Keep Winter Cold: the 2007 Polar Bear Plunge
Hundreds Brave Icy Chesapeake Bay to Take “Polar Bear Plunge,” Largest Global Warming Event in Maryland History Md. Event Among More than 30 Plunges Across the Country
See photos at http://urltea.com/2c3b Activists Demand Action on Global Warming as U.S. Congress Considers Energy Bill Takoma Park, MD – Braving an early morning “wintry mix” and water made frigid by a week of freezing temperatures, a total of 225 Maryland, DC and northern Virginia residents plunged into an icy Chesapeake Bay on Saturday, December 8, to express their alarm over the rapid advance of global warming and to highlight their demand for action at the state and federal levels. PLUNGES FROM ACROSS THE NATION Fairbanks, Alaska
--- Castle Lake, California
In solidarity with the national campaign to "Keep Winter Cold", twenty-five residents of Siskiyou County, California took the icy plunge into Castle Lake, to invigorate community solutions to climate change. They chose Castle Lake to draw attention to the magnificence and importance of the Mount Shasta watershed. Watch their video>>. Read about their plunge in the Mt. Shasta News>> --- Walden Pond, MA
The Walden Pond plunge was a huge success, with over a 100 participants and state level politicians participating! In addition to several mentions, a separate article, and a photo in the Boston Globe, our event was picked up by the Associated Press, and was mentioned in dozens of news stories worldwide. Watch the video of the plunge>> ---Brooklyn, NY
Nearly 20 people plunged into the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean at Coney Island, joining the nationwide day of action to "Keep Winter Cold." Their plunge was covered by Channel 12, the CNN affiliate in Brooklyn, and by the Columbia Spector. Greenville, SC
Both Greenville TV stations came out to cover the press event at Reedy River Historic Falls Park where they talked about climate change and the state of our state's waters. A Greenville News photographer covered the event and went with us up to Dupont Recreation Area where nine of us jumped into a beautiful, but quite cold, mountain river, complete with waterfall! You can see their slideshow here>> The Chesapeake Climate Action Network’s (CCAN) third annual Polar Bear Plunge was by far its largest to date, with the more than 200 “plungers” being joined by an equal number of supporters on the beach (and four members of the MD General Assembly), making it the largest global warming event in Maryland state history. “People are willing to come out in these conditions because they are alarmed, truly alarmed by the evidence of climate change that they see everyday,” said Mike Tidwell, Director of CCAN. “They have seen the massive wildfires in California, record flooding in the northwest, and record heat waves and droughts in the southeast. They want government action now, and they’re willing to jump into icy water to make that demand heard,” he added. To avoid creating more greenhouse gases, carpooling was the order of the day. Several of the Plungers even rode their bikes to the Chesapeake Bay from as far away as Washington, DC, a distance of 35 miles. The event was also a fundraiser for CCAN’s climate change campaigns, netting over $60,000. The Chesapeake Bay Plunge was the largest of more than 30 Polar Bear Plunges happening across the country on Saturday, December 8, with media reports being aired on Plunges from Walden Pond in Massachusetts to Fairbanks, Alaska. This first National Polar Bear Plunge was held in conjunction with the International Day of Climate Action and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change taking place in Bali, Indonesia, from December 3-14. In Maryland, the Plunge also came at the end of a week that included the findings of the Maryland Commission on Climate Change and its recommendations for strong action. The Plunges also happened one day after the U.S. Senate failed to pass, at least temporarily, an energy bill that would mandate increased use of renewable energy and higher car mileage standards. This demonstrated the need for greatly increased pressure on Congress, a point not lost on the Plungers.
| Huge thanks to our Plunge Sponsors Please support the businesses that support our campaign to fight global warming
Clean Currents is a new company, with a specific mission to offer low cost, green electricity, consulting and advisory services to Metropolitan area businesses and institutions. In addition, we offer residential customers green energy options to allow them an opportunity to make a difference. At Organic Valley, our philosophy and decisions are based on the health and welfare of people, animals and the Earth. In today's world, in order to make a difference, companies need to think differently. Since our first seven farmers started working together in 1988, we've been doing just that. Here's how:
 Mark's Kitchen Since 1989, owner Mark Choe has been providing the Takoma Park neighborhood with outstanding American and Asian specialties in a wonderfully informal and relaxed environment where you can get together with old friends and can easily meet new ones. With an unusually large number of vegetarian and vegan choices and with an equally large number of meat and fish dishes, the menu at this full-service restaurant is as diverse as the Takoma Park neighborhood.
The Hishmesh brothers operated an American bakery for two years before converting it to a Middle Eastern bakery. This was the first bakery to serve homemade fresh pita bread in the Metropolitan area. Now the Middle Eastern Cuisine and Market specializes in ethnic classic dishes and provides weekly live music. Their food is homemade and prepared using their own blend of spices, marinades and family recipes. Salon Jam 7054 Carroll Avenue Cuts, Perm/Color, Highlights & Facial Waxing Salon Hours Zinn Chiropractic New York Chiropractic College graduate with dance background and post doctorate degree in neurology, serving the Takoma Park community and surrounding areas for 17 years. Massage also available by appointment.  House of Musical Traditions
MacArthur's Wines & Spirits Local Phone: (202) 338-1433 4877 MacArthur Blvd., N.W.
Calvert Woodley 4339 Connecticut Avenue, NW  Introducing Miracle Farm, a Floyd, Virginia bed and breakfast featuring wonderfully cozy, comfortable accommodations and much more. What makes the Miracle Farm Bed & Breakfast Spa and Resort unique is its location on Miracle Farm, a non-profit Sustainable Living Center and Animal Sanctuary. Part of the revenue from the bed and breakfast goes to help fund the non-profit.  Welcome to Belle Hearth, a Shenandoah Valley bed and breakfast! While relaxing in gracious Victorian comfort, you will experience the warmth of our individualized hospitality. Our B&B provides lodging accommodations in the historic district of Waynesboro, VA, a small town just two miles from Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive entrances, and scenic Afton mountain. Voted the “Best Bed and Breakfast In The Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula” – May 2006, the Essex Inn prides itself in offering “Rivah’, Romance, and Revival.” |
