Step It Up/Cool AI Update #36, 1/4/10

Hi, Green Friends,

I hope you all had a merry holiday season and are off to a great start on your New Year! I gave you a longer break than I'd planned, but to those who had perhaps hoped I was gone for good, no such luck.

Here's a great way to start the New Year. If you haven't done it yet, check in at www.NeighborhoodEnergyChallenge.org, and sign up. Do it by the end of this month, and be eligible for great grand finale prizes. If you've signed up, check in and fill out the new "Get Started" page (2 minutes, tops,) be sure your "Carbon Snapshot" is done, and collect your points for December.

National Grid reports a huge increase in requests for home energy audits in November and December in our area. Remember, an energy audit is worth 5000 points on our challenge. And it's free! You'll find the link to request an audit on our Challenge web site, or on your gas or electric bill.

We were pleased to see that Newport Clean City offered a special holiday wrapping paper recycling program the week after Christmas. We hope people took advantage of it, so it'll come back next year.

Here are a couple of ideas for your Christmas tree: Cheryl Cadwell, master gardener and columnist for The Newport Daily News, suggests laying it out in your yard (perhaps stacked with a couple of others from neighbors) to provide winter shelter for birds and critters. No space? In towns with municipal trash pickup, you can put it out on designated collection days, so it'll be chipped up for compost.

Yet again, a round of applause to Aquidneck Land Trust for acquiring more easements to important parcels of land--this time on Mitchell's Lane, Middletown, and on Webster Avenue, Newport.

Does it strike anyone else as ironic that Middletown officials are questioning the effect of domestic wind turbines on their landscapes, yet giving up the fight to take down those ugly billboard$ on rural landscapes on East Main Road? And are they really considering another $trip mall on West Main Road, with the possibility of another big box?

Keep up the good green work!

Your friendly neighborhood troublemaker,

Beth

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Apeiron Sustainable Business Network Launch

Time: 10:00 AM

Location: 17 Gordon Ave., Providence

You're cordially invited to the official launching of The Sustainable Business Network of Rhode Island(SBNRI) and Press Conference at 10:00 AM, at 17 Gordon Avenue in Providence.

Please RSVP: Call 401-228-7930 or contact tomas@apeiron.org

The Sustainable Business Network of Rhode Island (SBNRI) stems from the Apeiron Institute’s mission of building a socially, environmentally and economically sustainable Rhode Island. Apeiron believes in the importance of connecting businesses to encourage local buying and producing, and believes in the importance of educating the community of businesses about their role in combatting the world’s environmental challenges.

The SBNRI is a membership-based organization of locally owned businesses, service providers and community organizations committed to building a more sustainable Rhode Island for future generations. The SBNRI provides its members with valuable resources and benefits to help them succeed in strengthening their economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Learn more about the Sustainable Business Network of Rhode Island at http://www.sbnri.org/.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

No Green Drinks this week

Time: n/a Location: n/a

(See January 13.)

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Door hangers - Neighborhood Energy Challenge

Time: 9:45 to 12 PM (Pizza from 1 to 2 PM)

Location: Channing Memorial Church, 135 Pelham St., Newport

Help create the "buzz" about the Neighborhood Energy Challenge and Home Energy Audits. Meet at 9:45 AM at Channing House (next door to Channing Memorial Church) and form teams to distribute door hangers in neighborhoods in Newport or Jamestown until 12 noon, then come back for a pizza party!

National Grid has provided the door hangers publicizing both these energy saving programs, and we need to get the word out to our neighborhoods. (National Grid is providing the pizza, too.)

Come for as long as you can. Any amount of time will be a big help! Can't come this Saturday? We'll be doing it again on Saturday, January 16--same time, same station.

