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THURSTON CLIMATE ACTION TEAM: TCAT Job Applications Due | Learning "Lessons of Now" | Pledge Climate Action

TCAT extends job application due date to April 17 for Digital Communications Coordinator


By Tom Crawford, President, Thurston Climate Action Team
tom@thurstonclimateaction.org

We are extending the due date for applications to serve as our Digital Communications Coordinator until April 17.  This is a key position in our organization, helping us create a regional model for what climate action looks like at the local level.  If you have web and social media skills and experience, we hope you’ll consider this exciting opportunity.  If you know someone who has these skills, please share this with them.

We are looking for a half-time Digital Communications Coordinator to rev up our campaigns and connect with thousands throughout the county. Enjoy flexible hours working from the comfort of your own home. You can find the job description posted here.  Due date for applications is April 17.

Learning the "Lessons of Now" for Climate Disruption


By Lynn Fitz-Hugh, Community Engagement Director, Thurston Climate Action Team



The COVID-19 pandemic has brought huge economic impacts and presented some threat to the food chain. But it is a temporary problem which will end like every other pandemic in history. However, climate disruption will bring permanent problems that cannot be reversed. Given the recent realities of the pandemic, consider the long-range impacts and increasing disruptions of climate change on food and water supplies, transportation options, sea level rise, habitat and eco-system viability, etc. What can we learn from this pandemic?  How can we create a safety net and resilient communities now, both in response to this crisis but also in avoidance of the next?

You are invited to discuss these questions at a TCAT event TONIGHT, Thursday, April 16th at 6:30 pm on Zoom. (See "Lessons of Now" event details, below)

If you don’t want your descendants to live in the chaotic world of climate disruption, participate in this Zoom meeting to identify and coordinate action to help all of us thrive in a better future.

Pledge Climate Action


By Lynn Fitz-Hugh, Community Engagement Director, Thurston Climate Action Team

Many people are feeling very helpless during this pandemic, like there is nothing they can do about it, nothing they can do outside their home, and therefore nothing they can do about other bigger social issues. 

We at TCAT are still busy working on climate issues and we invite you to be as well. 

We are launching our Climate Mitigation Pledge card.  We invite you to sign it and to share it widely with others.  Notice all the things you can do during and after this pandemic.  We will follow up with you after you pledge your Climate Mitigation Actions.

TCAT ZOOM MEETINGS: Lessons of Now | Buildings as Climate Action | Chrysalis Project

Learning the "Lessons of Now" for Climate Disruption


Thursday, April 16, 2020, 6:30 pm

Lynn Fitz-Hugh, TCAT's Community Engagement Director, will provide a brief presentation and lead a discussion on
  • Similarities and differences between the current crisis and climate disruption.
  • What we can learn from the COVID-19 crisis.
  • How the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan could help.
  • How to build resilient communities in general.
  • What actions we can take now and in the coming decade to protect us from climate disruption.  
Questions and Zoom link: Please contact Lynn Fitz-Hugh at lynn@thurstonclimateaction.org
 

Buildings as Climate Action Group Meeting


Tuesday, April 21, 2020 - 5:30 PM

Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/99610606074
Or Dial in: 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 996 1060 6074

The Buildings as Climate Action (BACA) Group is a collaboration between TCAT and the NW EcoBuilding Guild. They are laying plans to launch a zero-carbon "Building Challenge" later this year - a public-facing campaign vehicle for several policy actions being prioritized in the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan.

This meeting will include brief education segments on Green Building in Real Estate and Building Electrification; and further discussion to define the standards and forge partnerships needed to engage local government and industry to take up the Challenge. Please join us to build an unstoppable movement for healthy, energy efficient homes and buildings that will benefit everyone in our community! 

For more information contact southsoundchapter@ecobuilding.org
The Chrysalis Project: Transforming Together

Saturday, April 25, 10:00 AM
Online Workshop
Register here

A collaborative Art in Action project to create a positive vision for our future and call for strong climate action. 

In this online workshop, we will utilize the tools that we have in our homes, our creativity, and the power of our voices to call for climate justice. In this time of uncertainty, we come together to create a new vision of a climate friendly world, while raising our voices for our future. As we shelter-in-place we will work in solidarity with our neighbors to create art and call upon local governments to take strong climate action. 
 
