Metropolitan Community Churches

EARTH DAY 2017

Handbook and

A call to ACT

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Metropolitan Community ChurchesIntroduction

Throughout its history, the Metropolitan Community Churches has courageously (and often defiantly) led on social justice issues. It is again time to act. Undeniably, one of the direst threats to life today is: climate change and global warming.

As we know, Climate Change has already had a devastating impact on communities around the world, with dire effects on nature and creation and to our siblings and neighbors. And, the effects are disproportionate with those contributing least to its cause are suffering the most by the consequences. It is time to be 'good stewards' for that which God has entrusted to our care and to become better neighbors in the world.

Earth Day is April 22, and it provides a great starting point for action. The following week, is the Peoples Climate March on April 29 th in Washington DC

We are inviting you to join us as we commit to act, as individuals, families, congregations, and good citizens around the world to reduce carbon emissions, increase awareness, and demand our communities, governments and corporations take positive action, as well. Once again, MCC is preparing to help lead as we live into and from our faith. That said, we are providing an MCC ‘Earth Day 2017 handbook’ to get started. There are many actions to choose from! Will YOU make a commitment – to ACT (or increase your action) - beginning Earth Day?

Even greater than a moral imperative, God is calling us to be better stewards of the "Garden" (in Genesis where we started). So, let us have compassion and then act…to preserve and protect this Garden and all who live here, too.

Thank you. Please email Linda Brenner (LindaBrenner@mccchurch.net) if your local church congregation will join the MCC movement and take action starting this Earth Day.

Faithfully,

MCC Creation Care Team Co-leads Reverends Aaron Miller and Rich Hendricks

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Wisdom of the Faithful

“Only when the last tree has died, the last river been poisoned, and the last fish been caught will we realize we cannot eat money”

Cree Proverb

“You shall not pollute the land in which you live… You shall not defile the land in which you live in the midst of which I dwell, for I the Lord dwell in the midst of the people of Israel.” –

Numbers 35:33-34

“But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter, and do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not

corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corruptors.”

Quran 28:77

“The world grows smaller and smaller, more and more interdependent today more than ever before life must be characterized by a sense of Universal Responsibility, not only nation to

nation and human to human, but also human to other forms of life”.

His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama

“Treat the Earth well. It was not given to you by your parents –

it was loaned to you by your children.”

Native American Proverb

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Environmental Issues

CLIMATE CHANGE

This is a controversial topic. Climate change has occurred throughout the history of the planet, and involves the distribution of weather patterns which last for an extended period of time (decades to millennium). There are some natural cycles that affect climate, such as solar output and orbital variations for example, which have caused the ice ages.

However, there is a strong body of evidence, based on multiple sources, documenting that the climate is now changing, in large part, due to human activity. This human activity has increased since the industrial age and includes fossil fuel combustion, ozone depletion, animal agriculture, methane production, and deforestation. There are also feedback loops that can either amplify or diminish factors affecting the climate. For example, the ice caps reflect sunlight back into space. As the planet warms from CO2 emissions the ice caps melt, which then reflect less light and increases the sunlight absorbed by the oceans, increasing the rate of warming. The Antarctic is losing ice 75% faster than just a decade ago. When glaciers melt there will be no water supply for many mountainous regions of the world, and the release of methane trapped in sea ice and from the ocean floor will lead to a mass extinction of life on our planet.

Research studies since the mid 1990’s have supported these concerns: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 1994, Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change 2001 and 2007, National Academy of Sciences of the USA, 2009, and NASA/NOAA studies from 2015. At this time 97% of the world’s scientists support the view that human activity is the primary cause of current climate change trends, and they are predicting 20% more extreme weather events. An increase of only 10 Celsius in the world’s average temperature is enough to trigger a 45% increase in thunderstorms with 6% more lightening. In the last 30 years we have had four times the weather related disasters as in the first ¾ of the 20th century combined. With warming of the air and oceans ice caps will melt, oceans will become warmer and more acidic as they absorb CO2, and ocean levels will rise significantly. Warm air holds more water vapor so in arid regions we will have more droughts and it will come down in moist areas and cause flooding. This will have adverse effects on all life forms (Oxfam, 2009).

Even though the United States is one of the largest sources of CO2 and methane production on Earth, we have been largely uncooperative in addressing this issue until recently. George W. Bush refused to participate in the Kyoto Protocol. Barak Obama took the position of “all energy resources” early in his Presidency, with support for expanded drilling and fracking across America, as well as support for Green Energy alternatives. In his second term he became more conservative about the environment, and began to recognize the crisis we are facing. He supported the Paris Climate Agreement, in which 195 countries have agreed to specific terms of reducing carbon emissions. Our target is to reduce carbon emissions 26-28% by 2025.

