Tell your Senators: Don’t leave the poor out of the climate change bill!
Senators John Kerry (D-MA), Lindsay Graham (R-SC), and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) are changing their approach to climate change legislation in an attempt to fashion a bill that can pass the Senate. The problem? There is pressure to cut out the international provisions, including help for the world’s poorest people to prepare for the severe effects of climate change.
Leaving support for hard-hit poor communities out of a US climate bill not only undermines the pledge America made in Copenhagen to help those most affected by climate change – it also leaves billions of people in peril from worsening storms, droughts, & floods.
This week is crucial for influencing legislation on climate change! Call your Senators this week, and get your friends and contacts to do the same. Read more to find a script!
WHAT WE WANT OUR SENATORS TO DO:
1. Make sure a comprehensive climate and energy bill helps the world’s poorest people currently being hit hardest by climate change.
AND
2. Co-sponsor the International Climate Change Investment Act (S. 2835), introduced by Senator John Kerry. This bill will deliver the right policies to help hard-hit communities prepare for the severe impacts of climate change and promotes clean energy around the world.
IT’S EASY TO CALL:
Step 1. Dial 1-(866)-220-0044 OR 1-(202) 224-3121 to reach the Capitol Switchboard
Step 2. Ask the operator for your Senator’s office
Step 3. Express your view. Be sure to say who you are, where you are from, what you want, and why you care. (Talking points to help you out are below.) Here is a sample:
Hi, My name is ____ and I am a (your occupation) from (city/state).
I would like to ask Senator ____ to vocally support a comprehensive climate and energy bill that assists the world’s poorest people currently being hit hardest by climate change, AND to cosponsor the Climate Change Investment Act (S. 2835). This bill, S. 2835, will deliver the right policies to help hard-hit communities prepare for the severe impacts of climate change, and it will promote clean energy around the world.
I care about this because _______________, and I follow reports from organizations like Oxfam about how climate change is harming people in poverty. We need the Senator’s support now. Thank you.
Step 4. Repeat steps 1-3 for your second Senator.
THAT’S IT. EASY RIGHT? NOW ASK YOUR FRIENDS TO DO THE SAME!
Additional tips for calling Congress (thanks to our friends at Repower America for these)
1. Who You Are
2. Where You Are From
3. Why You Are Calling
4. Now is the time to act on Climate Change and International Adaptation Legislation.
Who You Are: Who you are is extremely important to Senators and their staff. One of the primary goals of this call-in is to demonstrate broad and diverse support for climate change legislation. As a result, it is very important that you tell Senate offices who you are. If you’re a veteran, tell them you’re a veteran. If you’re a small business person, let them know. Give them all the information they ask for and more. This part is essential so please remember to tell Senate offices who you are.
Where You’re From: This is also extremely important. Senators need to know that clean energy and climate advocates come from every corner of their state.
Why You’re Calling: Senators need to know why you care. Whether your motivation is the environment, national security or jobs and the economy or all of the above, it is essential to let
Senators know why you care. (See talking points below for facts.)
Urgency: NOW is the time to ensure a comprehensive climate and energy bill helps the world’s poorest people currently being hit hardest by climate change. If the Senate does not act this year – especially in the next few months, the clock will run out on this Congressional session and it could be a very long time until they take up this issue again.
TALKING POINTS – FROM OXFAM AMERICA
1. International adaptation is a moral imperative and demonstrates US leadership
• The 4th IPCC report depicts a pending human crisis – by 2020, 250 million people will experience water scarcity, and by 2050 more than a billion people will face water shortages and hunger due to climate variability. The World Health Organization estimates that climate likely contributes to upwards of 150,000 deaths per year.
• The impacts of climate change around the world – from to floods to droughts to disease –disproportionately affect poor, vulnerable communities, especially women. Through no fault of their own, people in developing countries are more than 20 times more likely to be affected by climate-related disasters as those in the developed world.
• The world is watching closely to see if the US will live up to its commitment in Copenhagen to contribute its fair share to the global mobilization of $100BN by 2020. The bulk of that commitment must come from the resources raised by a domestic cap on carbon; not through appropriations alone. The U.S. must improve its standing in the world community on climate by standing by its commitment.
2. International adaptation is a matter of national security
• US national security relies on human security abroad. Climate-exacerbated impacts (more intense and frequent droughts, floods, storms, disease) will increase poverty and hunger, migration, and conflicts over scarce natural resources, as already seen in Sudan. In many areas, such as Ethiopia, internal conflicts are on the rise between agriculturalists and pastoralists due to erratic drought seasons and water scarcity.
