Ohioans are marching across the state for two weeks, calling on policymakers to pass legislation aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Great Ohio Climate March began last Saturday and is scheduled to end May 28, covering more than 100 miles between Athens and Columbus.

Rachel Kutzley with Save Ohio Parks helped organize the event. She said marchers will have a chance to speak with lawmakers about their concerns when they reach Columbus.

“So that they can hear directly from their constituents that this is an important issue to them, that we want more climate-friendly policies, and we want less, basically, fracking and natural gas in Ohio,” Kutzley said.

Energy-intensive data center proposals continue to stir debate in Ohio. A recently released report from Save Ohio Parks says requiring data centers to meet or offset their energy demand with 100% solar, wind and energy storage — either colocated or off-site — could help balance demand with environmental and energy-cost concerns for taxpayers.

Kutzley said the march is a collaborative effort designed to allow as many people to participate as possible. She said organizers have secured lodging each night, along with vehicles to transport luggage to each location.

“Food is completely provided — and water — for the marchers,” she said. “So they’ve really made it as accessible as possible for folks that can participate in just part of it or all of it.”

According to The Nature Conservancy, more than half of Ohio voters believe a majority of the state’s power should come from renewables and utilities should be required to increase renewable energy use.

Support for this reporting was provided by Media in the Public Interest and the George Gund Foundation.

Source: Public News Service