protect Earth from it.
ReplyDeleteThe article on global warming and the push for legislation to be made, all comes back to the First Amendment, freedom of speech. The use of petitions and peaceful protest was also used as in the First Amendment. The global warming effort almost seems like a single issue group only focused on fixing the causes of global warming and its effects. The groups protesting also reminds me of majority versus minority conflict. But i cannot determine whether the large corporations that are causing global warming are the minority or whether the protesters are in the minority. Either way they are fighting to have their opinions heard and have legislation passed to help curb global warming. My two cents on global warming is that the earth naturally has its cycles of ice age to normal climate (what we are in right now). The earth's average temperature is increasing but that is only due to the process of going back to an ice age is speeding up, there is actually more ice in the Arctic Circle than ever (signs of the ice age coming). However, I do think that the people of the world as a whole do need to curb greenhouse gases too slow down this process because it hurts then environment and no one likes ice ages.
ReplyDeleteThis article is a prime example of what people do to excersise their first amendment right of freedom of speech. As global warming goes I agree that us as people are putting CO2 in the atmosphere and that should not be happening, we should live clean earth-friendly lives. But also the earth has been around for longer then we have so I can see how this might be earths normal cycle. I can see this issue in many ways.
ReplyDeleteThis article demonstrates how the First amendment of the constitution can be used to successfully voice and opinion. No matter your stance on the issues, you cannot deny the fact that this demonstration was a successful peaceful demonstration. They followed all the rules, they didn't harm anyone, or destroy property, or intrude on private property. It shows that you can successfully make an impact, even following the rules.
ReplyDeleteI mean, I get what these people are doing, they're exercising their 1st amendment rights, "Freedom of Assembly" and "Freedom of Petition". But what do they really expect the United Nations to do? I get that they feel passionately about the issue, but other than bringing attention to it, what does it really accomplish?
ReplyDeleteit is regrettable to say that it has taken us one century to understand that we were doing damage to the planet. there may have been protest before to get this recent issue on the policy agenda, but they were not as large as this. this parade contained 311000 people whom used there right to assemble and freedom of speech to raise awareness about the climatre change caused by CO2 emissions.in addition, much like our fore fathers whom petitioned the rule of king george with the olive branch petition, these protesters collected a petition with over 2 million signatures. as the support for this awareness grows, the quicker the issue will make it on the policy agenda as a serious issue. moreover, excuses such that the CO2 has no direct effect on us (like said in the senate discussions) or that this is a natural processes called "global wobbling" will no longer be valid or supported if the large majority continues to pressing the issue.
ReplyDeleteThe article written has lots of things to reflect from as we were being taught in class. In this article it focuses mainly on the peoples first amendment. Like the right to assemble, freedom of speech and others. As we've been discussing in class about the amendments that the constitution gives us I feel that many groups of people and many single groups of people dont really use this as they could. People have the right to speak their own and have their own opinion but do people really use what they are given? Lots of people dont know their amendments and dont realize the capability they have with those rights. If one was to stand up each day and gather people for what they believe in it could change things for our future and possibly be helpful to our country.
ReplyDeleteThis utilization of the movement's first amendment rights (specifically freedom of speech, right to petition and right to protest) allows the policymaking system to start making its full circle. The petition's 2.1 million signatures is well beyond the 250,000 signature requirement for a petition to be considered at the federal level, adding to its urgency as this article does to add its urgency as well.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I read it didn't seem like any environmental parties were getting involved such as the green party since they are known for caring about the environment. Global warming is happening whether we want to accept it or not. Such as glaciers are now melting in antarctica and all over. Those glaceiers have been around for years and years. The ones that are now melted and gone we wont ever get back. I dont know why the government or even the president hasn't done anything to stop what we are doing to our planet.
ReplyDeleteI think that America is finally taking a stand for what needs to happen. The planet's inhabitants finally care about how they take of their home. The march for awareness connects to the constitution because it shows freedom of assembly and petition. Nobody could stop the movement because it would've been a violation of the constitution.
ReplyDeleteIt amazes me on how much people can have a say now in our time. So many people have this strong testament to change the climate and to protect our earth and can say what they want all thanks to the 1st amendment about our right to have the freedom of speech.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to global warming, there are so many different opinions and views of it. I believe that some of the things that we are using like airplanes are causing global warming to get worse but its not the biggest reason. People who are strong defenders of global warming say that everything is the cause of global warming. And the media makes it bigger than it is. Technology is making those defenders believe that it's making the whole situation worse.