The Clean Power Plan is key to meeting that commitment, but is on the chopping block at this time. The Paris Climate Agreement also plans to increase our global ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change and develop climate-resilience. There is current consideration being given to cancelling the United States’ commitment to this accord. Other countries are outpacing us in addressing climate change at this point, with China reducing coal consumption 3 years in a row. Even the Pope delivered a historic statement that stressed the necessity of taking action on climate change.

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The Marrakech Action Proclamation, developed shortly after our recent election, stated that “extraordinary momentum on climate change world-wide is irreversible”. The No New Fossil Fuel Infrastructure campaign, C4O Cities Coalition, and Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network are all working to make local, state and regional changes. Three hundred and sixty five US businesses and investors signed an open letter of support for the Low Carbon USA Initiative (UU World, Spring 2017).

Carbon in the atmosphere is measured in parts per million, and 350 ppm was the limit of carbon in the air that was determined by scientists to be the critical level. Going beyond this would trigger an unstoppable decline of the environment. We passed that threshold several years ago and are now at 400 parts per million. We are in the midst of climate change already, but we could move that number back by coordinated efforts and reduce the impact of climate change.

Why has there been so much resistance to climate change science in the United States? You need to look no further that the fossil fuel industry. A former CEO of Exxon admits that they knew about the impact of carbon emissions in the 1970’s, but used their influence and funding to deny science and maintain their profit margin. Shell produced a movie in 1991 entitled the Climate of Concern in which they admitted to the impact of fossil fuels on global warming, the term that was used at that time. The fossil fuel industry funds conservative think tanks such as the Global Climate Coalition and the American Legislative Exchange Council.

Like the tobacco industry, who denied the science on the relationship between tobacco and cancer for decades, the fossil fuel industry has a huge financial incentive to maintain their business, so they lobby federal and state politicians. They fund the campaigns of climate change deniers, and fund PAC’s through the deep pockets allowed by Citizens United. They are more interested in the short term financial gain for their companies than the long term future health of the planet. However, even the fossil fuel industry is beginning to accept the irrefutable science of climate change. Is it too late?

A review of climate change websites indicates that we have a very narrow window at this point to make the needed changes to keep the impact of climate change to a manageable level. What will happen if we don’t address this problem? For one thing, leading biologists claim that we are in the midst of the 6 th great mass extinction of life on this planet. There will be high intensity hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts, and floods. This will affect many aspects of life on this planet, including agriculture, a large aspect of the Midwest economy. NOAA reports more extreme weather events, rising average temperatures, extremes in precipitation and more forest fires (USDA, 2/05/2014).

The entire energy system of the world could be transformed to clean energy within a few decades if we move quickly, but this will not happen without forceful demands from our citizens. We have the political will of many nations at this time, and our nation, as one of the two worst polluters cannot back out of our commitment to address climate change.

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS

We have an agency in the United States designed specifically to address environmental issues, the Environmental Protection Agency . What is happening now with that agency is not only frightening, it appears designed to contradict its very purpose. There is a great deal of push back from corporations to the regulations placed on them by the EPA because those regulations cut into their profits. The current head of the EPA and prior Attorney General of Oklahoma, has been accused of colluding with the fossil

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fuel industry in developing laws which they actually wrote and he submitted on his letterhead. He is a leading climate change denier, and he has sued the EPA 13 times in his political career in attempts to bypass environmental regulations. He has previously called for the elimination of this agency, stating that the environment would be “just fine” without it (Huffington Post, AMP 01/17/17).

There is also a bill pending in the House (HR 861)) to eliminate the EPA. Without a strong protest from citizens, this could easily happen, and the flood gates would be opened to free corporations to pollute with impunity. The current federal budget proposal cuts the EPA by 25%, and there have been two Executive Orders that have impacted our environment, the repeal of the Stream Protection Rule and the Clean Water Rule. HR 69 would Repeal the Rule protecting Wildlife. There has also been discussion of repealing the Clean Air Act and the coal leasing moratorium on public land.

