Energy market changes may spell its doom BPA financial threats BPA & Lower Snake River Dams
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 …
Arctic warming is worse than we thought
Valve Turners: “More afraid of climate change than prison”
Clallam County considers climate action
At their work session on 2/12/18, the Board of Clallam County Commissioners discussed a resolution proposed by Commissioner Mark Ozias for Clallam County to take further steps to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Clallam County residents are urged to communicate with their Commissioners about this resolution. Public comment of a general nature is taken …
Trump flushes out his ignorance
“Natural” gas…”the dirtiest of all”…
Block the Gates – “No LNG in 253″
OCA members participate in the Lock-Down demonstration at the Port of Tacoma Liquefied Natural Gas terminal construction site on December 18, 2017. By OCA member Michael Clemens On Sunday the 17th and Monday the 18th, the Puyallup Tribe sponsored a protest of the unpermitted LNG terminal in the Port of Tacoma. 350.org and many other …
Columbia Generation Station
At the last OCA meeting, Phil Lusk gave a talk about the costly electricity we buy from the Columbia Generating Station (CGS), a nuclear power plant located near Richland WA. Phil’s analysis indicates that this nuclear-energy facility, owned and operated by Energy Northwest, is subsidized heavily, to the tune of $1.64 billion by 2028. Phil …
Stop Pipeline threat to Puget Sound
Recently Todd Paglia and Karen Mahon wrote the Seattle Times concerning the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Pipeline. They argue that If built, this Canadian pipeline project would increase the marine traffic by more than 400 tankers per year. This poses unacceptable risks to our Sound. Read the letter here: https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/stop-canadian-pipeline-that-threatens-puget-sound-orcas/
More Tanker Traffic in the Strait?
In a letter to the editors of Peninsula Daily News, November 6, 2017, Brian Grad wrote: Oil tankers have delivered North Slope crude for decades through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and although that history hasn’t been spill-free, we’ve come to accept that traffic, governed by federal law, as an acceptable risk. Would it …
Climate Science Special Report
"WASHINGTON — Directly contradicting much of the Trump administration’s position on climate change, 13 federal agencies unveiled an exhaustive scientific report on Friday that says humans are the dominant cause of the global temperature rise that has created the warmest period in the history of civilization." "Despite the scientific consensus presented in the report, the …
Mazaska talks; the banks are listening!
Indigenous people just led the largest EVER protest of bank financing of fossil fuels. DAPL was just the beginning. https://t.co/TwvsyRFTPp — Mazaska Talks (@MazaskaTalks) October 27, 2017 BREAKING: The 91 Equator Banks are revising their principles on indigenous rights & climate change for the next 18 months! Keep up the pressure by taking the pledge …
PA City Council Candidates on Climate Planning
https://youtu.be/TJTAP-TlGYg?t=58m31s Candidates for Port Angeles City Council Travis Berglund, Kate Dexter, Lindsey Schromen-Wawrin and Artur Wojnowski respond to Mike Doherty's question about a Climate Action Plan -- mitigation and adaption -- as the work of the City Council. (Mike's question starts at minute 58:30.) http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/politics/port-angeles-council-candidates-talk-about-environmental-issues/ Remember to VOTE by Nov. 7.
Activists shut down bank branches in Seattle
Climate-related podcasts
Here's a list of some good ones, which you should be able to access through collector services such as iTunes, Pocket Casts, or Stitcher: Warm Regards Stepping Up Generation Anthropocene Climate Conversations Trump on Earth Terrestrial
Kinder Morgan pipeline faces stiff opposition, esp. from indigenous groups
This NPR story notes that indigenous groups are becoming increasingly better organized and focused on larger environmental and energy questions, asserting their sovereignty and right to self-determination.
Harvey is a Particularly Urgent Warning
Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Louisiana, deadly monsoon rains in India, Bangladesh and Nepal, mudslides in Sierra Leone . . . these tragedies deserve our kindest thoughts and our aid for the victims. At the same time, these are grim reminders of the inevitable trajectory of our society's current energy choices. If we continue to …
Northern Olympic Peninsula supports Pull Together
Fundraising events last week to support the work of Pull Together against the Kinder Morgan Pipeline have brought in over $6000 in contributions from residents of the North Olympic Peninsula! Way to go! To find out more about this effort, and to contribute visit RavenTrust. Peninsula Daily News Article From: "Coast Protectors" <info@coastprotectors.ca> Subject: New …
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Another Sad Story…
In a message from 350 we just learned that: The Trump administration just disbanded a federal advisory committee on climate change. The US National Climate Assessment Advisory Committee (mostly scientists, public health, agricultural and forests/natural lands experts, oceanographers, biologists, risk, weather and water experts,etc) has been disbanded. They were in the middle of developing the …
Forget Shorter Showers
“The problem is that individual action, while admirable, is not adequate given the magnitude and trends of climate change or pollution. Please see the short video Forget Shorter Showers.” poet and climate activist, Scott Starbuck
Three Policy Pillars of the Neo-Liberal Age
"Indeed the three policy pillars of the neo-liberal age—privatization of the public sphere, deregulation of the corporate sector, and the lowering of income and corporate taxes, paid for with cuts to public spending—are each incompatible with many of the actions we must take to bring our emissions to safe levels. And together these pillars form …
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A century of global warming in 35 seconds
Video: A century of global warming in 35 seconds A revealing animation created by Antti Lipponen. You are free to copy, adapt, and build on the material.
