Horses**t in the air at climate-change rally

A national day of action calling for "the urgent WWII-scale national mobilization we need to prevent catastrophic climate disruption" kicked off early, with a midnight rally in Balboa Park early Sunday morning, June 14.

The event kicked off with an appearance from former congressman Jim Bates, who dressed as Paul Revere and arrived at the rally on horseback.

His ride began several blocks away after receiving a two-lantern "if by sea" signal from a local church — the symbolism was meant to raise concern about the potential effects of sea-level rise on San Diego.

"I'm here to warn San Diegans that the enemy is here," Bates told the assembled crowd of about 60. "And the enemy is climate-change denial.”

A host of other speakers talked about waging "World War CO2" and called on political leaders to take more action to reduce carbon emissions. The event was one of about a dozen planned around the country on June 14.