What can be done to move in a more positive direction to address environmental issues? For one thing, the Securities and Exchange Commission could require publically traded companies to disclose political spending, so we would know who is funding our politicians. To whom are they beholding? We could reduce subsidies to polluters. Tax dollars currently subsidize many energy programs, including the fossil fuel industry ($5.3 trillion globally). There has been more controversy about subsidies for competing Green Energy programs ($88 billion globally). According to the International Energy Agency, the elimination of fossil fuel subsidies worldwide would be one of the most effective ways of reducing climate change. The oil industry continues to expand their drilling and now has drilling sites across the country situated on private lands, often obtained through eminent domain. They are drilling on public land for the price of a cup of coffee, $2 per acre each year (Washington Post, 06/16/15).

ENERGY POLICIES AND REDUCING CARBON EMISSIONS:

Green energy, such as solar, wind, and hydro energy programs have thrived in the past decade and are now ready to supplant and eventually replace fossil fuels. This could be accomplished in the next decade or two. We need the support of citizens and our government to make this happen. This could also grow our economy and we would save millions of dollars by not subsidizing big oil, which outstrips renewable energy nearly 10 fold (Renew Economy, 02/25/16).

Hydraulic fracturing, also called fracking is the process of injecting liquid at high pressure into subterranean rocks, boreholes, etc., so as to force open existing fissures and extract oil or gas. Did you know that they are fracking in Southern Illinois? There are multiple problems associated with this type of natural gas drilling. First of all, unregulated toxic chemicals are pumped into the ground and eventually filter into the water table. We don’t even know what’s being put into the water system. Secondly, when fracking occurs, it opens up space in the ground, which has been suspected of causing earthquakes in areas with high levels of fracking. In the UK fracking operations were suspended several years ago when two earthquakes of 1.5 and 2.2 magnitude hit the area and a subsequent study found that it was “highly probable” that the drilling triggered the tremors. Other concerns include the fact that huge amounts of water must be transported to the site at significant cost (BBC, 12-16-2015). Finally, fracking releases methane, a significant cause of climate change.

We have heard a great deal about oil pipelines in recent months. What are the controversies here? Oil has to be transported from its source to its consumer, and for many years this was accomplished by train, tankers, and semi-trucks. In the past few decades we have also used pipelines. The problem here is mostly spills which pollute the ground and waterways. Current statistics report that there were over 3,300 incidents of crude oil and liquefied natural gas leaks or ruptures on US pipelines between 2010

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and 2015. These incidents killed 80 people, injured 389 more, and cost $2.8 billion in damages (Center for Effective Government, 6/22/15). One of the largest of these was the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska’s Prince William Sound (11 million gallons), and the BP oil spill in 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico which spewed 130 to 200 million gallons of crude oil across 87 days before it was capped (Smithsonian Institution Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative).

Clean ups cost a fortune, and most of the time the company responsible for the spill avoids a full clean up. In Alaska, 25 years later, only 13 of 32 monitored wildlife populations and habitats that were injured have fully recovered. BP has paid $20 billion to the US so far in the Gulf spill (CNN, 10/06/2015). As recently as January 25th, 2017, a pipeline burst in Hanlontown, IA in which 138,000 gallons of diesel spilled. The company, Magellan Midstream Partners has had 3 prior spills (Des Moines Register, 01/26/2017), and this is one of the largest U.S. diesel spills since 2010.

You may have heard of the Keystone Pipeline, which would run 875 miles from Alberta Canada to Texas. During development it will create about 4000 over each year; however, after the pipeline is finished it would only create 35 permanent jobs in the US according to the US government, reported by politifact.com and CNN (2-10-2015). One concern about this oil is that it comes from the tar sands of the boreal forests, which is a dirty, thick crude oil which produces a significant amount of carbon emissions. If it leaks, the oil is corrosive and more difficult to clean up than other oils.

There is also the DAPL, or Dakota Access Pipe Line, which has been controversial in part because it would run under the Lake Oahe and the Missouri River which provide water to the Sioux Reservation near Standing Rock, and across disputed Sioux land that was promised to the tribe in the 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie, but was later taken away. It also runs under the Missouri, Des Moines, Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, and ends in Patoka, IL. Interestingly, this project was initially planned to run through the capital of Bismarck, but local citizens stated that this would be too dangerous because of potential oil spills, and demanded that the pipeline run through a less populated area. The state selected Standing Rock, and they are about to make millions of dollars from this project in tax revenue. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has reported more than 3,300 incidents of leaks and ruptures at oil and gas pipelines since 2010 (Time, 11/2/16).

One argument you will hear over and over is that we have to return to coal and other carbon energy systems for economic reasons. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, investments in renewable energy would bring in over $200 million to the economy and create 36,000 jobs by 2020.