Clean Ocean Access Cleanup

Time: 12:00 to 2 PM

Location: Taylors Lane, Little Compton

Clean Ocean Access will be performing our first cleanup of the new year. Come on out for 2 hours or 15 minutes, bring your neighbors, family, friends or just yourself. The usual suspects will likely show up with ample amounts of coffee, hot chocolate, donuts and possibly some fresh brewed apple cider! For important information, check out this link: http://members.cox.net/coa_2009/Taylors_Lane_2010.pdf, or email dmclaughlin71@hotmail.com.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Alliance for a Livable Newport Annual All Member Meeting

Time: 6:30 to 8 PM

Location: Newport Public Library Program Room, Spring St.

Please join the ALN Board for our annual membership meeting.

On the agenda is a discussion of the ALN Strategic Plan and a review of ALN activities that were initiated or completed in 2009. We've included time for discussion and we'd like to hear your ideas for topics for our Public Forums in 2010. Refreshments will be served.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Green Drinks

Time: TBA Location: Herreshoff Museum, Bristol

SPECIAL GREEN DRINKS EVENT! Join Green Drinkers from around the state of Rhode Island at the Herreshoff Museum in Bristol. Details to come.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

SAVE THE DATE:

RI Interfaith Power and Light Annual Conference:

Improving Our Stewardship Of Creation

Time: 4:30 to 9:20 PM

Location: LaSalle Academy, 612 Academy Avenue, Providence

More information in our next issue.

Peacemaking - January 2010 Church Newsletter Article

I have been thinking a lot about war and peace lately. War was my profession for many years, although in keeping with the vision of Air Force General Curtis Lemay, I believed that “peace” was my profession – peace through the deterrence of armed force. This was my calling and I proudly wore “my country’s cloth” as a United States naval officer for twenty-five years. I still believe that the United States Navy is one of our country’s greatest institutions because it is the sum of many good men and women who embrace core values that I cherish – Honor, Courage, and Commitment. Those core values informed how I led the Sailors at Guantanamo. I hope those core values will inform how I teach young children in my new career as a public school educator.

And yet, because of my professional education and experience, I have become a pacifist. I chose this path not out of naiveté or hopeless dreams but because I came to realize that there is no such thing as a truly just war and that there are alternatives to armed conflict that we seldom explore but are no less reasonable and practical. Interestingly, I arrived at this epiphany preparing one of the sermons I gave over the summer as part of the Moon landing – commemoration series. If you are interested and missed it, you can read it at: http://www.channingchurch.org/Archives/Talks/2009/07-19-Beall-We_Came_In_Peace.pdf.

Of course, this is my opinion and I know that it is not widely shared in our society and not even shared by everyone in this church. And yet I believe the issue of war and peace is the fundamental issue of our times. We cannot address the urgency of distributive injustice, climate change, or the other pressing needs of oppressed mankind until we decide how much of our scarce resources we will dedicate to war and how much to peace, to healing our planet, to healing our fellow man. I believe that, as a church, we must confront this question and decide where we stand.

A few years ago, as President of Channing, I talked a lot about vision as we worked together to come up with one for our church – to chart its course into the future. In that painstakingly crafted document, representing a consensus within our community, we pledged to be a catalyst for, “Peace, justice, and respect for all people and our planet.” How will we do that? I invite you to join me in thinking about that through the venue of two programs organized by our minister. The Peacemaking Study Action Issue series that continues following church services this month and the program offered by the Rev. Richard Gilbert in February. The times demand that we think and act now.

Tom Beall

Co-chair of the Social Action Committee

From Investors Against Genocide

I received this from SAC member Beth Milham.

Peace,

Tom Beall

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Dear Beth,

As we reach the end of this year and the start of the next, we want to share exciting news and plans. We also invite you to support our all-volunteer organization through a year-end deductible donation.

Successes in introducing genocide-free investing

In 2009 we achieved two major victories by working with receptive companies to improve their support for genocide-free investing. TIAA-CREFagreed to vigorously engage PetroChina and other problem companies partnering with the Government of Sudan and to divest from those companies by the end of this year.

