MIDDLEBURY — Between 55 and 60 people rallied at Triangle Park in downtown Middlebury on Saturday in advance of a big international summit on climate change to make Vermonters’ voices heard.
A mix of people from very young to long in the tooth held signs asking for such things as “Climate Justice Now” and reminding negotiators in Paris that the whole world — including Middlebury, Vt. — was watching and demanding results. They came from as far away as Montpelier, Waitsfield and Charlotte.
Meanwhile, representatives of the Energy Independent Vermont coalition on Monday delivered 25,241 postcards and petitions to legislators at the Statehouse calling on them to “tackle global warming and save Vermonters money by reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.”  The event coincided with the start of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris.
Among the petitioners there were 2,091 signatories from Addison County.
Vermonters in every House and Senate district in the state are calling on their elected representatives to take bold climate action “by putting a price on carbon pollution and creating an Energy Independence Fund.”  The Fund will help Vermonters save money, reduce dependence on fossil fuels and create jobs.
At the Statehouse, Fran Putnum,  chair of the Weybridge Energy Committee, said the Energy Independent Vermont campaign was founded on three principles: “1. Cutting carbon pollution, 2. Growing the Vermont economy and creating jobs, and 3. Supporting low-income Vermonters as they make the transition to a clean energy future.”