Today was a great day for Seattle, the planet and our children!

First off, Governor Gregoire announced her plan to take state action on reducing carbon pollution in Washington and signed an executive order to reduce Washington's emissions that includes elements of a climate change bill that failed to pass in the recent legislative session. Among other things, it directs the state Department of Ecology to work with large industries to find ways to cut emissions, and calls for plans on how the state's largest counties can reduce the number of vehicles driven.

Next was the hearing.  Kirsten McCaa CoolMom Co-founder and now Board Member spoke with eloquence about the need to act now on climate change, while Terri Glaberson, Executive Director of CoolMom brought tears to an EPA panelist.  However, the show stoppers were Terri’s daughter, Sydney and Kirsten’s son, Harris who donned in CoolMom pint size T-shirts were intently listening to the testimony. 

Last Stop the Rally.  What a day, 70 + degrees, sunny and a gathering of over a thousand people crowded Pier 66 to hear Mayor Nickels, Rabbi Zari Weiss, and Dean Allen, CEO of McKinstry to name a few.  The energy was ecstatic.  The Rally started off with CoolMom kids & moms and a large gathering of kids up from Portland on stage chanting out rally cries to the masses. 

Thanks goes out to all the CoolMoms and their CoolKids who attended the Rally.  A big shout out to Casey O’Roarty who made the trip all the way from Monroe!  Way to go all you CoolMoms!

To send your comment to the EPA and make your voice heard click here

Here is some media coverage of the rally & hearing:

Seattle Post Globe  

(kirsten interview)

Seattle Post Globe

(hearing information, Terri quoted)

LA Times.com

Seattle Pi

West Seattle Blog

Flickr photos

More Flickr photos (CoolMom cool photos!)

Northwest progressive

(scroll down to "Photos of Today's Climate Action Rally" May 21, 2009)