Truth to Power
Just a few weeks away from the release of An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power, the new film featuring former Vice President Al Gore. Check out the powerful video featuring One Republic’s song, “Truth to Power”!
Most Effective Individual Steps to Tackle Climate Change
In an article quoted on sciencedaily.com Seth Wynes and Kimberly Nicholas write that Schools and Governments are not discussing the most effective individual tactics for tackling climate change. Four steps their research recommends are: Eat a plant-based diet Avoid air travel Live car free Have smaller families You can get more details about the study …
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State & local leaders: It’s time to commit
Bill McKibben writes in the latest Rolling Stone magazine: How to Tell If Your Reps Are Serious About Climate Change In the wake of Trump pulling the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement, how serious are your elected leaders about fighting back?
Climate Justice Field Manual
Thank you, Gerald Johnson
Gerald Johnson, recently retired from OCA's Executive Committee, just finished Climate Reality Leadership Training in Bellevue, WA, and has this to say: I wanted to express my gratitude for encouraging Ali and I to participate in the climate reality training. This was a truly inspirational and educational opportunity for us both. Here is a resource …
Nature Conservancy considering carbon tax proposal for Washington State
"We've made a major financial commitment to do all the work that needs to be done," she added, including gathering about 350,000 signatures to ensure the needed valid signatures. http://www.thestate.com/news/business/national-business/article155921079.html
Growing alliance of businesses & governments vows to honor Paris accord
Around the world, nations have been reacting to President Trump's announced withdrawal from the Paris climate accord with determination to move ahead in spite of the United States government. And here domestically, a growing coalition of state and local governments, tribes, and businesses are signing on to a declaration to continue honoring the Paris accord …
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Revisiting “Silent Spring”
From The New Yorker magazine: Fifty-five years ago this week, Rachel Carson published the first part of “Silent Spring” in The New Yorker. Carson exposed, in detail, the dangers of the pesticide DDT; her work jump-started the American environmental movement and helped bring about the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. This week, we’re bringing you “Silent …
While Feds fail, locals step up
President Trump's withdrawal from our country's commitment to the Paris climate accord has engendered both dismay and determination around the globe, and here on the Olympic Peninsula, Olympic Climate Action has joined that chorus. Around the country, groups are now calling for their state and local governments to fill in the void of federal leadership by …
Climate activists & Peninsula officials react to Trump’s pullout from Paris
This Peninsula Daily News story in the wake of Donald Trump's announced withdrawal from the Paris climate accord includes reactions from OCA members, the Local 20/20 sustainability group in Port Townsend, and officials from Clallam County and the Jamestown S'Klallam, Quileute, and Quinault Tribes: https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/peninsula-reacts-to-trumps-decision-to-pull-u-s-from-paris-climate-accord/
Earth mourns
Bill Moyers on Scott Pruitt
Video: Scott Pruitt Will Make America Great — For Polluters In this exclusive web essay, Bill Moyers takes on President Trump’s choice to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt has a track record of putting the business interests of the energy sector before the environmental and health interests of the public. …
Port Angeles adopts climate planning policy
On January 17, 2017, Resolution #02-17 was finalized after OCA appealed to the City Council for action following up on the climate adaptation plan. Here is a paraphrase of that resolution: "It is incumbent on all local government agencies on the Olympic Peninsula to prepare for natural disasters, sea level rise and potential emergencies related …
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Ozias commits to climate action
At Tuesday's Clallam County Commissioner meeting, Commissioner Mark Ozias committed to taking further steps with his fellow Commissioners in 2017 to prepare for climate change and reduce Clallam County's climate impact. “I’m looking forward to moving into next year with a much more firm sense of where we’re at and where we would like to …
POTUS candidates on climate change
from sciencedebate.org Climate Change The Earth’s climate is changing and political discussion has become divided over both the science and the best response. What are your views on climate change, and how would your administration act on those views? Hillary Clinton (D) When it comes to climate change, the science is crystal clear. Climate change …
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: …
“Occupy” endorses I-732
Occupy.com has posted a story about “6 ballot initiatives to watch in 2016.” Author Matt Stannard calls I-732 “absolutely the most important initiative in the country.” From the story: “At the top of the list is the first and only carbon tax and rebate initiative in the United States, an idea championed by a variety of …
I-732 will benefit Clallam County $$$
In a presentation to the Dungeness River Management Team, CarbonWA executive board member Mike Massa made the case for the I-732 revenue-neutral carbon tax and refuted the statements that the Clallam County PUD had made opposing the initiative at a previous DRMT meeting. Here are his slides in Powerpoint and PDF format. Note the projected economic impacts: …
Raves for I-732 and putting a fair price on carbon
"If there was one thing I would like to see, it would be for us to be able to price the cost of carbon emissions." * That's President Obama responding to a question from Thomas Friedman about the single most important thing we can do to solve climate change, from a forthcoming episode in the new …
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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 …
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Climate can’t see forest for trees !!!!
