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 Focus
on Global Climate Change
In
natural amounts, carbon dioxide and other gases warm
Earth's surface by trapping solar heat in the atmosphere,
thus keeping our planet habitable. However, excess amounts
of these gases in the atmosphere can have catastrophic
effects on the planet and its habitability. The vast
majority of scientists now agree that excess gases in
the atmosphere resulting from the burning of fossil
fuels and the clearing of forests are beginning to cause
such catastrophic changes and are already affecting
our ability to inhabit this planet.
Malaria has spread to higher altitudes that have warmed.
The flow of ice from glaciers in Greenland has more
than doubled over the past decade, increasing the rate
of climate change. At least 279 species of plants and
animals are already moving closer to the poles as they
warm. Droughts, fires, heat waves, disease, and severe
storms have wreaked havoc around the world and here
in the United States. These already severe consequences
are predicted to become even more catastrophic with
deaths related to global climate disruption doubling
in just 25 years -- to 300,000 people a year –
and with more than a million species worldwide being
be driven to extinction by 2050.
However, if we all make small changes to our daily routines,
these changes can add up to big differences in helping
to stop global climate disruption and prevent more consequences.
Now is the time to come together to solve this problem.
Learn
more about taking part in this grassroots movement by
following this link.
Got
a Few Hours to Save the Planet?
By
Carla Klein, JMC Program Director
Volunteers
are needed to plan and help kick off our new Priority
Global Warming and Energy Campaign!
Global Warming is the most serious environmental challenge
of our generation. The time to act is now!
Experts
predict that we must make major changes in our energy
policy and energy consumption within the next ten years
to reduce impacts of climate change. Our actions, or
lack there-of, will impact generations to come, as well
as the health of our planet. As detailed in the Strategic
Planning article (Muir
View, Winter 2007, front page), Sierra Club
members from across Wisconsin chose global warming and
energy as our priority conservation campaign. As daunting
as the challenge of turning back the impacts of global
warming sound, the good news is that the solutions offer
enormous opportunities. Changing from a dirty, carbon-based
economic system into a clean, renewable economy provides
tremendous potential for good jobs that will not only
reduce global warming pollution but also clean up our
environment and improve the health of our citizens.
Our comprehensive campaign provides actions and trainings
on a host of activities.
Local
Sierra Club groups are taking the lead with programs
like the Four Lakes Group’s “Saving
Energy Together Campaign.” This plan includes
actions that all members can take part in. Simple steps
like changing to compact fluorescent light bulbs, recycling
and washing your clothes in cold water all reduce our
carbon imprint. Take the
pledge and use the carbon calculator to track how
much global warming pollution you are eliminating. Imagine
the impact on Wisconsin’s global warming emissions
if all of our 14,258 members take the pledge.
How
can you get involved with the Sierra Club’s Global
Warming Action Plan?
Contact
the Chapter office to sign up for our John Muir Chapter’s
Energy Forum listserve. We will use this web-based tool
to send out late-breaking news on global warming and
upcoming activities. Watch your newsletters to learn
what your local group has planned, and call the Chapter
office to learn more.
In the next months, we will be conducting trainings
on how to plan for a light bulb giveaway program and
an energy film festival. We’ll also conduct a
petition drive asking the Wisconsin Natural Resources
Board to put a CAP on Wisconsin’s global warming
emissions as well as supporting global warming legislation.
The task is great but, as Sierra Club members join forces
with our allies, we can make a positive change for our
families and for our future.
Sign
up today by contacting the John Muir Chapter office
at:
Carla Klein is the John Muir Chapter Program
Director. Her motivation for environmental
activism is to leave a better legacy for children.
Action
Items, Issues and Legislative Contacts
The
John Muir Chapter has several issues it works on throughout
the year. The Groups also
have a conservation and political focus within their
local area. From time to time, we will also bring you
information on an important national Sierra Club campaign
being targeted to Wisconsin.
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Learn
about the John Muir Chapter's position on current
legislation that affects YOU, right here in Wisconsin.
Find out more by visiting our Legislative
Tracker, then Take Action by contacting
your elected officials today! |
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Contact
Your Elected Officials
From
time to time, its a good idea to drop a letter or a
phone call to your elected representatives. When bills
or issues come up, let them know how you want them to
respond. They need to know what you think! Remember
- they do work for you....
- Who
are my State Legislators?
- Look up who represents you in the Wisconsin senate
and assembly. Just fill in your street address and
get details!
-
Wisconsin
Blue Book - This is a great resource
listing details on all the elected officials, statistical
information on Wisconsin and contact information for
the state political parties. If you want a hard copy
of this, they can be ordered.
-
County
Government Information - Find out who
your county executive is, who is on the county board
and how to reach county offices
-
City
Government Information - Get the same
information for your city or town. Mayor information,
who is your alderperson and city office contact information.
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