Recently, iShares, formerly part of Barclays Global Investors and now part of Blackrock, announced that it intends to develop a genocide-free, international, exchange-traded fund (ETF). For the many millions of American families who do not want their hard-earned savings to be invested in companies that help support genocide, the introduction of this fund provides a new genocide-free investment alternative and should further encourage development of genocide-free alternatives for all fund types in the future.

Over the course of the year, our shareholder campaign helped raise awareness of the problem of investments in companies tied to genocide, with proxy votes at the world's largest mutual funds companies - Fidelity, Vanguard, and American Funds. We also had a vote at Putnam. As a result of the votes, these mutual fund companies sent our shareholder proposal to huge numbers of their shareholders. Millions of them responded positively and voted in favor of making their savings genocide-free, despite the active opposition by their mutual fund, and even though both Vanguard and American Funds used misleading statements to discourage support for our proposal.

We continue to learn how heavily the proxy voting process is tilted in management's favor. Nevertheless, genocide-free investing has received as much as 31% of the vote, which is outstanding for a shareholder proposal on a social issue that is strongly opposed by management.

Looking ahead

In 2010, we will continue our shareholder proposal campaign. We will also begin new initiatives to make investors aware of the genocide-free alternatives becoming available to them. Since we began the campaign in 2007 we have believed that ultimately market forces would push companies to satisfy the desires of their customers. We hope to see more of such movement in 2010.

We are working with key members of Congress to hold a hearing on genocide-free investing in early 2010. There is a strong effort underway to force financial services companies to better address the needs of their customers rather than themselves. Genocide-free investing fits naturally within this framework. We hope that regulation will assist shareholders seeking genocide-free investments.

Please support us

We hope you will consider supporting our work. We are a completely volunteer project of a 501(c)(3) non-profit and spend almost none of your tax deductible contributions on administration or fundraising. Last year more than 99% of our spending went to furthering genocide-free investing. Click here to donate. We also continue to seek volunteers to submit shareholder proposals to their mutual funds. Click here to learn more.

Thanks in advance for your support. We'll keep you posted as we progress next year.

Eric, Susan, Bill and Mary

on behalf of the Investors Against Genocide Team

To Be a Peacemaker, One Must Be Informed!

Hello everyone,

As a retired naval officer, I was a "national security professional" for twenty-five years.  During that time, the Navy provided me with graduate education at both the Naval Postgraduate School and Naval War College that gave me insights that have ultimately informed my decision to embrace pacifism and be a peacemaker.

You need not have this expensive education, however, to inform yourself of national security issues - in order to engage in the public policy debate as an informed peacemaker.  There are a number of resources available to you online to include:

1.  The National Security Archive, a program of George Washington University, is, "...an independent non-governmental research institute and library located at The George Washington University, the Archive collects and publishes declassified documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act. The Archive also serves as a repository of government records on a wide range of topics pertaining to the national security, foreign, intelligence, and economic policies of the United States. The Archive won the 1999 George Polk Award, one of U.S. journalism's most prestigious prizes, for--in the words of the citation--'piercing the self-serving veils of government secrecy, guiding journalists in the search for the truth and informing us all.'"

2.  The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has, since 1945, informed, "...the public about threats to the survival and development of humanity from nuclear weapons, climate change, and emerging technologies in the life sciences. Through an award-winning magazine, our online presence, and the Doomsday Clock, we reach policy leaders and audiences around the world with information and analysis about efforts to address the dangers and prevent catastrophe.

3.  The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) is, "...an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament. Established in 1966, SIPRI provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public."

4.  The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), "...is the world´s center of cooperation in the nuclear field. It was set up as the world´s "Atoms for Peace" organization in 1957 within the United Nations family. The Agency works with its Member States and multiple partners worldwide to promote safe, secure and peaceful nuclear technologies."

