JUUstice Washington

A Unitarian Universalist State Action Network

General Assembly Ware Lecture, by Naomi Klein, Features Green New Deal

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The 2020 General Assembly Ware Lecture, held online, featured remarks on the Green New Deal by Naomi Klein. She has authored books on the economy and climate change, including This Changes Everything, and attended the 2015 Convention of Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which negotiated the Paris Agreement.

Klein’s Ware Lecture noted that the COVID pandemic has changed many people’s orientation to change, and opened possibilities for addressing climate, economic and racial issues. The Green New Deal is designed to address these issues on a multi-tasking basis, Klein notes, and would provide a framework for government policy in a post-COVID world.

Klein commends UUs for our “respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part,” our Seventh Principle. Although she does not explicitly mention it, UUA has endorsed the Green New Deal and our actions will fulfill many of its goals.

The Ware Lecture by Naomi Klein can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/showcase/7462757/video/433421388

Winning the Green New Deal Book Launch from Sunrise, Aug. 27, online.

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It’s finally here. WINNING THE GREEN NEW DEAL is out in the world today! If you haven’t yet picked up a copy, you can get one here.

I am so excited to share this book with everyone. Guido and Varshini worked very hard to gather brilliant people together and make this the definitive guide for what the Green New Deal is, why we need it, and how we win it. This book is a chance for us as Sunrisers to reground in what we’ve been working toward and an opportunity to invite others into the movement in a new and exciting way.

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Side With Love 5-Session Series, “Taking A Collective Breath: Deepening our alignment with the Movement for Black Lives” Begins August 11, 2020

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Hundreds of Unitarian Universalists joined local activists June 20 in support of the Smart Justice Spokane coalition, which opposes the expansion of the Spokane County Jail. (© 2019 Christopher L. Walton/UUA)

We invite you to participate in Taking A Collective Breath: Deepening our alignment with the Movement for Black Lives, a five-session series built around the elements of the BREATHE Act. The webinars will explore the components of the BREATHE Act and utilize its structure as a way to focus our energies to effectively support ongoing racial justice work. Come learn and build with local and national partners who are shaping conditions to make liberation possible. This is an invitation to locate yourself in this moment as well, we each have a role to play.

The BREATHE Act seeks to reform federal laws and eliminate funding for federal programs that criminalize Black, Muslim, and immigrant communities, reinvesting our resources in community solutions for education, health, and the environment.
Register any time, for one session or the entire series. Sessions will be available online for later viewing, with registration. 

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Climate Solutions “Our Climate Leaders Live!” series is back

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Our Climate Leaders Live! series is back (August 13th, 10:00 am) with a look at the future of the built environment. 

While they don’t move, buildings still emit pollution and emissions from buildings are growing at a faster rate than any other source of carbon pollution in Washington. Why? This increase is largely due to our use of fossil gas in homes and buildings (called “natural” gas by utilities). Burning fossil gas not only contributes to climate emissions, but also poses significant health risks for our communities, including children and other vulnerable people. But there is good news! Many cities across the country are increasingly looking to ensure all new buildings are powered solely by electricity. Electrifying buildings is critical to addressing climate change; it is also achievable, affordable, healthy, safe, and creates a more resilient energy system.

This webinar will look at the use of gas in buildings, its impacts on our health (especially indoors), climate, and the prospects and implications of phasing it out.

Join Climate Solutions and guests to hear about action taking place around the state, why we need it, and what comes next. 

Backbone Campaign Fundamental Right to Food Events, June 26, July 1, online

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Illuminated by the promise of sunshine in the corner of the picture, a young seedling reeives drips of water pouring from the fingertips of an upturned hand.Food is a basic need, and healthy local food should be a fundamental right. At the heart of the food system is the seed.  Our current food system is so broken – in most all ways.

Join Backbone for two events, this Friday and next Wednesday. We will talk about the effects of racism and colonization on our food system and how those oppressive systems relate to growing a garden and saving your seeds.

 

Scroll down for detailed info on each virtual event and to register.

1. Backbone is honored and grateful to host a conversation with Farmers Lawrence Jenkins and Aleta Haskins, of The Circle of Life Gardens: Friday, June 26th, 11:30am (Pacific).

2. Following on our Conversation is a Virtual Workshop on Seed Saving: Wednesday, July 1st, 4pm (Pacific).