By Tom & Carol Braford
October is International Climate Action month once again. In St. Louis we are doing our part to save civilization and the planet.
After a summer that saw Russia on fire, Pakistan under water and record temperatures here in St. Louis and elsewhere, there can be no doubt that climate change is intensifying. The response around the world and in St. Louis is also intensifying.
Saturday, October 2nd, will mark the launch of the Million Letter March. Why travel to DC when a handwritten letter has proven to be more effective and uses a whole lot less energy? The Citizens Climate Lobby has drafted a Fee and Dividend bill that would put a price on carbon and refund 100% to everyone living in the US. Seventy percent of households would receive more in dividends than they would pay in increased energy costs, and the increased competitiveness of having fossil fuels pay their true cost would create many green jobs and usher in climate prosperity.
Our own Congressman Lacy Clay has agreed to be the lead Democratic cosponsor. You can join us for a Citizens Climate Lobby conference call with Bill McKibben of 350.org as the guest speaker from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm on the 2nd, followed by a group letter writing session, or you could sponsor your own event or just send your letter (see www.CitizensClimateLobby.org).
Please join us October 8-9 for the Cool St. Louis Climate Summit at Saint Louis University. Friday will feature in depth workshop led by local climate leaders. On Saturday, we will be putting the finishing touches on a plan to cut CO2 emissions in our region by 80% by 2020. Details of the plan will be presented at a press conference at 4:00 pm and celebrated at the William A. Kerr Foundation building at 21 O’Fallon that evening. Learn more and register now at www.2020stlclimate.org.
Sunday, October 10th is this year’s International Day of Climate Action. You are invited to an opening ceremony for the 10/10/10 Global Work Party at the Culver Way Ecovillage, 3965 Westminster Place, 63108, starting at 10:00 am with street theater by 40 Corners and a 350 Labyrinth Walk, followed by a potluck lunch and work to winterize the Green Beings’ garden. Please contact us if you are sponsoring a 10/10/10 event or would like to assist with any of these events.
You are also welcome to join us at Culver Way Ecovillage for an open house and potluck lunch on Saturday, October 16, at 11:00. Hope you can come!
Contacts:
Culver Way Ecovillage:
Tom & Carol Braford,
www.CulverWayCohousing.com,
braford@sbcglobal.net,
314-534-4780.
Green Beings Urban farm:
Sabrina Hilton,
www.greenbeings-stl.com,
greenbeings@gmail.com.