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THIS IS ENERGIZING!

10/31/2014

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I sometimes feel that the energy/climate change issues are overwhelming.  How are we going to make the needed change and shift our consumption to renewable energy?  Is it even possible?

YES!  It is possible.
I have been reading Naomi Klein’s incredibly well researched new book, "This Changes Everything."  Her investigative journalism provides an excellent analysis of where we are, how we got here and, what we must do in order to meet the challenges of climate disruption and become less dependent upon destructive fossil fuels. 

The reading is sobering – to say the least ­– but also quite clear that we do have options. 

This is the good news that I learned today.
·      100% of the world’s energy, for all purposes, could be supplied by wind, water and solar resources, by as early as 2030.  This includes not only power generation but also transportation as well as heating and cooling; according to a detailed road map authored by Mark Z. Jacobson (Stanford U.) and Mark A. Delucchi (UC Davis).

·      In Australia, a blueprint has been designed for achieving a 60% solar and 40% wind electricity system in an astonishing 10 years.

·      The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin. has concluded that cost-effective wind and solar could constitute nearly 60% of the U.S. electricity system by 2030.

·      The U.S. Dept of Energy states that wind, solar and other currently available green technologies could meet 80% of America’s electricity needs by 2050.

·      New York State could meet all of its power needs with renewables by 2030 according to Mark Jacobson (Stanford U.)  These researchers are developing similar plans for every U.S. State.
(Naomi Klein, This Changes Eveything, pg 101-2)

OK, so how does all this happen?
These researchers go on to say, “This really involves a large scale transformation.  It would require an effort comparable to the Apollo moon project or constructing the interstate highway system.  But it is possible without even having to go to new technologies.”

“We really need to just decide collectively that this is the direction we want to head as a society.”

It is possible.  All we need is the collective will. 

Now is the time!
Together, we are strong.  Together we can bring our voice, our wisdom and knowledge that renewable energies are safe and available.  They are our legacy for future generations.

What Can YOU Do?
Learn more.  Read Naomi Klein’s book, This Changes Everything – or her articles.
There is so much creative and innovative stuff happening! Read about “Generating Power From Tidal Lagoons,”  N. Y. Times 10.28.2014
Switch your home or business to a green energy source.  Check out www.GreenEnergyChoice.com
Contact Your Legislators.  Visit the Union of Concerned Scientists Web Action Center -- www.ucsusa.org/action-center
Find Your Local Activist Groups and support their work.  
Explore Beautiful Solutions offering promising strategies for building a just, democratic and resilient world.   www.solutions.thischangeseverything.org
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MASS INCARCERATION RACISM, and A JUST SOCIETY

10/17/2014

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I invite you to think about these facts.
  • The United States has less than 5% of the world’s population but nearly 25% of the incarcerated population of the world.  Our prison population has increased 500% over the past 30 years.
  • The U.S. imprisons more people than any other nation in the world – largely due to the War on Drugs.
  • In 2012 there were 1.5 million drug arrests, and more than 80% were for possession only – not for selling drugs.
  • Although rates of drug use are similar across racial and ethnic lines, black and Latinos are far more likely to be criminalized than whites.
  • 75% of people in state prison for drug conviction are people of color although blacks and whites see and use drugs at roughly the same rate. In NYS, 94% of those imprisoned for a drug offense are people of color
  • From 1997 to 2007 – in 10 years! -- the number of women in prison has increased by 832%
  • Over the past two decades, state spending on prisons grew six times the spending of higher education

I could draw my own conclusions but I rather share the words of Nicholas Kristof (New York Times, Sunday, October 12, 2014.)

Those of us who are white and in the middle class rarely see this side of the justice system.  The system works for us, and it’s easy to overlook how deeply it is skewed against the poor or members of minority groups.

Too many … accept a system that disproportionately punishes blacks and that gives public schools serving disadvantaged children many fewer resources than those serving affluent children.  We are not racists, but we accept a system that acts in racist ways.

Whose to blame?
Some people think that the fundamental problem is young black men who show no personal responsibility, screw up and then look for others to blame.  Yes, that happens.  But I also see a white dominated society that shows no sense of responsibility for disadvantaged children born on a path that often propels them toward drugs, crime and joblessness; we fail those kids before they fail us, and then we, too, took for others to blame.

The truth is that injustice is easy not to notice when it affects people different from ourselves; that helps explain the obliviousness of our own generation to inequity to day.  We need to wake up.

Together we have much work to do.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?    First, Learn More, Then, get engaged.
Nicholas Kristof – When Whites Just Don’t Get It, N.Y.Times, Octo. 12, 2014
www.nytimes.com/2014/10/12/opinion/sunday/nicholas-kristof-when-whites-just-dont-get-it-part-3.html
Read -- The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
Watch Bill Moyers & Michelle Alexander -- Locked Out of the American Dream
www.youtube.com/watch?v=om2hx6Xm2JE
Read-- Marjory Jones inspiring story, Finding My Voice in Prison at www.Elder-Activists.org

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND!  
 Every community has a need for folks to help with parole preparation, prison education and legal services projects, amongst many others.


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The March?  Powerful, Positive, Energizing!

10/3/2014

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Two weeks ago 400,000 people – give or take a few – showed up in New York City to create the historic People’s Climate March.  Using banners, signs and songs they shared their hearts and spirits with each other.

This was not a professional conference or summit that reflected the intellectual arguments regarding climate issues.  It was individuals coming together to share their concerns, passions and spirits.  We brought our disparate energy and voices to stand together and march as a unified force.

It was POWERFUL.  It was POSITIVE.  It was ENERGIZING. 

It provided us -- the people – with the powerful, positive energy to go forth and continue our work; knowing that there are hundreds of thousands, actually millions of others, who will stand with us in solidarity for a common cause, demanding that our leaders do their jobs.

People around the world participating in the March.

2,646 events in 162 countries.  “Awesome!” as they say.

It was a fantastic networking event!

We met allies and folks who want to work together in the future; sharing our vision of a thriving and just future. 

Elder-Activists.org marched under the “WE, THE ELDERS” banner along with Gray Is Green and the Conscious Elders Network.  We marched next to Women Elders and along with The Grannies.  Saturday afternoon we had out Meet-Up and met with others, sharing our work and stories.

Together we demand that our leaders put aside their particular interests and recognize that we share one planet, one global ecosystem.

Together we demand wisdom from our leaders to put forth the policies and the subsequent actions on behalf of future generations, using the vast intellectual and technical capabilities that are available.

As a people we have stood and taken an initial step together.  

Now, our leaders must join our efforts and help us to bring forth a just and sustainable future for all.

What Can You Do?
1.     Get Inspired at:  www.peoplesclimate.org/wrap-up
2.     Learn more at:  www.350.org
3.     Talk to your friends, 3 new people about what you think about the climate, the environment, the future.
4.     Share your comments & thoughts with me.


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