We recognize that this time is hard for so many people. Let us take this moment to imagine and take action towards a life sustaining future for our families, communities, and grandchildren.

Registration Link: https://chrysalisprojecttransformingtogether.eventbrite.com

Zoom Meeting Tips


Zoom is similar to Skype or Facetime. However, you can include lots of people all at once, share documents, and do lots of cool interactive things.

If you haven't participated in a zoom call before, click here for our Zoom tips on how to do this.  It is easy!

CALENDAR
April 16, 2020 -
3 PM		 How to Stop the Money Pipeline: Climate Finance 101

Join a virtual interactive training that will explore how the financial industry – from asset managers to banks to insurance companies – is fueling the climate crisis. Register here.

( Click for details.)
April 16, 2020 -
6 PM		 FACEBOOK LIVE: Roundtable on Climate Change, Labor, and Equity

Join us for a virtual conversation about climate change, environmental justice, and labor. We will be joined by David Mendoza of Front and Centered, former Department of Ecology Director Maia Bellon, and East Wenatchee City Councilmember Matt Hepner. Includes a conversation about policy issues with stakeholders, and then time for Q&A. Facebook Live

( Click for details.)
April 16, 2020 -
6:30 PM		 ZOOM: Learning the "Lessons of Now" for Climate Disruption

How can we create resilient communities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and in avoiding climate disruption? Presentation and discussion.

( Click for details.)
April 21, 2020 -
5 PM		 WEBINAR: Best Practices for Promoting Regenerative Agriculture

How to build an affordable, healthy, equitable and regenerative organic food system. Presented by the Sierra Club Grassroots Network Food and Agriculture Team.  Register here. 

( Click for details.)
April 21, 2020 -
5:30 PM		 ZOOM Meeting: Buildings as Climate Action Group

This meeting will include brief education segments on Green Building in Real Estate and Building Electrification; and further discussion to define the standards and forge partnerships needed to engage local government and industry.

( Click for details.)
April 22, 2020 -
7 AM		 VIRTUAL Conservation Fundraiser for Capitol Land Trust

The Capitol Land Trust is holding a Virtual Fundraiser to support conserving essential natural areas and working lands!  Email a selfie or picture of yourself outside before April 22 to info@capitollandtrust.org. On Earth Day, April 22nd, we will share a video of all the photos we receive.

( Click for details.)
April 22, 2020 -
5 PM		 CANCELLED Eco Lions Food Recovery

We have canceled our service night for April 22, to minimize chances of infection and spread of COVID-19. Read related article about how you can help the Food Bank.    

( Click for details.)
April 23, 2020 -
12 PM		 Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan Steering Committee

The Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan is a strategic roadmap for reducing climate polluting greenhouse gases. This meeting will be accessible through remote technology.   Click here for agenda and remote link.

( Click for details.)
April 24, 2020 -
1 PM		 ZOOM Discussion: The Human Element movie

April 17-26: Watch the movie: The Human Element at your own convenience. Join  Zoom discussion on April 24, at 1 pm.  Contact action@climaterealitythurston.org for link.

( Click for details.)
April 25, 2020 -
10 AM		 ONLINE WORKSHOP: The Chrysalis Project: Transforming Together

In this online workshop, we will utilize the tools that we have in our homes, our creativity, and the power of our voices to call for climate justice, to create a collaborative Art in Action project. Register here.

( Click for details.)
April 25, 2020 -
10 AM		 VIRTUAL EVENT: Uniting from Home with Katharine Hayhoe

With social distancing during the COVID-19 crisis precluding in-person events and celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day,  Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) will host this special free online event on April 25.  Details and registration on Eventbrite!

( Click for details.)
Planning Ahead? Check out TCAT's monthly calendar

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS: Regenerative Agriculture | Movie: The Human Element

WEBINAR: Best Practices for Promoting Regenerative Agriculture


April 21, 2020 - 5 PM
Register here.  

Are you alarmed about the effect the COVID-19 crisis is having on our food system — the cost, availability and quality of food; the health and well-being of farmworkers; the economic toll?

