It has been 10 years since September 11th, 2001. What have we learned since then? The racism, hatred and wars continue, all for oil and profit. The banksters and corporate moguls continue to rape and pillage the planet and it is ordinary people who suffer. It has been a wasted ten years.
No, it is worse than that. It is almost 40 years since The Limits to Growth was published by Donella Meadows, Dennis Meadows, Jørgen Randers and William Behrens. And it is still business as usual, pursuing along the perpetual path of economic growth. When we come to see that it is all in pursuit of money, greed and power, we will realize that we have wasted 40 years going in the wrong direction.
Hamilton 350 blog
Sunday, 11 September 2011
Saturday, 3 September 2011
What comes next?
Dear Friends,
I’m writing this from the lawn in front of the White House.
In front of me there’s a sprawling rally underway, with speakers ranging from indigenous elders to the great Canadian writer Naomi Klein. In back of me, another 243 courageous people are being hauled away to jail -- it’s the last day of Phase 1 of the tar sands campaign, and 1,252 North Americans have been arrested, the biggest civil disobedience action this century on this continent.
But we’ve been just as cheered by the help that has poured in from around the world -- today, activists in front of the White House held a banner with a huge number on it: 618,428. That's how many people around the world who signed on to the "Stop the Tar Sands" mega-petition to President Obama, including many of you in the 350.org network. Check out this beautiful photo of passion and courage on display:
(Photo Credit: Josh Lopez)
But this movement does more than sign petitions: many of you stood strong in front of the White House risking arrest, and protesters on every continent have picketed outside embassies and consulates. That makes sense, for global warming is the one problem that affects everyone everywhere.
And the next moment to prove that is Sept. 24 for Moving Planet -- the massive day of climate action that will unite people all over the world. We’ve heard news of amazing actions from every corner of the earth -— from a massive bike rally in the Philippines to an incredible eco-festival in Philadelphia. I truly can’t wait to see the pictures pour in.
But here’s why it’s important: we’re not just a movement that opposes things, we’re also a movement that dreams of what’s coming. And we don't just dream, we also transform those dreams into reality. On September 24, on bike and on foot and on boards, we’re going to point the way towards that future. By days' end, we’ll have shown why the bicycle is more glamorous than the car, and why the people have the potential to be more powerful than the polluters.
On some days fighting global warming means swallowing hard, mustering your courage, and making a sacrifice -- other days it means getting all your friends up in the saddles of their bikes to have some fun and help move the planet forward.
September 24 is the second kind of day; it’s going to be powerful, it’s going to be beautiful, and I can’t wait to see how it turns out. Please find or join a local event to get involved.
Onwards,
Bill McKibben for the whole 350.org team
I’m writing this from the lawn in front of the White House.
In front of me there’s a sprawling rally underway, with speakers ranging from indigenous elders to the great Canadian writer Naomi Klein. In back of me, another 243 courageous people are being hauled away to jail -- it’s the last day of Phase 1 of the tar sands campaign, and 1,252 North Americans have been arrested, the biggest civil disobedience action this century on this continent.
But we’ve been just as cheered by the help that has poured in from around the world -- today, activists in front of the White House held a banner with a huge number on it: 618,428. That's how many people around the world who signed on to the "Stop the Tar Sands" mega-petition to President Obama, including many of you in the 350.org network. Check out this beautiful photo of passion and courage on display:
But this movement does more than sign petitions: many of you stood strong in front of the White House risking arrest, and protesters on every continent have picketed outside embassies and consulates. That makes sense, for global warming is the one problem that affects everyone everywhere.
And the next moment to prove that is Sept. 24 for Moving Planet -- the massive day of climate action that will unite people all over the world. We’ve heard news of amazing actions from every corner of the earth -— from a massive bike rally in the Philippines to an incredible eco-festival in Philadelphia. I truly can’t wait to see the pictures pour in.
But here’s why it’s important: we’re not just a movement that opposes things, we’re also a movement that dreams of what’s coming. And we don't just dream, we also transform those dreams into reality. On September 24, on bike and on foot and on boards, we’re going to point the way towards that future. By days' end, we’ll have shown why the bicycle is more glamorous than the car, and why the people have the potential to be more powerful than the polluters.
