This is the fifth of a continuing series of monthly “Climate Actions of the Month”, brought to you by the USNF Climate Action Group (CAG). It is a way to provide focus and build a spirit of collective action as we each do what we can to tackle climate change. Each monthly bundle of actions touches on 4 levels: personal, community, state/national/global, and educational. Our website will be coming soon and will offer resources to support the monthly actions. To learn more about the CAG contact Molly Hale at hellomolly@comcast.net or 585-0791.
1. Personal: Attend a civil disobedience training workshop on Sunday Sept. 22 in Northampton. The workshop will cover the philosophy and history of non-violence, role-playing in how to carry it out in a peaceful, dignified manner, the legal consequences in dealing with the police, arraignment in court, what to expect in terms of fines/jail/community service, etc. It will be led by Jeff Napolitano of the American Friends Service Committee and Luke Ryan, attorney and member of the National Lawyers Guild. Time: 2-8 pm, with short BYO dinner break at 6pm. Place: Frances Crowe Community Room at the Media Education Foundation, 32 Masonic St. Cost: Free!
The workshop is not only for those considering civil disobedience at future actions but also for those who would like to help in a legal, support role for those choosing to risk arrest.
RSVP to John Berkowitz at 413 325-4533 or johnpberk@gmail.com
2. Community: Northampton residents–attend the City Council meeting on Sept. 5 at 7 pm to support the 2nd reading of the Resolution on Fossil Fuel Divestment, available to view here:http://www.northamptonma.gov/citycouncil/uploads/listWidget/12252/Resolution%20Fossil%20Fuel%20Divestment.pdf At the 1st reading on Aug 15, the resolution passed with 5 yes votes and 2 abstentions.
Residents of other towns: Join other residents to present a similar resolution to your own town government.
3. State/National/Global: 1.Sign the state pension divestment petition on gofossilfree.org http://campaigns.gofossilfree.org/petitions/divest-the-state-of-massachusetts-pension-funds.
2.Then attend the rally at the Statehouse in Boston when the petition will be delivered. The proposed pension divestment bill, S 1225, would require the Massachusetts Pension Reserves Investment Trust (PRIT) to freeze any new investments in fossil fuel companies, and to divest from direct holdings in fossil fuel companies within 5 years. The bill will be heard at 11 am. The rally is at 9:30. College groups, faith based groups, unions, retirees, and environmental organizations will all be represented.
4. Inform yourself: To remind yourself of the urgency of our climate situation and consider a global course of action,read Eaarth by Bill McKibben. He explains how climate change is changing our planet so radically that it no longer operates like the old familiar Earth, and we need to shift our way of living on it just as radically if we are to survive. He lays out a vision of how we might survive by scaling our societies and economies back to essentials and building close-knit communities through which we can support one another.
