This Saturday, April 14th, is an international day of action on climate change, and the Wilderness Committee is asking people in Manitoba to do their part.

Step It Up 2007 is the result of a groundswell of grassroots public concern about climate change. In over 1,300 places across North America, people are stepping up to tell governments that ordinary citizens want real action on global warming.

Everyone in the province is encouraged to participate in Step It Up in the following ways: First, plan activities on Saturday that release less greenhouse gasses--walk, bike, run, paddle, or take public transit rather than drive a personal vehicle. And second, contact your federal and provincial government officials and tell them you want two things:

1. A legislated 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2030
2. Shorter-term emissions targets that start today

In Manitoba there is an opportunity to mitigate climate change with an asset we already have—our boreal forests. Healthy boreal forest eco-systems, such as those found in our beloved provincial parks, store tremendous amounts of carbon. It is essential to preserve the remaining intact forests, according to recent climate change reports. Let's take this opportunity to tell the Manitoba government we want our parks permanently protected, and the industrial logging within their boundaries to stop.

For a listing of ways to contact your elected federal officials please go to:
www.parl.gc.ca and search with your postal code.

You can send an email to Manitoba premier Gary Doer at:
premier@leg.gov.mb.ca

For more information about Step it Up Canada go to:
stepitup2007.ca

For information on Step It Up in the U.S. go to:
stepitup2007.org