WHAT: Local climate activists will participate in a National Day of Action against coal on Saturday by calling on banks to stop funding the leading cause of global warming in the United States: coal. The activists will protest in front of a local bank.

WHEN: Saturday, November 17, Noon-1pm

WHERE: Bank of America, 880 E Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91106

WHO: The action is being organized by the local members of Rainforest Action Network in conjunction with Rainforest Action Network’s Global Finance Campaign, Coal River Mountain Watch, Appalachian Voices , Rising Tide North America, Mountain Justice Summer, Student Environmental Action Coalition , Energy Justice Network and others who are calling on Citi and Bank of America to stop investing in coal and start investing in renewable energy.

VISUALS: Colorful banners and signs and full-costume street theater involving a lighthearted tongue-in-cheek rendition of “Billionaires for Coal” will be highlighted.

WHY: With over $1.1 trillion in assets, Bank of America could be a leader in helping solve the climate crisis. Rather, it has chosen to spend less than 2% of its assets on what Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis flaunts as its pledge to “address global climate change.” Bank of America has invested billions of dollars in new coal plant construction as well as in companies that practice destructive mountaintop removal coal mining in the Appalachian region, including Massey Energy, Arch Coal and Alpha Natural Resources. These companies are responsible for the loss of millions of acres of forests and mountains and the decimation of communities throughout Appalachia. On average, the carbon contained in forests destroyed each year by mountaintop removal is roughly equivalent to the carbon emissions of two 800 megawatt coal-fired power plants.

While Bank of America finances this climate-changing coal rush, leading climate scientists are recommending drastic reductions in global emissions in order to prevent climate chaos. If the 150 new coal plants in the planning stages are built, they will negate nearly every other effort to combat climate change.