From Outside magazine:
The crude that would feed the XL pipeline comes from a once pristine part of Alberta that now resembles mining operations on a sci-fi planet. At places like Fort McKay, home to First Nations people who’ve lived there for centuries, the money is great but the environmental and health impacts are exceedingly grim. The world has to have fuel. Is this simply the price that must be paid?
From UNL’s School of Natural Resources:
Globally, we face significant economic, social, and environmental risks as we confront the challenges associated with climate change. The magnitude and rapidity of the projected changes in climate are unprecedented, and their implications for the health of our planet and the legacy we will leave to our children, our grandchildren, and future generations are of vital concern. We need to develop strategies now to adapt to the changes, and this process must begin at the local level.
Understanding and Assessing Climate Change: Implications for Nebraska documents many of the key challenges that Nebraska will face as a result of climate change. Commentaries from experts on Nebraska’s water resources, energy supply and use, agriculture, forests, health, ecosystems, urban systems and rural communities, and infrastructure and vulnerabilities raise serious concerns about the impacts of projected changes in climate, but they also provide a starting point for discussions about the actions that we can take to overcome these challenges.
Read the Executive Summary, key talking points, and the full report.
Clean out your basement and give new life to your old stuff — all while benefiting the Green movement. The Nebraska Green Party Yard Sale will be Saturday, October 18, in Lincoln at 1645 South 22nd Street (22nd and Sumner). It’s not too soon to think about things you might contribute.
You can also pick up petitions at the yard sale, but to get started collecting signatures now, please contact Naomi in Lincoln and Mark in Omaha. If you have things for the sale, call Naomi and Mark to arrange collection. Here’s their contact information:
Join fellow Greens and other concerned citizens in a day of action and education:
Join fellow Greens and other concerned citizens for the Climate March in Omaha:
In Solidarity with the People’s Climate March in NYC because we
care about what’s happening to the planet due to climate disruption and
we want our leaders to address the problem NOW.
In conjunction with the People’s Climate March taking place in New York
City on the same day, local groups and individuals will join together in
a solidarity action to highlight the reality of climate change and the
urgent necessity to do something about it.
All are invited to meet at Memorial Park near the ball diamond promptly
at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 21st. We’ll listen to speakers, rally a
bit, and then (for those who want to) march, bike or drive to the Dundee
Community Garden to join Transition Omaha for a solar tour, which
includes the new off-grid panels at the garden and the new on-grid
panels at a residence three blocks away from the garden. Tours will run
every 15 minutes or so starting around 2 p.m.; marchers can rotate
between the tour locations.
There will be refreshments at the Garden, and everyone who would like to
partake is encouraged to bring their own water bottles, plates,
silverware and napkins as we try to keep waste to a minimum.
There will be some signs available to rally and march with, but feel
free to make your own. And it would be great to have some music, too,
while we’re rallying and walking, so you musicians out there, please
bring your instruments!
From Nebraskans for Peace:
Water is so essential for life that wars have been fought over it. And with the accelerating pace of climate change, conflicts over water resources will become more frequent, widespread and intense. Even an agricultural powerhouse like Nebraska, sitting atop one of the largest fresh-water aquifers in the world, is projected to face water shortages in the decades to come. Potable water, it turns out, is not only essential for life. It’s essential to creating the conditions for peace.
Read the full article and more in the September/October edition of Nebraska Report.
From Paul Krugman at the New York Times:
Next week the Environmental Protection Agency is expected to announce new rules designed to limit global warming. Although we don’t know the details yet, anti-environmental groups are already predicting vast costs and economic doom. Don’t believe them. Everything we know suggests that we can achieve large reductions in greenhouse gas emissions at little cost to the economy.
Just ask the United States Chamber of Commerce.
Please join our growing numbers next Wednesday for Green Drinks, back at our old haunt. And as always, please pass the word to others who might be interested in attending!
Omaha Green Drinks: 5:30 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, May 28, 2014
(Typically the fourth Wednesday of every odd month: January, March, May, July, September, November.)
Whole Foods Market Omaha, 10020 Regency Circle, Omaha (education room near the restaurant seating, across from coffee bar).
Anyone working on environmental issues (green business, architecture, design, clean energy, natural resources, and more) or studying them is welcome to attend. Enjoy conversation, make contacts, have a few drinks (alcohol or non-alcohol), and take in some green inspiration. First time? Just go up to someone and say, “Are you green?” And you’ll be made welcome.
There is a a send-only email circulation list; to get on it, send an email to GDsubscribe@p2ric.org with subject heading “Green Drinks NE”
Join fellow Greens for the annual Rice & Beans Potluck in support of Nebraskans for Peace:
Saturday, May 3, 2014 at 6:00 p.m
Countryside Community Church, 8787 Pacific Street
(Memorial Hall: Enter the western door facing Pacific Street and follow the signs inside to the downstairs dining room.)
(Rice & drinks provided. A free-will collection will be taken — but it is free to attend. Just bring a food dish to share.)
John Pollack will deliver his keynote address, “Global Warming: The Third Degree Burn.”
John Pollack obtained his M.S. in meteorology from University of Wisconsin in 1976 and came to Omaha in 1978 to be a forecaster for the National Weather Service. He retired from forecasting in 2009, but he continues his interest in weather and climate change. He also remains active in other peace and justice issues, and is currently involved in the fight against the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Special Recognition for Courageous Anti-War Work will go toJerry Ebner and Mark and Marie Kenney.
RSVPs are requested so we know how much rice to cook. Call 402-453-0776 or e-mail NFPOmaha@NebraskansforPeace.org with “RSVP Rice & Beans” in the subject line.