• Military experts describe climate change as a “threat multiplier” that poses serious challenges to US national security by undermining global stability and security. As conflicts and humanitarian disasters rise the US will be increasingly pulled in multiple directions. Investments in adaptation act as a safeguard measure.
• Waiting until later to deal with the consequences of climate change will be much more expensive. For every $1 we spend on preventive risk reduction strategies, we save $7 to $10 in disaster or conflict management – not to mention millions of lives.
3. Int’l adaptation creates economic opportunities for US businesses and workers
• American businesses are eager to supply a global demand for climate resilience technologies and services. Public investments will leverage private investments.
• Many US retailers such as Nike, Levi Strauss, Starbucks that source internationally, support international adaptation as critical to effectively protecting their global supply chains. A hit on supply chains not only causes company disruptions but can also impact US consumer prices.
• Oxfam’s report, The New Adaptation Marketplace, maps out a sampling of companies throughout the US that develop products and services that build climate preparedness. These and other firms will stand to benefit from an increase in international adaptation investments by expanding and creating more US jobs.
WOMEN AND CLIMATE CHANGE
• Women are the linchpins of societies. Women are the key providers for the family and the community; raising the children, and caring for the old and the sick. Due to this they often stay behind in harm’s way when disaster strikes. Their safety and resilience of in the face of disaster largely defines the entire community’s ability to adapt or recover from a disaster.
• Women produce between 60 to 80 percent of the food in most developing countries. They regularly do the jobs that are most affected by climate change, such as working the fields, and collecting water and fuel. They are the providers of the family’s subsistence.
• Women make up roughly 70% of the World’s poor. Women are disproportionately represented among those living below the poverty line. As such, they have less access to resources and essential services on average before and after disaster strikes. Studies show that women are more likely to die during natural disasters than men.
• Women’s empowerment is critical to climate solutions. Given their central role in the family and community, women have invaluable knowledge about creating and implementing innovative solutions to address resource constraints and adaptive strategies to disasters. They are also more likely to try new methods and technologies, and are more prone to working in groups. Some of the most progressive actions in response to environmental degradation and climate change impacts have been led by women, even while women’s voices continue to be marginalized.
THE COPENHAGEN ACCORD
• Although the Copenhagen Climate Summit did not result in everything that we need to protect the world from dangerous climate change, it did produce what the Senate needs to pass a climate bill.
• As specifically requested by the Senate, the President did not step out in front of Congress (by committing to target reductions beyond what was in previous bills) and through The Copenhagen Accord created critical breakthrough agreements that capture both action and transparency from all large emitters, particularly China.
• However, standing alone, the Copenhagen Accord cannot unlock a more ambitious agreement by the next round of talks in Mexico, November 2010. For that to happen, the US must pass a climate bill that includes international adaptation and mitigation.
• Cosponsoring S.2835 and insisting adaptation be a part of a domestic climate bill will bolster the Administration’s efforts to continue negotiating a global climate deal.
CURRENT EXAMPLES OF ADAPTATION
While communities have faced severe weather events before, they now face erratic and more severe and frequent weather events that can quickly overwhelm their capacity to respond and recover. Adaptation programs allow communities to build their resilience by adopting appropriate technologies and practices that help them cope with climate impacts.
Types of solutions:
Severe Floods: planting mangrove trees along coastlines to diffuse storm waves, creating “floatable” garden techniques, creating community-based action plans for rapid response.
Severe storms: installing early
warning systems, offering community awareness and preparedness training, improving agricultural practices that increase soil absorption.
Severe Drought: Adopting innovative water conservation techniques, installing low-cost water-catchment devices, affording low-cost drip irrigation systems, researching and using drought-resistant crops.
Real examples:
Bangladesh: coastal afforestation
Bangladesh’s coastline is highly vulnerable to cyclones and storm surge. The project aims to create a forest belt along coastlines using deep-rooted, salt-tolerant species of mangrove, in order to act as a buffer zone to protect communities in vulnerable areas. The project is also piloting options for ensuring drinkable water for communities threatened by saline water intrusion – such as rainwater harvesting, and groundwater treatment. It aims to employ, train and involve local community members, particularly women, in creating the buffer zone, so strengthening their livelihoods in the process.
