If you missed Environmental Lobby Day this week, another opportunity is coming: Interfaith Lobby Day on Feb. 16th. The theme is “Lift Every Voice,” speaking out for the common good. To register, go to the Earth Ministry web site http://earthministry.org and scroll down to events. While you’re there, also check out the Earth Ministry blog for the latest news about the adverse effects of biphenol A (target of the safe baby bottle bill).
Environmental Lobby Day
January 27, 2010 at 8:07 pm (Uncategorized)
Tags: environment, United Methodist, advocacy
This year’s Environmental Lobby Day in Olympia was the second one I’ve attended, and again it was an energizing event. We received an overview of the three legislative priorities for this year (see previous post below), and then went to visit our elected officials.
First, the good news. We learned that the safe baby bottle act had just passed the House by a vote of 95-1. The Senate version is not quite so strong as the House bill, so Senators should be encouraged to support the House language.
The clean water legislation does not yet have a bill number. Basically, it would add a per barrel fee to petroleum products and other contaminants brought into our state, and this revenue would be used to clean up and prevent stormwater run-off, which is the largest cause of pollution in our waterways. After our legislative visits, some of us watched a recent “Frontline” program entitled “Poisoned Waters,” which focused on Puget Sound and the urgency of protecting the health of salmon, orcas and human beings, reinforcing the importance of the clean water act.
The third item on our agenda is not specific legislation but rather a reminder to maintain existing funding for environmental protection in the state budget. With another predicted budget short-fall of about $3 billion, cuts to human services, education and environmental care could reach unconscionable proportions. Failure to address environmental (and social) problems now will only result in much higher costs later on, and risks the health and well-being of future generations. As concerned citizens, we MUST be willing to look at increasing state revenues (i.e., increasing taxes and fees). Failure to do so will just bring us misery in the not-so-distant future.
So…the message from environmental lobby day is a mix of “joys and concerns.” About 450 of us citizen lobbyists from about 20 different organization registered for this year’s event, and it was heartening to be with such a committed group of people (including several other United Methodists!) working on behalf of care for all creation.
“Food Rules”
January 7, 2010 at 7:25 pm (Food and Agriculture)
Tags: diet, food, Michael Pollan
Michael Pollan’s new book “Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual” is available in paperback. It’s a distillation of ideas from his previous writings, condensed into 64 pithy sayings or rules. Pollan collected these bits of wisdom from nutritionists and medical people, and also from folklorists, people who attend his lectures or visit his web site, and “a large number of mothers, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers.” Some of these slogans are both true and humorous. Two of my favorites are “Don’t eat breakfast cereals that change the color of the milk” and “Don’t get your fuel from the same place your car does.” If you’re not familiar with Pollan’s work or your time is limited, I would recommend this book. However, if you want more in-depth reporting on the U.S. food industry and its effect on our health, environment and pocketbook, Pollan’s earlier books “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” and “In Defense of Food” will hold your interest and give you much to ponder.
Coming Event
January 4, 2010 at 11:47 pm (Events, Uncategorized)
Tags: environment, spirituality
Conference on Environmental Spirituality
Jan. 30, 2010 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 4400 86th Ave. SE, Mercer Island. Keynote speaker: The Rt. Rev. Mark MacDonald, Bishop to the Indigenous Peoples of Canada. To pre-register or for more information, call (206) 232-1572.
Legislative Priorities for 2010
December 28, 2009 at 11:00 pm (Events)
Tags: advocacy, environment
I want to alert everyone about the Washington state environmental legislative priorities for 2010:
1. Pass the Safe Baby Bottle Act to phase out bisphenol A (BPA, a toxic chemical) from baby bottles and other consumer plastics.
2. Protect waterways from chemical pollution due to storm runoff. This legislation will create jobs and will be funded by a fee on polluters.
3. Maintain basic environmental protections already in the state budget. Given the current budget constraints, it’s crucial that existing environmental programs (a very small percentage of the budget) be preserved.
