On love and war

As the deeply troubling events unfold in Ukraine, our hearts go out to the brave people of that country.  Witnessing this barbaric act is disheartening. 
 
Throughout history, mankind has revealed an ugly propensity for acts of violence and evil. But throughout that same history, we’ve also shown a wondrous capacity for great acts of love.  
 
Our work for all living beings and our beautiful blue-green-brown-white marble is a profound act of love. And one that takes on even greater urgency with the latest installment of the IPCC’s 6th assessment, released this week as the tanks were rolling. 
 
Let’s allow space in our work for the people of Ukraine, while also pressing on. Our labor of love is more important than ever.   

Harriet Harvey-Horn and Bonnie Hamilton 
2022 Climate Reality Bay Area Chapter Co-Chairs

How to have effective conversations about climate change

Do you find yourself reluctant to talk about climate change?  Either feel that you don’t know enough, or are you afraid of sparking hostility or shut-down?  
 
San Jose-based non-profit, “THIS! Is What We Did,” has some help for you. In March they are offering two free, three-part training sessions on how to start a climate conversation, listen deeply, and share ideas that encourage others to take small, important actions.

Register today! 
Tuesdays, March 15, 22 & 29 from 5:00 to 6:30 pm
Thursdays, March 17, 24 & 31 from 5:00 to 6:30 pm
 
These friendly sessions promise to build your skills and confidence as an effective climate communicator – and you’ll have fun practicing and sharing your experiences with new friends!  

Our own Tiffany Ngo recently wrote an article on the Sea Level Rise & Shoreline Contamination Regional Workshop for the Sierra Club SF Bay Chapter's Yodeler magazine. The article highlights one of three main projects that our Climate Justice Team actively and regularly works on. Thank you, Tiffany, for representing our chapter well!

Building on momentum from the CRBA-co-sponsored event Code Red for Humanity - What Municipalities Can Do! on January 14th and the follow-on Climate Action 101 on February 4th, Acterra is offering a third building electrification learning and engagement opportunity, Climate Action - Building Community for Electrification, Friday, March 18th from 12-1 PM over Zoom. Register today and continuing reading for more details.
 
The program includes short presentations from Sean Armstrong, Managing Principal of Redwood Energy, on Home Electrification, and Diane Bailey, Executive Director of Menlo Spark, on the 2022 Reach Code Efforts, as well as break-outs for conversations with the speakers and other attendees. 

The CRBA Marin EV squad and Drive Clean Bay Area are seeking help from EV drivers, especially in San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda and Contra Costa counties for an EV charging study. If you drive an open-system CCS vehicle (not Tesla, Leaf, or PHEV) and can help with this citizen science project by visiting 10-20 public stations in your area between now and March 19th, please contact Robin Moller at robin@mollers.us.

What are Bay Area residents thinking, what do they care about, what holds them back, when it comes to climate action?  
 
Help answer these questions and gain insights that will help us all become more effective as advocates  by completing the Drawdown Bay Area “Climate Solutions & You” survey.  Drawdown Bay Area, a Climate Reality Bay Area partner, will be sharing the results with us, which will help illuminate the work we do as teams and/or individuals to better mobilize our communities.  Please share the survey widely with your friends and colleagues!

• Regeneration with Paul Hawken: How We Can End the Climate Crisis in One Generation
• Climate Justice Explained

The Our Climate Moment Team meets with the offices of every Member of Congress in our region to share our priorities and encourage them to push for meaningful climate legislation.

On February 11th, we held our third meeting with Jackie Speier's Legislative Assistant for Environmental Affairs, Ali Musser. It was a very informative discussion in which we talked about several pieces of legislation, including the SF Bay Restoration Act (HR 610) and the Heating and Cooling Relief Act (HR 3467). 

The more constituents we have during these meetings, the more our representatives listen! If you are interested in attending, please join our roster of constituents here. We will reach out when we are meeting with your representative. Most people who observe a meeting come away eager to participate in the next one! Questions? Contact Audrey or Margo at ocm.crba@gmail.com.