Kenya: adapting to climate change in arid lands: Around 80% of Kenya’s land is arid or semi-arid, and communities there depend on pastoral or subsistence agriculture. Adaptation aims to improve food and income security in the face of climate shocks by strengthening the adaptive capacity of communities. Adaptation projects include increasing public access to forecast and early warning information, building communities’ ability to detect and act upon climatic changes, and diversifying their incomes away from subsistence agriculture. To ensure effectiveness, women farmers are fully integrated into training programs and implementation. Public-private partnerships are also explored to provide weather insurance schemes.
Read more!
Sisters on the Planet screening
Join Oxfam Action Corps NYC on Tuesday, March 9, at 7:00 pm at Bluestockings (http://bluestockings.com) to watch this documentary about four women from around the globe who are fighting the effects of climate change in their communities. See more about the documentary at www.oxfamamerica.org/sisters. After the screening we will be writing notes to Senators Schumer and Gillibrand supporting them in standing up for those women who are currently most vulnerable to climate change.
Read more!
Read more!
Next meeting: Wednesday, March 3
We will be meeting at Isaac's apartment this month, on Wed., Mar. 3, from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. Afterwards, those who wish to donate $10 to Oxfam's Haiti relief fund are welcome to stay for lasagna, bread and salad. Please RSVP to newyorkcity@oxfamactioncorps.org if you plan to come, and we will send you the address.
Read more!
Read more!
Reach out to Senators Schumer and Gillibrand now!
This week is critical – read on to find out why.
US Senate Democratic leadership will soon decide whether to pursue a climate change bill. It is critical we relay to our senators that we want comprehensive climate and energy legislation passed this year.
Please take 5 minutes to contact your US Senators this week to communicate your support of passing comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation (contact info at the bottom of this message). Senators are on break this week and need to hear directly from their constituents on this issue! If you'd like to also participate in a lobby visit to deliver petitions signed in December, please email newyorkcity@oxfamactioncorps.org.
Communicate in your own words the following points.
The key message:
Now is the time to pass a comprehensive clean energy and climate policy to
enhance global stability, generate the kinds of business and job opportunities
critically needed to rebuild our nation’s economy, and help poor communities
cope with the impacts of a changing climate.
Supporting messages (use as you see fit):
* With every delay come increased risks of global instability and threats
to national security from global migration and refugee crises, conflicts over
natural resources, and economic destabilization.
* American innovators and entrepreneurs are eager to take advantage of the
increasing global demand for climate resilience tools, services and
technologies. Scores of major corporations are fighting for climate solutions
as a key to keeping our nation competitive, securing global supply chains, and
expanding business opportunities. By ignoring the changing realities imposed
by global warming, we risk missing the next great economic wave.
* Now is the time to put in place a pathway toward a clean energy future,
and inspire innovative, people-focused solutions to adapt to climate change.
* While least responsible for causing climate change, poor people bear the
brunt of its impacts.
* Studies show that across Africa, 75 million to 250 million people could
face severe water shortages by 2020. (According to the Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change.)
* People in developing countries are more than 20 times as likely to be affected by disasters caused by climate change than those in the developed world. And the
World Health Organization estimated that climate change already claims 150,000
lives annually.
Senator Charles Schumer
757 Third Avenue
Suite 17-02
New York, NY 10017
Tel: 518-431-4070
Electronic comment form: http://schumer.senate.gov/new_website/contact.cfm
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
780 Third Avenue
Suite 2601
New York, NY 10017
Tel. (212) 688-6262
Electronic comment form: http://gillibrand.senate.gov/contact/
Read more!
US Senate Democratic leadership will soon decide whether to pursue a climate change bill. It is critical we relay to our senators that we want comprehensive climate and energy legislation passed this year.
Please take 5 minutes to contact your US Senators this week to communicate your support of passing comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation (contact info at the bottom of this message). Senators are on break this week and need to hear directly from their constituents on this issue! If you'd like to also participate in a lobby visit to deliver petitions signed in December, please email newyorkcity@oxfamactioncorps.org.
Communicate in your own words the following points.
The key message:
Now is the time to pass a comprehensive clean energy and climate policy to
enhance global stability, generate the kinds of business and job opportunities
critically needed to rebuild our nation’s economy, and help poor communities
cope with the impacts of a changing climate.
