Rep. Kilmer: listen to science, our young people, and your heart

It was back-to-back activism yesterday at Rep. Derek Kilmer's office in Port Angeles. First, the North Olympic Orca Pod hosted a die-in and delivered a letter outlining 23 scientific articles supporting the immediate breaching of the lower Snake River dams. OCA members delivered our own letter to Kilmer and described the promise offered by the …

GND local update

From: Mike Ferguson <petitions4bernie@gmail.com> Sent: Friday, February 8, 2019 8:15 PM Below are local actions to take and UPDATED INFO for events on the Olympic Peninsula to ensure the Green New Deal gets the support it needs. The plan to pass the Green New Deal starts now! From today until Sunday, February 10, we need …

Green New Deal petition

Tell Congress: Support Sen Markey & Rep Ocasio-Cortez’s resolution for a Green New Deal This week, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and Senator Ed Markey have introduced twin resolutions to bring the Green New Deal to Congress. These resolutions are the first that tackle climate change in line with what science and justice demand, and if …

Green New Deal

Join livestream kickoff watch parties for a Green New Deal, Tuesday, February 5, from 7-8:30 pm at the Clallam County Courthouse (use the after-hours entrance west of the flagpoles) or in Port Townsend at Rosewind Commons. The most recent scientific consensus, including the federal government’s own National Climate Assessment, indicates a very short window for …

Investigate Ryan Zinke

Thanks for taking action on our petition: Tell House Democrats: Investigate Ryan Zinke. Here are some ways you can spread the word: Email your friends or forward the message below. If you are on Facebook, click here to post the petition to your Timeline. If you have a Twitter account, click here to automatically tweet: …

First American PAC promotes I-1631

First ad features Quinault Tribe executive director The first commercial produced by the First American Project PAC, a coalition of Washington's Tribes and allies, stands in support of I-1631. This unedited, long-form commercial features President Fawn Sharp of the Quinault Tribe. Multiple other leaders will be featured in the next two weeks in ads. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMqqAyli6A8&feature=youtu.be

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 …

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 …

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 …

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

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 …

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 * …

Tribes uniting to support I-1631

http://knkx.org/post/pacific-northwest-tribes-pushing-climate-action-launch-new-political-action-committee A new coalition of tribal leaders, The First American Project, has come together to promote policies that protect the environment and human rights, and their first order of business is to pass I-1631, which would put a price on carbon in the effort to slow global warming. Theresa Sheldon, a member of the coalition and …

Port Angeles commits to a climate plan

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/port-angeles-aims-for-climate-plan-in-2019/ In a 6-0 vote, the Port Angeles City Council at its meeting on 6/19/18 committed to devising a climate action plan in 2019 with help from a citizens' committee. Council member Lindsey Schromen-Wawrin noted that Port Angeles has heard from citizens [including OCA members] for many years on this issue, with little response, and …

Clallam County Commissioners unanimously pass climate resolution

At their June 19th meeting, the Clallam County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted Resolution 2018-62, reinvigorating planning and action on climate, shepherded by Commissioner Mark Ozias. In this resolution, the Commissioners note local impacts of climate change including "increased likelihood of storm surge and coastal flooding...low snowpack resulting in drought and water shortages...major fires...advance of …

Clallam County Commissioners to consider climate resolution

At their regular meeting of June 19, 2018, starting at 10 a.m., the Clallam County Board of Commissioners will consider a resolution long in the making, shepherded by Commissioner Mark Ozias, to reinvigorate a Climate Action Plan passed in 2009. The draft of the resolution is here. Passage of this important resolution is not guaranteed; …

OCA endorses I-1631; time to gather signatures!

State initiative would put a fee on carbon and devote the proceeds to clean energy and climate protection At its April 2018 monthly meeting, Olympic Climate Action (OCA) agreed by consensus to endorse I-1631, the Protect Washington Act initiative. OCA joins Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy, Washington Audubon, a coalition of Native American tribes and …

Warrior Up! Rally on land & sea vs. Kinder Morgan May 20 in Seattle

The Kinder Morgan pipeline project can and must be stopped! Tar sands are one of the biggest climate threats we face, and Houston-based Kinder Morgan is trying to build a massive new pipeline through British Columbia to export this oil. They've encountered much more resistance than they expected so they've temporarily stopped investment and will …

Support these climate-related bills now!

