Download 2017 MCC Earth Day handbook - Metropolitan Community Churches

Metropolitan Community Churches
EARTH DAY 2017
Handbook and
A call to ACT
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Metropolitan Community Churches
Introduction
Throughout its history, the Metropolitan Community Churches has courageously (and often
defiantly) led on social justice issues. It is again time to act. Undeniably, one of the direst
threats to life today is: climate change and global warming.
As we know, Climate Change has already had a devastating impact on communities around the
world, with dire effects on nature and creation and to our siblings and neighbors. And, the
effects are disproportionate with those contributing least to its cause are suffering the most
by the consequences. It is time to be 'good stewards' for that which God has entrusted to our
care and to become better neighbors in the world.
Earth Day is April 22, and it provides a great starting point for action. The following
week, is the Peoples Climate March on April 29th in Washington DC
We are inviting you to join us as we commit to act, as individuals, families, congregations,
and good citizens around the world to reduce carbon emissions, increase awareness, and
demand our communities, governments and corporations take positive action, as well. Once
again, MCC is preparing to help lead as we live into and from our faith. That said, we are
providing an MCC ‘Earth Day 2017 handbook’ to get started. There are many actions to
choose from!
Will YOU make a commitment – to ACT (or increase your action) - beginning
Earth Day?
Even greater than a moral imperative, God is calling us to be better stewards of the "Garden"
(in Genesis where we started). So, let us have compassion and then act…to preserve and
protect this Garden and all who live here, too.
Thank you. Please email Linda Brenner ([email protected]) if your local church
congregation will join the MCC movement and take action starting this Earth Day.
Faithfully,
MCC Creation Care Team Co-leads
Reverends Aaron Miller and Rich Hendricks
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Wisdom of the Faithful
“Only when the last tree has died, the last river been poisoned, and the last fish been caught
will we realize we cannot eat money”
Cree Proverb
“You shall not pollute the land in which you live… You shall not defile the land in which you
live in the midst of which I dwell, for I the Lord dwell in the midst of the people of Israel.” –
Numbers 35:33-34
“But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter, and do not
forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not
corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corruptors.”
Quran 28:77
“The world grows smaller and smaller, more and more interdependent today more than ever
before life must be characterized by a sense of Universal Responsibility, not only nation to
nation and human to human, but also human to other forms of life”.
His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama
“Treat the Earth well. It was not given to you by your parents –
it was loaned to you by your children.”
Native American Proverb
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Environmental Issues
CLIMATE CHANGE
This is a controversial topic. Climate change has occurred throughout the history of the planet, and
involves the distribution of weather patterns which last for an extended period of time (decades to
millennium). There are some natural cycles that affect climate, such as solar output and orbital
variations for example, which have caused the ice ages.
However, there is a strong body of evidence, based on multiple sources, documenting that the climate is
now changing, in large part, due to human activity. This human activity has increased since the industrial
age and includes fossil fuel combustion, ozone depletion, animal agriculture, methane production, and
deforestation. There are also feedback loops that can either amplify or diminish factors affecting the
climate. For example, the ice caps reflect sunlight back into space. As the planet warms from CO2
emissions the ice caps melt, which then reflect less light and increases the sunlight absorbed by the
oceans, increasing the rate of warming. The Antarctic is losing ice 75% faster than just a decade ago.
When glaciers melt there will be no water supply for many mountainous regions of the world, and the
release of methane trapped in sea ice and from the ocean floor will lead to a mass extinction of life on
our planet.
Research studies since the mid 1990’s have supported these concerns: United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change 1994, Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change 2001 and 2007,
National Academy of Sciences of the USA, 2009, and NASA/NOAA studies from 2015. At this time 97% of
the world’s scientists support the view that human activity is the primary cause of current climate
change trends, and they are predicting 20% more extreme weather events. An increase of only 10 Celsius
in the world’s average temperature is enough to trigger a 45% increase in thunderstorms with 6% more
lightening. In the last 30 years we have had four times the weather related disasters as in the first ¾ of
the 20th century combined. With warming of the air and oceans ice caps will melt, oceans will become
warmer and more acidic as they absorb CO2, and ocean levels will rise significantly. Warm air holds more
water vapor so in arid regions we will have more droughts and it will come down in moist areas and
cause flooding. This will have adverse effects on all life forms (Oxfam, 2009).
Even though the United States is one of the largest sources of CO2 and methane production on Earth, we
have been largely uncooperative in addressing this issue until recently. George W. Bush refused to