CLEAN LAND, WATER, AND AIR

We live in the Midwest, where land and wildlife conservation are important issues. We need environmental protections and regulatory agencies to help reduce pollution, maintain sustainable land use policies, and address corporate farming practices. Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO’s) produce massive amounts of pollutants that impact our water and air. Did you know that Iowa has one of the largest number of CAFO’s in the Midwest with 53% of our animal inventory on farms with 100 to 1000 head (USDA, 2007 census of agriculture). 11,000 cows produce more waste than 1.8 million people.

The EPA and regulations under the Clean Water Act help manage these companies. According to the EPA, states with high concentrations of CAFOS’ experience on average 20 to 30 serious water quality

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problems per year as a result of manure management issues. Concerns include nitrogen and phosphorus pollution to our waters, and ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, methane, and particulate matter into our air. Ruminant livestock are responsible for about 35% of our greenhouse gas emissions each year (Wikipedia, 2017). Farming with plants is also important. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, studies show that using multiple crops rather than a monoculture is associated with improvements in the soil. Biofuel incentives (ethanol) actually lead farmers to replace grasslands with endless acres of corn rather than leaving them in native plants, or planting more diverse crops.

Clean water is one of those resources we take for granted. At least we did, until Flint, Michigan came into the national news. Could something like that happen here? It already has. Are you aware that lead contamination has been found in the drinking water of Galesburg, IL? The EPA asked Galesburg to help protect residents from lead in their water in April of 2016 according to the Chicago Tribune (4/27/2016). It was found to have one of the nation’s most persistent problems with lead in the drinking water, exceeding federal action levels 22 times in the last 25 years. Knox County has some of the highest rates of childhood lead poisoning in Illinois. How many contaminants are contained in our drinking water, which comes straight from the Mississippi River? More than 12.7 million pounds of toxic chemicals, such as nitrates, arsenic, benzene and mercury were dumped into the Mississippi River in 2010 according to the advocacy group, Environment Missouri (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 03/22/2012).

National Parks and public lands are under siege, and may be sold off part and parcel to Big Oil or other corporations seeking to make money off of federal lands. There are currently several bills pending that would allow drilling on public lands, and would allow parts of several national parks to be sold to the highest bidder.

Clean air has been a focus of environmentalists since the early 1970’s with formation of the EPA and the Clean Air Act. Since then we have added the Amendments to the Clean Air act in 1990 to protect the ozone layer, reduce acid rain, and toxic pollutants. Our air used to be full of lead until the EPA phased out the lead in gasoline, but we still need to reduce levels of many other chemicals and fine particle pollutants associated with premature death and damage to our hearts and lungs. Industry will not do this voluntarily, as they currently pump 10 million tons of pollution into our air every 24 hours. We need a watch dog agency with teeth to implement financial consequences for failure to meet environmental standards.

WILDLIFE, ENDANGERED SPECIES AND EXTINCTION

Is wildlife important to you? Did you know that pollinators are endangered? Many bee and butterfly species are nearing extinction. That will impact farming practices and increase the cost of foods. Endangered species are increasing exponentially. Depending on the source, we are losing between 200 and 2000 species to extinction each year across our planet (Center for Biological Diversity). The ESA currently lists 1925 species and populations of plants and animals that are in imminent danger of extinction unless preventative action is taken (US Fish and Wildlife Service 02/02/10). Amphibians appear to be the most vulnerable group of animals, , as well as invertebrates, butterflies for example. Ninety percent of primates are endangered, as well as 21% of reptiles and 39% of fish (Center for Biological Diversity). Coral reefs are dying because of the acidification and warming of the oceans. Without the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Federal Environmental Pesticide Control Act, Coastal Zone Management Act and Wetlands Regulations there will be no protections in place. Agencies that impact wildlife include the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and National Wildlife Refuge System.

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SAMPLE INDIVIDUAL ACTION STEPS

Do you want to live in a community that supports a clean and sustainable environment? Then you need to become active in local politics. Unless we all push back hard on the current political decisions, we will not be able to save this planet, or our own community from serious and devastating effects. Support a community that has increased walk ability, mass transit, and energy efficient policies for public buildings. Use your farmer’s market for grocery shopping. You will not only obtain fresher food and support the local economy; you will reduce your community’s reliance on the transportation used to ship foods into our state. Review the list of ideas below, and add some of your own.

