Broad collective mobilizes to free society from fossil fuels and save our climate


Montreal — Quebec citizens are invited to join a Walk for Earth in Montreal on Sunday, April 21, at 2 p.m. The walk is being held by a collective of environmental, citizen, labour, student and indigenous groups, supported by medical doctors, scientists and artists who are concerned about the increasing pace of oil exploration in Quebec and possible development of pipelines to bring tar sands bitumen to the province. This major gathering, in collaboration with Idle No More, will be part of a global movement to free society from fossil fuels and confront the climate crisis while respecting the rights of future generations. Spokespeople for the event are eco-sociologist Laure Waridel and actor Sébastien Huberdeau.

"All over the world, people are mobilizing to bring forth an ecological society free of fossil fuel dependency," Waridel said. "It is important to make our voices heard in solidarity with the people of Earth, but also with future generations who will suffer the consequences of the decisions we are making today. People of all backgrounds and from all generations are invited to take part in this great gathering."

Huberdeau said, "The impacts of climate change are real and already felt around the world, particularly among the most vulnerable populations. It is still possible to limit the adverse effects of global warming, but now more than ever, it is urgent to act. It's wake-up time; alarms are ringing. Walkers are therefore invited to have their alarms and phones ring at 2 o'clock, at the launch of the operation."

During a news conference, organizers presented the Walk for Earth Declaration, signed by more than 100 people from all backgrounds. Among the signatories are Gilles Vigneault, Fred Pellerin, Ariane Moffatt, Chloé Sainte-Marie, Claude Béland, Caroline Dhavernas, Dominic Champagne and Mark Achbar.

The Declaration describes the alarming impacts of the climate crisis and our fossil fuel consumption while defending the rights of future generations. It makes concrete demands to the governments of Quebec and Canada and calls for a shift to a green and social economy, free of fossil fuels and resource depletion.

Citizens are invited to sign the Declaration at www.marchepourlaterre.org.

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About the Walk for Earth on April 21, 2013

The Walk for Earth is an initiative of the Association québécoise de lutte contre la pollution atmosphérique (AQLPA), the David Suzuki Foundation, Earth Day Quebec, Environnement Jeunesse, Équiterre, Greenpeace and Nature Québec, supported by a broad range of groups from environmental, labour, student and indigenous movements, and by medical doctors, scientists and dozens of artists.

WHAT: Walk for Earth

WHEN: We will depart from the Place des Festivals in Montreal at 2 p.m. Participants are invited to have their alarms and cellphones ring at 2 o'clock precisely, to launch the event. This "awakening" will be followed by a festive and family walk.

WHERE: Place des Festivals in Montreal at the corner of Sainte-Catherine West and Jeanne-Mance. Place des arts Metro station.

DECLARATION: To read and sign the Declaration and view the list of signatories, go to marchepourlaterre.org/sign

INFORMATION:

facebook.com/MarchePourLaTerre
marchepourlaterre.org