March for Our Climate, Jan. 30, 2024 (Photo – Brian Biery)
At dusk on January 30, close to 150 people marched from the offices of Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) to City Hall. Some proceeded with canes, others were pushed in strollers. Several were on bicycles. Many carried bold graphic signs calling for climate action and carbon free power.
By Claudia Funke
Heading the procession were local clergy: Rev. Dr. John B. Bledsoe, immediate past president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Greater Pasadena; Rev. Dr. Omega Burckhardt of Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church; Rev. Dr. Matt Colwell of Knox Presbyterian Church; Rev. Tera Landers of Throop Unitarian Universalist Church; and Rev. Deborah West-Jones of First African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The diverse group of all ages sang “Keep your promise now / We want carbon free . . . No more coal and gas / We want carbon free … This is a climate emergency / We want carbon free / carbon free, carbon free, carbon free,” while passing cars honked loudly in approval.
The march, organized by PASADENA 100, a coalition of 23 nonprofits, was commemorating the unanimous passage of City Council’s Resolution 9977 exactly a year ago. The resolution declared a climate emergency and directed the publicly owned utility, Pasadena Water and Power, to plan for 100% carbon free electricity by 2030. An optimized plan has yet to be drafted, and the people of Pasadena were out on a Tuesday at 4:30 to thank the Council for their 2023 resolution and to send the message that its goal must be achieved.
Cynthia Cannady, head of PASADENA 100, introduced the clergy to the marchers that gathered at the steps of City Hall. Rev. Tera Landers gave a rousing greeting, urging those assembled to “Keep moving forward, never turning back.” And Rev. Dr. John Bledsoe spoke eloquently, quoting from Psalm 24, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,” emphasizing the human role in stewarding.
City Councilmembers Justin Jones, Jason Lyon, and Jess Rivas, and Vice Mayor Steve Madison joined the gathering and received roses as a thank you for their strong support of Resolution 9977. All four made remarks that underscored their commitment to directing PWP to achieve an optimized plan for carbon free electricity by 2030.
The event ended with Sam Berndt of PASADENA 100 acknowledging all who have kept the movement going, including Pasadena City College and Pasadena Unified School District leaders and students, as well as the PASADENA 100 coalition organizations. All who were assembled repeated the words of the song Rev. Tera Landers spoke as a mantra: “Keep moving forward, never turning back.”
Claudia Funke is a resident of Pasadena’s District 7 and a member of the steering committee of PASADENA 100.
March for Our Climate, Jan. 30, 2024 (Photo – Matt Hormann)
Councilmember Jess Rivas and Cynthia Cannady (Photo – Matt Hormann)
Marching on the Boulevard (Photo – Matt Hormann)
Local clergy members: Rev. Dr. John B. Bledsoe, Immediate Past President, Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Greater Pasadena, Rev. Dr. Omega Burckhardt, Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church, Rev. Dr. Matt Colwell, Knox Presbyterian Church, Rev. Katerina Gea, Pasadena Mennonite Church, Rev. Tera Landers, Throop Unitarian Universalist Church, Rev. Deborah West-Jones-First African Methodist Episcopal Church (Photo – Brian Biery)
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