Suzanne Grahm, center, of Greenpeace, describes the organization's solar-powered vehicle called the Rolling Sunlight. The vehicle stopped Thursday in South Park as part of Greenpeace's national global warming tour, which is encouraging residents to demand action from Congress to decrease greenhouse emissions.

Greenpeace brought its national global warming tour to Lawrence on Thursday, in an effort to demand action from Congress on the issue.

The environmental organization’s Global Warming Story Tour is aimed at giving Americans an opportunity to show their commitment to end global warming, and asks political leaders to respond.

“We know that Congress has the power to do something about this,” said Suzanne Graham, a Greenpeace global warming organizer based in Lawrence. “We’re asking for leadership from Congress, so that we can get the right legislation passed, so that we can stop global warming.”

A demonstration and educational vehicle equipped with 256 square feet of solar panels is traveling to more than 50 communities across the country. Organizers said the panels can supply enough energy to power three homes, concerts and other events without creating pollution.

Visitors to the tour, which was set up in South Park for three hours Thursday afternoon, were invited to send messages to congressional leaders asking them to do their part to end global warming.

“We’re asking that politicians pass strong legislation, science-based legislation, on global warming,” said Kyle Van Auker, Greenpeace tour manager. “Something that calls for an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse emissions by 2050 is what we’re looking for.”

People who stopped by the tour in Lawrence were invited to record a video, or pose with a sign for pictures that the organization will send to legislative leaders.

Lawrence resident Clark Coan was recorded in a video by Greenpeace organizers.

“I’m really worried about global warming,” Coan said. “It may be the most important issue facing the human race, except for nuclear war.”

While some are concerned, others stopped by the tour to see the solar power truck, called the Rolling Sunlight, which has the ability to put out 2.4 kilowatts of energy without generating pollution, organizers said. The truck runs on biodiesel fuel, which comes from new or recycled vegetable oil.

About 40 people visited the tour in Lawrence, Graham said. Congressional candidates were invited, but none attended.