participate in the Kyoto Protocol. Barak Obama took the position of “all energy resources” early in his
Presidency, with support for expanded drilling and fracking across America, as well as support for Green
Energy alternatives. In his second term he became more conservative about the environment, and
began to recognize the crisis we are facing. He supported the Paris Climate Agreement, in which 195
countries have agreed to specific terms of reducing carbon emissions. Our target is to reduce carbon
emissions 26-28% by 2025.
The Clean Power Plan is key to meeting that commitment, but is on the chopping block at this time. The
Paris Climate Agreement also plans to increase our global ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of
climate change and develop climate-resilience. There is current consideration being given to cancelling
the United States’ commitment to this accord. Other countries are outpacing us in addressing climate
change at this point, with China reducing coal consumption 3 years in a row. Even the Pope delivered a
historic statement that stressed the necessity of taking action on climate change.
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The Marrakech Action Proclamation, developed shortly after our recent election, stated that
“extraordinary momentum on climate change world-wide is irreversible”. The No New Fossil Fuel
Infrastructure campaign, C4O Cities Coalition, and Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network are all
working to make local, state and regional changes. Three hundred and sixty five US businesses and
investors signed an open letter of support for the Low Carbon USA Initiative (UU World, Spring 2017).
Carbon in the atmosphere is measured in parts per million, and 350 ppm was the limit of carbon in the
air that was determined by scientists to be the critical level. Going beyond this would trigger an
unstoppable decline of the environment. We passed that threshold several years ago and are now at
400 parts per million. We are in the midst of climate change already, but we could move that number
back by coordinated efforts and reduce the impact of climate change.
Why has there been so much resistance to climate change science in the United States? You need to
look no further that the fossil fuel industry. A former CEO of Exxon admits that they knew about the
impact of carbon emissions in the 1970’s, but used their influence and funding to deny science and
maintain their profit margin. Shell produced a movie in 1991 entitled the Climate of Concern in which
they admitted to the impact of fossil fuels on global warming, the term that was used at that time. The
fossil fuel industry funds conservative think tanks such as the Global Climate Coalition and the American
Legislative Exchange Council.
Like the tobacco industry, who denied the science on the relationship between tobacco and cancer for
decades, the fossil fuel industry has a huge financial incentive to maintain their business, so they lobby
federal and state politicians. They fund the campaigns of climate change deniers, and fund PAC’s
through the deep pockets allowed by Citizens United. They are more interested in the short term
financial gain for their companies than the long term future health of the planet. However, even the
fossil fuel industry is beginning to accept the irrefutable science of climate change. Is it too late?
A review of climate change websites indicates that we have a very narrow window at this point to make
the needed changes to keep the impact of climate change to a manageable level. What will happen if we
don’t address this problem? For one thing, leading biologists claim that we are in the midst of the 6th
great mass extinction of life on this planet. There will be high intensity hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts,
and floods. This will affect many aspects of life on this planet, including agriculture, a large aspect of the
Midwest economy. NOAA reports more extreme weather events, rising average temperatures, extremes
in precipitation and more forest fires (USDA, 2/05/2014).
The entire energy system of the world could be transformed to clean energy within a few decades if we
move quickly, but this will not happen without forceful demands from our citizens. We have the political
will of many nations at this time, and our nation, as one of the two worst polluters cannot back out of
our commitment to address climate change.
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
We have an agency in the United States designed specifically to address environmental issues, the
Environmental Protection Agency . What is happening now with that agency is not only frightening, it
appears designed to contradict its very purpose. There is a great deal of push back from corporations to
the regulations placed on them by the EPA because those regulations cut into their profits. The current
head of the EPA and prior Attorney General of Oklahoma, has been accused of colluding with the fossil
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fuel industry in developing laws which they actually wrote and he submitted on his letterhead. He is a
leading climate change denier, and he has sued the EPA 13 times in his political career in attempts to
bypass environmental regulations. He has previously called for the elimination of this agency, stating
that the environment would be “just fine” without it (Huffington Post, AMP 01/17/17).
There is also a bill pending in the House (HR 861)) to eliminate the EPA. Without a strong protest from
citizens, this could easily happen, and the flood gates would be opened to free corporations to pollute
with impunity. The current federal budget proposal cuts the EPA by 25%, and there have been two
Executive Orders that have impacted our environment, the repeal of the Stream Protection Rule and the
