International Day of Forests 2018
2018 Events around the world
To celebrate this year’s International Day of Forests, this event will gather eminent speakers presenting innovative ideas on urban farming, the integration of trees in buildings, wood construction and architecture, showing that technology and ingenuityhave no limits.
Project Extraordinary is an inaugural award competition to make sustainability sexy for consumers. The brief is to develop a concept for a short-form video that demonstrates an idea that makes sustainability so sexy it cannot be ignored any more. This initiative is a collaboration between WiLD Studios and WWF, supported by UN Environment.
Distinguished guests will discuss ‘difference’ from diverse perspectives and how engagement with the natural world, each other, and diverse spiritual traditions may bridge the divide. The evening’s guests include Duncan Murdoch, host of forest walks throughout the state with his organization, Nature Connection Guide, artist; and Steven Parker owner and manager of High Reach Farm, a diversified tree farm in Danville, VT.
Share your smiles, compliments, time, talents, money, and energy with those around you. We must truly be the change that we want to see. And we can do it. We are doing it. Believe that the future is full of mindfulness where hearts mean more than our accounts.
The Love Initiative.
Notes From the Road – Bright Lights Blog
http://troubadourofpeace.blogspot.com/
Book a house concert or music for a yoga class today!!
TOUR DATES
| Date | Time | Venue | Location | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/22/18 | 3:00 PM | Choices | Akron, OH | |
| 3/22/18 | 6:00 PM | Tea Time for Peace | Kent, OH | |
| 3/23/18 | 5:00 PM | Friends of the Metro Parks Benefit w/ the Bright Lights | Akron, OH | |
| 3/27/18 | 7:00 PM | Brother’s Lounge | Cleveland, OH | |
| 3/30/18 | 6:30 PM | 330 Day @ Akron Civic Theatre | Akron, OH | |
| 3/31/18 | 10:30 AM | Celebration of Life for Marilyn Stroud | Cuyahoga Falls, OH | |
| 4/3/18 | 6:30 PM | MLK Kirtan | Akron, OH | Donations |
| 4/4/18 | 6:30 PM | Nonviolent Communication Circle | Akron, OH | Donations |
| 4/6/18 | 7:00 PM | Big Love Night @ Live Music Now w/ Rhodes St Rude Boys | Akron, OH | $5-10 |
| 4/7/18 | 8:30 PM | Mustard Seed Highland Square w/ Bright Lights! | Akron, OH | |
| 4/10/18 | 7:00 PM | Brother Lounge | Cleveland, OH | |
| 4/16/18 | 7:00 PM | Wolf Creek Winery | Norton, OH | |
| 4/21/18 | 6:30 PM | Bright Lights @ the Rialto | Akron, OH | $5 |
| 4/22/18 | 4:00 PM | Yoga Central | Canton, OH | |
| 4/28/18 | 7:00 PM | Wine Mill | Peninsula, OH | |
| 5/2/18 | 6:30 PM | Nonviolent Communication Series | Akron, OH | Donations |
| 5/4/18 | 7:00 PM | Big Love Night @ Live Music Now w/ Gretchen Pleuss | Akron, OH | $5-10 |
| 5/5/18 | 12:00 PM | Cleveland VegFest | Cleveland, OH | |
| 5/5/18 | 6:00 PM | Bent Ladder winery | Doylestown , OH | |
| 5/8/18 | 7:00 PM | Brother’s Lounge | Cleveland, OH |
Soon it will be time again: On Saturday, March 24, 2018, the next EARTH HOUR will take place! Watch as the lights go off anywhere in the world between 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm local time – as a sign of protecting our planet and calling for more climate protection.
For a nature-friendly energy transition :
The oceans are warming up, glaciers are retreating, the deserts are spreading: in order to prevent the worst effects of climate change, we must consume significantly less energy, switch to environmentally friendly renewable energies and protect the forests and oceans for climate regulation. Politics must create framework conditions, companies must save greenhouse gases, but every single one is now in demand!
Together we can promote a nature-friendly energy transition, actively influence climate policy and promote sustainable lifestyles.
Join in:
- To be active even for climate protection
- Climate and energy tips
- Participation for companies as well as cities and communities
Largest climate protection action in the world!
The WWF EARTH HOUR is a simple idea that quickly became a global event: when the first time the EARTH HOUR was switched off in 2007, it only happened in one city: Sydney. Meanwhile, the number of participants is growing from year to year. In 2017, EARTH HOUR reached hundreds of millions of people in 187 countries and territories. More than 12,000 famous buildings have been darkened.
Looking for other ways to celebrate? During April, show us your love for trees. Share a photo or video of how you care for trees on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, tag @MontgomeryParks, and include #HugATree. We will share our favorites.
