An estimated 2,500 people participated in the Step It Up rally Saturday. Participants rallied for action on the issue of global warming, calling for an 80 percent cut in carbon emissions by 2050.

UW students led a march from Pioneer Square to Myrtle Edwards Park on the waterfront to hear speeches by Mayor Greg Nickels, Congressman Jay Inslee and King County Executive Ron Sims.

"I am terrified of us destroying our habitat and am really motivated to do something about it," said freshman Ariana Taylor-Stanley a member of Students Expressing Environmental Dedication.

Of the 100 UW students who participated, many were members of environmental and activist groups, while others were non-affiliated students who felt it was necessary to highlight the issue of global warming.

Nickels was impressed with the student participation.

"I think it's terrific," he said. "It's the students today who will end up finishing the job [of combating climate change]."

The march was characterized by colorful banners and signs varying from serious to playful. One student held a sign saying, "Hey, stop messing with the polar bears." Another student's poster read, "Fight climate change now."

A diverse range of Seattle residents and local area organizations attended the event, including Sierra Club, Greenpeace and Earth Ministry, a Christian group headed by LeeAnne Beres.

"It's really important to make the point that climate change is a moral issue," Beres said.

She counted 25 churches carrying banners during the march. Along with the religious and environmental groups were marchers advertising the campaign of Seattle City Council candidate Tim Burgess.

The parade of activists marched down the waterfront in an unrelenting rain, but remained in seemingly high spirits as they chanted phrases like, "Whoa, it's hot in here — too much carbon in the atmosphere!"

Participants were enthusiastic about the turnout.

"I'm feeling excited that there are more than three blocks of people behind us," freshman Joel Kramer said.

The sun emerged as the march ended at the park, where more than 20 tents greeted the marchers as they proceeded across the lawn. The tents represented a spectrum of environmentally friendly companies, from those promoting efficient fuels to those interested in discovering renewable energy solutions.

"There's great energy," senior Billy Shih, said. "It's great seeing Seattle show its support."

Yet not all participants supported the cause. Among the thousands in attendance was a small pack of LaRouche supporters brandishing signs that attempted to discredit global warming.

Speeches by Nickels, Inslee and Sims stressed the need for individual action among the citizens of the county to reduce their personal carbon emissions, but also emphasized measures on a regional scale while also hoping for the passage of national legislature on climate change.

"It's really important that we, as pragmatic citizens, can look towards solutions," said junior Christina Billingsley, a member of the Campus Climate Challenge Coalition. "We want the most ambitious policy."

Reach reporter Andrew Doughman at news@thedaily.washington.edu.