ReplyDeleteEveryone can do these things because of our first amendment, that grants us freedom of speech, assembly, petition, religion, and press. The movement is protected under the first amendment, which makes something like this very possible. I do believe that global warming is somewhat of an issue, but I don't think it's happening as rapid as they say it is going. I think that we need to maybe work on this issue a little more. And maybe it won't be as big an issue
ReplyDeleteGlobal warming is a big concern to many people but not everyone is willing to change their way of living, and they can protest because they are protected by the first amendment. I think this problem will go in the public agenda because their are a lot of people who want a change, but if they do something about it, it will not only try to solve the problem but can also affect many people in a negative way. Like we learn in class they are a single-interest group that want a change in the environment.
ReplyDeleteGlobal warming is a huge issue, and that is why we have created more wind turbines, water damns, and solar panels to decrease the harsh gases being released into the air. This also applies to the freedom of speech in The Bill of Rights allowing this march and petition to be accepted. There actually is a petition going around in school as we speak, because the last night for the play is the same night as Senior prom. It's amazing what citizens of the US have the right to do now. When women were fighting for rights, they were beaten and thrown in jail. This issue is one of the many global issues we have today, and I am thankful for the determination of all the 2.1 million people who signed for this petition.
ReplyDeleteThis connects to our lesson by demonstrating the power the minority has to change certain things in life that make everything better for everyone. These people all gathered together to petition a concern that not only they have but the world should have.
ReplyDeleteThis is why I love the first amendment. As long as you are not violent and it is not private property you have the right to assemble as long as you are okay with law enforcement monitoring you for certain cases like the article. This is using the first amendment correctly along with the power of majority rules. Over 300,000 people filled the streets of New York to protest for climate change (something I would of thought never would have happened in the last couple of days due to people being so ignorant as to ignore global warming) and they got the attention of government officials by force of mass media. This is how things get changed in our timeline thingy of policies. This is what you need to do to see your needs get met. The U.N is now planning to meet based on this one event so go us.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure on what I'm suppose to be reflecting on here. I get how this connects to the first amendment's freedom to assemble, but I can't form an argument around the article. Am I suppose to disagree that global warming isn't a real thing? Or that it shouldn't be receiving this kind of attention? Global warming is a bit hard to refute, and the people have the right to assemble for anything. There's nothing wrong with this.
ReplyDeleteThis march is a great example of the power of minority to change laws and influence the government to change things. It also shows how great our first amendment right to assemble is because without that a lot of societal issue wouldn't be heard of because people couldn't get out and share to people their struggles. I think that it is amazing how many people are involved in this movement worldwide.
ReplyDeleteThis issue is about the power that the people have together. About the minority having the power ti change the things in life that they dont like. Global Warming is a pressing matter and should not be taken lightly. Mr. Kerry said he intended to keep a focus on climate change throughout the week, despite the pressure of other crises, including insurgent terrorists in Iraq and the Ebola outbreak in Africa. “The grave threat that climate change poses warrants a prominent position on that list,” he told reporters. “Those are immediate. But this has even greater, longer-term consequences that can cost hundreds of billions, trillions of dollars, and lives, and the security of the world.” This is also a very pressing matter, But in the end everything is going to cost money weather we like it or not.
ReplyDeleteGlobal warming is a big issue today. I'm happy that theses people stood up for what they believe in. They also used their freedom of speech in the Bill of Rights along with the right to protest what they are feeling, i hope that other people had the same feeling that they did. They stood up for what they believe in and that the Bill of Rights protected them.
ReplyDeleteClearly these are interest groups exercising their 1st Amendment rights, and they are protesting so that they can get the media's attention (which it appears they have). While they may be branded as tree-hugging hippies, it is clear (especially with the final quote) that people will start to realize how global warming IS actually a thing. I'm not sure whether to call these people a minority, but they're certainly an interest group.
ReplyDeleteInterest group for sure. I understand that they are trying to get the idea out there, but walking through the streets isn't going to help global warning. Taking action first-hand will.
DeleteI understand that the world is dying, but we can't expect it to live forever. We are destroying it ourselves. Now don't get me wrong, this doesn't mean that I won't do my part to help make the world last a little longer, because I'm all for taking care of God's green Earth. I do believe that this topic will soon end up on the policy agenda. But would I waste my time marching through the streets? Or would I start to work my tail off on making a difference first-hand, rather than telling people that they are doing it wrong?
ReplyDeleteWell I think the way you're thinking about this is a little shortsighted. I'm sure plenty of people who participating are doing what they can to fix the issue, both through activism and what they do in their daily lives. But things like marches help build public support so that policy changes can be made, and people can make use of the power force of government.
DeleteOne major connection I'll make is that I could very much see this big of an issue leading to constitutional action. It's an issue that has causes and effects across, the board, and is one the founding fathers couldn't imagine on the scope that it's reached now. There's no address for ecological issues at all in the constitution, and that's something I'd personally like to see changed. It also brings to mind the means of informal policy amendment, though I think it will eventually go through formal stages.
