The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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    Global Warming

April 14, 2007

Residents carry global warming message

Walk turnout in North Mankato surprising for organizer

By Nick Hanson

NORTH MANKATO — In January, Deeba Syeda was learning about the impact of global warming for the first time at the Frozen River Festival in Winona.

Just a few months later, the North Mankato resident was helping spread awareness locally.

On Saturday, Syeda organized a 2.2 mile walk through North Mankato in an effort to raise global warming awareness and influence legislators to vote on a bill that will reduce carbon emissions 80 percent by 2050. More than 30 area residents participated in the walk.

“I thought I needed to do something about it,” Syeda said. “The information needs to get out there.”

Her campaign was part of a nationwide campaign on Saturday called “National Day of Climate Action.” About 1,400 different groups rallied together around the United States as part of the day.

Syeda said it’s important people practice environmentally friendly tactics — whether that means riding a bike to work, purchasing a fuel efficient car or using less paper.

“I’ve been looking around to find a group interested in global warming, and it’s hard for me,” she said. “If (people in Mankato) aren’t ready, somebody needs to step up.”

Syeda alerted people to the march through e-mail, word of mouth and a few posters. And she was pleasantly surprised with the turnout.

“I don’t even know half of the people here,” she said, assuring that was a good thing.

David Johnson, a member of the Minnesota chapter of the Electric Auto Association, brought an electric car to promote the transportation method.

During the walk, people carried signs that read, “Step it up Congress. Cut Carbon 80 percent by 2050,” and, “Global Warming... Climate Change, TAKE IT SERIOUSLY.”

Mary K. Naegle drove to North Mankato from her Madison Lake residence to take part in the effort. She said it was a worthy cause.

“I’ve been concerned about the environment for a long time. I wondered, where does the smoke go?” she said. “Maybe we can get more people interested and aware of what’s happening in the environment.”

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