Category Archives: Actions

Actions you can take to address the climate crisis

Poll: 1631 has Big Oil on the ropes!

This Elway poll has some good news for making carbon polluters accountable:

https://crosscut.com/2018/10/poll-nations-first-carbon-fee-leading-among-voters

This poll shows that:
 
1) I-1631 is leading among voters, and it’s clear that Washingtonians don’t trust big oil despite their $21 million in fancy advertising.
 
2) This election is going to be close, but we CAN win and defeat big oil and their money.
 
3) Undecided voters will come down to who they trust, and every conversation we have with our neighbors, our friends, and at the doors we knock on is essential to help us win.
 
This is a moment for us all to step up.  We have a lot of work to do in the next 25 days to connect with voters and remind them of the vision we all share for this state. With your help and all of our hard work, we can do this!

We can’t do this without YOU. Here are some of the ways you can help: 

Volunteer door knock – It is powerful democracy in action!  Big Oil is already spending more than $20 million to defeat us, but we have the Power of the People.  Please sign up for a shift here.

Calling voters who might need a nudge to vote – this is a huge priority for the campaign, and we need lots of help. We need to ensure these registered voters turn in their ballots. Here is the link for you to schedule yourself for a phonebanking shift (Human-to-human calls are a very powerful tool!) Here is the link to our dialer toolkit.  If you want to call from downtown Seattle this link has all of Washington Environmental Council’s phone banks for 1631, Sunday-Thursday.

Texting – We are doing texts to help Get Out The Vote. You can sign up for a texting shift here.

Small Business Endorsements -Do you know a small business owner you can ask? Maybe your favorite coffee shop? If you get a yes, be sure to fill out this form and we can get them a sign for their window.

If you want to help in a more substantial way by volunteering full or part time for the campaign, let me know! Or if you can host an organizer from out of town, please sign up here.

Go here to learn more about the YES on 1631 campaign, and its endorsers.

We Can. We Must. We Will!

Save our orcas, climate, and dollars: free the Snake!

At our August 5 general meeting, OCA members by consensus adopted a resolution calling for the immediate removal of the four lower Snake River Dams and their replacement by clean power. Removing the lower 4 Snake River Dams will benefit the Pacific Northwest in several ways:

  • Freeing the Snake River ensures restoration of fish populations and marine ecosystems. Lack of chinook salmon from the Columbia River system is a principal reason for the decline of the Southern Resident Orcas.
  • A flowing river will invite local community and tourist recreation.
  • Land reclamation provides ground for new agricultural development with its jobs.
  • Tax and ratepayers will no longer pay for unnecessary, underperforming dams and the future burden of maintenance costs. These dams have outlived their initial intended purpose and are becoming a cost-prohibitive maintenance issue.
  • Energy output from these dams is not required to support the grid, and subsidies to this inefficient technology suppresses available clean energy capacity.

https://damsense.org/ – comprehensive, in-depth website devoted to the issue

The Case for Breaching the 4 Lower Snake River Dams – Orca Network

Greenhouse Gas Impacts of the L4SRDs – John Twa, Mechanical Engineer

Green Power Is Available Now to Replace the L4SRDs–In Fact, Ratepayers Are Subsidizing an Inferior Technology –

Southern Resident Killer Whale Synopsis – Debra Ellers, North Olympic Orca Pod

Seattle Times: Controversy over orcas vs. dams

David James Duncan on Freeing the Snake River from Mark Titus on Vimeo.

Actions to save the Orcas, from 350 Seattle: Call Governor Inslee at 360-902-4111 and ask him to take action immediately. Thank him for working to protect orcas, and tell him you support stronger action, now, without delay:

  • Issue an emergency moratorium on new fossil fuel traffic in the Salish Sea.
  • Define a rigorous and mandatory ‘Oil Spill Clean Up Rate’ to stop Trans Mountain tar sands crude oil from coming through Washington State.
  • Stop fuel exports at March Point and Cherry Point, and the construction of the LNG facility in Tacoma.
  • Stand in support of Whatcom County’s existing moratorium on new fossil fuel infrastructure.
  • Call on BC Premier John Horgan take swift action against fish farms.
  • Restore Chinook spawning grounds by breaching of the lower four Snake River dams.