On some days fighting global warming means swallowing hard, mustering your courage, and making a sacrifice -- other days it means getting all your friends up in the saddles of their bikes to have some fun and help move the planet forward.
September 24 is the second kind of day; it’s going to be powerful, it’s going to be beautiful, and I can’t wait to see how it turns out. Please find or join a local event to get involved.
Onwards,
Bill McKibben for the whole 350.org team
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
Stop the Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline
We thought you should know that as of today over 150 people, including 350.org co-founder Bill McKibben, have been arrested at the White House.
Bill is just getting out of prison after spending 48 hours in a tiny cell -- and here in DC spirits are high and resolve is strengthening with each passing hour. For the past three days, large groups of Americans have joined a non-violent civil disobedience action at the White House. The goal is to send President Obama a simple message: “Stop the Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline.” These protests will continue over the next two weeks -- and what the activists in DC need more than anything is the knowledge that there is a massive global movement backing them up.
There are three ways that you can stand in solidarity from wherever you are:
1. Sign the petition to President Obama to reject the Keystone XL Pipeline -- we’ve already rocketed past our initial goal of 35,000 signatures and are hoping to add as many names as possible before we deliver it to White House officials on September 3rd.
2. Send in a solidarity message or photo to the people taking action at the White House.
3. Take part in Moving Planet -- a worldwide climate rally on September 24 -- and move beyond all fossil fuels in the loudest, most beautiful way possible.
You probably know that building the Keystone XL pipeline is a terrible idea. The oil it will carry from Canada’s tar sands will travel all the way from northern Alberta to the Gulf of Mexico. Think: oil spilling all over America's heartland. Think: way more CO2 all over the atmosphere, since the tar sands are among the most carbon-intensive of all the fossil fuels. With so many strikes against the Keystone pipeline, it’s understandable that folks are so fired up and willing to put their bodies on the line to stop it. 350.org isn’t organizing the action in DC, but there’s a separate website to find out more about the two weeks of daily sit-ins at the White House (today was just day #3).
When nominated for President in 2008, Barack Obama promised that his administration would ensure “the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal.” It’s not a protest I feel like I’ve been watching unfold here in DC -- but a big and beautiful reminder of that vision.
With rising hope from DC,
Will Bates for the 350.org Team
P.S. Our friends in DC just made an beautiful video about Day 1 of the action in DC -- click here to watch it and be sure to share it with your friends on Twitter and Facebook.
P.P.S. For an extra dose of inspiration, check out a few of my favorite photos from the protest:
Standing Strong on Day 3! (Photo Credit: Josh Lopez)
Youth Keep Spirits High as Arrests Begin (Photo Credit: Shadia Fayne Wood)
Bill Mckibben Speaks to Tar Sands Action Participants (Photo Credit: Shadia Fayne Wood)
Media Take Opportunity To Capture A Piece of The Action at the White House Protest of Keystone XL (Photo Credit: Josh Lopez)
350.org is building a global grassroots movement to solve the climate crisis. Our online campaigns, grassroots organizing, and mass public actions are led from the bottom up by thousands of volunteer organizers in over 188 countries. You can join 350.org on Facebook by becoming a fan of our page at facebook.com/350.org and follow us on twitter by visiting twitter.com/350. To join our list (maybe a friend forwarded you this e-mail) visit www.350.org/signup. To support our work, donate securely online at 350.org/donate.
What is 350?
350 is the number that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. Scientists measure carbon dioxide in "parts per million" (ppm), so 350ppm is the number humanity needs to get below as soon as possible to avoid runaway climate change. To get there, we need a different kind of PPM–a "people powered movement" that is made of people like you in every corner of the planet.
Hamilton 350 Blog
Bill is just getting out of prison after spending 48 hours in a tiny cell -- and here in DC spirits are high and resolve is strengthening with each passing hour. For the past three days, large groups of Americans have joined a non-violent civil disobedience action at the White House. The goal is to send President Obama a simple message: “Stop the Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline.” These protests will continue over the next two weeks -- and what the activists in DC need more than anything is the knowledge that there is a massive global movement backing them up.
