July 19, 2005
Dear Friends,
Global warming has been in the news a good bit the last few weeks, in large part because of the G-8 meeting in Scotland. That's a good thing. But in Scotland, as elsewhere, the Bush administration blocked any concrete steps to address this urgent crisis.
If the government won't move on the deepening climate crisis, the people must.
Toward that end a promising alliance has been coming together to organize actions in Montreal and throughout the country on December 3rd. From Nov. 28th to December 9th a major international conference in Montreal will bring together all of the signers of the Kyoto Protocol. We must demonstrate on December 3rd that a national movement, one linked internationally, has come together in defense of our seriously threatened ecosystem and the world's suffering peoples.
Below is the Call to Action for this campaign. Please circulate widely and respond. The climate crisis is real, it is overarching and there is an urgent need for intensified public awareness and political action. Join us!For Climate Crisis: USA Join the World!
Ted Glick
usajointheworld@igc.org
973-338-5398
USA Join the World! A Call for an Action Campaign on Global Warming
From November 28th to December 9th representatives from 150 or more nations will be meeting at a Climate Conference in Montreal, Canada. The vast majority of those present will be signers of the Kyoto Protocol on global warming. They will be discussing the latest developments with this deepening world crisis and what should be done about it.
The representatives of the United States government, however, will be present working behind the scenes to try to block any positive action. This is the role they have played for several years.
We are outraged that our government has taken this obstructionist approach to one of, if not the, most critical and urgent issues of our time. Powerful dirty energy corporations like Exxon/Mobil are calling the shots on U.S. energy policy. Resources and lives are being wasted in a tragic war instead of going into energy conservation and development of clean, safe energy that would end our reliance on Middle East oil while generating millions of new jobs.
We must stand up and take action now! This fall let's mobilize a nationwide, grassroots education and action campaign leading up to mass demonstrations in Montreal and throughout the U.S. on Saturday, December 3rd. Help gather signatures for the Peoples Ratification of the Kyoto Global Warming Treaty www.kyotoandbeyond.org, which will be presented in Montreal. Join Climate Crisis: USA Join the World! as we call for:
-USA Join the World by Ratifying the Kyoto Protocol
-Support and Export Clean, Safe, Non-Nuclear Energy Alternatives
-End Government Subsidies for Oil and Coal Corporations
-Dramatically Strengthen Energy Conservation and Fuel Efficiency Standards
-A Just Transition for Workers, Indigenous and Other Communities Affected by a Change to Clean Energy
-Defend the World's Forests; Support Community-Run Tree Planting Campaigns
This organizing campaign in the United States is part of an international effort. A call has been issued and organizing is underway for demonstrations on December 3rd in many other countries around the world.
There are a variety of events that we are encouraging and will help organize. Leading up to December 3rd local groups can organize house parties, forums, teach-ins, conferences or town meetings. You can circulate the Kyoto and Beyond petition. We will be putting together a listing of resources that can provide information and analysis on the climate crisis and what can be done about it.
We urge widespread participation in this urgently needed campaign!
Initial Endorsers (List in formation)
1199/SEIU
Alliance for Affordable Energy, New Orleans, La.
Bluewater Network
Chesapeake Climate Action Network
Climate Crisis Coalition
Colorado Clean Energy Action
Connie Hogarth Center for Social Action
Earth Rights International
For a Better Bronx
Global Exchange
Global Justice Ecology Project
Global Resource Center for the Environment
Green House Network
Green Party of Rhode Island
Green Party of New York, West Side Local
Hip Hop Caucus
Indigenous Environmental Network
The Just Transition Alliance
Labor/Community Strategy Center
League of Pissed Off Voters
MADRE
Ministers for Racial, Social and Economic Justice of the United Church of Christ
Pax Christi, USA
Philadelphia Beyond Oil
Rainforest Action Network
Root Activist Network of Trainers
Sierra Club SF/Bay Chapter, Mt. Diablo Group
The Shalom Center
Southwest Network for Environmental and Economic Justice
US Green Party National Committee
WE ACT for Environmental Justice
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Jose T. Bravo, Executive Director, Just Transition Alliance
Tim Carpenter, Executive Director, Progressive Democrats of America
Ross Gelbspan, author, The Heat Is On/Boiling Point
Ted Glick, co-founder, Climate Crisis Coalition
Tom Goldtooth, Executive Director, Indigenous Environmental Network
Eban Goodstein, Green House Network
Rev. Graylan Scott Hagler, Senior Minister, Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ
Kevin Martin, Executive Director, Peace Action
Fr. Paul Mayer, co-founder, Climate Crisis Coalition
George Naylor, President, National Family Farm Coalition
Richard Moore, Executive Director, Southwest Network for Environmental and Economic Justice
Emily Rochon, Cornell University graduate student
Lorna Salzman, NY Green Party State Committee
Alice Slater, GRACE
Mike Tidwell, Chesapeake Climate Action Network
Lester M. Timofeev, Stetson, Me.
Jenice L. View, PhD, Education and Training Director, Just Transition Alliance
Rabbi Arthur Waskow, Shalom Center
Julia Willebrand, USGP International Committee Co-Chair
Daphne Wysham, Director, Sustainable Energy and Economy Network
__Yes, my organization, ____________________________ agrees to endorse this call.
__ Yes, list my name, ________________________________, with this identification
afterwards:___________________________________________.