Online petitions:

Whom to call or contact and ways to provide your opinion: Sample comments and link here: “Public Feedback: Southern Resident Killer Whale Recovery and Task Force” https://bit.ly/2McBcFT

Governor J. Inslee
phone: (360) 902-4111
e-message: https://bit.ly/2F7AWDN

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GovInslee

 

Senator Patty Murray (425) 259-6515
fax: (509) 624-9561
e-message: https://bit.ly/2jsVl8T

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PattyMurray

 

Senator Maria Cantwell (202) 224-3441
fax: (202) 228-0514
e-message: https://bit.ly/2lzQshJ

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SenatorCantwell

 

NOAA, Barry Thom (503) 231-6266

 

Please tell the Army Corps of Engineers to supplement the 2002 EIS promptly and use Alternative 4 to breach the 4 Lower Snake River Dams in 2018.

 

US Army Corps of Engineers (202) 761-0000

Lt. General Todd T. Semonite
Commander and Chief of Engineers

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
441 G Street NW
Washington, DC 20314-1000

Northwest Division, USACE

Brigadier General Helmlinger
PO Box 2870
Portland OR 97208-2870
503-808-3800

Ask about climate at candidate forums

Coming soon is the time to exercise your democratic right to vote. Inform yourself (and others) about the candidates’ views on climate change and what to do about it. As has been noted elsewhere on this site, individual acts of conscience will simply not be sufficient to avert a catastrophic climate crisis in the coming decades; therefore we must muster the political will to take collective action, and this election will be all-important in forming that political will, at every level of government.
Questions to ask local candidates about climate

Let us know if you know about other upcoming forums!

Wednesday, October 3, noon, Rotary Club, Asian Buffet.
Candidates for Clallam County Director of Community Development Mary Ellen Winborn and Julie Gardiner.

Wednesday, October 3, 6 pm. League of Women Voters, Port Angeles City Council Chambers.
Candidates for Clallam County Director of Community Development Mary Ellen Winborn and Julie Gardiner. Candidates for Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Nichols and Selinda Barkhuis. Candidates for Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict and James (Jim) McLaughlin.

Thursday, October 4, 7 pm. League of Women Voters & AAUW, Tri-Area Center, 10 West Valley Rd, Chimacum.
Candidates for District Court Judge Noah Harrison and Mindy Walker (non-partisan position). Candidates for County Prosecutor Michael Haas (D) and James Kennedy (D).

Tuesday, October 9, 1 pm, KONP Radio.
Candidates for Clallam County Director of Community Development Mary Ellen Winborn and Julie Gardiner.

Thursday, October 11, noon, Kiwanis Club, Joshua’s Restaurant.
Candidates for Clallam County Director of Community Development Mary Ellen Winborn and Julie Gardiner.
Thursday, October 11, 7 pm, League of Women Voters & AAUW, Port Ludlow Beach Club, 121 Marina View Drive.
Candidates for County Sheriff Joe Nole (D) and David Stanko (No Party Preference). Candidates for Public Utility District Commission District 3 Tom Brotherton and Dan Toepper (non-partisan position).
Tuesday, October 16, 6 pm, League of Women Voters, Peninsula College Forks.
Candidates for Clallam County District Court 2 Judge Erik Rohrer and John Black. Candidates for Clallam County Commissioner (District 3) Bill Peach and Howard (Mike) Doherty, Jr. Co-sponsored by Peninsula College Associated Student Council.

Tuesday, October 16, 7 pm, League of Women Voters & AAUW, Tri-Area Center, 10 West Valley Rd, Chimacum.
Candidates for 24th Legislative District Position 1 Mike Chapman (D) and Jodi Wilke (R). Candidates for 24th Legislative District Position 2 Jim McEntire (R) and Steve Tharinger (D).

