Citizens groups around the state have plans to take part in "Step It Up," a national call for action on climate change.

Already, students at Park City's Treasure Middle School star in an aerial art project to bring attention to the issue (See the video at: itsgettinghotinhere.org/1059). And a day filled with activities in Utah's capital city will culminate with an outdoor-concert by the Grammy-winning band, Los Lobos.

"Any time you pull together thousands of people . . . you have an opportunity to raise awareness and mobilize action," said Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson.

Billed as the biggest-ever event of its kind, Step It Up has signed up organizers in 1,333 locations nationwide to press elected officials on cutting the pollution blamed for global warming. The rallies, including a dozen in Utah, are aimed at an 80 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2050.

It's a message that's caught on throughout the state, from Smithfield in Cache County to Springdale in Washington County and from the redrock arches near Moab to a Park City ridgetop.

Julie Hancock has been coordinating events in Springdale, where April has been declared, in effect, Earth Month. Festivities began last week with the screening of "An Inconvenient Truth" and plans are for a special showing of "Who Killed the Electric Car" Friday night.

Not only is Springdale having a Step It Up rally beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, but there will be booths to help homeowners cut their greenhouse gas emissions, for drivers to learn how to convert their cars to biofuels and to take other steps to cut pollution.

"Where it really starts is with personal choices," said Hancock, describing how local action can lead to global change. "It's infectious."

Moab has an event planned. So does Sigurd in Sevier County. Provo has two.

At Park City Mountain Resort, skiers and boarders will ride to the top of the Payday chairlift at 9:30 a.m. and spell out "Save Our Snow" on the mountain. The Altitude Adjusted crowd plans to take up the banner that afternoon at Miner's Hospital.

A group of Salt Lake City students has organized a celebration of the spring run-off to heighten awareness about the potential impact on climate change Utah's vital water resources, noon to 2 p.m. at Sugarhouse Park. Leigh Bernacci said the event is aimed at focusing on a global issue close to home.

"It's a ceremony in letting people know they are not alone in trying to protect the watershed," she said.

Bernacci and a friend have written poems honoring each of the valley's canyons. In addition, writer Terry Tempest Williams will speak.

In Liberty Park, from noon to 2 p.m., another group is hosting "108 sun salutations," based on the Yoga movement, according to information on the Step It Up web page.

After that, participants are invited to the 3-10 p.m. event on the West side of the City-County Building in downtown Salt Lake City. There will be information booths, food and a child's play area, along with a lineup of local bands and Los Lobos. There also will be computers available so that people can write letters to elected officials about climate change.

"It send a really strong message to Congress and our state leaders in Utah that people want effective action," said Anderson, known worldwide for his climate change activism. "It's time to stop talking about this issue and do something about it."

fahys@sltrib.com