Supporting messages (use as you see fit):
* With every delay come increased risks of global instability and threats
to national security from global migration and refugee crises, conflicts over
natural resources, and economic destabilization.
* American innovators and entrepreneurs are eager to take advantage of the
increasing global demand for climate resilience tools, services and
technologies. Scores of major corporations are fighting for climate solutions
as a key to keeping our nation competitive, securing global supply chains, and
expanding business opportunities. By ignoring the changing realities imposed
by global warming, we risk missing the next great economic wave.
* Now is the time to put in place a pathway toward a clean energy future,
and inspire innovative, people-focused solutions to adapt to climate change.
* While least responsible for causing climate change, poor people bear the
brunt of its impacts.
* Studies show that across Africa, 75 million to 250 million people could
face severe water shortages by 2020. (According to the Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change.)
* People in developing countries are more than 20 times as likely to be affected by disasters caused by climate change than those in the developed world. And the
World Health Organization estimated that climate change already claims 150,000
lives annually.
Senator Charles Schumer
757 Third Avenue
Suite 17-02
New York, NY 10017
Tel: 518-431-4070
Electronic comment form: http://schumer.senate.gov/new_website/contact.cfm
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
780 Third Avenue
Suite 2601
New York, NY 10017
Tel. (212) 688-6262
Electronic comment form: http://gillibrand.senate.gov/contact/
Read more!
Join us at the Hunger Banquet on Feb 26th!
IPSA/OXFAM ACTION CORPS HUNGER BANQUET
Presented by the Wagner International Public Service Association (IPSA) student group and the NYC OAC.
Few experiences bring to life the inequalities in our world more powerfully than an Oxfam America Hunger Banquet event. IPSA, in partnership with the Oxfam Action Corps of NYC, is hosting this event to start the conversation on global food security, a topic that will be more deeply covered at the 2010 IPSA Spring Conference on Friday, March 26th.
At this event, you will be able to take part in an interactive program that will allow you to experience the issue of food security firsthand. The event will include a speaker panel of Wagner professors and NGO representatives that will be able to answer your questions on this important issue.
After an Oxfam America Hunger Banquet event, few participants will leave with full stomachs, but all will possess a greater understanding of the problems of hunger and poverty and will be motivated to do something about them! Please join us!
For questions, please contact Lucia Goyen at lg1362@nyu.edu.
When: 2/26/2010 6:30pm-8:30pm
Location:
The Puck Building, The Rudin Family Forum for Civic Dialogue, 2nd Fl.
295 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10012-960
RSVP by clicking the title above or here: http://wagner.nyu.edu/events/ipsa-02-26-2010
Read more!
How to sign up
* Apply to be a volunteer Action Corps organizer for your city and become eligible to attend our 2010 Oxfam Action Corps training in Washington, DC. As a Corps organizer, you’ll help convene local activities and inspire others to get involved, all with ongoing support from Oxfam. Deadline for applications is February 15, 2010. Fill out an application at http://www.oxfamactioncorps.org.
* Sign up as a volunteer. We’re seeking volunteers year round to join our efforts. Everybody has something to offer, whether unique ideas and talents or simply time and an additional set of hands to help. Fill out an application at http://www.oxfamactioncorps.org.
Read more!
* Sign up as a volunteer. We’re seeking volunteers year round to join our efforts. Everybody has something to offer, whether unique ideas and talents or simply time and an additional set of hands to help. Fill out an application at http://www.oxfamactioncorps.org.
Read more!
Our February monthly meeting will be this Wednesday (Feb. 3) at McNally Jackson Books (downstairs), 52 Prince St., btwn Mulberry and Lafayette.
Thanks to those of you who have helped out at the recent Haiti benefit concerts. Please urge the IMF to cancel Haiti's debt via http://act.oxfamamerica.org/site/PageNavigator/advo_haitidebt.
Below are upcoming volunteer opportunities. Please let us know which interest you!
2/1 - Presentation at 4:30 pm to high school Green Team at Chinese-American Planning Council. Will screen Sisters on the Planet and lead discussion afterward.
Flushing, Queens
Volunteer: Isaac Evans-Frantz
2/19 - The Editors concert
Terminal 5, Manhattan
Volunteers: Brittany Wilson, Winnifred Lee, Maria Donatelli, Megan McGee
2/26 - Oxfam Hunger Banquet
Puck Room at NYU (see details in previous post)
Organizers: Lucia Goyen, Racheal Jaimieson, Emerald Nash, Brittany Wilson
Volunteers: NEEDED! We will need MANY volunteers to assist day of the event.
