Giant ark on National Mall to protest climate talks

By William Wan

If you pass the National Mall this week and see a gigantic boat-looking monstrosity being erected on the lawn, here's why: Climate activists are invoking the story of Noah's ark to push for stronger action out of the Copenhagen climate talks.

The activists -- a blend of global climate protesters and local faith leaders -- say the leaders in Copenhagen have yet to present sufficiently fair, ambitious and binding proposals for tackling climate change. And if the world keeps going the way it is, a disaster of biblical proportions will inevitably ensue.

The ark building, which is expected to begin on the mall Thursday, is scheduled to continue until Saturday, when it will culminate in a 4 p.m. candlelight vigil led by Washington-area interfaith leaders. The ark, while big, will not be built exactly to biblical proportions. The finished ark, unfortunately, won't be measured in cubits like Noah's, but will stand 60 feet long, 16 feet wide and 19 feet tall. The group is having people write messages along the side of the ark.

The group behind the ark is Avaaz.org. And faith groups organizing Saturday's vigil include Washington Interfaith Power & Liight, Nineteenth Street Baptist Church and Faith in Public Life.

By

William Wan

 |  December 9, 2009; 6:42 AM ET  |  Category:  God in Government Save & Share:                 
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