Consider sending a message SOON to our state legislators about these pending bills. Sen. Kevin Van de Wege: kevin.vandewege@leg.wa.gov Rep. Steve Tharinger: steve.tharinger@leg.wa.gov Rep. Mike Chapman: mike.chapman@leg.wa.gov Dear 24th District state legislators: At today's monthly general meeting, the members of Olympic Climate Action took a consensus position to support these bills, which will help to pave the way …

Stop Kinder Morgan: Kickoff March 10

Indigenous-led resistance to the Kinder Morgan tar-sands pipeline will begin March 10 in Vancouver. From: Victoria Leistman-Sierra Club [mailto:victoria.leistman@sierraclub.org] (NOTE: Victoria helped organize our local Pull Together events last August in Chimacum and Port Angeles, to raise funds for the fight vs Kinder Morgan.) ON MARCH 10th, KWEKWECNEWTXW BEGINS An Indigenous-led Mass Mobilization to Stop Kinder …

Climate/Energy bills in the State Leg

OCA's Executive Committee just sent these messages to our 24th District state legislators; we suggest you contact them as well, on this and other issues still pending in the Legislature: Rep. Mike Chapman: mike.chapman@leg.wa.gov 360-786-7916 Rep. Steve Tharinger: steve.tharinger@leg.wa.gov 360-786-7904 Sen. Kevin Van de Wege: kevin.vandewege@leg.wa.gov 360-786-7646 3SHB 1144: OCA commends the State House for passing this bill which would revise the current state-mandated …

We will endure: the Climate Resistance

Now that the Climate Resistance event has happened, you can watch highlights here: ...or the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1EMCxtpyok&feature=youtu.be With our federal government seemingly bent on cooking the planet for the sake of corporate profits, we have no choice but to take up the mantle ourselves:  as individuals, organizations, businesses, and local and state governments. …

Climate Resistance kickstarts across the Olympic Peninsula Jan. 31

With our federal government seemingly bent on cooking the planet for the sake of corporate profits, we have no choice but to take up the mantle ourselves:  as individuals, organizations, businesses, and local and state governments. It's on us! Join us January 31 as we work with 350.org to kick off a major campaign for 2018...  On …

We blocked the gates!

On the morning of Monday, December 18, Water Protectors and community members gathered outside the Tacoma LNG facility to show opposition to Puget Sound Energy's (PSE) disregard for treaty rights and the health and safety of our communities and planet. A contingent from North Olympic Peninsula representing OCA and the North Olympic Orca Pod were …

CALL TO ACTION: Block the Gates, Tacoma LNG

On the morning of Monday, December 18, water protectors and community members will gather outside the Tacoma LNG facility to show opposition to Puget Sound Energy's (PSE) disregard for treaty rights and the health and safety of our communities and planet:  https://www.facebook.com/events/766578836862331/ Let's send a delegation from the Olympic Peninsula! RSVP HERE so we can organize …

Clallam shoreline plan needs to consider climate change more seriously

At today's hearing on Clallam County's Draft Shoreline Master Program (September 2017, Ed Chadd submitted the following comments on behalf of OCA, urging greater consideration of climate change in shoreline planning in order to protect both the public and County government (news article here): I am here representing Olympic Climate Action, a group of local citizens …

Banks: respect the planet & human rights; until then, we’re divesting

By consensus at our Oct. 1 meeting, OCA signed onto the Equator Banks, Act! petition, asking the major banks of the world to live up to their commitment to support people and the planet--it's time to match their words with actions. The petition is below; you can sign on yourself at equatorbanksact.org. We also signed on …

#DeFundPipelines – join us on Oct 23

We are participating in the Mazaska Talks Global Day of Action on Oct 23 with actions opposing banks funding pipelines with branches in Port Townsend, Port Angeles, and Sequim. Join our planning group! Sign up for the event here    

Pull Together: Keep Tar Sands Oil out of Our Water, Aug. 22-23

Local Groups Fight Pipeline with “Pull Together” Events August 22 in Chimacum ♦ August 23 in Port Angeles  ♦ August 24 in Port Townsend DONATE TO PULL TOGETHER HERE DONATE TO STAND WITH KWANTLEN HERE Olympic Climate Action (OCA) joins with the Sierra Club, the Native Connections group of the Unitarian-Universalist Church in Port Townsend, Pull Together, and Stand with Kwantlen …

SOS! All hands on deck!

