While the Keystone XL and tar sands extraction present a global climate threat, pipelines on a local level present a similar and direct threat to NYC.

Part of the disconnect between the reality of the climate and the unreality of New York City's energy policy is demonstrated by the rapid expansion of new and proposed pipelines, meant to carry fracked gas into the city. Buildings that could be running boilers on biodiesel and heating hot water with rooftop solar are instead poised to spend billions converting to natural gas. The city promotes building pipelines in wetlands, under beaches and through densely populated neighborhoods to supply that fracked gas.

All as if NYC were in a bubble that will be unaffected by the increased climate change and rising sea levels that fracking brings. By converting the city to gas we bring a larger climate threat down on our own heads.

The lie that gas is about reduced carbon has to be understood in the context not of carbon dioxide but in the context of greenhouse gases. Methane is a more powerful GHG than CO2, especially in the next 20 year cycle, the crucial period when we must pull back from climate tipping points. The investments and subsidies going towards tar sands and fracking development are self-destructive actions that must be halted before the next hurricane demonstrates that Sandy was only a hint of what's to come.

Tomorrow, artists take the lead in dynamic street art that literally “draws the line” to graphically illustrate expanding flood areas in Lower Manhattan. Be part of a symbolic human water surge—dress in blue; help carry a giant symbolic pipeline, posters, banners and flags!

Saturday's action is organized by a large coalition of New York environmental groups including 350NYC, 350NJ, Occupy the Pipeline, United for Action, Greater NYC for Change, Global Kids, Credo, NYSNA, Sane Energy Project, System Change Not Climate Change, Occupy Sandy and many others.