ReEnergize Iowa News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2007

                  Contact: Janie Hauser- (515) 508-1494
      David Sievers (515) 664-4944 

Students Aim to ReEnergize Iowa with Global Warming March
Sierra Student Coalition, Sierra Club to Spend Summer Rallying
Support for Global Warming Solutions Ahead of August March

Des Moines - ReEnergize Iowa, a project of the Sierra Student Coalition, the student-run chapter of the Sierra Club, aims to focus public attention this summer on the benefits Iowa could reap from a new clean energy economy.  A group of eight students based in Des Moines is leading an effort to jumpstart the fight against global warming in Iowa and draw attention to the millions of new jobs that could be created in Iowa and across the country by adopting the smart energy solutions that will reduce our global warming emissions.
 
Efforts will lead up to the March to ReEnergize Iowa, where from August 2nd to 5th, citizens will walk from Ames to Des Moines to call upon political leaders to take bold, comprehensive, and immediate action on global warming. The march will culminate in a rally at Nollen Plaza in downtown Des Moines where participants will highlight the need to build a clean energy economy that will reduce global warming pollution 80 percent by 2050—an achievable annual reduction of just 2 percent, bringing thousands of jobs and new sources of income to people across Iowa.
 
"The time to act is now," said Jessica Otto, 22, of Atlantic and an organizer of the project.  "Iowans have a unique opportunity because people around the country are paying attention to what we think, so we need to capitalize on the building momentum to curb global warming by taking action here."

Iowa is uniquely situated to benefit from the new clean energy economy that can be created by adopting the smart energy solutions we need to fight global warming.  From biofuels to wind turbines, Iowa is rich in the kind of renewable resources that will provide the low-carbon energy that will fuel the economy of tomorrow.  Iowa can also become a center for manufacturing wind turbines and other components for the new energy economy, creating new high-paying manufacturing jobs.

At the same time as the march in Iowa, thousands of citizens will be marching in to the New Hampshire state capitol in Concord. Citizens of these two important states will have a unique opportunity to display their commitment to meaningful action in the fight against global warming.   
 
"In the tradition of past transformational social movements, youth organizers and citizens from across the country will come together to ensure that bold action is taken. We will work together to raise awareness and build broad support for real solutions to global warming, which will create millions of new jobs and make our nation more secure," said Jared Duval, the National Director of the Sierra Student Coalition.   
 
In preparation for the march and rally, the organizers are meeting with community leaders and officials like Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie, attending public events and going door to door throughout the state recruiting volunteers.  Throughout the summer they will criss-cross the state gathering signatures on a petition supporting the 2 Percent Solution—an 80 percent reduction in global warming emissions by 2050. 

“Public pressure is growing and we are nearing the tipping point when our national leaders will decide what action to take in the fight against global warming,” said Otto.  ”Everyone in Iowa who cares about jobs, energy security, and the environment has a chance to make their voice heard in this debate.  We encourage them to attend the march and make sure our leaders understand the need for bold, meaningful action against global warming.” 

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