As a new Congress is almost completely seated and inauguration day nears, supporters of every imaginable political cause are retooling their campaigns for the new political landscape. The plight of climate justice is no different. In Oxfam America's Presidential Transition Briefing on climate change, specific requests for immediate action are put to the new administration, including: advocating for adaptation funding during UN climate negotiations; establishing a body to assess climate change impact and adaptation needs of developing countries; and include gulf coast recovery and climate change preparedness in an economic stimulus bill.
Minnesota will play an important role in realizing meaningful climate change action. To cite one example: Senator Klobuchar was a co-sponsor of early drafts of the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act, which aimed to reduce carbon emissions through a cap-and-trade scheme and provide some funding for climate change adaptation projects in the developing world. This bill stalled in the Senate last year, and is expected to be reintroduced. Several other members of our congressional delegation could play key roles in this and related legislation that would save lives and livelihoods in the world's most vulnerable communities.
With a daunting barrage of competing legislative priorities at hand, a grassroots push on climate justice issues is critical - and we're ready for it. Through partnerships with environmental, green jobs, human rights, poverty relief, and other area organizations, we look forward to putting the human consequences of climate change on the agenda.
You can make a difference with us. Check out the 'Take Action' sidebar on the right, get in touch with us, and stay tuned. Hosting a Sisters on the Planet screening is a great way to promote awareness and action. We'll be talking about Sisters on the Planet screenings and more at our next monthly meeting - January 19th, 2009, 7pm at Common Roots Cafe. You're welcome to attend!
Climate Justice in the News
Calgary Herald, Cities threatened by global warming
Christian Science Monitor, Green revolution: still possible amid deep recession?
Malaysian Star, Struggling to cope - Developing countries lament the lack of funding to combat global warming
UN IRIN, Senegal: Paul Thiao, "Farmers have become gamblers"
James R. Lee in the Washington Post, Global Warming Is Just the Tip of the Iceberg
Reuters AlertNet, Disaster-heavy 2008 raises pressure for climate pact, insurance
