Events

Recently Kalamazoo and much of Canada and America have been blanketed in wildfire smoke from more than 500 active wildfires, many of them burning out of control in northern boreal forests. The smoke from these fires is highly dangerous to human health and has given Kalamazoo and surrounding areas some of the worst air quality in the world.  

We are marching to alert our community that the smoke and wildfires are tangible and frightening evidence that we are in a climate emergency. Climate change is accelerating toward us like a freight train. To protect ourselves and the world we love, all efforts must be made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, transition to renewable energy, and stop burning fossil fuels.

The fires are one example of natural feedback loops that can tip beyond our control: increased warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions results in hotter, drier weather and wildfires; the wildfires release extensive carbon dioxide thus further increasing warming and causing still more wildfires.

We wear respirator masks as an alert to the danger.

We will walk from Kalamazoo City Hall to Bronson Hospital to connect government action and human health.

Our city, state, and all organizations and institutions - all of us - must take urgent action to end greenhouse gas emissions, to support vulnerable communities and just adaptation. Michigan must adopt the MI Healthy Climate Plan and generate all electricity from solar, wind and carbon-free sources by 2035. Kalamazoo City and County Sustainability Offices and local townships must fund, implement, and collaborate on aggressive climate action plans on the same timeline.

Make a sign, bring a mask, and join us! Contact [email protected] with any questions.