The Obama administration has done environmentalists a favor by delaying the Keystone XL pipeline decision until June. This will allow activists across the country extra time to raise awareness. Of course it would be easier if he just nixed the whole project, but he seems to like a slower, more reasoned approach with wide public support. This is why it is so important that we take it to the streets. He wants our voice... he wants our support. The Sierra Club, 350.org along with many other organizations are coming together next Sunday for the Forward on Climate rally on the National Mall in Washington, DC. If you can't make it to the DC event, worry not, chapters of 350.org have coordinated events in solidarity across the country.
I hope by now many of you already understand why this is important so I won't bore you with the details, those can be found in my previous post 350.org: Do The Math or at 350.org's website. But I will add these facts: the Keystone XL pipeline during its expected lifetime will pump enough tar sands oil to push us over the 565 gigatons of CO2 limit that scientists have said will cause a life altering 2ºC rise in global temperatures. Our atmospheric CO2 concentrations have already exceeded the recommended safe level of 350 ppm, reaching 391 ppm, and Mother Nature has shown her disgust. Just turn on the news, every story of super-storms, drought, 130º temperatures in Australia, that's her telling us we have pushed too hard and it's time to turn things around. The time for action was 10, 20...maybe even 30 years ago, but we can't go back, all we have left is today, next Sunday and the near future to correct this problem. If we don't, Mother Nature will take her wrath out on our children, not some future generation, but our children of today.
350 Silicon Valley
350 Bay Area has opened a chapter in Silicon Valley with meetings in Palo Alto and Los Gatos. I would prefer it were called 350 Valley of Heart's Delight, returning to the Santa Clara valley I remember as a child. But the orchards and creeks are mostly gone, replaced by the corporate giants of the technology, small start-up tech companies and concrete flood-control systems. I do take some solace in the fact that maybe some of the Green technology needed to solve this problem may originate here. Although I don't see Silicon Valley as an overtly progressive area, many either already are or dream of striking it rich in this modern technology "gold rush," yet many here have strong socially and environmentally progressive ideologies. So I hope this will become a large and innovative chapter.
Bill McKibben and 350.org has created a great organization with local chapters opening up around the globe. Not only can you get involved in national events such as Forward on Climate, but you can also work on local issues. Who knows, maybe your idea can takeoff across the country or around the world. Join or create a group near you, click here 350.org local.
Can't make it to DC? Find a solidarity rally near you...
California
Los Angeles When: Sunday, February 17, 1:00 p.m.
Where: Start at the South-West Side of Paseo De La Plaza in Olvera St. (Between North Los Angeles St. & Main St.) Destination: South side steps of City Hall, 200 North Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA
Click here to RSVP or for more information.
San Diego When: Sunday, February 17, 1-3 p.m.
Where: Mission Bay Park Visitors Center, 2688 East Mission Bay Drive, San Diego, CA 921095 and I-5 overpass
Click here to RSVP or for more information.
Fenton When: Sunday, February 17, 12:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
What: Coalition teach-in on climate change in solidarity with the Forward on Climate Rally in DC.
Click here to RSVP or for more information.
Montana
Bozeman When: Sunday, February 17, 1 p.m.
Where: The library at 626 E. Main St.
Medford When: Sunday, February 17, 1:00 p.m.
Where: 1 p.m. at the Medford Public Library (205 South Central Ave.) and 2:30 p.m. outside Porters Restaurant (147 N Front St.)
Click here to RSVP or for more information.
Seattle When: Sunday, February 17, 11:30 a.m.
Where: Golden Gardens Park (8498 Seaview Pl. NW) with special guest speaker, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn.
Click here to RSVP or for more information.
Have you ever seen the earth breath? It does...watch the carbon levels go up and down as the seasons change.
NASA Animation
NOAA Earth Systems Research Laboratory with carbon levels going back 800,000 years