Here are some suggestions for showing love for trees:
• Plant a tree
• Remove invasive vines
• Hug a tree with friends and family
• Learn more about trees at Montgomery Parks’ nature centers and gardens
• Do research on trees at your local library
Happy Earth Month!
Pope Francis said “Bring the whole human family together . . . for we know that things can change.” (Laudato Si’, 13)
Celebrate creation during mass. After mass, encourage your diocese to shrink its carbon footprint by signing postcards together.
It’s surprising, but postcards really do work.
The diocese is a moral leader. It also coordinates activities in parishes that affect a lot of people. That’s why its commitment is so important.
On Earth Day we lift our voices as one. We’re uniting in a big global effort to encourage dioceses to reduce their emissions. Here’s how it works:
- Celebrate creation during mass. After mass, work together to write postcards to the diocese.
- The postcards will encourage the diocese to put Catholic teaching into practice by reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.
- The first step is to establish an office devoted to caring for creation.
Diocesan staff are invited to a webinar led by Vatican officials.
For over 25 years, we’ve inspired, educated and activated thousands of communities and organizations through our solutions-focused programs and ready-to-use social and digital tools. Together, they provide the launchpad for emerging generations and sustainability leaders to experience “ah-ha” moments that lead to extraordinary environmental and social change.
Drawdown EcoChallenge is:
- a 21-day engagement program focused on carbon reduction;
- a challenge taking place April 3-24 and;
- following actions highlighted in Drawdown, a book based on meticulous research that maps, measures, models, and describes solutions to global warming that already exists and;
- where participants track and share their progress online in a robust platform and earn points for taking action and;
- the combination of collective action, camaraderie, and friendly competition makes change a little easier — and a lot more fun and;
- providing tools and inspiration to turn intention into action, and
- giving participants a fun and social way to think about and act on proven solutions to reverse global warming!
Over eighty actions within seven challenge categories
provide participants with diverse options to reduce carbon usage.
The EcoChallenge Platform is a signature offering of EcoChallenge.org (formerly Northwest Earth Institute), a sustainability organization that provides innovative social and digital tools designed to be a launchpad for emerging generations and sustainability leaders to experience “ah-ha” moments that lead to extraordinary environmental and social change. EcoChallenge.org also hosts a global October EcoChallenge which is free and open to everyone, everywhere. Over 73,500 people from 101 countries have used the EcoChallenge Platform and the organization has engaged over 250,000 people throughout its 25-year history. The EcoChallenge Platform can also be used to create custom Challenges that meet the engagement and action goals of your workplace, college, or community.
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 227 2807
This year we explore all the various ways we can be and co create love in action. Along with a challenge~ How are you showing up in the world? at the grocery store, with your family, at work, school, out being social How are we showing up in the world? Does it feel in alignment? Since we know we are love, and love is who we are… what does love look like for us personally? Each person here is a divine, miraculous unfolding. We each have our own Unique Energetic Signature… what you bring to the planet, to the streets, only you can bring. Be strong in your heart, be strong in your dreams. Let’s show the world what we can do in the name of love! International Children’s Month 2019 Platform is TAKING IT TO THE STREETS! Love In Action! International Children’s Month web site is based in Oral Traditions. If you are inspired, please cite your source. We stand on the shoulders of those who have come before us. IN the name of love we thank Gandhi, our indigenous relatives/relations, and for this year especially the first wave of love in action creators of the 60’s…We have come full circle. GAME ON and BE THE MEDICINE! #ICMTakingItToTheStreets #ICMGameOn #ICMGlobalWaveofLove #ICMBeTheMedicine
FIRST WE TUNE INTO SELF, THEN TO OUR FAMILY, COMMUNITY AND THE WORLD. AS WE DO THIS WE SPREAD LOVE. DR. EMOTO TAUGHT US THAT WE TRANSFORM THINGS BY THINKING AND FEELING ABOUT THEM… JOIN ICM IN THIS PARTNERSHIP WITH THE 7 DAYS OF REST AND REFLECTION BEGINNING TODAY, AND FOR THE NEXT 7 DAYS. YOU CAN ALSO SHARE THIS WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY, AND TOGETHER WE WILL LOVE ALL THAT IS SACRED AND IMPORTANT TO US. SIGN UP ON THE WEB SITE WWW.7DAYS-OF-REST.ORG AS AN INDIVIDUAL, TEAM OR COMMUNITY. #GAMEON
JOIN US!! WE WILL BE READING FABULOUS BOOKS FOR US ALL ON FACEBOOK LIVE SHOWS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH!