Wednesday, October 17, 4 pm, League of Women Voters, Peninsula College Little Theater, Port Angeles.
Candidates for PUD Commissioner (District 3) Ted Simpson and Jim Waddell. Candidates for US Representative Derek Kilmer and Douglas Dightman. Co-sponsored by Peninsula College Associated Student Council.

Wednesday, October 17, 7 pm, League of Women Voters & AAUW, Port Townsend Community Center, 620 Tyler St.
Candidates for Board of County Commissioners Greg Brotherton (D) and Jon Cooke (R). Candidates for Congressional District 6 Douglas Dightman (R) and Derek Kilmer (D)—will only occur if Kilmer can attend (empty-chair debates not allowed by League).

Thursday, October 18, 6 pm, League of Women Voters, Port Angeles Public Library.
Candidates for Clallam County District Court Judge Dave Neupert and Suzanne Hayden. Candidates for State Representative Position 1 Mike Chapman and Jodi Wilke and Position 2 Steve Tharinger and Jim McEntire. Co-sponsored by North Olympic Library System.

Friday, October 26, noon, Soroptimist Noon Club, Joshua’s Restaurant.
Candidates for Clallam County Department of Community Development Mary Ellen Winborn and Julie Gardiner.

Salish Sea Day of Action coverage

http://www.ptleader.com/news/community-gathers-to-save-our-salish-sea/article_c1a50c38-bb9f-11e8-a30f-e7d966ce6d05.html

Save our orcas, climate, and dollars – Free the Snake!

At our August 5 general meeting, OCA members by consensus adopted a resolution calling for the immediate removal of the four lower Snake River Dams and their replacement by clean power. Removing the lower 4 Snake River Dams will benefit the Pacific Northwest in several ways:

  • Freeing the Snake River ensures restoration of fish populations and marine ecosystems. Lack of chinook salmon from the Columbia River system is a principal reason for the decline of the Southern Resident Orcas.
  • A flowing river will invite local community and tourist recreation.
  • Land reclamation provides ground for new agricultural development with its jobs.
  • Tax and ratepayers will no longer pay for unnecessary, underperforming dams and the future burden of maintenance costs. These dams have outlived their initial intended purpose and are becoming a cost-prohibitive maintenance issue.
  • Energy output from these dams is not required to support the grid, and subsidies to this inefficient technology suppresses available clean energy capacity.

https://damsense.org/ – comprehensive, in-depth website devoted to the issue

The Case for Breaching the 4 Lower Snake River Dams – Orca Network

Greenhouse Gas Impacts of the L4SRDs – John Twa, Mechanical Engineer

Green Power Is Available Now to Replace the L4SRDs–In Fact, Ratepayers Are Subsidizing an Inferior Technology –

Southern Resident Killer Whale Synopsis – Debra Ellers, North Olympic Orca Pod

Seattle Times: Controversy over orcas vs. dams

David James Duncan on Freeing the Snake River from Mark Titus on Vimeo.

Actions to save the Orcas, from 350 Seattle: Call Governor Inslee at 360-902-4111 and ask him to take action immediately. Thank him for working to protect orcas, and tell him you support stronger action, now, without delay:

  • Issue an emergency moratorium on new fossil fuel traffic in the Salish Sea.
  • Define a rigorous and mandatory ‘Oil Spill Clean Up Rate’ to stop Trans Mountain tar sands crude oil from coming through Washington State.
  • Stop fuel exports at March Point and Cherry Point, and the construction of the LNG facility in Tacoma.
  • Stand in support of Whatcom County’s existing moratorium on new fossil fuel infrastructure.
  • Call on BC Premier John Horgan take swift action against fish farms.
  • Restore Chinook spawning grounds by breaching of the lower four Snake River dams.