Clean Water Rule. HR 69 would Repeal the Rule protecting Wildlife. There has also been discussion of
repealing the Clean Air Act and the coal leasing moratorium on public land.
What can be done to move in a more positive direction to address environmental issues? For one thing,
the Securities and Exchange Commission could require publically traded companies to disclose political
spending, so we would know who is funding our politicians. To whom are they beholding? We could
reduce subsidies to polluters. Tax dollars currently subsidize many energy programs, including the fossil
fuel industry ($5.3 trillion globally). There has been more controversy about subsidies for competing
Green Energy programs ($88 billion globally). According to the International Energy Agency, the
elimination of fossil fuel subsidies worldwide would be one of the most effective ways of reducing
climate change. The oil industry continues to expand their drilling and now has drilling sites across the
country situated on private lands, often obtained through eminent domain. They are drilling on public
land for the price of a cup of coffee, $2 per acre each year (Washington Post, 06/16/15).
ENERGY POLICIES AND REDUCING CARBON EMISSIONS:
Green energy, such as solar, wind, and hydro energy programs have thrived in the past decade and are
now ready to supplant and eventually replace fossil fuels. This could be accomplished in the next decade
or two. We need the support of citizens and our government to make this happen. This could also grow
our economy and we would save millions of dollars by not subsidizing big oil, which outstrips renewable
energy nearly 10 fold (Renew Economy, 02/25/16).
Hydraulic fracturing, also called fracking is the process of injecting liquid at high pressure into
subterranean rocks, boreholes, etc., so as to force open existing fissures and extract oil or gas. Did you
know that they are fracking in Southern Illinois? There are multiple problems associated with this type
of natural gas drilling. First of all, unregulated toxic chemicals are pumped into the ground and
eventually filter into the water table. We don’t even know what’s being put into the water system.
Secondly, when fracking occurs, it opens up space in the ground, which has been suspected of causing
earthquakes in areas with high levels of fracking. In the UK fracking operations were suspended several
years ago when two earthquakes of 1.5 and 2.2 magnitude hit the area and a subsequent study found
that it was “highly probable” that the drilling triggered the tremors. Other concerns include the fact that
huge amounts of water must be transported to the site at significant cost (BBC, 12-16-2015). Finally,
fracking releases methane, a significant cause of climate change.
We have heard a great deal about oil pipelines in recent months. What are the controversies here? Oil
has to be transported from its source to its consumer, and for many years this was accomplished by
train, tankers, and semi-trucks. In the past few decades we have also used pipelines. The problem here
is mostly spills which pollute the ground and waterways. Current statistics report that there were over
3,300 incidents of crude oil and liquefied natural gas leaks or ruptures on US pipelines between 2010
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and 2015. These incidents killed 80 people, injured 389 more, and cost $2.8 billion in damages (Center
for Effective Government, 6/22/15). One of the largest of these was the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska’s
Prince William Sound (11 million gallons), and the BP oil spill in 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico which spewed
130 to 200 million gallons of crude oil across 87 days before it was capped (Smithsonian Institution Gulf
of Mexico Research Initiative).
Clean ups cost a fortune, and most of the time the company responsible for the spill avoids a full clean
up. In Alaska, 25 years later, only 13 of 32 monitored wildlife populations and habitats that were injured
have fully recovered. BP has paid $20 billion to the US so far in the Gulf spill (CNN, 10/06/2015). As
recently as January 25th, 2017, a pipeline burst in Hanlontown, IA in which 138,000 gallons of diesel
spilled. The company, Magellan Midstream Partners has had 3 prior spills (Des Moines Register,
01/26/2017), and this is one of the largest U.S. diesel spills since 2010.
You may have heard of the Keystone Pipeline, which would run 875 miles from Alberta Canada to Texas.
During development it will create about 4000 over each year; however, after the pipeline is finished it
would only create 35 permanent jobs in the US according to the US government, reported by
politifact.com and CNN (2-10-2015). One concern about this oil is that it comes from the tar sands of the
boreal forests, which is a dirty, thick crude oil which produces a significant amount of carbon emissions.
If it leaks, the oil is corrosive and more difficult to clean up than other oils.
There is also the DAPL, or Dakota Access Pipe Line, which has been controversial in part because it
would run under the Lake Oahe and the Missouri River which provide water to the Sioux Reservation
near Standing Rock, and across disputed Sioux land that was promised to the tribe in the 1851 Treaty of
Fort Laramie, but was later taken away. It also runs under the Missouri, Des Moines, Mississippi and
Illinois Rivers, and ends in Patoka, IL. Interestingly, this project was initially planned to run through the
capital of Bismarck, but local citizens stated that this would be too dangerous because of potential oil
spills, and demanded that the pipeline run through a less populated area. The state selected Standing
Rock, and they are about to make millions of dollars from this project in tax revenue. The Pipeline and