President Trump is reported to be leaning toward completely withdrawing America from the Paris Climate Agreement. This would be one of the most foolish and reckless decisions of any President in history. Scientists estimate that this single act could result in an additional 0.5°C of global warming, which could make the difference between a difficult-but-livable planet and …

Legislators: Put a price on carbon now

By unanimous agreement at our meeting of 5/7/2017, we have sent this letter to our state legislators: Senator Kevin Van de Wege Representative Steve Tharinger Representative Mike Chapman Washington State Legislature Dear State Legislative representatives from District 24: Olympic Climate Action maintains a membership of more than 600 members from the Olympic Peninsula through email …

US Bank Updates its Environmental Responsibility Policy!

Remember those cold days in February when people in Port Angeles and Sequim were protesting US Bank's support of DAPL pipeline ?  Well, good news.  US Bank has revised its environmental responsibility policy to state that it will no longer directly fund any oil or gas pipelines! And any relationships with companies/people in the oil …

Walk 4 the Salish Sea

This is one of the most important international/local issues we face now.  We encourage you to join in (for as much or as little as you can via any human-powered means of transport).  Or, if you can't join physically, donate. When: May 25-28, 2017 Where: from Victoria to Kinder Morgan Westridge Terminal, Burnaby RSVP if …

People’s Climate March ♥ Olympic Peninsula ♥ April 29, 2017

"Our Peninsula, Our Future, Our Climate" 3:00 PM • Port Angeles City Pier 321 N. Lincoln St., Port Angeles, WA 98362 RSVP here Contribute here Map to parking and City Pier Agenda of speakers and activities March route FAQ Our banners - original artwork by Makah artist Micah McCarty Video by James Cameron Article by Bill …

Stand for Standing Rock

U.S. Bank, Port Angeles & Sequim Saturday, March 4, 2017, 11 - noon In response to the sudden announcement that the Trump administration plans to abrogate the Environmental Impact Statement process and bulldoze the sovereign rights of indigenous people at Standing Rock in order to push the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) through their ancestral lands, OCA, …

Stand for Standing Rock

U.S. Bank, Port Angeles & Sequim Saturday, February 25, 2017, 11 - noon In response to the sudden announcement that the Trump administration plans to abrogate the Environmental Impact Statement process and bulldoze the sovereign rights of indigenous people at Standing Rock in order to push the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) through their ancestral lands, OCA, …

LETTER: Trump threatens to substantially turn back the clock on climate change progress

Peninsula Daily News Tue Jan 31st, 2017 1:30am, Letters to the Editor Far from making America great again, Donald Trump may in fact threaten human civilization by setting in motion runaway climate change beyond the capacity of civilization to cope. The trickiest concept about climate change is the lag time between cause and effect, whereby …

Oppose a “Climate-Denial Cabinet”

Peninsula Daily News story here This issue was discussed at the Clallam County Commissioners' work session on Jan. 17.  One Commissioner, Mark Ozias, pledged to take action on behalf of our community, and deserves our thanks. At our monthly meeting on 1/8/2017, OCA unanimously directed our Executive Committee to write this letter to Washington's Senators, urging them …

Stand with Standing Rock–donate now

The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe will pick up donations Saturday, Nov. 19 in Port Angeles--plus other ways to donate Suggestions from the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe: - Camp support: http://standingrock.org/ - Legal support: https://fundrazer.com/d19fAf?ref=sh_25rPQa Indian Country Today - Special Issue on Standing Rock The members of Olympic Climate Action, a network of some 500 grassroots activists living on …

Stand with Standing Rock in Port Angeles

Tuesday, Nov. 15, 3 pm - Gateway Center - Front & Lincoln - details here To make a donation: - Camp support: http://standingrock.org/ - Legal support: https://fundrazer.com/d19fAf?ref=sh_25rPQa Indian Country Today - Special Issue on Standing Rock The Lower Elwha Klallam and Jamestown S'Klallam Tribes stand in support of the Standing Rock protesters. JAMESTOWN S’KLALLAM TRIBAL COUNCIL RESOLUTION …

Sequim adopts sustainability resolution

Belated kudos to the City of Sequim!  This is a far-sighted resolution unanimously adopted on July 25 calling for incorporating climate into all planning instruments, working with other regional parties, learning and educating, and monitoring and evaluating.  Thanks to OCA members Bob Sextro and Brian Grad, who testified before the City Council. Here is the resolution: …

LOCAL I-732 events today!