LIKE AND SHARE US ON FACEBOOK!
https://www.facebook.com/2019-International-Childrens-Month-Global-Wave-of-Love
Honoring the Past • Healing the Present • Celebrating the Future
A CELEBRATION OF NATIVE AMERICAN ART, MUSIC AND CULTURES
Thank you Joanne and Monte for this inspiring, hope-infused interview.
Tickets: www.sheatheater.org
Note that the concert is at the Shea Theater at 17 Avenue A in Turners Falls at 7:30 pm on Saturday and tickets are available before the event at a reduced rate and also available at the door.
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Festival details and schedule: www.nolumbekaproject.org
P.O. Box 285, 91 Main St., Greenfield, MA 01302
The mission of the Nolumbeka Project is to promote a deeper, broader and more accurate depiction of the history of the Native Americans/American Indians of New England before and during European contact and colonization;
To protect and preserve sites sacred to, and of historic value to, the Native Americans/American Indians of New England; to create and promote related educational opportunities, preservation projects and cultural events; and to work in partnership, as much as possible, with the tribes.
We will strive to exemplify the Native American/American Indian peoples’ respect for Mother Earth and all living beings; to be mindful of our role as caretakers for future generations; and to honor our connection to the Earth and Sky and to the Creator.
The Nolumbeka Project, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of the history of Native Americans/American Indians of New England through educational programs, art, history, music, heritage seed preservation and cultural events. We are actively building, maintaining and expanding an historical archive research library for use by the Tribes and Educators of the Northeast and beyond.
Our Board of Directors is comprised of volunteers who have been active for more than 40 years in a number of other preservation, historical research, environmental and social justice organizations.
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We have a number of ways to get involved this month and be part of The Peace Alliance’s peacebuilding movement.
Take Action with Creation Justice Ministries This September
Check out these different ways for you and your congregation to get involved. Come back every month for new ways to take action!
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#CareForCreation: September 2019
Share the Word
September 1, 2019
Online Prayer Service for Creation Day/World Day of Prayer for Creation
Creation Day, also called the World Day of Prayer for Creation, opens the Season each year. Pope Francis, Patriarch Bartholomew, the World Council of Churches, and many other leaders have called the faithful to celebrate it. Christians from around the world are invited to join an online prayer service to come together in a joyful celebration of our common cause.
September 16, 2019
Webinar
Learn more
10:00 Eastern US / 15:00 London / 21:00 Manila
Please join us for a webinar to explore the connection between biodiversity and Christian spirituality. Speakers include Rev. Dr. Dave Bookless or A Rocha International / Lausanne Catalyst for Creation Care, Rev. Dra. Neddy Astudillo of GreenFaith Latino America, and Celia Deane Drummond of the University of Oxford. The conversation will be moderated by Rev. Rachel Mash, Environmental coordinator for the Anglican Church of Southern Africa and Green Anglicans.
September 20, 2019
Global Climate Strike
Young people from around the world will come together for a remarkable day of strikes from school to demand urgent action on the climate crisis. Their parents, neighbors, teachers, and families will stand alongside them. The climate strikes were galvanized by Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg, and each strike to date has sent more than a million people into the streets. Learn more at Laudato Si’ Generation, the climate initiative by and for young Catholics.
September 21, 2019
International Coastal Cleanup Day
For over 30 years, communities have come together to remove trash from coastlines and waterways including ponds, lakes, and rivers. Together, these volunteers remove and catalogue mountains of litter every year. Your community is invited to join. To learn more, please visit the Ocean Conservancy.
September 23, 2019
United Nations Climate Action Summit
The UN Secretary General is hosting a summit devoted to climate change, with the aim of calling the world’s attention to the urgent need to implement the Paris Agreement. The Paris pact has been agreed to by every country–only the United States has said it intends to leave it. But countries have not made policies to meet its goals. Of the 197 countries in the agreement, only seven are on track to keep warming below 2 degrees celsius, and only two are on track to keep warming below 1.5 degrees celsius. Science tells us that every fraction of a degree in warming means more hunger, more sickness, more conflict. The UN Secretary General’s summit is a chance for the people of the world to rally around real, ambitious policies to solve this crisis.
September 23, 2019
6th International Conference on Ecological Theology and Environmental Ethics, Orthodox Academy of Crete Chania, Crete, Greece
Learn more
This conference will engage theology on key ecological concerns from a variety of religious traditions and perspectives. This year’s theme is “Ecological racism and prophetical voices for ecological crisis.” The conference will be a blend of learning and discussion, while attending to the magnificent Earth and cultural context of this region of Crete.
Guide 2019 – Season of Creation Theme – Web of Life
October 4, 2019 St. Francis Day Many traditions view St. Francis as an inspiration and guide for those who protect creation. October 4 is his feast day and the last day in the Season of Creation. Faith leaders from around the world will come together to reflect on how St. Francis has informed their spiritual journey and to celebrate our month-long journey together.