Are you looking for ways to help create a local, resilient food system and stable economy?

Then join us in a conversation on how to build an affordable, healthy, equitable and regenerative organic food system.

Click for agenda  Presented by the Sierra Club Grassroots Network Food and Agriculture Team.

Climate Reality Project, Thurston County, WA Chapter presents

Movie - The Human Element
Discussion - With Faith Community friends


April 17-26: Watch movie at your own convenience
Friday, April 24, 1 pm: Discussion will be on Zoom

Movie link will be provided, to watch at your own convenience
Contact: action@climaterealitythurston.org
BYOP (Bring your own popcorn)

In an arresting new documentary from the producers of Racing Extinction and Chasing Ice, environmental photographer James Balog captures the lives of everyday Americans on the front lines of climate change. With rare compassion and heart, The Human Element relays captivating stories from coast-to-coast, inspiring us to reevaluate our relationship with the natural world.

Co-sponsored by Green Team of Temple Beth Hatfiloh.

Thanks to a partnership with Earth Vision Film, Interfaith Power & Light is able to offer you this inspiring film. Trailer at: https://www.interfaithpowerandlight.org/2020/01/the-human-element/

NEWS:Transition to Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency | Electrify New Buildings | Help the Food Bank

Transition to Renewable Energy: What Will Drive It?


By Sam Merrill, Contributing Writer

Now that Thurston County and the cities of Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater are developing the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan, it is time for us to advocate for a major step toward that goal: the transition to renewable energy. (See related article, below.)

When the world recovers from the economic downturn brought on by the COVID-19 crisis and energy demand picks up again, all of the growth may be supplied by renewable energy sources.  In the electricity sector, solar and wind will likely be large enough to supply that growth.  We have seen this before.  Horse demand famously peaked when there were just 3 percent as many cars as horses, and gas lighting demand peaked when electric lighting was just 2 percent of supply.  To support the needed changes, governments need to remove wasteful fossil fuel subsidies and implement a fee on the use of fossil fuels.

The fastest growing forms of renewable energy are wind and solar.  Europe is farther ahead than the rest of the world, as of 2019 generating nearly 18% of its electricity from these two sources, while the U.S. generates 10%.  Growth in the U.S. is still being driven by state-level mandates, but increasingly voluntary corporate and utility purchases drive wind and solar, as firms realize that it is cheaper to retire existing coal plants and replace them with wind and solar.

Part of this material was adopted from articles by Kingsmill Bond and by Christian Roselund in Energy Transition Magazine.

Read more

Advocate for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in Mitigation Plan


We at TCAT are excited by possible actions that could be included in the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan (TCMP), which can help move us off of greenhouse gas polluting fossil fuels into cleaner ways of using energy. 

To support TCAT's advocacy efforts, we encourage you to do the following: Contact your elected officials by email, and urge their support for the TCMP and begin preparing now for actions supporting renewable energy and energy efficiency.  Participate in the Buildings As Climate Action Group meetings - the next one is on April 21  Attend (virtually) the next TCMP Steering Committee meeting on April 23.  Click here for more information on how to advocate for bold local action to address the climate emergency.

Some of the actions that we would like to see in the plan include:
  • Solar ready design – require new buildings to have south-facing roofs that could hold solar panels and have large south-facing windows that will bring in passive solar heat in the winter.
  • Electric Vehicle parking – require dedicated EV parking in new commercial and multifamily buildings.
  • Residential and Commercial energy audits and performance standards – require performance standards and ratings that people would disclose at the time of home sale.  This will encourage the market to improve the energy efficiency of homes being sold.
  • Lead by Example – Energy Retrofits, Solar and Electric Vehicles for all City/County buildings
  • Energy project grants – Cities and County apply for grants for high profile buildings to model what is possible in best energy practices.
  • Rebates for energy efficiency – energy rebates on energy bills for people who retrofit for efficiency.
  • SolSmart – a whole package of solar friendly practices our jurisdictions will adopt
  • Pass an energy efficiency baseline for all rental properties – good for the renter and good for the climate.
  • Develop a city lead group purchasing program to reduce the cost of purchasing solar panels.