No problem. Palm trees are beautiful and we can develop a love for the stark beauty of the Saguaro cactus. This is what we get when the developed world's sense of entitlement leads it to a per capita carbon footprint 17 times larger than than the 2 billion food and water starved. American forests face …
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 …
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OCA notes gap in draft County shoreline plan
Last month, OCA sent a letter to the Clallam County Department of Community Development noting a gap in the Department's analysis of threats in its proposed update to its Shoreline Master Program (SMP), required under the state Shoreline Management Act - namely, the lack of any reference to the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe's study of probable climate …
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OCA signs group letter opposing Keystone XL pipeline
Measure fails by bare filibuster-proof margin In the last hours of the debate over the Keystone XL pipeline bill in the U.S. Senate, a group of climate-activist organizations, including OCA, sent a letter urging opposition to KXL bill S2280. It's time to get over the paradigms, technologies, and excesses of the past, and to build …
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Climate adaptation grant for North Olympic Peninsula
Olympic Climate Action helped develop this grant , "Planning for Climate Change on the North Olympic Peninsula Summary" and serves as a partner on it. We will encourage local elected bodies to implement the changes recommended in the report, which will be developed with reference to the best available science and in discussion with the …
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Climate adaptation grant announced in PT Leader
This commentary piece in the Port Townsend Leader describes the grant on which OCA is collaborating with the North Olympic Peninsula Resource Conservation & Development Council, to study the probable impacts of climate change on the North Olympic Peninsula and work with local governments to develop strategies to take those impacts into account.
IPCC warns that we must get serious
U.N. Climate Panel Working Group 3 Warns Speedier Action Is Needed to Avert Disaster
OCA helps land climate-impacts grant
A consortium led by the North Olympic Peninsula Resource Conservation and Development Council, including Olympic Climate Action in Clallam County and the Local 2020 Climate Action Group in east Jefferson County, has been awarded a $152,000 grant from the National Estuary Program's Watershed Protection & Restoration Fund, administered by the the WA State Dept. of Ecology. The project, pending finalization of …
Seattle calls for moratorium on oil-by-rail infrastructure
Seattle just became the first city to call for a statewide moratorium on all new oil by rail infrastructure.
Senators pull off all-nighter for climate
30 U.S. Senators stayed up all night to talk about the challenge of climate change
OCA joins U.S. Climate Action Network
Today Olympic Climate Action joined the U.S. Climate Action Network, part of the worldwide Climate Action Network. This move puts OCA in touch with other climate activists, the better to collaborate with our colleagues worldwide.
Warmth in Alaska, Cold in the Midwest – Signs of a Shifting Climate?
NASA authors explore the cause for the recent enormous avalanche that blocked the only land link between the ice-free oil port of Valdez and the rest of Alaska. What does this have to do with the rest of us? In essence, Alaska’s warmth is the “flip side of the coin” to the Midwest and Northeast’s …
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4-H environment club forming
4-H-environment club flyer
PDN story on vigil vs. Keystone
Peninsula Daily News: OCA vigil Feb. 3 to protest Keystone XL pipeline
Scientific case for radical emissions reductions
The Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research in England just hosted a conference underscoring the point that we need to get very serious very quickly about reducing our greenhouse-gas footprint. The conference website includes videos of all the talks, including a keynote address by Naomi Klein.
Climate disasters are already taxing us
Crop losses. Floods. Wildfires. Climate change and extreme weather are fundamentally changing the United States, and American taxpayers are paying a huge, and growing, cost. LINK
National Geographic on rising seas
"By the next century, if not sooner, large numbers of people will have to abandon coastal areas in Florida and other parts of the world. Some researchers fear a flood tide of climate-change refugees. 'From the Bahamas to Bangladesh and a major amount of Florida, we’ll all have to move, and we may have to …
Whatcom County votes against coal export
In a council election unlike any other in the history of Whatcom County, voters sided with representatives believed to be against a proposed coal export facility. READ MORE »
Greenhouse gases soar to record levels
The amount of planet-warming greenhouse gases in the atmosphere reached a record high in 2012, with rapid growth in both carbon dioxide and methane concentrations, according to a report released by the World Meteorological Organization.
World economic leader calls for broad energy policy reform
In a speech last week, the Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) called for immediate worldwide reform of economic and political policies to avert climate disaster. Included in his speech was the imperative that we leave most existing reserves of fossil fuels in the ground and provide a credible and stable …
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Study points to spreading unlivability
Urgent time frame seen for climate change Researchers at the University of Hawaii have developed a "climate departure" index: the year when the mean climate of any given location on Earth will shift completely outside the most extreme records experienced in the past 150 years. NBC News story Full article in the journal Nature
Bold words from climate scientists
The International Panel on Climate Change (a body of the UN) today released their summary of the entire science underpinning climate change. This summary is aimed at policymakers. "The IPCC called the evidence of climate change "unequivocal" and that the "human influence is clear" and goes a step further to endorse "substantial and sustained reductions …
Olympic Climate Action 