Climate Connection – A tumultuous time, A simple and valuable action
“After decades of experience, I cannot envision our government finding a pathway to address climate change without a broad and demanding push from the people. That’s just how democracies work.” These are the words of Gina McCarthy, head of the EPA under President Obama and now, again, under President Biden. (She stepped out of government to head up the Natural Resources Defense Council, NRDC, during the Trump administration.) Gina goes on to say, “It is time to stop focusing on what government can do and start recognizing the critical role we all play in making government do its job.”*
I, for one, am reinspired to increase my demands for climate action by the quotes above, coupled with the increasingly urgent global picture presented in the recently released sixth assessment of The International Panel on Climate Change. With the war in Ukraine and the numerous other crises needing immediate attention from our elected officials, the climate imperative (the most critical threat the world has ever faced) seems, from the media’s perspective, at least, to once again be taking a back seat. I’m encouraged, however, by President Biden’s pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 50% below 2005 levels by 2030, and also by the findings of Working Group II of the IPCC, that “By 2019, 57 nations around the world had implemented or scheduled implementation of carbon pricing. These initiatives cover 11 gigatons of carbon dioxide or about 20% of greenhouse gas emissions.” The group further stresses the benefits of market driven carbon pricing as an effective measure in curbing CO2 emissions, and in stimulating innovation of new clean technologies.
The IPCC’s findings and recommendations, among others, inform and motivate grassroots volunteers, like myself and other Citizens’ Climate Lobby members, to continue our push for carbon pricing. Most encouraging is that current wisdom has it that in order for the Biden Administration to meet the terms of its pledge, carbon pricing must be included in any policy package. With all this in mind, the immediate task before me is clear and simple: Ask President Biden, (202-456-1111 or www.whitehouse.gov/contact) to uphold his pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 50% below 2005 levels by 2030.
Please join me and other engaged citizens making democracy work, making our government work — “Government of the people, by the people and for the people” is in the job description, after all! Call or email President Biden.
*Gina McCarthy’s quotes are excerpted from her essay, included in the book All We Can Save, Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis, edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katharine K. Wilkinson
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Barbara Bingham is a reinspired and remotivated member of Citizens’ Climate Lobby
State Legislature
Plans Meetings
The Legislature has scheduled the following meetings next week.
On Monday, at 9 a.m., public testimony will be taken on SB-222, Extend PT and Occupational Therapy Board.
On Tuesday, at 9 a.m., testimony will be taken on SB-235, No State Investment in Russian Federation. A spring revenue forecast presentation will be given by Dan Stickel, chief economist with the Department of Revenue.
The House Finance committee will have state budget meetings every day, March 21-25, at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. No public testimony will be taken.
For a full list of topics, visit akleg.gov and click on “Daily Schedule.” Call the Sitka Legislative Office at 747-6276 or visit akleg.gov for more information.
School Board
Budget Discussed
The Sitka School Board will hold a budget work session 6 p.m. March 22 at Centennial Hall.
Community members are being encouraged to attend.
Maritime Heritage
Annual Meet Set
The Sitka Maritime Heritage Society annual meeting now will be an online business meeting only, and the panel event is being postponed until fall.
The meeting, for business only, will be March 23 by Zoom. Go to sitkamaritime.org for the Zoom link. For more information, and to watch highlight videos of past meetings, go to sitkamaritime.org or email sitkamaritime@gmail.com.
STA Kayaani
Panel to Meet
Sitka Tribe of Alaska’s Kayaani Commission will hold an open meeting 6:30 p.m. March 21 on Zoom. The public is invited to attend.
The commission is a group of community members and tribal citizens who are concerned with preserving and protecting plants and the traditional ways they are used.
Email jeff.feldpausch@sitkatribe-nsn.gov or call 747-7469 for information.