5.  The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), "...is a practical expression of the faith of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). Committed to the principles of nonviolence and justice, it seeks in its work and witness to draw on the transforming power of love, human and divine."  AFSC publishes a number of works on peacemaking, pacifism, violence in our society, and violence around the world to offer an informed, alternative perspective on issues of violence and justice, war and peace.

6.  The UU Peace Ministry Network (UU Peacemakers), whose mission is, "...to institutionalize this energy (for peacemaking) at the national level to encourage a culture of peace within our families, our association, our communities and throughout the world."  They offer a variety of resources for interested Congregations.

There are many others which I hope to provide from time to time or you can discover yourself through these web sites.

Tom Beall
Co-Chair of the Social Action Committee

From "Standing on the Side of Love"

Just moments ago, the Council of the District of Columbia took an historic stand for love. By an 11-2 margin, council members voted to legalize marriage for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender citizens. Marriage equality is coming to the nation's capital!

Please take a moment to send a note of gratitude to the 11 council members who took this nation one step closer to full equality.

It was thrilling to be present in the Council chambers as history was being made. When the vote was announced, people shouted and wept for joy. Friends, this is what it feels like to stand on the side of love.

I want to thank so many of you for your messages of support and solidarity in recent months. You understand that what happens in the nation's capital has significance far beyond D.C.'s borders. Further, you recognize that in D.C. we are changing the national debate on marriage equality, showing that this issue need not divide us. People of color and white people, people of faith and secular people, can all stand together on the side of love.

The Standing on the Side of Love (SSL) Campaign made a big impact here in DC, providing our interfaith coalition with a slogan to rally around, supporting our media outreach, and helping us go viral with video. Thanks to everyone across the nation who has helped support the SSL campaign, our efforts are making history.

Of course, the struggle for marriage equality in DC is not over yet. After Mayor Adrian Fenty signs the bill, the United States Congress has 30 legislative days to veto it. We hope that the U.S. Congress will respect the sovereignty of the elected leaders of the District of Columbia and stay out of our affairs. If we need your support on that front, we'll be sure to reach out. But today, it is time to celebrate.

Please send a personal note to the D.C. City Council to express what this victory means to you.

Love,

Rob

Environmental Justice News from UU Justice Action Network

Dear Friends of Environmental Justice,

The world has turned its attention to climate change for the moment, with two weeks of discussions and negotiations happening right now in Copenhagen. Let us do what we can to inform ourselves and take action to protect our planet for future generations and to support those most affected by the climate change already occuring. We are blessed to have such an opportunity to shape the future. Happy Holidays!

In This Issue:

Climate Change -- UUSC, UUMFE, UUA

The Human Right to Water -- UUSC

The Human Right to Water -- UUSC

Environmental Justice News is a collaborative effort between:

UU Ministry for the Earth

UU Service Committee

UUA's Green Sanctuary program

UUA's Washington Office for Advocacy

In faith,

Rowan Van Ness

Program Associate for Environmental Justice

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(1) Climate Change -- Updates from UUSC, WOA, and UUMFE

ACTION: Dial Down Climate Change: Obama in Copenhagen [WOA]

The UN COP15 Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen is nearing a close, and President Obama is expected to go to Copenhagen on Friday, 12/18. He's planning on negotiating for emissions reductions in the range of 17% below 2005 levels (4% below 1990 levels), which is simply not enough to prevent the worst effects of climate change. As he said himself in his Nobel Peace Prize speech, "there is little scientific dispute that if we do nothing, we will face more drought, famine and mass displacement," and the impacts of climate change most adversely affect those with the least power to do something about it. We need to join our partners and tell the Administration how important it is for the US to Dial Down Climate Change!

ACTION: Stand Up for Climate Justice [UUSC]

The disruption caused by climate change affects all of us, but the people who are feeling these impacts most profoundly did little to cause them. They are street vendors in Kenya who are grappling with the instability of crop failures and rising food prices. They are women in Darfur who must walk further and further away to collect firewood. You can help address this injustice by supporting UUSC partners to ensure a safer, healthier tomorrow. See how you can support international efforts of grass roots organizations who are working on climate justice.

