Residents rally round global effort

Date: October 30, 2009

GRAND RAPIDS -- A small group of mostly college students braved wet and chilly conditions to march in downtown Grand Rapids today as part of a simultaneous global effort to draw attention to carbon emissions and their role in warming the planet.

The event was one of thousands taking place as part of International Day of Climate Action by a group called 350.org.

The campaign is organized around the idea that 350 parts per million in carbon emission is the safe limit for the atmosphere. The group says scientific data shows the level is close to 390 parts per million at present.

Grand Rapids resident Mary Swain, 82, braved the cold to march from Rosa Parks Circle to Calder Plaza while carrying a pink "350" sign.

"I've been an environmentalist since I was 25 and I just think we need to have more respect for the earth," said Swain, who came with her husband and daughter. "I really wish there were more people here."

Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell was also among the group of 40 to 50 people that carried signs and banners and chanted.

Heartwell, who was clad in a green hard hat, said he is convinced climate change is the "greatest threat facing the world today, bar none."