(Toronto)—Two days after the largest climate action in history—the People’s Climate March, in which 400,000 marched in New York City; a day after #FloodWallStreet began in New York, in which thousands of protesters wearing blue drew the connection between climate change and capitalism; and on the day that world leaders head to the UN Climate Summit, Margaret Atwood and other prominent Canadian authors and public figures have released statements about the importance of the People’s Climate March and the UN Climate Summit.

“Governments must now do what many cities and towns have been doing on their own: face up to the reality of chemistry and physics. Germany and China are moving. Those who don’t join them risk being left behind with an outdated economic model.” Margaret Atwood

“I am marching on Sunday because climate change is the most pressing global issue of our time. Full stop.” John Vaillant, author of The Golden Spruce and The Tiger

“My Prime Minister won’t be there but I will be! Canadians care and we are organizing for a safe climate!” Tzeporah Berman

“Our generations’ actions define the future of our planet and humanity. Climate change demands bold leadership of the world’s decision makers and for all of us to ensure that happens.” Nicole Rycroft, founder and executive director of Canopy

“World leaders who don’t recognize climate change as the global priority fail to understand their role as leaders.” Valerie Langer, Director of BC Forest Campaigns, ForestEthics Solutions

“This is the weekend the world stands up and demands climate action before it’s too late. Be part of history. Get your butt to the nearest march on Sunday! There’s one happening in nearly every corner of the globe, including Toronto!” Adria Vasil @ecoholicnation

“As stewards of this earth, our home, our responsibility is to give our children a world that is healthier than the world we inherited.  The Peoples’ Climate March on September 21st demonstrates our commitment to this stewardship.” Gail Bowen, author of the Joanne Kilbourn murder mysteries

“Not all marches make or change history, but some do. So many crises have been consuming world leaders’ attention over the past few months (okay, decades) that it’s easy to forget our planetary ecosystems are on a slow boil. Kudos to all who are mustering the resources to go to New York this weekend...please howl for those of us who are with you in spirit.” Arno Kopecky, author of The Oil Man and the Sea

“We will be marching on Sunday in Montreal with our families and community, in solidarity with people globally, as part of an ongoing force on the issue of climate change. We believe we are at a turning point, where climate awareness is mobilizing social and environmental movements internationally that forge a link towards new ways of being and living together. Our book, Girl Positive, explores the political and cultural issues facing girls today. Our work uncovers how the barriers girls face are also interconnected with the environment —from resource extraction to toxins found in beauty products, to overarching and outdated social, economic and political attitudes. Women and girls are both on the front lines of the environmental fall out, and on the front lines of the avant-garde, innovating and leading pivotal change. We find hope and inspiration in this leadership, as in Indigenous, racialised and marginalised voices, and grassroots innovation. We all have a role to play in turning the tides of environmental peace and justice.” Tatiana Fraser & Caia Hagel, authors of the forthcoming book Girl Positive

“The UN Climate Summit is crucial and desperately overdue. Wherever you find yourself this Sunday, march; it’s all the same planet, and it’s the only one we’ve got.” Alissa York, author of Fauna and Effigy

 “If the scientists are to be believed, if the international panels of the world’s best thinkers—climatologists, biologists, meteorologists, physicists, chemists, statisticians--have got it even half right, we have a serious problem on our hands. Climate change is poised to affect every aspect of life on planet earth. We cannot hope to mitigate this planetary disaster without showing those in power that this issue is gravely important to us and that we care. Please support the UN Climate Summit, and consider joining the People’s Climate March, the largest climate mobilization in history.” Alexandra Shimo, co-author of Up Ghost River and author of The Environment Equation 

“Communal, diverse, heartful, and spirited actions like The People’s Climate March and the UN Climate Summit are groundswell mobilizers against a big money and large corporation economy which is rampantly and wantonly consuming the earth’s very integrity—its so-called “resources.” It is necessary that the world’s leaders are fully awakened to the realization that the stake in climate issues is not an economic one. Rather the true stake is precisely this: the humanity of our species.” Kathryn Kuitenbrouwer, author of All the Broken Things

“All the great writing in the world, from Beowulf to Shakespeare, Austen, Borges, Atwood and beyond ceases to matter on a dead planet. The UN Climate Summit represents a chance to create real change in order to preserve what we have for future generations. I support the march.” Aislinn Hunter, author of The World Before Us