This past Saturday, CCANers in Maryland and Virginia held “climate dots” and posed for photos to connect the dots between local effects of climate change and local sources of greenhouse gas emissions in their backyards.

This Saturday 5/5/12, people across Maryland and the world will take action to "connect the dots" between climate change, extreme weather and other climate impacts that are already affecting our lives. Organized by 350.org, Climate Impacts Day is shaping up to be another powerful demonstration of the grassroots determination to spur global action on this most urgent of global crises.

Here in Maryland we got off to an early start with our efforts to connect the dots when I traveled to Annapolis this week to chat with hardcore, Annapolis-based sailor Matt Rutherford.

I can’t remember ever participating in so many actions on an issue organized by religiously-based groups over such an extended period of time. It is a very hopeful sign that among people of faith, many different faiths, there is a clear stirring into action on this huge moral issue, this threat to human civilization and the ecological systems that have allowed for its development over the last 10,000 years.

Ben Chou posted this great piece earlier today on the NRDC's Switchboard blog - follow the link below to head on over and check out the full article.

Preparing for Climate Change: A Tale of Two States, Maryland and Virginia

Although separated by only the Potomac River, the District of Columbia, and parts of West Virginia, the states of Maryland and Virginia could not be farther apart when it comes to preparing for climate change. According to a new NRDC report released today, Ready or Not, Maryland is among the states doing the most to prepare for climate change while Virginia is among 29 states that are far behind in their planning efforts. [Click here to read the rest.]

In the first-ever demonstration of its kind in Annapolis, about 400 Marylanders joined hands Monday to form a "circle of support" around the State House in a hopeful call for final passage of the Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act (HB 441/ SB 237).

Water makes its way, through fields, hills and mountains
Water makes its way, it has its ups and downs
Water makes its way, it ends up in the oceans
Water makes its way, it really gets around.

I must make my way, no matter what life throws me
I must make my way, must do the best I can
I must make my way, my faith and hope they guide me
I must make my way, together we all must stand

A crowd of Baltimore voters came to Notre Dame College on Thursday, March 8^th to learn about major energy bills facing lawmakers in Annapolis this session. Specifically, attendees and panelists discussed ongoing efforts to pass offshore wind power legislation, and ways to regulate the controversial practice of “fracking” for natural gas in Western Maryland.

A full house of Montgomery County voters came to Rockville Tuesday, March 6, to learn what lawmakers in Annapolis are doing to pass offshore wind power legislation while regulating the controversial practice of “fracking” for natural gas in Western Maryland.

For months, students from Maryland universities and high schools have gathered petition signatures, written letters to the editor in their local and school papers, met with their college administrators, and educated their fellow students on offshore wind legislation. And yesterday, all their hard work culminated in a Student Rally and Lobby Day for Offshore Wind.

Students from Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, and the Eastern Shore arrived in Annapolis yesterday morning to sit down with their legislators and talk to them about passing the Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2012.

At noon, students from the Maryland Student Climate Coalition (MSCC), representing 12 campuses and 4 high schools, converged onto Lawyer’s Mall to send a message to the Maryland General Assembly that students and universities support offshore wind legislation and want it passed this session. This rally was one of the largest student demonstrations in recent history in Annapolis. 

It's like one of those horror movie zombies, the thing that just won't die. Yes, once again the Republican Party, joined by some Democrats, all doing the work of Exxon Mobil, Chevron, the American Petroleum Institute and all the others, are trying to force through approval of the Keystone XL pipeline in Congress.