21 DAYS OF ACTION:
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Join us each month on the full moon for the profound Earth Treasure Vase Full Moon Global Healing Meditation series, with Cynthia Jurs and David T. Nicol.
Fri Sept 13 // Sun Oct 13 // Tues Nov 12 // Wed Dec 11
Our mailing address is:
Alliance for the Earth
PO Box 8031
Inspired by an ancient Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the Earth Treasure Vase Global Healing Project brings healing and protection to the Earth by filling consecrated clay vessels with prayers and offerings, and ceremonially burying them in the Earth in collaboration with indigenous elders, young activists and grassroots leaders in places where healing and protection are most needed around the planet.
The project began in 1990, when Cynthia met a 106 year-old lama living in a cave in the Himalayas and asked him, What can we do to bring healing and protection to the Earth? He gave her this practice and since then, 49 Earth Treasure Vases have been planted (5 of these are in process now) in sacred places, war torn communities, mountains, forests and sources of rivers on every inhabited continent. The vases form a living global mandala of prayers and intentions for the healing of the Earth. With 21 vases still to go, the practice continues with pilgrimages to many new locations. On every full moon we gather for a guided meditation to direct our prayers and intentions into the vases and energize the global mandala, embracing Gaia with our heartfelt presence and sacred offerings.
Meet Your Facilitators
Cynthia Jurs
Cynthia Jurs, is a Lama in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and a Dharmacharya in the Order of Interbeing of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. She is the guiding teacher at Open Way Sangha in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she teaches a dharma path of sacred activism in response to the call of the Earth. In 1990 she made a life-changing pilgrimage to meet the hermit and meditation master, Kushok Mangden Charok Rinpoche, a 106-year-old lama living in a cave in Nepal, from whom she received the practice of the Earth Treasure Vases. Cynthia’s nonprofit, Alliance for the Earth is dedicated to facilitating a global community committed to planetary healing and collective awakening through the Earth Treasure Vase Global Healing Project and is also engaged in numerous peace-building and women’s empowerment efforts in Liberia, Africa. Cynthia directed the film, Turning Prayer Into Action: Indigenous Grandmothers Meet the Bioneers and is currently at work on a book and film entitled, Summoned By The Earth.
David Nicol, Ph.D.
David T. Nicol, Ph.D., is the executive director and co-founder of the Gaiafield Project, and co-founder of BeThePeace and WiseUSA, two initiatives that have united tens of thousands of people worldwide for large-scale meditations dedicated to social change. He is the author of Subtle Activism: The Inner Dimension of Social and Planetary Transformation (SUNY Press), the first comprehensive study of the idea that focused collective meditation and intention can contribute powerfully and measurably to social change. David has taught on Subtle Activism at the California Institute of Integral Studies, The Shift Network, and the Institute for Subtle Activism.
for the ETV Global Healing Meditation are:
Fri Sept 13 // Sun Oct 13 // Tues Nov 12 // Wed Dec 11.
OJAI, Calif — Planet Earth is not a star but it rises to outright star status in one of the most fascinating film documentaries of 2019.
In “The Earthing Movie,” produced by award-winning filmmakers Josh and Rebecca Tickell, the curtain rises to demonstrate − to very unsuspecting audiences – that our planet packs surprisingly huge healing properties.
The film relates the discovery of the healing power of the planet’s electrically charged surface, a natural, perpetual energy shown in multiple studies over the last 20 years to significantly reduce inflammation, pain, and stress, produce deeper sleep, more energy, and improve circulation.
Earthing, also known as grounding, refers to accessing these major health benefits by walking outdoors on natural surfaces or using commercially available grounding products indoors while you sit or sleep.
In short, Earthing is a simple lifestyle addition that connects you to the Earth’s healing touch. You get the benefits without effort or dieting.
The Earthing movie debuted at the Sedona International Film Festival earlier this year to a packed audience of 750 people. It subsequently won the Audience Award at the Dances With Films Festival at the Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood in June.
The movie features actresses Amy Smart and Mariel Hemingway, integrative medicine pioneer Deepak Chopra, and an array of physicians, who, along with Earthing pioneer Clint Ober, describe the unique science and benefits of Earthing.
September showings include Palm Springs, London (The Health Optimisation Summit), Los Angeles, and Santa Monica, and at the Yoga’s Research Society’s annual convention on November 16 in Philadelphia.
For showtimes, screening locations, and a short trailer of the film, see www.EarthingMovie.com
The film is currently doing a festival circuit after which it will be available on major digital platforms both in the U.S. and internationally.
You can read a review of the film here: http://crimsonkimono.
