The Stop Global Warming Virtual March on Washington is a non-political effort to bring all Americans together in one place to start addressing global warming. With the support of leading scientists, political and religious leaders, prominent Americans and concerned citizens, the Virtual March on Washington will move across the United States via the Internet from one town to the next. The March will present evidence of the effects of global warming while highlighting people's concerns and solutions along the way.

Why is Patagonia marching?
Every business needs to take action to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. The recent devastation in New Orleans – and the increasing intensity of tropical storms in general – is a sign of what global warming can bring us and, alas, it is not the only sign. Rapid climate change deeply undermines the resiliency and adaptability of ecosystems.

The new climatic instability increases the vulnerability of the wild places we love and are working to save or restore – and places less wild, like a favorite stretch of dappled river, lupine-studded alpine meadow, or secret fishing hole.

The consequences of global warming also threaten the lives of millions of human beings, and the living of many more. We must act now to reduce the harm – and begin to plan now how to deal with the consequences.

We agree with the message of StopGlobalWarming.org, and we like its broad base of shoulder-to-shoulder marchers, from Robert Kennedy, Jr. to John McCain, from Hillary Rodham Clinton to Arnold Schwarzenegger. It's a good first step for citizens of all stripes to name global warming as a reality – and to shout it to the rooftops. We encourage all our friends and customers to join us on this march.

Taking action, in ways large and small, public and personal, is even more important. A number of environmental organizations have worked for years to educate us all on how to help tamp the fires of global warming. Check out the Web sites of National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Sierra Club, Greenpeace and Rainforest Action Network to find things you can do, and further steps you can take.

Sign up and join the Virtual March