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Media Advisory, May 3, 2012

VIDEO AND PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

Contact:  Rose Braz, Center for Biological Diversity, (510) 435-6809
Michelle Myers, Sierra Club, (415) 646-6930
Jaime Henn, 350.org, (415) 601-9337

Human Wave of Blue Will "Connect the Dots" Between Climate Change and Rising Seas, Storm Surges

Crissy Field Event One of More Than 1,000 in 100 Countries for Climate Impacts Day

What: A stunning photo opportunity with more than 100 people dressed entirely in blue forming a “human wave” on Crissy Field, with the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in the background, to “connect the dots” between climate change and the sea-level rise that endangers Bay Area communities, animals and plants.

Who: Center for Biological Diversity, Sierra Club San Francisco Bay Chapter, Wild Equity Institute, Pacific Institute, 350 San Francisco Bay Area, Sustainable San Rafael, Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of California and others.

When: Saturday, May 5 at 12:30 p.m.

Where: Crissy Field, the Presidio, Airfield Section B — directly across from 924 Old Mason, San Francisco, CA 94129.

Background: The evidence of climate change is all around; every day new scientific studies document impacts we’re already experiencing. Just one grave example: A record-breaking April heat wave brought temperatures 20 degrees to 30 degrees above normal to the western United States.

Climate change threatens Crissy Field, many other low-lying parts of the Bay Area and California’s supply of fresh water. Climate change contributes to sea-level rise because ocean water expands as it warms and melt from glaciers on land flows to the sea. Almost 4 million Americans live less than 4 feet above current high-tide levels. Scientists project approximately 2 to 7 feet of sea-level rise this century, and marshes such as Crissy Field are particularly vulnerable. In the worst case scenario, 93 percent of San Francisco Bay’s tidal marsh could be lost in the next 50 to 100 years. Saltwater flooding also threatens Bay Delta canals vital to California’s water supplies.

The Crissy Field event is part of a worldwide day of action in which hundreds of communities across the globe will connect the dots between carbon pollution, global warming and extreme weather. The event will call upon our leaders to do what is necessary to lessen the impacts of climate change — for instance, stopping the Keystone XL pipeline and Arctic drilling plans and enforcing the Clean Air Act.

In San Francisco, we need sustainable community development that limits the reliance on fossil fuels, while prioritizing protection of our natural lands. We need to think of the most ecological way to manage our shoreline, taking action to restore Sharp Park golf course, protect Crissy Field Marsh, and plan for long-term impacts to Highway 1.

Climate Impacts Day is hosted by 350.org, an international grassroots climate campaign. For more information, visit www.climatedots.org.


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