Previous films by Josh and Rebecca Tickell’s Big Picture Ranch Production Company, based in Ojai, California, have won multiple awards for social and environmental documentaries, including awards at Sundance, Seattle, Gaia, and Sustainable Planet film festivals.
For more information about Earthing, refer to the Earthing book and the Earthing Institute website
Whether you practice Earthing outdoors or indoors, make sure you do it routinely. Stay connected to the Earth’s healing power! Indoor grounding products developed by Earthing pioneer Clint Ober are available at earthing.com and www.
The Earthing Institute
HOST YOUR OWN EVENT!
World Peace Card Meditations
September 18, October 16, November 13, December 18 at 7:30pm
You are invited to take part in the next World Peace Card Meditation. Please mark your calendar and forward this email to all your friends.
Thanks for Your Help!
International Center for Reiki Training · 21421 Hilltop #28 ·
Southfield, MI 48033 · USA
William Lee Rand
The International Center for Reiki Training
Because so many of you forwarded this email to your friends, there have been more than 396,500 downloads of the World Peace Cards. This is a tremendous increase in the number of people using the cards. So far the total number of World Peace Card sets downloaded, received from our free offer and from our magazine has been over 439,700! I hope you have been using your peace cards as their use brings blessings to the world as well as to you.
The next World Peace Card group meditation has been scheduled for SEPTEMBER 18 at 7:30pm. This is local time in your time zone. This method has been chosen because of the special effect it produces. As people meditate in each successive time zone the energy builds like a wave which gets stronger and stronger as it circles the planet. Because of the higher dimensional nature of consciousness, the energy of peace will be transmitted for a full 24 hours and continue long after this.
Reports from those who took part in the previous meditations indicate many had powerful spiritual experiences. As they united with those taking part in the meditation a feeling of peace developed within that stayed with each for a long time. Some saw beautiful golden light surrounding the planet and others felt that a web of fear was dissipating and being replaced with trust in others and for our future. All those who have received the cards are being asked to meditate on world peace at this time. By taking part in this group meditation, you’ll be joining thousands of people who will be using the cards to bring peace to the world. By joining together, the affect we have will be greatly multiplied. This powerful experience and will help shift the vibration of our wonderful planet into a higher state of consciousness. As you use the cards to meditate on world peace, you will be a beacon through which peace will spread around the planet which will have a positive uplifting effect on all people. Please set aside this time to meditate with the cards. The suggested meditation period is 15 minutes, but of course you can meditate longer if you’d like to. The technique I’d like you to use is based on allowing yourself to be a beacon of peace. The World Peace Cards hold the vibration of the World Peace Grids which have been placed at spiritually significant locations and are relay stations for higher consciousness. By simply opening to their energy, you’ll become a channel for their love and peace which will flow through you to all the people on Earth. To do this, hold the cards in your hands or place them in front of you. Then simply meditate on peace. We are entering a new era. Our entire planet including all the people and living things are moving into a place where it will be much easier to solve our problems and to create peace, prosperity and happiness for everyone. The World Peace Card meditation will quicken this process, making it easier for people to experience this new quality of higher consciousness and will provide great benefit for all people. Since this benefit will be flowing through you out to everyone on the planet, you’ll be blessed by this experience as well. Many have received the cards in the mail or in the Reiki News Magazine while others have downloaded them from our web site. If you would like additional copies of the cards, please download them using this link and print as many copies as you can use. Please feel free to give them to your friends. Also, forward this email to anyone you feel would like to take part in the meditation.
World Peace Card Download
Additional World Peace Cards – https://www.reiki.org/WPCM.
Note: This is a larger file and it may take several
minutes for it to open, so please be patient.
When printing the cards from this file, print page 2 first, then place this page in your printer and print the image of the peace grids on the back.
New Reiki Grid – Send Reiki to Others
We also have a new image of the World Peace Crystal Grid that can be used for a Reiki Grid. By using it for your Reiki Grid you’ll be tapping into the energy of all the peace grids and this will add to the energy that is sent to all those whose names or photos you place in the grid making the Reiki more effective and adding wonderful feelings of peace and harmony. And each time you charge your grid, you’ll be charging the peace grids for world peace! With this system you’ll use 12 crystals around the outside – placing 1 crystal over each of the crystals in the photo plus 1 crystal in the center and 1 as your master crystal for a total of 14 crystals. The additional crystals will also hold and transmit more energy. Also, remember you can place your goals into the grid as well. I suggest printing it on glossy photo paper if you have it or you could get some at your office supply store. You’ll need to trim the one side of the grid after it’s printed. https://www.reiki.org/
Read the story of the World Peace Grids
Reiki and World Peace
by William Lee Rand
This is a pdf file of an article that appeared in the Winter 2004 issue of the Reiki News Magazine. It describes the World Peace Crystal Grid program, and the adventures William experienced placing them at the North and South Pole and in Jerusalem. The article contains lots of pictures Thank you for taking part in this group meditation.