There are three ways that you can stand in solidarity from wherever you are:
1. Sign the petition to President Obama to reject the Keystone XL Pipeline -- we’ve already rocketed past our initial goal of 35,000 signatures and are hoping to add as many names as possible before we deliver it to White House officials on September 3rd.
2. Send in a solidarity message or photo to the people taking action at the White House.
3. Take part in Moving Planet -- a worldwide climate rally on September 24 -- and move beyond all fossil fuels in the loudest, most beautiful way possible.
You probably know that building the Keystone XL pipeline is a terrible idea. The oil it will carry from Canada’s tar sands will travel all the way from northern Alberta to the Gulf of Mexico. Think: oil spilling all over America's heartland. Think: way more CO2 all over the atmosphere, since the tar sands are among the most carbon-intensive of all the fossil fuels. With so many strikes against the Keystone pipeline, it’s understandable that folks are so fired up and willing to put their bodies on the line to stop it. 350.org isn’t organizing the action in DC, but there’s a separate website to find out more about the two weeks of daily sit-ins at the White House (today was just day #3).
When nominated for President in 2008, Barack Obama promised that his administration would ensure “the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal.” It’s not a protest I feel like I’ve been watching unfold here in DC -- but a big and beautiful reminder of that vision.
With rising hope from DC,
Will Bates for the 350.org Team
P.S. Our friends in DC just made an beautiful video about Day 1 of the action in DC -- click here to watch it and be sure to share it with your friends on Twitter and Facebook.
P.P.S. For an extra dose of inspiration, check out a few of my favorite photos from the protest:
350.org is building a global grassroots movement to solve the climate crisis. Our online campaigns, grassroots organizing, and mass public actions are led from the bottom up by thousands of volunteer organizers in over 188 countries. You can join 350.org on Facebook by becoming a fan of our page at facebook.com/350.org and follow us on twitter by visiting twitter.com/350. To join our list (maybe a friend forwarded you this e-mail) visit www.350.org/signup. To support our work, donate securely online at 350.org/donate.
What is 350?
350 is the number that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. Scientists measure carbon dioxide in "parts per million" (ppm), so 350ppm is the number humanity needs to get below as soon as possible to avoid runaway climate change. To get there, we need a different kind of PPM–a "people powered movement" that is made of people like you in every corner of the planet.
Hamilton 350 Blog
What are we doing?
Over the last four days more than 200 people have been arrested in peaceful civil disobedience at the White House in Washington in the largest collective act of civil disobedience in the history of the climate movement.
The jailed include author and 350.org organizer Bill McKibben and Yale dean Gus Speth, an environmental advisor to multiple US presidents and the founder of the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Over 2000 people have now committed to getting arrested by the end of next week. Celebrity endorsements include Mike Ruffalo, Margot Kidder and Daryl Hannah, with the latter promising to join the jailed later this week.
The demonstrators are urging President Barack Obama to reject the Keystone XL pipeline that would transport Alberta tar sands bitumen over 2700 km to American gulf coast refineries. The world’s most famous climatologist, NASA’s Dr James Hansen, has stated that if the pipeline is built and the tar sands are fully developed, it is essentially “game over” for the planet.
Hansen is also the scientist who has calculated that the safe level of carbon dioxide in the global atmosphere is no higher than 350 parts per million, a number which has inspired McKibben’s 350.org and thousands of supporting groups around the world including the Hamilton 350 Committee for Real Action on Climate Change.
OUR MEETING - Wednesday, Aug 24th, 6:30pm
Meeting time is Wednesday, Aug 24th 6:30 pm (we'll start with Pedal the Planet stuff)
Meeting place is Environment Hamilton board room - 22 Wilson Street (Sonic Unyon Building - 2nd floor)
Agenda includes:
-- Updates and news
-- Aug 27 aerotropolis ride
-- Sept 23-34 Carbon Cycle to Nanticoke
-- Pedal the Planet spoke cards (some ready)
-- Pedal the Planet t-shirts
-- Publicity, posters, flyers
-- Events including Open Streets Sept 18 and Edumacation Sept 12
-- September 24 Gore Park rally
Hamilton 350 Blog
The jailed include author and 350.org organizer Bill McKibben and Yale dean Gus Speth, an environmental advisor to multiple US presidents and the founder of the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Over 2000 people have now committed to getting arrested by the end of next week. Celebrity endorsements include Mike Ruffalo, Margot Kidder and Daryl Hannah, with the latter promising to join the jailed later this week.