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has reported more than 3,300 incidents of leaks and
ruptures at oil and gas pipelines since 2010 (Time, 11/2/16).
One argument you will hear over and over is that we have to return to coal and other carbon energy
systems for economic reasons. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, investments in
renewable energy would bring in over $200 million to the economy and create 36,000 jobs by 2020.
CLEAN LAND, WATER, AND AIR
We live in the Midwest, where land and wildlife conservation are important issues. We need
environmental protections and regulatory agencies to help reduce pollution, maintain sustainable land
use policies, and address corporate farming practices. Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO’s)
produce massive amounts of pollutants that impact our water and air. Did you know that Iowa has one
of the largest number of CAFO’s in the Midwest with 53% of our animal inventory on farms with 100 to
1000 head (USDA, 2007 census of agriculture). 11,000 cows produce more waste than 1.8 million
people.
The EPA and regulations under the Clean Water Act help manage these companies. According to the
EPA, states with high concentrations of CAFOS’ experience on average 20 to 30 serious water quality
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problems per year as a result of manure management issues. Concerns include nitrogen and phosphorus
pollution to our waters, and ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, methane, and particulate matter into our air.
Ruminant livestock are responsible for about 35% of our greenhouse gas emissions each year
(Wikipedia, 2017). Farming with plants is also important. According to the Union of Concerned
Scientists, studies show that using multiple crops rather than a monoculture is associated with
improvements in the soil. Biofuel incentives (ethanol) actually lead farmers to replace grasslands with
endless acres of corn rather than leaving them in native plants, or planting more diverse crops.
Clean water is one of those resources we take for granted. At least we did, until Flint, Michigan came
into the national news. Could something like that happen here? It already has. Are you aware that lead
contamination has been found in the drinking water of Galesburg, IL? The EPA asked Galesburg to help
protect residents from lead in their water in April of 2016 according to the Chicago Tribune (4/27/2016).
It was found to have one of the nation’s most persistent problems with lead in the drinking water,
exceeding federal action levels 22 times in the last 25 years. Knox County has some of the highest rates
of childhood lead poisoning in Illinois. How many contaminants are contained in our drinking water,
which comes straight from the Mississippi River? More than 12.7 million pounds of toxic chemicals, such
as nitrates, arsenic, benzene and mercury were dumped into the Mississippi River in 2010 according to
the advocacy group, Environment Missouri (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 03/22/2012).
National Parks and public lands are under siege, and may be sold off part and parcel to Big Oil or other
corporations seeking to make money off of federal lands. There are currently several bills pending that
would allow drilling on public lands, and would allow parts of several national parks to be sold to the
highest bidder.
Clean air has been a focus of environmentalists since the early 1970’s with formation of the EPA and the
Clean Air Act. Since then we have added the Amendments to the Clean Air act in 1990 to protect the
ozone layer, reduce acid rain, and toxic pollutants. Our air used to be full of lead until the EPA phased
out the lead in gasoline, but we still need to reduce levels of many other chemicals and fine particle
pollutants associated with premature death and damage to our hearts and lungs. Industry will not do
this voluntarily, as they currently pump 10 million tons of pollution into our air every 24 hours. We need
a watch dog agency with teeth to implement financial consequences for failure to meet environmental
standards.
WILDLIFE, ENDANGERED SPECIES AND EXTINCTION
Is wildlife important to you? Did you know that pollinators are endangered? Many bee and butterfly
species are nearing extinction. That will impact farming practices and increase the cost of foods.
Endangered species are increasing exponentially. Depending on the source, we are losing between 200
and 2000 species to extinction each year across our planet (Center for Biological Diversity). The ESA
currently lists 1925 species and populations of plants and animals that are in imminent danger of
extinction unless preventative action is taken (US Fish and Wildlife Service 02/02/10). Amphibians
appear to be the most vulnerable group of animals, , as well as invertebrates, butterflies for example.
Ninety percent of primates are endangered, as well as 21% of reptiles and 39% of fish (Center for
Biological Diversity). Coral reefs are dying because of the acidification and warming of the oceans.
Without the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Federal Environmental Pesticide
Control Act, Coastal Zone Management Act and Wetlands Regulations there will be no protections in
place. Agencies that impact wildlife include the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Services, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and National Wildlife Refuge System.
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SAMPLE INDIVIDUAL ACTION STEPS
Do you want to live in a community that supports a clean and sustainable environment? Then you need
to become active in local politics. Unless we all push back hard on the current political decisions, we will