Sincerely,
William Lee Rand
The International Center for Reiki Training
WE, THE FUTURE GENERATION, ASK YOU TO CHOOSE US
On September 20, three days before the UN Climate Summit in NYC, young people and adults will strike all across the US and world to demand transformative action be taken to address the climate crisis. Millions of us will take the streets to demand a right to a future, and we’re inviting you to
#strikewithus
Whether you’re 7 or 77, you’re invited to join the movement.
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From Bill McKibben:
Dear Friends,
“Last week I ended up in jail for a little while, because I’d sat down in a Congress member’s office to protest the deadly confluence of climate and immigration policy. You can read about my day in the New Yorker1 story shared on the bottom of this email, but my point in sharing it with you is not to say that I acted nobly or that it was a big deal.
Instead, my point is simply that sometimes you have to act even if you’re not entirely sure what the effect will be. We’re coming up on the next great moment in the climate movement, the global all-ages climate strike on Sept. 20. Years of sustained resistance from Standing Rock to the school strikes and beyond, particularly from youth of color, have led us to this moment. So let’s make the most of it.
Whatever you do that day — whether you walk out of work or school, close down your business, or join a protest, it will help build the groundswell that is now clearly rising.
When you strike, you’ll be striking for justice above all — it’s one thing you can do on behalf of those who are incarcerated at the border, or who are living so close to the margin that taking a day off is not possible. If you have some flexibility in your life, it’s time to put it to work. If you don’t, sign up anyway, we’ll find other ways for you to participate and show your support.
The UN’s best guess is that unchecked climate change could produce a billion climate refugees this century. Think about that for a moment — a billion people whose lives would be utterly, permanently, devastatingly upended. Then think about whether you can take a day to do something real about it, even without knowing exactly what change it will produce.
Together we build movements, and when those movements get big enough they change history. You change history. Thank you for being a big part of it –
Let’s make change, “
Bill McKibben
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For more information, please visit strikewithus.org.
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ABOUT
We, as a global society, are at a crossroads. We have a decision to make. Are we going to choose money or power or are we going to choose the future? The September 20 strike is an invitation to everyone to choose us. Choose the kids, choose humanity, choose the future.
Led by a diverse coalition of youth-led and adult-led organizations,
September 20 is an intergenerational day of striking
that will launch an entire week of climate action across the world.
September 20 is only the beginning. We must carry this energy to the 2020 elections, and beyond to ensure real, bold action is taken to address the climate crises. This is history in the making, and it’s time we take back the narrative to save our futures.
The demands set forth by the youth coalition will be released soon.
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MEET THE STRIKE TEAM
YOUTH COALITION
ADULT COALITION
STRIKE SPONSORS
MOVEMENT PARTNERS
ECOLISE
The European Network for Community-led Initiatives on Climate Change and Sustainability, is the initiator and main organiser of the European Day of Sustainable Communities. We have 46 member networks and organisations across Europe
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A celebration of local communities taking action for a zero-carbon, regenerative and inclusive Europe.
This is an ECOLISE flagship event. #EDSC19 #SustainableCommunity
Become a co-creator of the day! For details see https://www.sustainable-communities.net/
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Our mission is to protect the environmental, recreational and commercial integrity of the Hudson River and its tributaries, and safeguard the drinking water of 9 million New Yorkers. –
Riverkeeper
Restore & Protect NYC Waterways
NYC at a Glance
Over the coming years, New York City’s population growth will present both a challenge and an opportunity. The number of people living alongside the city’s waterfront is expected to continue to grow, so too will the risks those residents will face; from climate change, legacy toxins, and ongoing sewage pollution.
Meanwhile, New Yorkers are increasingly taking to the water, whether for fishing, kayaking, biking, and swimming. As more people play in or near our waterways, public concern and awareness grow, leading to increased community advocacy.
Around the city, Riverkeeper has been working to engage and activate communities along diverse waterfronts. We actively support and strengthen the work of organizations like the Guardians of Flushing Bay, Gowanus Canal Conservancy and Newtown Creek Alliance.
In the 50 years since Riverkeeper’s founding, we’ve been glad to see a sea of change in the way the city approaches clean water. Public access points, triathlons, ferry services, green infrastructure, esplanades, education centers, and restoration work has bridged the pollution-based divide that once separated New Yorkers from their Sixth Borough – the waters around them.
Much work remains, however — and Riverkeeper looks forward to helping steward the next 50 years of change in New York City.