The demonstrators are urging President Barack Obama to reject the Keystone XL pipeline that would transport Alberta tar sands bitumen over 2700 km to American gulf coast refineries. The world’s most famous climatologist, NASA’s Dr James Hansen, has stated that if the pipeline is built and the tar sands are fully developed, it is essentially “game over” for the planet.
Hansen is also the scientist who has calculated that the safe level of carbon dioxide in the global atmosphere is no higher than 350 parts per million, a number which has inspired McKibben’s 350.org and thousands of supporting groups around the world including the Hamilton 350 Committee for Real Action on Climate Change.
OUR MEETING - Wednesday, Aug 24th, 6:30pm
Meeting time is Wednesday, Aug 24th 6:30 pm (we'll start with Pedal the Planet stuff)
Meeting place is Environment Hamilton board room - 22 Wilson Street (Sonic Unyon Building - 2nd floor)
Agenda includes:
-- Updates and news
-- Aug 27 aerotropolis ride
-- Sept 23-34 Carbon Cycle to Nanticoke
-- Pedal the Planet spoke cards (some ready)
-- Pedal the Planet t-shirts
-- Publicity, posters, flyers
-- Events including Open Streets Sept 18 and Edumacation Sept 12
-- September 24 Gore Park rally
Hamilton 350 Blog
Saturday, 13 August 2011
Stop Maxim Power’s sneaky attempt at dodging Canada’s new environmental regulations
Dear Friends,
Environment Minister Peter Kent is about to announce new rules for coal power that will require any new plant to drastically cut its pollution. But the coal industry is trying to cheat, and build a massive coal power plant just before the new rules take effect.
Maxim Power’s new coal plant would pump out three million tonnes of pollution per year - which is like adding 600,000 cars to Canada’s roads. It is the only new coal power plant being proposed in Canada, and it’s far more dirty and dangerous than the new rules will allow.
Minister Kent needs to make a choice right now: is he going to keep his own government’s promise to put real limits on coal pollution? Or, will he hand Maxim Coal a free pass to pollute our air and our climate for decades?
Please take a minute to send a message to Environment Minister Kent, calling on him to make Maxim Power play by the rules:
http://www.leadnow.ca/stop-maxim-coal
In June 2010 the federal government promised Canadians they would phase out conventional coal in Canada. Then-Environment Minister Jim Prentice made a clear commitment: “We will guard against any rush to build non-compliant coal plants on the interim.” Yet the coal industry is now doing just that - rushing to break ground to avoid taking responsibility for its pollution.
The coal industry knows there’s no way this plant can meet Canada’s new environmental standards. That’s why they’re trying to sneak in under the wire and lock-in this polluting mega project before the new rules take effect. Alberta’s utilities regulator just fast-tracked approval of the 500 megawatt plant, skipping public consultation completely to help Maxim Power evade the new federal regulations. But expert analysis of Alberta’s power sources shows Alberta does not need any new coal power plants. The province can easily keep the lights on with conservation and smart investments in renewable energy.
Over forty of Canada’s First Nations, environmental, faith, business, and public interest groups just launched a challenge to Minister Kent.
This campaign has widespread support, and now it needs direct people power to back it up. Minister Kent is making his decision now - he needs to hear from Canadians like you:
http://www.leadnow.ca/stop-maxim-coal
With hope and respect,
Matthew, Jamie, Tria, Adam and the whole Leadnow.ca team
p.s. Did you know coal kills over a million people world wide every year, mostly by air pollution, and Ontario has committed to phasing out all of its coal plants by 2014?