not be able to save this planet, or our own community from serious and devastating effects. Support a
community that has increased walk ability, mass transit, and energy efficient policies for public
buildings. Use your farmer’s market for grocery shopping. You will not only obtain fresher food and
support the local economy; you will reduce your community’s reliance on the transportation used to
ship foods into our state. Review the list of ideas below, and add some of your own.
Political Action
Attend local government meetings
Learn about state laws impacting environmental policies.
Read Indivisible: A Practical Guide to Resistance
Watch for notices of potentially polluting projects
Work to reduce the population of our planet
Work to save environmental laws
Rally neighbors and friends to participate
Dig for dirt! See who is releasing toxic chemicals or is violating regulations
Pressure decision makers (zoning board, city council, state or national environmental
departments)
Personal Action
Eat a low carbon diet
Telecommute to work
Limit use of fossil fuels
Consider installing solar panels
Boycott companies owned by corporations denying climate change, or those funding
politicians who deny climate change.
Divest from fossil fuel companies or those contributing to deforestation
Attend upcoming events, such as the Science March and the People’s Climate March
Join environmental groups that have good ratings from Charity Navigator.
Visit natural resources, Nature Conservancy Sites, and National Parks.
Take the Climate Change Pledge (Friends of Earth)
Check accuracy of news and stick with credible news sources. You can fact check with
snopes.com, fact check.org, scorecard.lcv.org
Use LED lighting
Set your thermostat 20 warmer in the summer and 20 cooler in the winter
Use a timer thermostat
Dispose of hazardous waste properly
Contact your utility company to audit your home
Recycle paper, plastic, cardboard, glass and metal
Recycle electronics, lighting, ink cartridges
Buy recycled products
Purchase local goods
Use electronic documents, banking, etc.
Encourage car pooling
Encourage your workplace to join the Bi-state Region Clean Air Partnership
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Sample Calls, Letters and Visits
PHONE CALLS - You can reach your federal senators and representatives at either their Washington or
local offices. State law makers are in your capital city, but also have local offices. They work for you, so
don’t be shy about calling, and don’t think you shouldn’t call your congressperson because you know
they already support your cause. Their staffs keep track of phone calls, and the squeaky wheel usually
gets the grease. Know your talking points and keep it short. Be polite and give your identifying
information: name, address, phone, zip code.
Questions to ask politicians:
“What are our options for cleaner transportation?
“Can we handle extreme weather?”
“What are we doing to encourage energy efficiency?”
“Do we have enough access to locally grown food?
“Are we working to protect every resident from pollutants?”
“Where do you stand on the Clean Air Act?” (US only, outside the US, know your respective
environmental laws)
For government official’s contact information, specific to where you live, visit this website (US only):
https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials -- outside the US, please contact the appropriate persons/parties
in your particular country.
LETTERS – or postcards – send to the appropriate elected government official and keep your message
to one point per letter or card and consider sending several each week.
VISITS – If possible and as appropriate, makes visits to elected officials. Repeated visits make a lasting
impression.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR – If possible and as appropriate submit a letter to local newspapers. This
reaches a wide public audience.
SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS – Help raise awareness of the issues and offer ways to take action through
social media. This helps to support and encourage more activism and involvement.
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THE ENVIRONMENTAL POWER OF THREE ACTION PLAN
Here are some actions YOU can take to protect the environment in the next….
3 HOURS
Spread the word. Share the information from today’s workshop with as many people as possible. Post
something on social media, have a conversation over dinner with family, talk to your neighbors and
friends.
3 DAYS
Get in touch with your government representatives to let them know that you expect them to support
the EPA and Clean Water/Air Acts, that you want industrial standards for pollution to be strengthened,
not slashed.
Join a local environmental group. We have an active Sierra Club, as well as many other organizations
listed below
3 WEEKS
Make plans to attend the People’s Climate March on April 29th at Modern Woodman Park.
Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper about your environmental concerns.
Ask friends, family, co-workers, neighbors to contact their legislators about environmental issues.
Develop your own personal environmental responsibility policy, or have a meeting with your children to
develop a family plan.
3 MONTHS
Contact your school board and ask about their recycling policies. See if the High School has an
environmental group and volunteer to help.
Come up with ideas for new laws to protect the environment and share them with your local legislator.
3 QUARTERS OF 2017
Make regular contributions to environmental groups with your dollars or your time.
Stay informed about environmental issues, monitor legislation, share your ideas with like-minded
individuals.
Consider running for a local office to provide a better voice for environmental causes.
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Contact Local Environmental Groups