Political ActionAttend local government meetingsLearn about state laws impacting environmental policies.Read Indivisible: A Practical Guide to ResistanceWatch for notices of potentially polluting projectsWork to reduce the population of our planetWork to save environmental lawsRally neighbors and friends to participateDig for dirt! See who is releasing toxic chemicals or is violating regulationsPressure decision makers (zoning board, city council, state or national environmental departments)

Personal ActionEat a low carbon dietTelecommute to workLimit use of fossil fuelsConsider installing solar panels Boycott companies owned by corporations denying climate change, or those funding politicians who deny climate change.Divest from fossil fuel companies or those contributing to deforestationAttend upcoming events, such as the Science March and the People’s Climate MarchJoin environmental groups that have good ratings from Charity Navigator. Visit natural resources, Nature Conservancy Sites, and National Parks. Take the Climate Change Pledge (Friends of Earth)Check accuracy of news and stick with credible news sources. You can fact check with snopes.com, fact check.org, scorecard.lcv.orgUse LED lightingSet your thermostat 20 warmer in the summer and 20 cooler in the winterUse a timer thermostatDispose of hazardous waste properlyContact your utility company to audit your homeRecycle paper, plastic, cardboard, glass and metalRecycle electronics, lighting, ink cartridgesBuy recycled productsPurchase local goodsUse electronic documents, banking, etc.Encourage car poolingEncourage your workplace to join the Bi-state Region Clean Air Partnership

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Sample Calls, Letters and Visits

PHONE CALLS - You can reach your federal senators and representatives at either their Washington or local offices. State law makers are in your capital city, but also have local offices. They work for you, so don’t be shy about calling, and don’t think you shouldn’t call your congressperson because you know they already support your cause. Their staffs keep track of phone calls, and the squeaky wheel usually gets the grease. Know your talking points and keep it short. Be polite and give your identifying information: name, address, phone, zip code.

Questions to ask politicians:“What are our options for cleaner transportation?“Can we handle extreme weather?”“What are we doing to encourage energy efficiency?”“Do we have enough access to locally grown food?“Are we working to protect every resident from pollutants?”“Where do you stand on the Clean Air Act?” (US only, outside the US, know your respective

environmental laws)

For government official’s contact information, specific to where you live, visit this website (US only): https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials -- outside the US, please contact the appropriate persons/parties in your particular country.

LETTERS – or postcards – send to the appropriate elected government official and keep your message to one point per letter or card and consider sending several each week.

VISITS – If possible and as appropriate, makes visits to elected officials. Repeated visits make a lasting impression.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR – If possible and as appropriate submit a letter to local newspapers. This reaches a wide public audience.

SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS – Help raise awareness of the issues and offer ways to take action through social media. This helps to support and encourage more activism and involvement.

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THE ENVIRONMENTAL POWER OF THREE ACTION PLAN

Here are some actions YOU can take to protect the environment in the next….

3 HOURS

Spread the word. Share the information from today’s workshop with as many people as possible. Post something on social media, have a conversation over dinner with family, talk to your neighbors and friends.

3 DAYS

Get in touch with your government representatives to let them know that you expect them to support the EPA and Clean Water/Air Acts, that you want industrial standards for pollution to be strengthened, not slashed.

Join a local environmental group. We have an active Sierra Club, as well as many other organizations listed below

3 WEEKS

Make plans to attend the People’s Climate March on April 29th at Modern Woodman Park.

Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper about your environmental concerns.

Ask friends, family, co-workers, neighbors to contact their legislators about environmental issues.

Develop your own personal environmental responsibility policy, or have a meeting with your children to develop a family plan.

3 MONTHS

Contact your school board and ask about their recycling policies. See if the High School has an environmental group and volunteer to help.

Come up with ideas for new laws to protect the environment and share them with your local legislator.

3 QUARTERS OF 2017

Make regular contributions to environmental groups with your dollars or your time.

Stay informed about environmental issues, monitor legislation, share your ideas with like-minded individuals.

Consider running for a local office to provide a better voice for environmental causes.

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Contact Local Environmental Groups

National Audubon Society: http://www.audubon.org/

Sierra Club: http://www.sierraclub.org

Living Lands and Waters - http://livinglandsandwaters.org/

Mission - To aid in the protection, preservation and restoration of the natural environment of the nations’ major rivers and their watersheds, to expand awareness of environmental issues and responsibility encompassing the river, and to create a desire and an opportunity for stewardship and responsibility for a cleaner river environment.

Adopt-a-river-mile, Million tree program, etc., programs and workshops.

