CEDAR RAPIDS – Cedar Rapids Climate Advocates and the Cornell College Environmental Club are “connecting the dots” between climate change and changes in vegetation and weather disasters on Saturday, May 5.

The event begins with a program outside the Indian Creek Nature Center, 6665 Otis Road SE, at noon, following the Nature Center’s annual plant sale. The group will then ride bikes or carpool to Mays Islandalong the Second Avenue Bridge for a program at 1:30 p.m.

“Global warming is already changing the climate in Iowa,” said Senator Rob Hogg who coordinates Cedar Rapids Climate Advocates. “We have already seen changes in weather patterns, vegetation, and the number and severity of climate-related disasters like the Flood of 2008.”

In addition to connecting the dots between climate change and real world impacts, organizers are encouraging Iowans to advocate for better climate policies.

“Some say that people won’t act until there is an emergency,” said Ben Thompson, a member of the Cornell College Environmental Club.  “But there are already emergencies every day, so we just need to connect the dots and take action.”

“To begin addressing climate change this year, the President and Congress can stop the Keystone XL pipeline, end billions in fossil fuel subsidies, and extend the production tax credits for wind power and other renewable energy,” Hogg said.

This event is part of an international day of climate action sponsored by the organization 350.org. For more details, visit www.climatedots.org. Other events in Iowa will be held in Ames, Davenport, Decorah, Des Moines, Dubuque, Independence, and Iowa City.