Send your message to Environment Minister Kent:
http://www.leadnow.ca/stop-maxim-coal
Sources:
Coal power plant races against regulation (Globe & Mail)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/energy-and-resources/coal-power-plant-races-against-regulation/article2090435/
Ottawa faces crucial test in the fight against coal (Pembina Institute)
http://www.pembina.org/blog/555
Former Environment Minister Prentice’s commitment to “guard against” non-compliant coal projects (Environment Canada)
http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=6F2DE1CA-1&news=BB5AC3DC-837A-406E-AD28-B92ED80F5A81
Green groups appeal Alberta power plant ruling (Reuters)
http://ca.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idCATRE77206X20110803?sp=true
Alberta Utilities Commission’s decision to fast-track the Maxim project without public consultation
http://www.auc.ab.ca/applications/decisions/Decisions/2011/2011-290.pdf
Greening the Grid - Powering Alberta’s Future with Renewable Energy (Pembina Institute)
http://www.pembina.org/alberta/renewable
Hamilton 350 Blog
 Environment Minister Peter Kent is about to announce new rules for coal power that will require any new plant to drastically cut its pollution. But the coal industry is trying to cheat, and build a massive coal power plant just before the new rules take effect. Send a message to Minister Kent now to demand Maxim Power play by the rules:  |
Maxim Power’s new coal plant would pump out three million tonnes of pollution per year - which is like adding 600,000 cars to Canada’s roads. It is the only new coal power plant being proposed in Canada, and it’s far more dirty and dangerous than the new rules will allow.
Minister Kent needs to make a choice right now: is he going to keep his own government’s promise to put real limits on coal pollution? Or, will he hand Maxim Coal a free pass to pollute our air and our climate for decades?
Please take a minute to send a message to Environment Minister Kent, calling on him to make Maxim Power play by the rules:
http://www.leadnow.ca/stop-maxim-coal
In June 2010 the federal government promised Canadians they would phase out conventional coal in Canada. Then-Environment Minister Jim Prentice made a clear commitment: “We will guard against any rush to build non-compliant coal plants on the interim.” Yet the coal industry is now doing just that - rushing to break ground to avoid taking responsibility for its pollution.
The coal industry knows there’s no way this plant can meet Canada’s new environmental standards. That’s why they’re trying to sneak in under the wire and lock-in this polluting mega project before the new rules take effect. Alberta’s utilities regulator just fast-tracked approval of the 500 megawatt plant, skipping public consultation completely to help Maxim Power evade the new federal regulations. But expert analysis of Alberta’s power sources shows Alberta does not need any new coal power plants. The province can easily keep the lights on with conservation and smart investments in renewable energy.
Over forty of Canada’s First Nations, environmental, faith, business, and public interest groups just launched a challenge to Minister Kent.
This campaign has widespread support, and now it needs direct people power to back it up. Minister Kent is making his decision now - he needs to hear from Canadians like you:
http://www.leadnow.ca/stop-maxim-coal
With hope and respect,
Matthew, Jamie, Tria, Adam and the whole Leadnow.ca team
p.s. Did you know coal kills over a million people world wide every year, mostly by air pollution, and Ontario has committed to phasing out all of its coal plants by 2014?
Send your message to Environment Minister Kent:
http://www.leadnow.ca/stop-maxim-coal
Sources:
Coal power plant races against regulation (Globe & Mail)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/energy-and-resources/coal-power-plant-races-against-regulation/article2090435/
Ottawa faces crucial test in the fight against coal (Pembina Institute)
http://www.pembina.org/blog/555
Former Environment Minister Prentice’s commitment to “guard against” non-compliant coal projects (Environment Canada)
http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=6F2DE1CA-1&news=BB5AC3DC-837A-406E-AD28-B92ED80F5A81
Green groups appeal Alberta power plant ruling (Reuters)
http://ca.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idCATRE77206X20110803?sp=true
Alberta Utilities Commission’s decision to fast-track the Maxim project without public consultation
http://www.auc.ab.ca/applications/decisions/Decisions/2011/2011-290.pdf
Greening the Grid - Powering Alberta’s Future with Renewable Energy (Pembina Institute)
http://www.pembina.org/alberta/renewable
Hamilton 350 Blog
Friday, 22 July 2011
$50-million plan for monitoring oilsands
The Hamilton Spectator, Thursday, July 21, 2011, ran the following article:
http://www.thespec.com/news/canada/article/566931--50-million-plan-for-monitoring-oilsands
What's your take on this?
