Livingston Global Warming Discussion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 19, 2007
Contact: Traci Isaly, Co-Chair, Montana Women For...

Montana Women For. . . Brings Global Warming Discussion To Livingston


(Livingston, MT) - Montana Women For... invites the public to participate in Livingston's first public presentation on global warming.

Chuck Tooley, the longest-serving mayor in the history of Billings, will offer the presentation and discussion. The program, scheduled for April 12, eloquently weaves the science of global warming with a comprehensive array of facts, information and personal opportunities in such a way that it becomes a rallying cry for protecting the earth rather than a story of despair. It recognizes that the scientific consensus is clear, that global warming is real, and it's happening now. Global warming is changing climate patterns as a result of unprecedented and rapidly increasing levels of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere, leading to greater extremes of drought, flooding, and more powerful and deadly tropical storms.

Tooley was invited in September 2006 to be part of the inaugural training class of The Climate Project in Nashville along with about 50 other individuals selected from around the country. He worked with Al Gore, scientists and staff to better understand the information about global warming presented by Mr. Gore in the film "An Inconvenient Truth". In January, he returned to Nashville to assist Mr. Gore in training 200 people from around the country in the global warming presentation.

The Climate Project is a non-profit group organized to educate and challenge citizens and governments to act against the growing crisis of global warming.

In addition to being mayor of Billings from 1993 through 2005, Tooley also served on the Billings City Council, and was a leader in the U. S. Conference of Mayors, and President of the Montana League of Cities and Towns. He has served on the board of many non-profit organizations and is currently trustee of Rocky Mountain College in Billings.

"We're excited about this opportunity for a community discussion on global warming," said Traci Isaly, co-chair of Montana Women For. . . "We hope many come away from the evening with a better understanding of what's happening and what we as individuals and a community can do to reduce our carbon footprint."

Montana Women For. . . is a Livingston-based non-profit organization dedicated to providing information and advocacy about social justice, public health, peace, and environmental issues to encourage the participation of citizens in decisions affecting their lives, families and communities.

Two additional Livingston organizations; The Corporation for the Northern Rockies (CNR) and Park County Environmental Council will be cosponsoring the presentation. CNR's development coordinator, Brooke Cottongim, will discuss ways their organization is addressing climate change, such as the effort to help individuals reduce their 'carbon footprint.'

Montana Women ForŠ will be selling "ChicoBags" (a reusable and durable shopping bag) to help raise public awareness about the 100 billion plastic bags that end up in U.S. landfills every year.

The presentation will take place at 7 pm on Thursday, April 12 in the Yellowstone Room at the Best Western Inn (1515 W. Park Street) in Livingston.

Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Traci Isaly at (406) 586-7062 or go to http://www.montanawomenfor.org