Recap: Seattle’s recent moves on building electrification in a Green New Deal


Sierra Club Washington State Newsletter | January 21, 2020
Kelsey Hamlin, Volunteer Outreach & Development Coordinator

Mayor Durkan committed all new city buildings and retrofits of city buildings to using fossil-free energy. We know fracked gas is a huge remaining hurdle in our climate challenge, so this move was a needed first step that Sierra Club is excited to support.  ...

This is the Mayor’s first action under the Green New Deal resolution City Council passed last year, which created the SGND oversight board.  ...

Read more.

In July of 2019 the City of Olympia passed a resolution urging federal lawmakers to pass the Green New Deal, a broad plan to tackle climate change and economic inequality. Read more about it in The Olympian.

Thurston County Eco-Lions: Food Recovery Team on hold, but finding other ways to serve


By Marilyn Sitaker, MPH, Ecological Agriculture and Food Systems, The Evergreen State College

Thurston County Eco-Lions, a branch club of Lacey Midday Lions, has been helping the Thurston County Food Bank repackage prepared foods donated by area schools, casinos, delis and coffee shops. By doing this, we are making sure that edible foods stay out of landfills—where they generate greenhouse gases—and instead go to feed hungry people in our community.

Over the past year we’ve had lots of fun working together, and meeting new friends who have volunteered through TCAT. But starting March 2020,
Thurston County Food Bank advised us to cancel our service nights, to minimize chances of infection and spread of COVID-19 among our members who are mostly over age 60.

Still we are finding ways to be of assistance, and I hope you will consider these ideas as well.

Thurston County Food Bank is experiencing unprecedented demand for food. They've made some awesome adaptations to meet demand while still observing COVID-19 safety protocols, offering curbside pickup of Emergency Food Bags. These pre-packed bags contain shelf-stable items like peanut butter, canned soups, beans and rice.

Still, the Food Bank's resources are stretched thin right now, and they are in need of both (younger) volunteers, and donations of food or cash.

You can easily volunteer for one or more activity by visiting their website here:  https://thurstoncountyfoodbank.org/donating/

Additionally, you may also wish to make a donation to Senior Services for the South Sound, who continue to provide Meals on Wheels services to older folks who are unable to get to the grocery store during this time. You can find their donations page here: https://southsoundseniors.org/give/

Photo: Thurston County Eco Lions, 2019

SUPPORT TCAT'S WORK 

Donate to Thurston Climate Action Team

 

TCAT is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization advancing projects that increase collaboration between local environmental groups, governments and our community to lower our greenhouse gas emissions and protect our livable planet. 

 

Donate via PayPal or with credit or debit here

Celebrating Washington State Employees Who Donate Throughout the Year



Washington State Employees Combined Fund is partnering with Thurston Climate Action Team! Choose the amount you'll give every paycheck to Click the image below to get started! (Please be patient when the donor form loads. It can take up to 30 seconds.)

Excerpt from cfd.wa.gov:

[...] "For more than 30 years, Washington State has proven to be one of the most giving states in the nation. Each year, over 15,000 active and retired public employees pledge more than $5 million to over 1,700 local, national and global charities. That number is good enough to place Washington State third in the nation amongst state employee giving programs, an incredible feat given the fact that our great state is 13th in overall population." [...]

            
 

SUBMISSIONS | SUBSCRIPTIONS
The TCAT Weekly Newsletter is published every Thursday by Barb Scavezze, Digital Communications Coordinator, and Nova Berkshires, TCAT Volunteer.

If you have climate-related news and events to share with our subscribers:
  • Please email  barb AT thurstonclimateaction DOT org
  • Deadline is COB on Monday of the week of your desired publication date.
  • Submissions may be edited for grammar, space, or relevance. 
Between newsletters, please check the TCAT calendar for upcoming events or read the latest blog post.

Disclaimer
The inclusion of events and articles in this newsletter does not necessarily represent the endorsement of the Thurston Climate Action Team.
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Thurston Climate Action Team (TCAT) is a local non-profit dedicated to bringing our community together to reduce climate disruption — resulting in a healthy, just and prosperous future for all.
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