5 strategies for cultivating hope this year
“I am deeply aware that if ever there were a time for a conversation about hope, it is now.”
Jacqueline S. Mattis
Dean of Faculty, Rutgers U.
— The Conversation
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Solutions
Today’s wind turbine blades could become tomorrow’s bridges
As wind turbines reach the end of their life, engineers are turning the blades into electrical transmission towers, bridges, cement, and more.
— Grist
Massachusetts Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2030
The state’s environmental office announced a plan to phase out the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035.
— The Hill
Most Europeans plan to curb flying, eat less meat for climate, EU poll says
74% of people surveyed in the European Union, said that even after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, they plan to “fly less frequently” to reduce carbon emissions.
Climate Action is overdue:
what’s needed this year in Washington State
They’re turning churches into climate-resilience centers
Creation Justice Ministries uses a map of 75,000 U.S. churches threatened by sea-level rise, wildfires, and other consequences of a warming world.
Commentary
An attack on the Capitol shattered the myth of public lands
U.S. emissions fell by 10% last year
— for the worst possible reasons
“The enormous toll of economic damage and human suffering as a result of the pandemic is no cause for celebration. . .”
— Grist
U.S. cities consider treating fossil fuels like nuclear weapons
A group of activists, policy experts, and academics are beginning to push for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty
— Grist
Reasons for Hope on Climate Change in 2021
Despite the onslaught of climate disasters, there is more momentum for political action now than ever before.
— Yes! Magazine
A Radical Reset for Conservation in Africa
With tourism all but gone, the pandemic could provide the momentum necessary to activate much-needed changes in how we approach conservation.
African elephant bulls display displacement behavior during fighting to determine dominance, at Addo Elephant National Park Photo by Peter Chadwick
Regional Actions
Want to try something different‽
Every 2nd Tuesday of the month.
Guest speakers and discussion of WA legislation from a Spokane perspective. RSVP
National Actions
Volunteer with 350.org in 2021
Use these next two years to strengthen our democracy, defeat fossil fuels, and build a Just Recovery.
Crimes against Nature through the Lens of Indigenous Sovereignty
The shared vision for this 3-part series is to provide a space for Indigenous and non-Indigenous legal scholars and activists to unpack the potential (and the pitfalls) of this emerging instrument, an international crime of ecocide.
Jan 19, 2021 | 3:00 PM PT — RSVP
Ecocide, the 5th Crime Against Peace:
Polly Higgins at TEDxExeter
Dismantling racism is about defending our collective human rights
We cannot fully protect the Amazon and our climate without them.
Help us keep the Amazon’s Indigenous territories free of mining!
Fire Drill Friday with Jane Fonda and
Quannah Chasinghorse and Jayeesha Dutta
Jan 15, 2021 11:00 AM in Pacific Time
RSVP Zoom | RSVP Facebook
Top 10 banks and insurers:
Commit to real climate action NOW
— Rainforest Action Network
Local/Regional News
A Lost Decade:
How Climate Action Fizzled in Cascadia
Washington, Oregon and British Columbia pledged to slash greenhouse gas emissions. In a decade full of big talk and some epic battles, they all failed.
–InvestigateWest
The Washington Climate Assembly is STARTING!
Watch the Inaugural Assembly meeting
WA Commerce releases 2021 state energy strategy for a carbon-free clean energy future
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Climate Emergency: Feedback Loops
Narrated by Richard Gere
USFWS Cuts Northern Spotted Owl Critical Habitat by 42% in Likely Death Sentence for Species
National/International News
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Auction Flops
— Anchorage Daily News
Big oil companies stayed away.
— The New York Times
22 climate and weather-related disasters in 2020 that cost the U.S. over $1 billion each
Absolutely destroying the previous record of 16 billion-dollar disasters that occurred in 2011 and then again 2017.
— CNN
The Ransom Economy: What #ShutDownCanada Reveals About Indigenous Land Rights
Moderated by Naomi Klein
Time to Indigenize Lands and Water Conservation
Native American activists are leading a push to embed traditional ecological knowledge in land management decisions.
— Sierra Club
Indigenous peoples are destined to save the planet from climate change
President Trudeau referenced the importance of working with Indigenous people.
— Toronto Star
Net-zero, Indigenous-led resource development is possible
Indigenous nations are increasingly involved in major energy projects as partners and owners.
— The Globe and Mail
“We Are the Same as the Salmon”:
A Story of Suffering and Perseverance
Native Family Values: Writing “The Whale Child”
Mapped: The World’s Largest State-Owned Oil Companies
Singer-songwriter Aaron Frazer’s new album features the song “Bad News,” a plea from the planet
2020 rivals hottest year on record, pushing Earth closer to a critical climate threshold
A disastrous year reveals climate approaching a precipice.
— The Washington Post
Sierra Executives will discuss this year’s legal, legislative, and programmatic priorities.
Science Moms launch a $10 million campaign to “activate moms across America to take action on climate change.”
83 percent of mothers across the political spectrum are concerned about climate change.
National Newsletters
Climate in Politics
After the Insurrection: Accountability, Reform, and the Science of Democracy
“Science and scientists have a critical role to play in our society. . .”
— Union of Concerned Scientists
Meet the Black women who made historic gains in WA politics in 2020
In Washington state, six Black women are headed to the Legislature.
— Crosscut
Please RSVP for Tuesday,
January 19th at 10:00 AM PT
for America’s New Climate Team
League of Women Voters WA State Legislative previews:
Fighting Climate Change and its Effects
- Climate Change | Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enact measures to promote climate resiliency.
- Energy | Advocate for clean and renewable sources.
- Natural Resources | Protect natural resources that are impacted by climate change and provide resilience.
- Transportation | A new transportation budget will be adopted this year and emphasis will be on reducing the net impact of transportation systems on climate change.
Join in the 2021 Winter Spiritual Read:
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, by Robin Wall Kimmerer.
As we seek inspiration in these challenging times, what can we learn from the natural systems around us? How can we build a reciprocal relationship with the earth and all creatures? How do we create a more environmentally regenerative, socially just, and spiritually fulfilling way of life?
When: Starts the week of January 25, 2021, once a week for about eight weeks (depending on group agreement). We will gather weekly by Zoom to discuss, reflect, share resources, and build community.
- Mondays 2:00 PM, starts Jan. 25, facilitators Tim West and Margaret Denstad
- Tuesdays 7:00 PM, starts Jan. 26, facilitator Asha Burson-Johnson
- Wednesdays 9:30 AM, starts Jan. 27, facilitators Robert and Marilyn Eash
- Wednesdays 1:30 PM, starts Jan. 27, facilitator Diana Somerville
- Thursdays 10 AM, starts Jan 28, facilitator Marilyn Eash
- Thursdays 2 PM, starts Jan 28, facilitator Donna Little
- Sundays 1:00 PM, starts Jan. 31, facilitator Bob Nuffer
- Other groups forming; contact us with questions or to start a group
To register: Contact interfaithclallamcounty@gmail.com and let us know which group you would like to join or contact the facilitator directly if you already know your group.
US Navy Admiral William H. McRaven, one of the most decorated US commanders, delivers one of the best motivational speeches you will ever hear.
— MotivationHub
Olympic Climate Action 