A group of about 30 demonstrators gathered last Monday at the public fountain on Main Street in downtown Sylva to demand state politicians take action to address climate change. The rally was one of a series of public gatherings around the state that culminated in the Climate Convergence gathering on Raleigh during the weekend, meant to raise awareness of environmental issues and push legislation to combat air pollution.

At the Sylva rally, local environmental leaders talked about climate change and a petition was circulated calling on the N.C. General Assembly to pass the Efficient and Affordable Energy Rates Bill. The bill would mandate the N.C. Utilities Commission to implement a new utility rate structure that rewards energy efficient ratepayers by charging them lower rates.

“Climate Change is real. It’s mostly man-made, and it’s urgent. It’s not something that’s going to happen in the future. It’s happening right now,” said Avram Friedman, executive director of the Canary Coalition, a clean air organization.

A video of the rally in Sylva is at www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8Noy12zdRM.