Day for Tomorrow Poster
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (PRWEB)
August 30, 2019
Day for Tomorrow, a parallel to Earth Day or “People Day” will launch September 22 with events at the Mall in Washington, DC around the country and the world. People with disabilities, the elderly, and on the frontline are disproportionately impacted during disasters and are ignored with respect to climate change. Day for Tomorrow focuses on climate justice and taking action now in community. People are encouraged to join the gathering in DC or meet their neighbors on this day in order to know those next door who have disabilities or are elderly so they can assist them in a disaster. Individuals are encouraged to learn about the climate emergency and take action by not driving, eating vegetarian or turning off the lights for some or all of the day. Communities can hold educational events or other activities in order to promote climate justice.
Day for Tomorrow is necessary because people with disabilities are actively impacted now by climate change. Persons with spinal cord disorders cannot control their body temperature and are forced to stay indoors during extreme heat or cold. During disasters, persons with disabilities and the elderly are most vulnerable, being unable to go to shelters with wheelchairs or personal care assistants. Inadequate accommodations are also available for persons with head injuries and autism who cannot tolerate large open areas with many people.
Marcalee and Craig Alexander left their jobs as a rehabilitation physician and psychologist to launch Day for Tomorrow. Thus far, since June, they have walked from Canada to Atlantic city, evaluating roads for sidewalks, searching for persons with visible disabilities and visiting cities to have some parts underwater by 2060. “We have only seen 11 people in wheelchairs on the road. Sidewalks are only there in towns and in front of commercial establishments. We need to change this as the US moves forward in to conquer the climate emergency. More walking will help American’s physical and mental health”.
The Alexander’s overall goal is to bring attention to the issues of persons with disabilities pertaining to climate change and extreme weather. They have spoken at medical schools and facilitated community events such as a climate justice walk in New York. Their next stops are Atlantic City, Brigantine, Ventor City, Margate City and Ocean City, all deemed to be partly underwater by 2060 by the Wall Street Journal. Next, they are walking to Philadelphia where there will be a walk/roll from Sidney Kimmel Medical College to Love Park on September 8th.
“The earth will always be here, albeit uninhabitable. During this sixth mass extinction, we need to be concerned about people, especially those with disabilities, the elderly and others on the front line. Every person needs to take action as individuals and in community to be prepared for disasters such as hurricanes or floods. The climate emergency is a human justice issue that we need to address now.”
“The face of the climate change in the US must change from Polar Bears and people from other countries to include people in our communities of all ages, colors and abilities. The climate crisis is here and your grandmothers and neighbors. If you do not have a disability now, you are likely to have one in 20-30 years when the impact of climate change is worse. This is everyone’s problem and we all need to get our heads out of the sand and work to conquer it. Come join us on Day for Tomorrow and take action”
For further information contact, Marcalee Alexander at canadatokeywest@gmail.com or 775-343-9322.
Canadatokeywest.org
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