Celebrating 2009Oxfam Action Corps - Minnesota ended 2009 in stride. Last year, we connected with thousands of Minnesotans at eighty-eight events and online, promoting awareness and action on lasting solutions to poverty and injustice. Ranging from rallies at the State Capitol, concerts at First Ave., meetings with legislators, presentations in Northfield, and much more, our grassroots volunteer team made a difference over thousands of hours while having fun along the way. All of this happened in close coordination with Oxfam America, other Oxfam Action Corps teams, and allied organizations around the world. Thank you to everyone who made our success in Minnesota possible!
Our focus remains on Oxfam's climate change campaign. In addition to calling for reductions in carbon emissions linked to global warming, we're pressing for the United States to fund climate adaptation projects that will help those threatened by climate change cope with the changes. Seemingly small measures, such as raising a water well to prevent contamination during floods, saves lives and livelihoods.
Opportunities in 2010
On this issue, 2009 ended with limited progress. At the international level, the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference produced with a non-binding agreement that does little more that pledge further work on a meaningful treaty. The agreement does create a fund for climate adaptation, but it remains to be seen if wealthy states will uphold their obligations to the fund. At least the importance of climate adaptation was recognized.
Domestically, critical climate change legislation remains at an impasse. After the US House passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act in June, it became the Senate's turn to act. There, a comparable bill stalled and was then sidelined as health care reform took center stage. We anticipate the Senate will gear up to act on climate change later this year. We'll be gearing up too, ensuring that the voices of the world's poor are part of the debate.
Get Involved
Become an Oxfam Action Corps volunteer and help us sustain our exciting momentum in the New Year! Click here to download an overview of Oxfam Action Corps. Locally, contact us at minnesota@oxfamactioncorps.org or call (612) 293-9831. You're welcome to attend one of our monthly meetings to get involved or simply learn more. Our next meeting is on January 18 at 7 PM in the Common Room of Common Roots Cafe (2558 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis).
