Earth Week climate rallies planned in Missoula, other cities

More than 80 health, community, human rights, business, Native American, recreation and faith-based organizations have signed on to the gatherings, which are scheduled in 13 cities and towns Saturday. Activities range from a concert and art exhibit in Whitefish to roundtable discussions in Pablo.

“The common thread for these events is that the majority of Montanans support positive and proactive solutions that will reduce carbon,” said Montana Environmental Information Center attorney Derf Johnson. “These events are designed to show that support to our elected officials.”

The rallies will also help focus attention on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s upcoming release of greenhouse gas emission standards in June, clean energy tax credit legislation in Congress and the status of coal exports in the Pacific Northwest, Johnson said.

Participating communities include Bigfork, Billings, Bozeman, Columbia Falls, Great Falls, Hamilton, Helena, Kalispell, Lame Deer, Missoula, Pablo, Red Lodge and Whitefish.

Missoula’s gathering at the X’s at the north end of Higgins Avenue will feature Mayor John Engen, Nobel Prize laureate Steve Running and Indian Peoples Action organizer George Price. The gathering takes place from 1 to 2 p.m.

Hamilton’s event takes place at City Hall from noon to 2:30 p.m. Participants will hear from University of Montana forestry researcher Diana Six, Lifeline Produce’s Steve Elliot, Dave Dittloff of the National Wildlife Federation, Amy Cilimburg of the Montana Audubon Society, Chris Daum of Oasis Montana and Jay Toups of Bioroot Energy. When the speakers finish, activity shifts to Legion Park where participants can tour two energy-saving homes and local gardens while listening to music by Kirby and the Appendages. A march will take place at 2 p.m.

In Whitefish, participants meet at noon on the corner of Spokane Avenue and Second Street to wave at motorists and listen to bluegrass band Left Side Brains. In the evening, the activity will move to the O’Shaughnessy Performing Arts Center for a 7:30 p.m. festival “Stories from the Mountain, Music from the Soul.” The Crown of the Continent Choir and Left Hand Brains accompany presentations by scientists Dan Fagre and Lisa McKeon of the Glacier Repeat Photography Project, painter Diane Burko, artist Joy von Wolffersdorff and local sustainable business partners. Tickets for the evening event cost $5 and are available at the door.

In Pablo, a roundtable discussion with invited speakers takes place at the Louie Caye Sr. Building on the Salish Kootenai College campus from noon to 3 p.m.

In Bigfork, the Climate and Community gathering takes place at Sliter Park at noon.

In Kalispell, Tropical Montana Marimba Ensemble provides the backdrop for a rally at Depot Park at noon.

In Columbia Falls, the rally takes place at the intersection of U.S. Highway 2 and Nucleus Avenue at noon.