Online petitions:

Whom to call or contact and ways to provide your opinion: Sample comments and link here: “Public Feedback: Southern Resident Killer Whale Recovery and Task Force” https://bit.ly/2McBcFT

Governor J. Inslee
phone: (360) 902-4111
e-message: https://bit.ly/2F7AWDN

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GovInslee

Senator Patty Murray (425) 259-6515
fax: (509) 624-9561
e-message: https://bit.ly/2jsVl8T

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PattyMurray

Senator Maria Cantwell (202) 224-3441
fax: (202) 228-0514
e-message: https://bit.ly/2lzQshJ

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SenatorCantwell

NOAA, Barry Thom (503) 231-6266

Please tell the Army Corps of Engineers to supplement the 2002 EIS promptly and use Alternative 4 to breach the 4 Lower Snake River Dams in 2018.

US Army Corps of Engineers (202) 761-0000

Lt. General Todd T. Semonite
Commander and Chief of Engineers
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
441 G Street NW
Washington, DC 20314-1000

Northwest Division, USACE
Brigadier General Helmlinger
PO Box 2870
Portland OR 97208-2870
503-808-3800

Save our Salish Sea featuring singer/guitarist Dana Lyons, Sept. 15 in PT

Salish-Sea-Poster (002)

On September 15th, from 2-4 pm at Pope Marine Park in Port Townsend, there will be a free concert featuring singer/songwriter and guitarist, Dana Lyons.  He will be sharing his “Songs of the Salish Sea” focusing on the health and restoration of our important waterway.

Our local community is joining other communities around the bioregion to build broader awareness and advocacy for protection for our Sacred Sea and all living creatures. While the sea itself may separate us physically, we are uniting to face these growing threats together.  #WeAretheWater

The event will feature song, art and education integrated together to raise awareness of how we all can help Save the Salish Sea. Interspersed with Dana Lyons’s songs, leaders in the community will talk about the challenges the Salish Sea faces and how we all can protect it. The family-friendly event will also include inter-generational art creation and information tables. Speakers include Deborah Stinson, Mayor, City of Port Townsend; Laura Tucker, Climate Educator; and others.

The event is being organized by the Sierra Club North Olympic Peninsula Group, Local 20/20, QUUF’s Green Sanctuary Environmental Action Committee, and Olympic Climate Action in partnership with organizations throughout the peninsula.

RSVP here or on the Facebook event. Bring an umbrella, and a chair to guarantee yourself a seat!

And of course, please bike, bus, walk or carpool to the event if possible! The event is fully accessible.

Additionally, for those interested in direct action before the event, the Port Townsend Marine Science Center is hosting an International Coastal Cleanup day from 12pm – 4pm on the same day, September 15th. Go to PTMSC.org for more information. 

CONTACT:   Cherri Mann, cherrimann@aol.com, 360-390-4877.

Rise for Orca and Climate Justice – Saturday, Sept. 8 – Port Angeles

Our action is part of a national day of observance sponsored by 350.org. and a prelude to the Global Climate Summit being held in San Francisco September 12-14. Activities include:

* Hollywood Beach Party, meet and greet, potluck/picnic

* Kids’ activities all day long (see press release below for details)

* Storytelling and music

* Orca vigil & Kayaktivists invocation

* Featured speakers at Feiro Marine Life Center:

  • Ken Balcomb, Center for Whale Research, on the plight of the orcas.
  • Eric de Place, Sightline Institute, and Verner Wilson, Friends of
    the Earth, on fossil fuel impacts to Puget Sound & the Thin Green Line.

* Evening program at Elwha Klallam Heritage Center: Multi-media
presentation of The Road To Athabasca, a chronicle of an epic
bicycle journey along the route of the Trans Mountain pipeline.

This event is free, but donations will be collected to fund OCA’s activities and the opposition to the Trans Mountain Pipeline. Please RSVP here so we can add our numbers to the overall count of people who are gathering on this day for Climate Justice internationally.  You can also keep up to date on this event on our Facebook page.

Activity schedule

Speaker bios

Press release with more details

B&W flyer for the day’s events

Poster: Rising for Orca & Climate Justice

Poster: The Road to Athabasca