Sea of People April 14, 2007

New York City’s coastal location makes it particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels and more powerful storm events that will result from unabated warming. In combination, these factors could result in the periodic flooding of coastal parts of our city later on in this century. Permanent inundation could result with the collapse of either the Greenland or Antarctic ice shelves, which would lead to a 10 to 20 foot rise in sea level. Such a rise would greatly reconfigure the map of our city, sinking much of lower Manhattan beneath the water. While this may be several generations off, action to avoid such an outcome must begin now.

The Sea Of People project combines the dynamics of a mass rally with the expressive power of an interactive artistic installation. Following a 12 Noon Rally in Battery Park on Saturday, April 14, 2007, thousands of participants, dressed in blue, will stretch north in two columns along the projected eastern and western 10-foot waterlines that may one day redefine lower Manhattan under the ten-foot sea level rise scenario.

The goal of the organizers is to have both lines extend one-half to one-mile north from the Battery. We estimate that a line of this length would call for at least 5,000 participants, and no less than 200 volunteers to help coordinate its movement and formation. Therefore the need to execute successful and broad outreach prior to the date will be of paramount importance.

Sea Of People is a part of Step It Up 2007, a nationwide campaign that aims to deliver a clear and powerful message to our congressional leadership: CUT GLOBAL WARMING POLLUTION BY 80% BY 2050! The campaign will culminate on Saturday, April 14th, a national day of climate action, when Americans, representing voting districts throughout the country, will voice their support for this bold and necessary commitment by gathering together and making their voices heard in hundreds of local demonstrations.

As New Yorkers, we have a unique capacity to add energy to this chorus and influence political outcomes. Therefore a number of NYC-based community groups and individuals have come together to organize Sea Of People, a free, open and participatory public event that will be truly commensurate with our great city’s size, influence and creative spirit.

We seek the support of fellow organizations and concerned individuals to help move policy beyond inaction and resistance and towards a serious solution. The Sea Of People project, briefly outlined below, will require considerable participant turnout, volunteer support, and media outreach in order to be successful. Therefore the organizers are seeking your partnership in getting the word out about April 14th! This entails utilization of member databases, mailing lists, listservs, and media contacts to spread notice of the event, recruit volunteers and gain press attention. We are also seeking material, equipment and service donations, including technical, web and printing assistance, as well as any other creative ideas you feel compelled to share with us.

We hope that you will consider being a part of this historic event for change!

If you or your organization is interested in helping make the Sea Of People project a reality, AND/OR to join our mailing list to keep updated on our progress, please e-mail the NYC organizers at [email protected].

Official Website: http://seaofpeople.org/?page_id=2