Today I joined the Virtual March on Washington at StopGlobalWarming,org and I hope you’ll join me. Without leaving home, you can add your voice to a growing movement of people calling for action. We're marching alongside leading scientists; political, religious and business leaders; and concerned citizens. It’s a journey of hope to protect Earth.
In reality, I’ve been marching for a long time now. Through my work at Clif Bar as staff ecologist, and in my prior life working in environmental research and education, global warming has always loomed large on the horizon. This is THE issue that will swamp all others. Each day of environmental news confirms this fact.

As I write, new information has just been released: the world’s largest frozen peat bog is melting. Researchers have found that an area of permafrost in western Siberia the size of France and Germany combined has begun to melt for the first time since it formed at the end of the ice age, 11,000 years ago.

I'm concerned that we may be reaching a “tipping point”, a threshold where a slight rise in the Earth's temperature can set in motion dramatic ecological changes that we cannot reverse. It's urgent that we take action, no time to waste.

Here’s the good news: The solutions to global warming already exist—renewable energy, sustainable farming and forestry, green building practices, energy efficiency, and alternative transportation and fuels. Embracing these solutions, we’ll create more jobs, a stronger economy, energy independence, cleaner air, and a more hopeful future. Clearly, when we address global warming, we’re multi-tasking for better world.

People are starting to get that—and it’s becoming a movement.

Elysa Hammond is the Clif Bar staff ecologist. Read more about our journey toward sustainability and simple actions everyone can take to create a healthier environment.