Polar Bear Plunge
Help Fight Global Warming and Keep Winter Cold
December 8, 2007 - 11 a.m. til Noon

On December 8th, I took the plunge into the Chesapeake Bay for a really good cause: the fight against global warming. Getting cold and wet was a small price to pay for helping to do something about the critical problem of global warming.

The third annual plunge was held at the Philip Merrill Environmental Center (Headquarters of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation) 6 Herndon Avenue Annapolis, MD 21403, from 11 am to noon.

Jerry Klinken and my sister Terrie, who also took the plunge.

To my supporters, I want to thank each of you supporting this important cause. The money we raised will be critical in the next year for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) to promote the message on global warming by educating and mobilizing citizens of this region to switch to clean energy and energy-efficient products, and ultimately to fight global warming with legislation such as the Global Warming Solutions Act that will be under consideration during this legislative session.

The event, organized by the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN), is meant to raise awareness about the growing crisis of global warming, and to raise the funds needed to continue the fight against it. Here in Maryland, CCAN was instrumental in the passing of the Clean Car Act in 2007, the Healthy Air Act in 2006, and the Clean Energy Bill in 2004.

CCAN is an very reputable, nonprofit organization with an emphasis on community-based, grassroots organizing. CCAN has been central to every major fight on global warming in our region, and is currently leading the charge for the Global Warming Solutions Act in Maryland, as well as the campaign to stop new coal-fired power plants in Virginia. You can learn more about them at www.chesapeakeclimate.org.

Our climate is rapidly changing because of man-made greenhouse gas emissions. We’ve had bigger hurricanes, record arctic ice melt, and extreme weather – from drought to floods, wild fires to heat waves – throughout our nation and the world this past year. Global warming will hit Maryland and neighboring Mid-Atlantic states harder than any other region in the United States, predicts a recent study the University of Maryland. With over 3,100 miles of coastline - nearly three times as much as Florida - Maryland is one of the most vulnerable states in the nation to the effects of global warming and sea level rise. We don't have any time to lose.

Thank you for your interest in helping in the fight against global warming. - and for supporting me while I turned a little blue in the process!

Family supporters - from left to right: Terrie, Kelly Rae (and Kyle), Fred, Mom (Charlotte), April, Betsy, Nate, Dad (Fred Sr.) and me
Thanks everyone

Terrie, Fred,and Jerry