Global Warming In the News

Joellen Gilchrist knows her mission is heresy. She's expecting rude shouts and unkind gestures, but that won't deter her. She wants to stop the Dream Cruise.

Thousands of pre-Clean Air Act vehicles spewing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere contribute to global warming, she said this week. "It was fun for a few years, but it's time for it to be over," she said.

Gilchrist is hosting one of more than 1,300 Step It Up events across the nation today to push for action on climate change. More than 40 events are scheduled across Michigan, from rallies to lightbulb exchanges. The goal is to get Congress to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050.

A report issued Thursday by the Environment Michigan Research & Policy Center said the state's global-warming pollution increased 4% from 1990 to 2004, despite declining industrial emissions. While industrial emissions of carbon dioxide dropped, emissions from cars and trucks increased statewide.

Gilchrist will meet with at least a dozen people in Beverly Park, on Beverly Road at Norchester in Beverly Hills, from noon to 3 p.m. today to plant trees and plan a protest for this year's Dream Cruise. A 63-year-old retired teacher, Gilchrist hopes to inject humor into the protest. "It works better than strident confrontation," she said.

Environmental groups have not been quick to join in. "Personally, I have nothing against the Dream Cruise," said Melissa Damaschke, conservation organizer for the Sierra Club chapter in Royal Oak. "It's a day to honor classic cars and pay tribute to our heritage here." The Sierra Club organizes a Green Cruise the previous week featuring walkers, bikers and skateboarders.

Jean Chamberlain, who helped start the Dream Cruise 13 years ago, agreed that Dream Cruise vehicles emit fumes and carbon dioxide into the air, but said that 1.5 million people watch the cruise and enjoy it. "Those who don't like it head to their cottages where the air is cleaner," she said.