All posts by Shane Pekny

Rally at Sen. Sasse’s Lincoln office Jan. 9

January 7, 2017Action AlertsEcological Wisdom, Future Focus, Grassroots Democracy, Personal and Global ResponsibilityShane Pekny

From BOLD Nebraska:

On January 9, people in all 50 states will send a message to every US Senator: reject Donald Trump’s reckless climate denying cabinet nominees.

Join Bold Nebraska in Lincoln for a rally at Senator Ben Sasse’s office (we’ll also rally at Sen. Deb Fischer’s Omaha office in the afternoon at 4:00 p.m.).

The Day Against Denial will fight back against some of Trump’s most dangerous cabinet picks:

Rex Tillerson, CEO of Exxon, for Secretary of State
Scott Pruitt for EPA Administrator
Ex-Gov. Rick Perry for Secretary of Energy
Rep. Ryan Zinke for Department of Interior

The climate is changing, and anyone who denies it shouldn’t be in the White House cabinet. It’s up to the Senate to stop these nominations — and up to us to show up in person to tell our Senators to fight Trump’s Climate Denial Cabinet.

Jill Stein: In 2017, Occupy, Resist, Build Power

January 4, 2017NewsCommunity-Based Economics, Decentralization, Ecological Wisdom, Feminism, Future Focus, Grassroots Democracy, Non-Violence, Personal and Global Responsibility, Respect for Diversity, Social JusticeShane Pekny

From Jill2016.com:

The 2016 Presidential election has left our nation reeling.

Donald Trump’s shock victory is the result of the massive failure of the corporate two-party system, which imposed a whiteout on progressive and independent campaigns while producing the most disliked and untrusted major-party candidates in history.

This toxic election has delivered a uniquely toxic result: right wing extremists, bigots and blowhards will take control of government starting in January, casting a distressing shadow over our future.

As the two-party system hits rock bottom, momentous grassroots struggles are being waged outside the political establishment: at Standing Rock, in the Black Lives Matter movement, the Fight for 15,and more. In these emerging political spaces, we can make this breaking point for the establishment a tipping point towards a new politics for people, planet, and peace over profit.

Greens are uniquely positioned to help lead the way.

Unicameral cautiously approaches subject of potentially studying effects of climate change

December 29, 2016NewsCommunity-Based Economics, Ecological Wisdom, Future Focus, Personal and Global ResponsibilityShane Pekny

From the Lincoln Journal Star:

In carefully crafted language, a legislative study committee on Wednesday sounded an alert, rather than an alarm, about climate change and set the stage for continuing engagement by the Legislature.

The study committee recommended that the 2017 Legislature establish a climate planning committee to “create an evidence-based, data-driven climate action plan” for the state.

Sen. Ken Haar of Malcolm suggested there are “a lot opportunities ahead for Nebraska in wind, solar and biofuels.”

And Sen. Tyson Larson of O’Neill said the Legislature should be able to develop “policies that work for both sides” of the political debate with a focus on the potential for economic growth.

Sen. Heath Mello of Omaha said senators decided to address this “very contentious subject in the Legislature” by approving the initial study by an interim committee co-chaired by a conservative Republican (Larson) and a progressive Democrat (Haar).

And at Wednesday’s news conference in the Capitol Rotunda, Larson said he will introduce a resolution during the 2017 legislative session to authorize creation of the proposed climate planning committee with establishment of guidelines.

That, Mello said, will “continue the process and continue to use an evidence-based approach.”

“We compromised,” Haar said, in reaching the agreement to move forward. “We focused on opportunities for Nebraska.”

Read the full story.

Sign the petition: Double recycling in Lincoln by 2020

December 13, 2016Action AlertsCommunity-Based Economics, Ecological Wisdom, Future Focus, Grassroots Democracy, Personal and Global ResponsibilityShane Pekny

From the Lincoln Journal Star editorial board:

It’s gratifying that Lincoln voters are likely to get the final say on whether to ban cardboard and paper from the city landfill.

Volunteers have begun a petition drive to put a recycling ordinance on the May election ballot. The effort seems to be off to a rip-roaring start. Organizers said they had gathered more than 1,000 signatures in the first few days.

They need to turn in 7,760 valid signatures from registered Lincoln voters by Feb. 13 to get on the ballot. They hope to collect about 10,000 to ensure that they have a margin for any that might be disqualified.

Championing the petition drive is the Nebraska League of Conservation Voters. “By simply diverting cardboard, newsprint, and paper away from the landfill over the next three years, we will double Lincoln’s recycling rate,” said Chelsea Johnson, deputy director of the league. Aiding the cause is Lincoln City Council member and businesswoman Jane Raybould. Her company, B&R Stores, is setting up signature collection points at Russ’s Markets and Super Saver stores.

Read the full editorial.

Sign the petition at Change.org.

Film showing and Q&A: “Years of Living Dangerously” Dec. 11 in Lincoln

December 6, 2016EventsEcological Wisdom, Future Focus, Personal and Global ResponsibilityShane Pekny

From the Lincoln Journal Star:

Volunteers of the Lincoln chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby will host a showing of the acclaimed National Geographic series “Years of Living Dangerously” from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11 at the Barnyard, 151 N. Eighth St. The public watch party will include light refreshments.

The episode will be preceded by a message from special guests, including members of the “Years of Living Dangerously” cast. A question-and-answer session follows the film.

Get more info.

Berkshire shareholder resolution: Dump holdings in fossil fuels

December 2, 2016NewsEcological Wisdom, Future Focus, Personal and Global ResponsibilityShane Pekny

From Nebraskans for Peace:

In the wake of the international publicity the Nebraska Peace Foundation — the 501(c)(3) arm of Nebraskans for Peace — generated with its shareholder resolution at the 2016 Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder Meeting on April 30th, the foundation has submitted a follow-up resolution for consideration at the forthcoming May 6, 2017 meeting in Omaha.

Earlier this year, in both the 2015 Annual Shareholder Letter and his remarks at the 2016 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting of Shareholders itself, Warren Buffett did the world and the financial community a great service by acknowledging both the reality and the threat of climate change. In fact, he did so not just once, or in passing — he made this message an explicit focus.

In follow-up, a shareholder proposal has been formally submitted for a vote at the 2017 Annual Shareholders Meeting. In it, the Nebraska Peace Foundation asks Mr. Buffett to extend his public and corporate leadership by committing to divest Berkshire Hathaway of its fossil fuel holdings over a 12-year period.

Such a commitment would not endanger Berkshire Hathaway’s near-term profitability; instead, it would send a timely and urgently needed message to the international community that — to avoid the worst effects of climate disruption — the world must earnestly undertake a shift toward renewable energy sources.