Help bring a carbon tax to WA! At 2:45 today at the Dungeness River Audubon Center, Mike Massa of the CarbonWA executive board will give a presentation on I-732 to the Dungeness River Management Team, refuting the misleading statements made by the Clallam County PUD in opposition to the initiative.  A public comment period will …

PUD Commissioners:  fulfill your mission and support I-732

"We are disappointed that the Clallam County PUD Board of Commissioners voted against supporting Initiative 732, a measure designed to accelerate the switch to affordable clean energy." In a guest opinion piece in the Sequim Gazette, OCA members collaborated on a response and appeal to the Clallam County Public Utility District Commissioners to rescind their …

OCA responds to PUD misstatements about I-732

On May 9, members of OCA presented this statement to Clallam County PUD commissioners regarding their ill-considered opposition to I-732, the state carbon-tax initiative that will be on the ballot in November. In spite of substantive refutations from OCA, OCA members, and a representative from the I-732 campaign, pointing out that I-732 will have very little economic …

OCA comments on Port Angeles Comprehensive Plan

Urges consideration of climate change in guiding the City's future OCA delivered these comments to the Port Angeles Planning Commission, which is charged with taking public input and drafting a periodic required update of the Port Angeles Comprehensive Plan.  This plan guides decision-making of the City as it strives to meet its mission to enhance the quality …

Clallam commissioners adopt climate change work plan

(Peninsula Daily News 4/12/16) PORT ANGELES — Clallam County commissioners have approved a work plan to adapt to potential impacts of climate change. After hearing testimony from a split group of public speakers Tuesday, county commissioners voted 3-0 to pass a resolution directing six county departments to consider impacts and strategies contained in a North …

Legislators:  Act on I-732!

Thanks to individuals and groups such as OCA across the state, the CarbonWA revenue-neutral carbon tax initiative 732 has met its signature threshold and stands before the state legislature, who can either enact it, propose their own version, or pass it on to the voters untouched.  OCA, with the consensus of our membership, has sent …

OCA Reacts to COP21

At the end of the Paris Conference of Parties meeting #21 on Dec. 12, spontaneous celebrations around the globe marked the mood of relief that political leaders from 187 countries had just agreed to acknowledge responsibility for turning the climate change ship around. The significance of this agreement at the two-week COP21 climate summit in …

Plant-for-the-Planet Academy inducts new Climate Ambassadors

On October 24, Olympic Climate Action, Climate Change for Families, and 4-H of WSU Extension Clallam County hosted a Plant-for-the-Planet Academy with elementary and middle-school students.  Seven new Climate Ambassadors learned about the climate crisis, the distribution of wealth, population, and pollution around the world, Plant-for-the-Planet's 3-point plan to solve the climate crisis, and how to become …

The candidates on climate

Ballots to be mailed Oct. 14 Here are the candidates for Clallam County Commissioner speaking on climate change: League of Women Voters Port Angeles Rotary Club PA Chamber of Commerce

OCA gathering signatures on I-732 & I-735

Promoting the CarbonWA carbon-tax initiative to bring clean energy to WA and the WAmend big-money-out-of-elections initiative to restore balance to our democracy. OCA has sponsored several events centered around the CarbonWA initiative to enact a revenue-neutral tax swap which will tax "bads" (fossil fuels) instead of "goods" (sales, business activities, and working families).  Signature-gathering will continue through …

Collect signatures on two great initiatives: CarbonWA & WAmend

It's important to shout out not only what we oppose (Shell Oil, Arctic drilling, coal & oil ports, secret trade agreements), but also what our positive vision is. Luckily, a couple of state initiatives encapsulate that positive vision:  CarbonWA and WAmend.  OCA has committed to gather signatures on both.  Won't you help?  Memorial Day pays …

sHellNo:  We Can Do Better than Drill the Arctic

Saturday, April 25, 10-2, Port Angeles Farmers Market, Front & Lincoln Streets Members of Olympic Climate Action will be at the Port Angeles Farmers Market this Saturday to stand in opposition to the Shell oil drilling rig currently moored in Port Angeles Harbor. Shell acknowledges that human-caused climate change is a problem and that government ought …