Contact Us
Riverkeeper Address
20 Secor Road
Ossining, New York 10562
Directions
Phone:800-21-RIVER
Fax: 914-478-4527
Email: info@riverkeeper.org
To Report a Polluter
Phone: 800-21-RIVER ext 231
Submit a report online
Membership Inquiries
Monica Dietrich
Phone: 914-478-4501 ext. 222
Email: mdietrich@riverkeeper.org
For Journalists
Leah Rae
Staff Writer and Media Specialist
Phone: 914-478-4501 ext. 238
Email: lrae@riverkeeper.org
Request a Speaker
To request a speaker from Riverkeeper, please please contact Jen Benson at jbenson@riverkeeper.org
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September 21, 2019: 1:00PM to 10:00PM
Factoria at Charles Point, 5 John Walsh Blvd, Peekskill, NY 10566 map
Join us for Rally on the River, a brand new event to bring our community together for a common cause: The Hudson River. Run, paddle, revel and recreate on the banks of the River at the Factoria at Charles Point. This daylong festival will feature something for everyone including the Surf and Turf Challenge!
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Basics
The Hudson River is not your typical river. In fact, most of the Hudson is actually a tidal estuary where salt water from the ocean combines with freshwater from northern tributaries. This “brackish”, or mixing, water extends from the mouth of the Hudson in NY Harbor to the Federal Dam in Troy, approximately 153 miles.
The salt front of the estuary, where the freshwater runoff meets the saline water, can range from the Tappan Zee Bay near Tarrytown/Nyack in the spring to Newburgh Bay in Poughkeepsie/Newburgh in the late summer or during droughts.
Because the Hudson River is a tidal estuary, meaning it ebbs and flows with the ocean tide, it supports a biologically rich environment, making it an important ecosystem for various species of aquatic life. For many key species, it provides critical habitats and essential spawning and breeding grounds.
To learn more about the unique regions of the Hudson River take A Hudson River Journey.
History
More than nine million people living in New York City, Westchester, Putnam, Orange and Ulster Counties enjoy clean, unfiltered drinking water from the Croton, Catskill and Delaware Watersheds. The 6,000-mile network of pipes, shafts and subterranean aqueducts carries approximately 1.2 billion gallons of pristine water each day from 19 upstate reservoirs.
It is a remarkable engineering achievement and the single largest man-made financial asset in New York State. But, today the city’s reservoir infrastructure is in serious trouble, as is its ability to continue supplying New Yorkers with water.
Many of the nation’s water systems are over 100 years old and in a state of grave neglect. Between 23,000 and 75,000 combined sewage overflows occur each year as a result of failing infrastructure, spilling out 1.26 trillion gallons of untreated sewage annually and incurring $50.6 billion in clean up costs.
Protection
Photo: Leah Rae / Riverkeeper
Riverkeeper believes that access to clean, affordable drinking water must be a human right. In the interest of protecting human health and preserving freshwater ecosystems, filtration of public drinking water supplies should be considered as a last resort to be employed only when an unfiltered water supply poses an imminent threat to public health. Sound watershed protection programs not only safeguard human health and aquatic life but also are vastly more economical than filtration.
Public Access
Riverkeeper generally supports expanded opportunities for low-impact, passive recreation that is compatible with watershed protection goals on water supply lands. It is through use and enjoyment of our shared resources that people become invested in their long-term protection.
Our Story
In 1966, the Hudson River was dying from pollution and neglect. Run-down factories choked it with hazardous waste, poisoning fish, threatening drinking water supplies, and ruining world-class havens for boating and swimming. Sadly, America’s “First River” had become little more than an industrial sewer.
At that time, the Hudson River fishermen decided they had enough. Because their catch reeked from oil spilled daily into the river, they banded together to use a decades-old federal law to the tide from ruin to recovery.
This was the founding of the Hudson River Fishermen’s Association – now Riverkeeper. Today, Riverkeeper continues its fight, seeking out polluters and teaming with citizen scientists and activists to reclaim the Hudson River. And, we also work to ensure that over nine million New Yorkers have clean, safe drinking water. Today, pollution levels are down, and swimming and boating are back.
But the Hudson’s recovery is still fragile, still incomplete. Some fish species have not recovered, and many remain too toxic to eat; pollution levels spike with every rainfall. Mammoth cuts in government spending threaten to reverse a half-century of water quality gains, and we face the challenges of antiquated power plants, climate change, and emerging, harmful pollutants.
Riverkeeper’s vision is of a Hudson teeming with life, with engaged communities boating, fishing and swimming throughout its watershed.
Here’s what Riverkeeper stands for:
- Guarding your waterways. Riverkeeper holds polluters accountable, making the Hudson safer and cleaner each year. We patrol the river, inform the public, and go to court whenever it’s necessary, to eliminate illegal contamination.