National Audubon Society: http://www.audubon.org/

Sierra Club: http://www.sierraclub.org
Living Lands and Waters - http://livinglandsandwaters.org/

Mission - To aid in the protection, preservation and restoration of the natural environment of the
nations’ major rivers and their watersheds, to expand awareness of environmental issues and
responsibility encompassing the river, and to create a desire and an opportunity for stewardship
and responsibility for a cleaner river environment.

Adopt-a-river-mile, Million tree program, etc., programs and workshops.
Take Meaningful Action There are real steps you can take to bring climate back into balance. Here are ways how and the time to
act is NOW……
1. VOTE WITH YOUR WALLET > supporting organizations that are leading these efforts in your
country
2. ENACT CO2 REDUCTION LEGISLATION > pressure government officials to pass such legislation
3. SPREAD THE WORD > to family, friends, and within church
4. MODEL THE CHANGE > the best way to encourage others is to be a living example
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ORGANIZED ACTION
(check for ‘sister’ actions or similar organizations in countries outside the US)
People’s Climate Movement 2017 - https://peoplesclimate.org/


click on the “Get Involved” Button to find out current action and to get details
this is a GLOBAL movement (so far Denmark and Sweden are planning action)
Interfaith Power and Light - http://www.faithclimateactionweek.org/

