Step It Up

Step It Up is a national environmental organization in the United States that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change, inspired by the work of Al Gore, James Hansen, and Amory Lovins. The organization was founded by Bill McKibben and Phil Aroneanu in 2007, with the goal of mobilizing Americans to take action against global warming, similar to the efforts of Greenpeace, Sierra Club, and the Natural Resources Defense Council. Step It Up has organized numerous events and campaigns, including the Step It Up 2007 campaign, which brought together environmentalists, politicians, and celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert Redford, and Daryl Hannah.

Introduction

Step It Up is part of a broader movement to address climate change, which includes organizations such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the European Union's European Climate Foundation. The organization's mission is to reduce carbon emissions and promote renewable energy sources, such as solar power and wind power, as advocated by Tesla, Inc., Vestas, and SunPower. Step It Up has also partnered with other environmental organizations, including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Nature Conservancy, and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change on biodiversity and ecosystems, as highlighted by Jane Goodall, David Attenborough, and E.O. Wilson.

History

The history of Step It Up is closely tied to the work of its founders, Bill McKibben and Phil Aroneanu, who were inspired by the Kyoto Protocol and the Copenhagen Accord. The organization was launched in 2007, with the support of environmentalists such as Van Jones, Majora Carter, and Wangari Maathai, who have worked with organizations like the Green Belt Movement and the Apollo Alliance. Step It Up has also been influenced by the work of scientists such as James Hansen, Stephen Schneider, and Katherine Hayhoe, who have studied the impacts of climate change on sea level rise, ocean acidification, and extreme weather events, as reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Campaign

The Step It Up campaign has involved a range of activities, including rallies, marches, and lobbying efforts, similar to those organized by MoveOn.org, Avaaz, and the Tea Party movement. The organization has also used social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, to mobilize supporters and raise awareness about climate change, as done by Al Gore's Climate Reality Project and the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal campaign. Step It Up has partnered with other organizations, including the League of Conservation Voters (LCV), the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), to promote climate change policies and legislation, such as the American Clean Energy and Security Act and the Clean Power Plan, supported by Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid.

Impact

The impact of Step It Up has been significant, with the organization helping to raise awareness about climate change and mobilize Americans to take action, as measured by Gallup polls and Pew Research Center surveys. The organization's campaigns have also influenced climate change policies and legislation, such as the Paris Agreement and the Green New Deal, supported by Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Elizabeth Warren. Step It Up has also partnered with other organizations, including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the European Investment Bank (EIB), to promote climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, as highlighted by the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the European Union's Climate Action plan.

Notable_Participants

Step It Up has involved a range of notable participants, including environmentalists such as Van Jones, Majora Carter, and Wangari Maathai, who have worked with organizations like the Green Belt Movement and the Apollo Alliance. The organization has also been supported by celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert Redford, and Daryl Hannah, who have used their platforms to raise awareness about climate change, as done by Hollywood stars like Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, and George Clooney. Step It Up has also partnered with politicians such as Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid, who have promoted climate change policies and legislation, as well as scientists such as James Hansen, Stephen Schneider, and Katherine Hayhoe, who have studied the impacts of climate change on sea level rise, ocean acidification, and extreme weather events. Category:Environmental organizations