Here are two upcoming events related to the legislative priorities:
Legislative Workshop Sat 1/9 at Seattle Pacific University
Environmental Lobby Day 1/26 in Olympia
There is a nominal registration fee for each event to cover materials and lunch. Chartered buses will be going to Olympia from our area for Lobby Day; fare is $15. To register for either event and to get more information, see http://www.environmentalpriorities.org/
Food as Revolution (Revolting Food?)
December 28, 2009 at 10:39 pm (Quotes to Ponder)
Tags: food
“If every American for one week refused to eat at a fast-food joint, it would bring concentrated animal feeding operations to their knees.”
–Joel Salatin of Polyface Farm, as quoted in Sojourners Magazine, Dec. 09
Eating Locally
October 26, 2009 at 10:19 pm (Food and Agriculture)
Tags: local foods, Thanksgiving
With all sorts of “food” holidays coming up, especially Thanksgiving with its “groaning board,” Puget Sound Fresh is once again promoting its “Eat Local” campaign. We’re probably all aware that local foods are fresher and tastier. They increase our awareness and appreciation of our local landscape and climate as we seek out foods suited to our growing season and terrain, and they help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by minimizing transportation costs and distances, a large part of the carbon footprint of agricultural distribution. In addition, eating local foods returns a much higher percentage of each dollar spent to our local and regional economy–anywhere from 50 to 79 cents per dollar when we buy directly from local farmers, through locally-based stores or co-ops or eat at locally-based restaurants.
Please consider “taking the pledge” to include at least one local food into your Thanksgiving meal. If you do this on-line at www.pugetsoundfresh.org prior to Nov. 21st, you will have a chance to win a locally-raised heritage turkey or other prizes. While you’re at this web-site, be sure to sign up for the Puget Sound fresh e-newsletter, an occasional e-mailing about what’s in season, recipes and regional agricultural issues.
THOUGHTS ON JOB
October 22, 2009 at 10:43 pm (Reflections)
Tags: Bible, book of Job, creation
In the glorious poetic language of chapters 38-41 of the book of Job, God expresses God’s delight in all the parts of creation, including the things we humans find unpleasant or frightening or just plain odd–storms, scavengers, birds of prey, crocodiles, hippopotami and ostriches. In this worldview, humankind is not the center of the universe, but merely another part of it, beloved by God, but no more so than horses or stars, wild goats or ravens. This is a humbling view for us to take, reducing our concerns to something rather small in the grand scheme of things.
Walking the Walk
June 18, 2009 at 7:22 pm (Uncategorized)
Tags: bellevue parks, Renton, walking
Walking is not only a healthy activity, it’s a great way to experience the environment, both natural and man-made. In a recent Clarion newsletter (see http://www.fumcbellevue.org/CurrentClarion.pdf ), I wrote about my goal of walking a mile or so several times a week. In order to keep myself honest, I’m going to keep a walking log, which you can find on a separate page, NB Walks. (You can access this using the link at the lower left of this current page.) I know there are many wonderful parks and trails in the greater Renton-Bellevue area. I hope you will send me some of your favorites.
Christian Veganism
June 17, 2009 at 9:09 pm (Uncategorized)
Tags: Earth Ministry, environment, food, vegan
An environmental team member recently sent me an e-newsletter from the Christian Vegetarian Association, and I’d like to pass on a couple of links of interest:
http://www.ChristianVeg.org
http://www.vegan-food.net
Maybe, like me, you’re not quite ready to go totally meat-free, but are disturbed by Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) and the environmental degradation they cause, not to mention their inherent cruelty. For starters, try reducing your meat consumption by 50%, and eat vegetarian or vegan once or twice a week. The vegan-food site will give you an abundance of recipe suggestions.
I’ve just finished reading a collection of essays published by Earth Ministry entitled “Food and Faith.” Agriculture in our country, and by extension globally, is about 90% controlled by just a handful of corporations. In light of what’s happened in the financial industry (i.e., bail out AIG because it’s “too big to fail”) this is quite alarming. So I fight the system as I can by eating local and organic foods and going to the farmers market. One area where doing what’s right is also fun and enjoyable.