Be part of the Faith Climate Action Week, April 17-23
Women’s March 2017 - https://www.womensmarch.com/

10 Actions 100 days, click on the “See the Current Action” Button to find out current action

Click on “Take Action Now” button to get details of action

Sign up to receive notification of upcoming actions
Daily Action - https://dailyaction.org/

Text the word DAILY to the number 228466 (or ACTION) to register, enter your zip code, OR go
to Daily Action website to sign up online

You’ll receive a daily text message about an urgent progressive issue in your area, listen to a
short recorded explanation of the issue.

Click on the phone # on the text message, follow the prompt, you’ll be routed directly to your
member of Congress or senator’s office
Moveon.org - Democracy in Action - http://front.moveon.org/

A joint website of MoveOn.org Civic Action and MoveOn.org Political Action.

Several petitions on website to sign

Click on “Find An Action” button
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US National Environmental (and Other) Groups and Resources
Environmental Defense Fund - https://www.edf.org/

Mission - to preserve the natural systems on which all life depends

Fighting President Trump’s Attacks https://www.edf.org/how-you-can-help/were-fightingsafeguard-our-health-planet

o
Latest development on environmental issues
o
Sign up for email updates and environmental alert issues
TAKE ACTION OPPORTUNITY ONLINE
League of Conservation Voters – https://www.lcv.org/

Mission – works to turn environmental values into national, state and local priorities. LCV, in
collaboration with our state LCV partners, advocates for sound environmental laws and policies,
holds elected officials accountable for their votes and actions, and elects pro-environment
candidates who will champion our priority issues.

State affiliates in 29 states, but not in Illinois and Iowa

TAKE ACTION OPPORTUNITY ONLINE
Natural Resource Defense Council - https://www.nrdc.org/

NRDC works to safeguard the earth—its people, its plants and animals, and the
natural systems on which all life depends

Trump Watch - https://www.nrdc.org/trump-watch - NRDC’s official record of the
administration’s environmental assault.

TAKE ACTION OPPORTUNITY ONLINE
Center for Biological Diversity - http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/

Mission – Saving Life on Earth

Online Take-Action toolboxes

Links to many take-action opportunities

Trump Action toolkit

Link to #EARTH2TRUMP video

Sign up for email updates

TAKE ACTION OPPORTUNITY ONLINE
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Friends of the Earth - http://www.foe.org/

One of 75 national groups of Friends of the Earth International

Urge policymakers to defend the environment and work towards a healthy environment for all
people.

Stand Up to Trump - http://www.foe.org/take-action/stand-up-to-trump

TAKE ACTION OPPORTUNITY ONLINE
Interfaith Power & Light - http://www.interfaithpowerandlight.org/

A religious response to global warming

Mission – to be faithful stewards of Creation by responding to global warming through the
promotion of energy conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy

Worship resources online

TAKE ACTION OPPORTUNITY ONLINE
Climate Reality Project - https://www.climaterealityproject.org/

Mission – to catalyze a global solution to the climate crisis by making urgent action a necessity
across every level of society

Online petition TELL THE SENATE: WE CAN’T TRUST OIL INSIDERS AND CLIMATE DENIERS WITH
THE HEALTH OF OUR FAMILIES AND OUR ENVIRONMENT

Sign up to receive updates

TAKE ACTION OPPORTUNITY ONLINE
America Rivers - https://www.americanrivers.org/

Protecting rivers for the people and wildlife
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Sign up to get updates on ways to get involved
World Wildlife Fund – Endanger Species Conservation - https://www.worldwildlife.org/
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Mission - to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth.
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Progressive Action for the Common Good - http://qcprogressiveaction.org/
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Helps build a support network aimed at educating, engaging, and empowering citizens to work
for the common good of all in our communities.
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