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Ask Denver’s 16-year-old Alec Loorz, founder of Kids vs. Global Warming and one of the inspiring people involved in the iMatter marches to be held across the U.S. and around the world, May 7-14. This is a youth-inspired, youth-led call for intergenerational justice in the face of climate change.

On the iMatter March website, Loorz says that, in early May (many of the marches will be held Sun., May 8), “We will march. The youth will rise up in our communities and let the world know that climate change is not about money, it’s not about power, it’s not about convenience, it is about our survival. It’s about the future of this and every generation to come. And we are ready to do whatever it takes to change it.”

Youth for Global Sustainability will sponsor Denver’s iMatter/weMatter March on May 14, beginning at noon at Cuernavaca Park (20th St. at Platte St., north of REI – take light rail to Union Station and walk to the park, or bike on the Platte River Greenway), gaining strength along its two-mile route to Civic Center park, Colfax and Broadway.

Young people will become plaintiffs in soon-to-be-announced legal and administrative actions against all 50 states and the federal government to force action to reduce global warming. Xiuhtezcatl Roske-Martinez, a 10-year-old leader with the Colorado-based Earth Guardian youth group overseeing the Denver march planning efforts, is one of the plaintiffs.  “Our future is in jeopardy, and our Earth won’t even be worth inheriting because of the decisions that the leaders of our country are making,” said Roske-Martinez. “We are in a planetary crisis, and it’s time for them to wake up and help us fight for our future.”

Hoping to be 10,000 strong for Denver’s march, young people will join with parents, grandparents, schools, teachers, organizations, green businesses, churches and friends in cities and communities all across the country and all around the world. Once marchers arrive at Civic Center, speakers and live entertainment will emphasize the importance of honestly addressing environmental and climate crises challenging our planet.

Confirmed participants include: environmental activist Johnny 5, lead singer of Denver’s well-known band, The Flobots; Congressman Jared Polis; Rev. Peter S. Sawtell, executive director of Eco-Justice Ministries; Sally Ranney, co-director of American Renewable Energy Day; and Boulder Mayor Susan Osborne.

For information, or to contribute to the effort, visit imattercolorado.org.

Colorado’s burgeoning “grow local” movement takes center stage in May when Grow Local Colorado teams with the Denver Handmade Homemade Market for the Grow Local/HaHo May 14 market.

Grow Local Colorado (GLC) is a volunteer-based organization dedicated to “promoting local food, local community and local economy.” Denver’s Handmade Homemade Market (HaHo), is held at Green Spaces, 1368 26th St., the second Saturday of each month.

HaHo is a completely local market, showcasing food and craft products grown and produced in Denver homes and backyards without the high costs of commercial production. Everything offered at the market is from a true grassroots economy, and is sold on a suggested donation basis.

While membership is required to participate in the market as a vendor or shopper, membership is available free of charge at denverhaho.org/join-us.html. Purchases must be made with Market Dough, sold at a 10 percent discount: $20 in Market Dough costs $18 in U.S. currency. Bartering is also encouraged; bring something to trade if you can.

A suggested entrance fee of $5 is requested, though you will not be turned away if you can’t make the fee. You also have the option to trade something of similar value as your cost of entry.

Meanwhile, GLC needs volunteers to assist with planting, maintaining and harvesting chores in 14 vegetable garden beds they’ve established at eight Denver parks  – Civic Center, Berkeley, Observatory, Harvey, Barnum, Harvard Gulch, Huston Lake and Garfield.

Project coordinator Dana Miller notes, “The purpose of these gardens includes demonstrating how beautiful edible landscaping can be, encouraging citizens to grow food in their own gardens, and suggesting that gardeners share their surplus with communities in need.”

Last year GLC donated more than 500 pounds of produce from eight gardens. “This year we’re hoping for thousands (of pounds),” said Miller.

Also joining the effort for 2011 is Gov. John Hickenlooper. The First Family’s Giving Gardens are a collaboration between the governor’s family, the Governor’s Mansion, and the Grow Local Colorado Campaign. Food grown in the first family’s gardens will be used by the Governor’s Mansion kitchen staff, with the surplus donated to The Gathering Place.

Cash contributions are always welcome to assist with program expenses. Grow Local Colorado is partnering with Chipotle and The Beanstalk Foundation to raise money to support the gardens project. Chipotle has committed to doubling ing every dollar donated – two for one – so a $25 donation can be worth $75 of seeds, seedlings and signs for veggie gardens all over Denver. Make donations at friendsofbeanstalk.org/growlocal.

For info, visit growlocalcolorado.org or denverhaho.org.