Hamilton 350 blog
OTTAWA - The federal government will set up a monitoring system to watch over the environmental fallout from the expanding oilsands industry.
Environment Minister Peter Kent says the "world-class" system will monitor air, water and biodiversity in the Athabasca region of Alberta, in co-operation with provincial authorities.
The main aim, he says, "is to provide assurance at home and abroad that development of the oilsands is being done in an environmentally sustainable manner."
The oilsands have been unfairly targeted by foreign governments and activists, Kent said. The new monitoring system will use science to fight back.
"Industry is expanding production," he said. "And with its environmental footprint, we need evidence that growing production is environmentally responsible."
The plan will cost $50 million a year to ensure industrial development is done in a responsible way, but the industry itself will be cover the costs, Kent said.
The costs will likely fall over the years as the system becomes more efficient.
Environmentalists welcomed the increase in monitoring, but criticized the new system as toothless.
“While we welcome Environment Canada’s release of new monitoring design for tarsands pollution and biodiversity, the plan needs to be complemented with legally binding regulations if we are to see progress on the ground," said Gillian McEachern of Environmental Defence.
"More data alone will not stop the growing pollution problem. Ottawa already has the legal authority to act."
The Canadian Press
Environment Minister Peter Kent says the "world-class" system will monitor air, water and biodiversity in the Athabasca region of Alberta, in co-operation with provincial authorities.
The main aim, he says, "is to provide assurance at home and abroad that development of the oilsands is being done in an environmentally sustainable manner."
The oilsands have been unfairly targeted by foreign governments and activists, Kent said. The new monitoring system will use science to fight back.
"Industry is expanding production," he said. "And with its environmental footprint, we need evidence that growing production is environmentally responsible."
The plan will cost $50 million a year to ensure industrial development is done in a responsible way, but the industry itself will be cover the costs, Kent said.
The costs will likely fall over the years as the system becomes more efficient.
Environmentalists welcomed the increase in monitoring, but criticized the new system as toothless.
“While we welcome Environment Canada’s release of new monitoring design for tarsands pollution and biodiversity, the plan needs to be complemented with legally binding regulations if we are to see progress on the ground," said Gillian McEachern of Environmental Defence.
"More data alone will not stop the growing pollution problem. Ottawa already has the legal authority to act."
The Canadian Press
http://www.thespec.com/news/canada/article/566931--50-million-plan-for-monitoring-oilsands
What's your take on this?
Hamilton 350 blog
Sunday, 10 July 2011
U.S. Debt Crisis
The world is finally waking up to the fact that the U.S. is in debt to the tune of $14 trillion, that's $14,000,000,000,000, meanwhile the U.S. government spends $10 billion a month on its "war" in Afghanistan. The White House must come up with a deal by the August 2nd deadline. Never mind Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Iceland and the U.K. Is the U.S. too big to fail?
Read the CBC news posted on Sunday July 10:
Crucial U.S. debt talks to resume Monday
Corporate leaders, bankers and politicians would like us all to think it is business as usual and to have faith in the globalized free-market economy while they make themselves rich and trash the planet in the process. We know that the house of cards is about to collapse. Time will tell.
For for a viewpoint from Paul Chefurka, read 50,000-Foot View of the Global Crisis.
We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them. - Albert Einstein
Hamilton 350 blog
Read the CBC news posted on Sunday July 10:
Crucial U.S. debt talks to resume Monday
Corporate leaders, bankers and politicians would like us all to think it is business as usual and to have faith in the globalized free-market economy while they make themselves rich and trash the planet in the process. We know that the house of cards is about to collapse. Time will tell.
For for a viewpoint from Paul Chefurka, read 50,000-Foot View of the Global Crisis.
We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them. - Albert Einstein
Hamilton 350 blog
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