A coaltion of environmental groups and state lawmakers is planning to hold a rally near the statehouse in Annapolis tomorrow morning. It's scheduled for 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 15, at Lawyers Mall, next to the State House, on State Circle in Annapolis.

Their goal: to convince Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration to endorse a law that would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20 percent by 2020.

Maryland has already taken a few small steps toward slowing global warming pollution.  The legislature this spring passed the Clean Cars Bill, which will reduce carbon dioxide emissions from new vehicles sold in the state by about a third.  The state also joined the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which is a group of Northeastern states that have pledged to cut carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants by 10 percent.

But now state Sen. Paul Pinksy and Del. Kumar Barve want Maryland to go further, passing a law that would cut carbon dioxide emissions across the board for all industries. If Maryland adopted this 20 percent standard for all businesses, it would be following in the example of California, which has committed to a universal reduction of this size.

Gov. O'Malley has formed a "Maryland Commission on Climate Change" to study the issue, and it is holding a meeting tomorrow and plans to discuss what level of CO2 reductions the state should aim for.  The protesters will present petitions and wave a giant hour glass -- along with a large banner and other signs -- in an attempt to pressure the commission to set an aggressive goal.