ReplyDeleteThis is has something to do with the 1st amendment, freedom of speech. All the other freedom of speech cases we heard about were very extreme, like burning the flag and not standing for the pledge of allegiance. This one is very nice adn peaceful, no violence and they are protesting for something good.
ReplyDeleteseems that every era has its own problems to deal with and climate change is one of the many we face in this generation. I am grateful that we have the first Amendment right to speak and express our concerns to our leader that previous generations didn't. The fact that we have the right to gather is a blessing and is used in the movement to make a statement and make their voice known. And having the support they need from some mentionable people. helps too.
ReplyDeleteIssues of global warming and climate change have been quite prominent over the past few decades, and while change is being made it is still rather slow. Whether or not policies to combat climate change are wanted by the few or the many, there opinions are valid and I believe should be listened. Whether or not you believe in climate change things should be done so that we make less harsh of an impact on our planet. While I'm not sure the founding fathers would have ever thought that such an issue would come to exist, it is indeed a good thing they had the foresight to agree upon adding the bill of rights. In a government where direct response to the public's opinion still doesn't quite make up for how slow policy making can be, it is wonderful that we are able to publicly voice are opinions on the matter in such great numbers. Things do change eventually, but it is spectacles like this that help to bring forth into the minds of policymakers issues that will affect us in the long term and not just simply in the present.
ReplyDeleteThis is a perfect example of the first amendment. A group of people coming together peacefully to raise an issue that they feel needs to be heard. Thousands of people gathered, all across the world. This also relates to the Policymaking System. The first step is all of these people gathering to raise awareness about global warming. Then, the press (a linkage institution) covering this assembly. Next it will hopefully climb the Policy Agenda. Environment protection has always been on the agenda; just not very high up on the list. By gathering outside the United Nations climate summit meeting, it should help influence their decisions. Hopefully a policy is in the near future.
ReplyDeleteThis article clearly shows the rights people have from the 1st Amendment. People forming and marching in Manhattan shows that they have their freedom of speech and assembly. Like the man who burned the American flag, marching is a form of symbolic speech, however they are also literally speaking out to everyone about their views of the environment. Since many people are marching, they've obviously had to gather together to form it, which is legal to do because they have the right to assemble and they're not being violent. The purpose for the march is to petition and demand action on climate change. Also in the 1st Amendment, is the right to petition. So, these people clearly know the freedoms they have, especially the few from the 1st Amendment. These people are doing what is right and even their right.
ReplyDeleteIt goes to show that when people get together, not just online that they can make a difference. The issue of global warming now cant be ignored by our government and they know that something needs to be done because the people are angry and they are upset and most likely something will get passed into law or a bill and that is how we change things in our society. It also shows freedom of speech and our freedom of expression and to march down a very busy street in New York to voice our opinions.
ReplyDeleteI feel like some people need to realize that we are not necessarily destroying the environment as we are destroying our chances of surviving. Our planet has seen worse conditions than this our planet will be fine. It won't be how it is now but it will be okay. The human race.. not so much. I'm the first amendment give people the right to assemble because it allows us to have big events like this to make people aware of what's going on. More people need to be informed and or freedom of speech allows people to hear things that they might not like but need to know.
ReplyDeleteI think this march, just shows one of the good about Democracy and the Government about the United States. Which is the First Amendment to have Freedom of Speech, and Petition as well as other things, but the fact how if we "the people" see a problem in our country we have the right to say what we think and believe without being punishment.
ReplyDeleteFrom reading this article, it strongly ties in to what we've been reading in class, especially the First Amendment (except religion). The issue of global warming been going on for a quite long time and i believed that it has a right to be discussed about and put on the media to branch out to other states. With a enormous single issue group discussing this topic, it would be on the policy agenda that needs to be fixed in due time.
ReplyDeleteThis march is an excellent example of what the 1st amendment provides to the citizens. This shows how the people have the Freedom of Speech, the right to Assemble, and the right to petition. Also, marching itself is a way of symbolic speech. Now this is a good topic to stand up for. We the people are destroying our own home and something needs to be done. Now I am not saying that people need to stop driving cars and industries need to go out of business, but little things here and there add up and really will make a difference. With any hope this issue could reach the Government's Policy Agenda and action will then be taken.
ReplyDeleteThis kind of reflects on the first amendment and how we have the freedom of speech and how people are doing this. They are protesting and this kind of shows and reflects on the policy agenda and how this effect on our environment is a problem and the people made a deal about it and got a group together to protest and it has gotten to the point where it has been on media for others to see and it just shows that it is going through the policy agenda that we learned about and how it also connects with the first amendment and how we have the freedom of speech.
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