RESOURCE: Human Rights and Climate Change [UUSC]

People around the world are looking to Copenhagen for significant change in climate change policy. Grassroots organizations from around the world are mobilizing to impact the talks to tip them more toward climate justice. UUSC partner Asia Pacific Research Network began a "people's movement" for more just climate policy last year - culminating in the "People's Protocol on Climate Change" with far reaching aspirations. Human rights defenders are also mobilizing to engage the UN Human Rights Council in their initiative to address the nexus of climate change and human rights. Become familiar with the human rights issues related to climate change and monitor the UN process - help human rights defenders around the world by including human rights in your efforts to create climate justice.

NEWS: Vigils for Survival & Sounds of 350 [UUMFE]

UUs joined people from around the world in a weekend of climate action during COP-15, the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. UU Ministry for Earth supported candlelight "Vigils for Survival" around the world on Friday, Dec. 11 and Saturday, Dec. 12. On Sunday, Dec. 13, faith communities "sounded out" the 350 call to action through ringing bells, beating drums, and making all kinds of noises 350 times. Visit UU Ministry for Earth for more information.

NEWS: Blogging from Copenhagen [WOA]

Several UUs are in Copenhagen right now for the Climate Change Conference, and are blogging about their experiences. Check out the Inspired Faith, Effective Action blog to read their reflections.

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(2) The Human Right to Water -- Update from UUSC

Governor Schwarzenegger vetoes Human Right to Water Bill (AB 1242)

NEWS: Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed the historic state wide human right to water bill in California at the last hour on October 11th - but did sign four other water justice bills, due in part to the pressure from UUs on the bill. See the governor's message (PDF). UU Legislative Ministry of California and UUSC members worked to make this historic legislation a reality. See information about AB 1242.

NEWS: UUSC briefs the UN Independent Expert on the Human Right to Water and Sanitation

UUSC, the Religious Working Group on Water, and ally Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, held a briefing about the human right to water in the United States for Ms. Catarina De Albuquerque, the UN Human Rights Council Independent Expert on the Human Right to Water. See the full briefing and the IE's comments.

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(3) Food Justice -- Update from Green Sanctuary

A Thriving Ministry of Local Foods - UU Rockland, ME Fishing has always been a traditional way of life in coastal Maine. For generations, fishing was plentiful and fishermen could count on selling their catch locally. Over time, stocks plummeted due to over-fishing and competition from global markets caused prices to decline. When the price of fuel soared the profit margin for local fishermen narrowed even further. The downturn in fishing took its toll on communities, schools could no longer survive and villages faced extinction.

Several local non-profits worked together to sustain the endangered fisheries. As a result of a successful Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, the Green Sanctuary team at UU Rockland started one of the nation's first Community Supported Fisheries (CSF). The creation of the CSF led to the creation of additional CSFs in Maine and fishing communities from around the world have been contacting the MFA to see if they can replicate the model. The CSF partnership has played a seminal role in helping to sustain the local fishing fleet, spreading the word about the importance of buying locally, and the fishermen and CSF members share a bond and common goal of the restoration of a vibrant fishery along coastal Maine. More information about UU Rockland's ministry of local foods is on the Congregational Stewardship blog.

A Good Peacemaking Resource

Hello everyone,

I came across a resource sponsored by Eastern Mennonite University (the Mennonites, as I understand them, are a peace church). You might take a look. This group has published a number of policy papers and put forth a number of ideas on realistic, pragmatic alternatives to the use of military power as well as the implications of the continued use of our military power that are worth taking a look at.

http://www.3dsecurity.org/Mission

http://www.3dsecurity.org/learn

Tom Beall

Co-chair of the Social Action Committee