Other events:
** Benefit for Haiti in Rockville Center, NY - details to follow
**The New School Benefit for Haiti (silent auction) - details to follow
**Sisters on the Planet screening(s) in March
**Week of Action for International Women's Day, March 8-14
** Annual Benefit Concert in May - planning is starting, so if you are interested in helping with planning, or if you have connections with venues/bands, please let us know. We'll also need volunteers the day of the event.
Please e-mail us at newyorkcity@oxfamactioncorps.org if interested in any of the above. Also, if you would like to help us plan or have any ideas, please let us know.
Read more!
Thanks to those of you who have helped out at the recent Haiti benefit concerts. Please urge the IMF to cancel Haiti's debt via http://act.oxfamamerica.org/site/PageNavigator/advo_haitidebt.
Below are upcoming volunteer opportunities. Please let us know which interest you!
2/1 - Presentation at 4:30 pm to high school Green Team at Chinese-American Planning Council. Will screen Sisters on the Planet and lead discussion afterward.
Flushing, Queens
Volunteer: Isaac Evans-Frantz
2/19 - The Editors concert
Terminal 5, Manhattan
Volunteers: Brittany Wilson, Winnifred Lee, Maria Donatelli, Megan McGee
2/26 - Oxfam Hunger Banquet
Puck Room at NYU (see details in previous post)
Organizers: Lucia Goyen, Racheal Jaimieson, Emerald Nash, Brittany Wilson
Volunteers: NEEDED! We will need MANY volunteers to assist day of the event.
Other events:
** Benefit for Haiti in Rockville Center, NY - details to follow
**The New School Benefit for Haiti (silent auction) - details to follow
**Sisters on the Planet screening(s) in March
**Week of Action for International Women's Day, March 8-14
** Annual Benefit Concert in May - planning is starting, so if you are interested in helping with planning, or if you have connections with venues/bands, please let us know. We'll also need volunteers the day of the event.
Please e-mail us at newyorkcity@oxfamactioncorps.org if interested in any of the above. Also, if you would like to help us plan or have any ideas, please let us know.
Read more!
Few experiences bring to life the inequalities in our world more powerfully than an Oxfam America Hunger Banquet event. The Oxfam Action Corps of NYC in partnership with the NYU Wagner International Public Service Association (IPSA), is hosting this event to start the conversation on global food security, a topic that will be more deeply covered at the 2010 IPSA Spring Conference on Friday, March 26th.
At this event, you will be able to take part in an interactive program that will allow you to experience the issue of food security firsthand. The event will include a speaker panel of NYU Wagner professors and NGO representatives that will be able to answer your questions on this important issue.
After an Oxfam America Hunger Banquet event, few participants will leave with full stomachs, but all will possess a greater understanding of the problems of hunger and poverty and will be motivated to do something about them!
If you're interested in volunteering, please let us know. Otherwise, we hope to see you at the event!
When: 2/26/2010 6:30pm-8:30pm
Location:
The Puck Building, The Rudin Family Forum for Civic Dialogue, 2nd Fl.
295 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10012-9604
Read more!
At this event, you will be able to take part in an interactive program that will allow you to experience the issue of food security firsthand. The event will include a speaker panel of NYU Wagner professors and NGO representatives that will be able to answer your questions on this important issue.
After an Oxfam America Hunger Banquet event, few participants will leave with full stomachs, but all will possess a greater understanding of the problems of hunger and poverty and will be motivated to do something about them!
If you're interested in volunteering, please let us know. Otherwise, we hope to see you at the event!
When: 2/26/2010 6:30pm-8:30pm
Location:
The Puck Building, The Rudin Family Forum for Civic Dialogue, 2nd Fl.
295 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10012-9604
Read more!
Oxfam Action Corps NYC Says "Sign a Real Deal!"
On December 11 and 12, Oxfam Action Corps NYC called on our leaders to ensure a fair, ambitious and binding climate treaty. We participated in 350.org's climate vigil for survival, the NYC Food & Climate Conference, and our own end-of-the-year celebration in Brooklyn. These actions coincided with the Copenhagen climate talks and with Oxfam Action Corps activities around the country, which you can see photographs of: Oxfam Seal a Real Deal. To read about massive demonstrations and arrests in Copenhagen, check out: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8410414.stm
.
Read more!
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