Take Meaningful Action -

There are real steps you can take to bring climate back into balance. Here are ways how and the time to

act is NOW……

 1. VOTE WITH YOUR WALLET >   supporting organizations that are leading these efforts in your

country

2. ENACT CO2 REDUCTION LEGISLATION > pressure government officials to pass such legislation

3. SPREAD THE WORD > to family, friends, and within church

4. MODEL THE CHANGE > the best way to encourage others is to be a living example

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ORGANIZED ACTION

(check for ‘sister’ actions or similar organizations in countries outside the US)

People’s Climate Movement 2017 - https://peoplesclimate.org/

click on the “Get Involved” Button to find out current action and to get details this is a GLOBAL movement (so far Denmark and Sweden are planning action)

Interfaith Power and Light - http://www.faithclimateactionweek.org/

Be part of the Faith Climate Action Week, April 17-23

Women’s March 2017 - https://www.womensmarch.com/

10 Actions 100 days, click on the “See the Current Action” Button to find out current action

Click on “Take Action Now” button to get details of action

Sign up to receive notification of upcoming actions

Daily Action - https://dailyaction.org/

Text the word DAILY to the number 228466 (or ACTION) to register, enter your zip code, OR go to Daily Action website to sign up online

You’ll receive a daily text message about an urgent progressive issue in your area, listen to a short recorded explanation of the issue.

Click on the phone # on the text message, follow the prompt, you’ll be routed directly to your member of Congress or senator’s office

Moveon.org - Democracy in Action - http://front.moveon.org/

A joint website of MoveOn.org Civic Action and MoveOn.org Political Action.

Several petitions on website to sign

Click on “Find An Action” button

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US National Environmental (and Other) Groups and Resources

Environmental Defense Fund - https://www.edf.org/

Mission - to preserve the natural systems on which all life depends

Fighting President Trump’s Attacks  https://www.edf.org/how-you-can-help/were-fighting-safeguard-our-health-planet

o Latest development on environmental issues

o Sign up for email updates and environmental alert issues

TAKE ACTION OPPORTUNITY ONLINE

League of Conservation Voters – https://www.lcv.org/

Mission – works to turn environmental values into national, state and local priorities. LCV, in collaboration with our state LCV partners, advocates for sound environmental laws and policies, holds elected officials accountable for their votes and actions, and elects pro-environment candidates who will champion our priority issues.

State affiliates in 29 states, but not in Illinois and Iowa

TAKE ACTION OPPORTUNITY ONLINE

Natural Resource Defense Council - https://www.nrdc.org/

NRDC works to safeguard the earth—its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends

Trump Watch - https://www.nrdc.org/trump-watch - NRDC’s official record of the administration’s environmental assault.

TAKE ACTION OPPORTUNITY ONLINE

Center for Biological Diversity - http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/

Mission – Saving Life on Earth

Online Take-Action toolboxes

Links to many take-action opportunities

Trump Action toolkit

Link to #EARTH2TRUMP video

Sign up for email updates

TAKE ACTION OPPORTUNITY ONLINE

Friends of the Earth - http://www.foe.org/

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One of 75 national groups of Friends of the Earth International

Urge policymakers to defend the environment and work towards a healthy environment for all people.

Stand Up to Trump - http://www.foe.org/take-action/stand-up-to-trump

TAKE ACTION OPPORTUNITY ONLINE

Interfaith Power & Light - http://www.interfaithpowerandlight.org/

A religious response to global warming

Mission – to be faithful stewards of Creation by responding to global warming through the promotion of energy conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy

Worship resources online

TAKE ACTION OPPORTUNITY ONLINE

Climate Reality Project - https://www.climaterealityproject.org/

Mission – to catalyze a global solution to the climate crisis by making urgent action a necessity across every level of society

Online petition TELL THE SENATE: WE CAN’T TRUST OIL INSIDERS AND CLIMATE DENIERS WITH THE HEALTH OF OUR FAMILIES AND OUR ENVIRONMENT

Sign up to receive updates

TAKE ACTION OPPORTUNITY ONLINE

America Rivers - https://www.americanrivers.org/

Protecting rivers for the people and wildlife

Sign up to get updates on ways to get involved

World Wildlife Fund – Endanger Species Conservation - https://www.worldwildlife.org/

Mission - to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth.

Progressive Action for the Common Good - http://qcprogressiveaction.org/

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Helps build a support network aimed at educating, engaging, and empowering citizens to work for the common good of all in our communities.

Sign up to subscribe to the Newsletter

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