- Defending clean drinking water. Community water supplies are increasingly threatened by pollution and shortage. Riverkeeper empowers citizens to make their voices heard and assure that their precious drinking water resources stay clean and plentiful. Our locally-based “water democracy” approach gets results.
- Finding solutions. Riverkeeper fights threats to clean water like destructive power plants, reckless development and decrepit infrastructure. We also specialize in solutions: we improve wildlife habitat, foster sustainable energy, increase investment in water supply/sewer systems, and rally thousands of volunteers to restore their local river fronts.
“Our strategy for success hasn’t changed much since we started out as the Hudson River Fishermen’s Association in 1966: Support the grassroots. Be data driven. Don’t flinch when the going gets tough.” – Paul Gallay, President and Hudson Riverkeeper
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Our annual People’s Ecochallenge is back to invite you to do more environmental + social good.From October 2 – October 23,create more environmental + social good alongside your peersand thousands of global changemakers.Connect the dots between your values and the impact of your actions.The People’s Ecochallenge harmonizes individual and collective action,camaraderie, and friendly competitionto create significant collective impact.Over 100 actions within nineChallenge categories await you. Register today! |
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Connect the dots between your values + the impact of your actions during The People’s Ecochallenge!
Ecochallenge.org’s social change platform + curriculum connect a global community of advocates and changemakers, each doing what we can, in ways that are most relevant to us, to make this great spinning dot we call home a healthier, more equitable, more sustainable place. Welcome to The People’s Ecochallenge!
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The time is now more than ever to be the change and stand up for peace and nonviolence. Our communities deserve to live their daily lives peacefully and together we can strive to make that happen. As partners of #Gandi150 and believers in the power of peace, we invite you to be part of the movement on October 2. More information here.
How to get involved on October 2:
1. Nonviolence Champion – Nominate a faculty member from your educational institution, as the champion for the event.
2. Nonviolence in Action – On October 2, host a screening of the documentary film, “From India with Love”, followed by an interactive discussion to promote peace.
3. Nonviolence in Classrooms – Lead an experiential learning module on nonviolence in the classroom and promote peace.
Join us on October 2 and share your activity with us at The Peace Alliance. Find our Facebook page here and/or tag us on Twitter at @PeaceAlliance. Use #Gandhi150 and #RethinkPeace to join the worldwide social media conversation on peace!
Thank you!
In peace and partnership!
Jelena Popovic, Teaching Peace in Schools Council Lead
and The Peace Alliance Board of Directors and Leadership Council
About The Peace Alliance
Mission:
The Peace Alliance empowers civic action toward a culture of peace.
Who We Are:
We are an alliance of organizers and advocates taking the work of peacebuilding from the margins of society into the center of national discourse and policy priorities.
We champion a comprehensive, collaborative approach to peace and peacebuilding.
JOIN US IN CREATING ‘MEMORIES OF THE FUTURE;’ AND ASKING #WHATIF
WE KNOW THE TIME OF BUSINESS IS OVER, THAT WE MUST TRANSFORM THE
PRESENT IN ORDER TO CREATE A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
If we are to make the changes the climate emergency demands of us, the next 10-15 years will be a time of social, cultural, economic and political transformation almost without precedent. It will be a time when our imagination needs to be invited, valued and empowered. A time that future generations will sing great songs, and tell great tales about. A challenging yet amazing time to be alive!
What will help us build something so necessary and so remarkable will be our ability to tell rich and compelling stories of how the future could look, feel, taste, and sound. Stories that create a deep longing for a future very different from the present.
A future of clean air, children playing in the street, cities with food growing everywhere, more birdsong and wildlife, thriving local economies, homes and businesses powered by renewable energy, imaginative and playful architecture, and rewilded landscapes.
An age of connection, collaboration and community, with a sense of collective purpose. A more resilient, more diverse, more equal, more caring, fair world with zero emissions.
It will be a time of creativity, dreaming, and sharing. A space to explore our longings for what we want the future to be. Connecting us to each other and to a future worth fighting for.
WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US DURING 17-24 OCTOBER
Gather your community group, faith group, street, school, or organisation and spend time together generating ‘memories of the future’.
What this will look like is up to you, and you can find out more and download a resource guide here – https://transitionnetwork.org/popuptomorrow/
The 8th Annual Children’s Global Wave Of Love
June 21 at 1:11 pm in your heart and time zone.
We collectively come together to cultivate and
send forth our mission
“Children Across the Planet in Love, Care, and Respect.”
Since everyday is children’s day, we create a year-long, free, activity platform for children, families, communities, schools, organizations and YOU to empower
heart space and help transform the world!
Our Mission Statement: Our mission is to provide complete and total support to all children with an entire month of activities that enhance all aspects of a child’s life.
