People passionate about curbing climate change will unite Saturday at events on Kaua‘i as an extension of the Live Earth celebration — a 24-hour, seven-continent music festival to raise awareness about global warming. Local conservationists are hosting free concerts, movies,
People passionate about curbing climate change will unite Saturday at events on Kaua‘i as an extension of the Live Earth celebration — a 24-hour, seven-continent music festival to raise awareness about global warming.
Local conservationists are hosting free concerts, movies, potlucks and parties to discuss ways citizens can collectively make a difference.
“We have created a community here that likes to get together and work in tandem,” Jasmine Schaeffer, one of the event coordinators, said. “On Kaua‘i, we have so many opportunities with wind and water power to become a zero impact island. We’ll offer a lot of simple solutions on how individuals can make that choice.”
Unity Church of Kaua‘i is sponsoring a free event from 3 to 10 p.m. at Lydgate Park pavilion. It offers a chance to learn from local environmental groups, listen to live music and see an outdoor screening of “Global Warming: What You Need to Know,” narrated by Tom Brokaw.
“These events are meant to galvanize the public to demand speedy action on global warming issues,” Eve Powers, a co-organizer, said. “We’re already seeing the effects — drought causing brush fires and the increased intensity of storms. These are all direct threats to the ‘aina and way of life here.”
The Lydgate Park party will feature poets as well, and speaker Adam Asquith, a University of Hawai‘i scientist, who will talk about how the peak oil — a phrase used to describe the when the amount of oil that can be extracted from the Earth declines — relates to Kaua‘i.
His presentation is scheduled for 7 p.m., preceding the movie.
Simultaneously, Michael Ceurvorst will be hosting a “Party for the Planet,” at M and L’s Treefarm above Lawa‘i. The event will feature the Live Earth concerts broadcast from eight major cities around the world, a cookout and virtual town hall meeting.
“The climate we have today is not ours to destroy. It’s ours to preserve,” Ceurvorst said. “We’re getting folks together so we can strengthen our own resolve to make changes in our behavior and patterns. I’m sure there’s enough air and water for me, but I’m not sure there will be enough left for our kids.”
In addition to the concerts, partygoers will watch YouTube to see presidential candidates answer questions about the climate crisis.
“This is a great chance to compare the presidential candidates side-by-side on the climate crisis,” Ceurvorst said. “The public is paying attention to climate crises like never before. We will expect bold action on this from our next president.”
Live Earth, the brainchild of Emmy-winning producer Kevin Wall, will feature artists including Bon Jovi, Shakira and Madonna, according to the Web site LiveEarth.org.
Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, now chairman of the Alliance for Climate Protection, is the event’s main partner.
Judy Dalton, Sierra Club Kaua‘i Group executive committee member, urged Kaua‘i residents to fight global warming.
“If the Live Earth concerts happening around the world can bring greater awareness to the climate crisis and result in individuals taking positive steps to curb global warming and its consequences, the event will be considered a success,” she said. “The hope is that the event is not an end in itself, but the beginning of a campaign to curb green house emissions.”
Smart choices such as changing to compact fluorescent lights and raising the temperature of an air conditioner to 78 degrees can reduce the amount of carbon put into the atmosphere and save money, she added.
• Nathan Eagle, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or neagle@kauaipubco.com.
Want to go?
Party for the planet: at 7 p.m., Saturday, come for a Lawa‘i cookout, watch the Live Earth concerts and see a debut video of presidential candidates talking about solutions to the global climate crisis.
RSVP via e-mail, majchk@gmail.com or call 332-6120 for directions.
Live Kaua‘i 7-7-7: 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, near Lydgate Pavilion. No host picnic and informational tables. A concert showcasing local musicians, poets, and performance artists. We will also have informational speakers, and films. This is a free event, but we will solicit donations for Live Earth.
RSVP 826-9272, Jasmine Schaeffer.
