Four climate bills have been introduced, passed committees and passed at least one chamber of the Washington State Legislature. They involve “Clean Energy” (100% renewables for electricity), electrification of transportation (incentives for electric vehicles), “Clean Fuels” (reduced fossil fuels in … [Read more...]
Backbone “We Love Salmon & Orca” Campaign, Now until June 1st
Since Puget Sound Resident Orca Mother Tahlequah carried her deceased calf for 17 days, a message of urgency about the dire conditions faced by her pod, Backbone Campaign has mobilized banners, light projections, and eight Human Orca Murals across the State. Our hope is to double that number by … [Read more...]
House and Senate pass Oil Spill Bill ESHB 1578
The House and Senate have passed ESHB 1578 and it was signed by Governor Inslee. This bill specifies permit requirements for oil tankers, requires tug escorts, assesses threats of oil tankers to Orcas and other wildlife in straits. It passed the House 70-28 and the Senate by 32-13. … [Read more...]
House and Senate pass ESHB 1112, Hydrofluorocarbons
ESHB 1112 passed the House and Senate and it was signed by Governor Inslee. The bill would phase out use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) over the next five years, as follows: January 1, 2020, for propellants, foam blowing agents such as polyurethane or spray foam, and supermarket systems, … [Read more...]
Support Green New Deal – Get MoveOn “Earth Can’t Wait” Sticker
Oil companies, big polluters, and the GOP members of Congress in their pockets are doing everything they can to smear the Green New Deal and deny the devastating effects of climate change in order to protect their bottom lines. But a grassroots movement, led by youth activists from the Sunrise … [Read more...]
Study Finds Racial Gap Between Who Causes Air Pollution And Who Breathes It
Scientists and policymakers have long known that black and Hispanic Americans tend to live in neighborhoods with more pollution of all kinds, than white Americans. And because pollution exposure can cause a range of health problems, this inequity could be a driver of unequal health outcomes across … [Read more...]
Washington State – 225 leaders of color gather at Front and Centered’s Statewide Environmental Justice Summit
On Jan. 11 and Jan. 12, Front and Centered hosted our Statewide Environmental Justice Summit at University of Washington’s (UW’s) Alder Auditorium. We were inspired by the response, maxing out Summit capacity at 225 participants. Never before have this many leaders of color and indigenous leaders … [Read more...]
House and Senate pass ESSB 5116, Clean Energy Bill
The Senate and House have passed ESSB 5116, the Clean Energy bill. It was signed by Governor Inslee. It would set deadlines for reduction of fossil fuel use in electric generation: phasing out coal by 2025, making generation carbon neutral by 2030 and use of renewable energy only by 2045. The … [Read more...]
Lummi highlights orca preservation in Florida museum exhibit
The Lummi whale rider totem was journeyed down the west coast of the United States in May of 2018 to raise awareness about endangered southern resident killer whales – particularly one Puget Sound orca, Tokitae, who was taken captive from the Pacific Northwest in 1970 and has been at the Seaquarium … [Read more...]
National Energy Board says Trans Mountain pipeline project should be approved
"In its reconsideration report, the NEB concluded that Trans Mountain-related marine shipping is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects on the Southern resident killer whale and on Indigenous cultural use associated with the Southern resident killer whale. The NEB also found that … [Read more...]
WE ARE STILL IN! Are you?
WE ARE STILL IN UU Congregations are being encouraged to contact the mayor of their city and encouragement to become a part of the "We Are Still In Movement" in making a commitment to uphold goals of addressing climate change. There are also business, faith communities and other community groups … [Read more...]
The bill on electrification of transportation, HB 1512, becomes law
Both the House and the Senate have passed HB 1512 that would incentivize utilities’ installation of electric vehicle infrastructure. (Note: EV infrastructure consists primarily of chargers, which would extend the range of EVs and make them more feasible for longer trips). On March 12, the bill … [Read more...]
Proclamation of Support for Truth and Reconciliation in WashingtonState
Proclamation of Support for Truth and Reconciliation in Washington State There is an emerging and compelling desire to acknowledge the events of the past so that we can work towards a stronger and healthier future. The truth telling and reconciliation process is a sincere acknowledgement of the … [Read more...]
U.S. Extinction Rebellion, Jan. 26, 2019, Everywhere
US REBELLION DAY The US Extinction Rebellion begins on January 26th through a nationwide day of nonviolent civil disobedience and protest. Extinction Rebellion is an international movement dedicated to raising the alarm about the dire threat of climate change and using mass nonviolent civil … [Read more...]
Fossil-Free Infrastructure
On January 28th, King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove will introduce an ordinance that prohibits all new major fossil fuel infrastructure projects - such as gas pipeline expansion and new oil terminals - in King County. Can you sign our petition calling on King County leaders to … [Read more...]
Wet’suwet’en Blockade and the Challenge of Reconciliation
CUC (Canadian Unitarian Council) eNews: January 15, 2019 – Issue 73 The Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC) recognizes the sovereignty of Indigenous peoples and their authority to make decisions about what happens on their land. In the case of the Wet’suwet’en, who are opposing the development of a … [Read more...]
‘Shameful Day for Canada’: First Nations Encampment Violently Raided, Land Protectors Arrested
What you haven’t heard from inside the battle of Gidimt’en checkpoint Toronto Star, Jan. 12, 2019 https://www.thestar.com/vancouver/2019/01/12/what-you-havent-heard-from-inside-the-battle-of-gidimten-checkpoint.html StarMetro reporters spent five days inside and outside the fortified lines … [Read more...]
Your Gift Empowers Us All
Reach beyond the mundane Contribute, today Now is the time to help us reach beyond the mundane. Our vision to empower people, with a new and more powerful thrust, to build a just world in which all people thrive. By supporting JUUstice Washington right now, you will be helping us to achieve … [Read more...]
Canadian Court gives Coastal Gasoline permission to violate Indigenous rights
The Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship and other UU congregations have supported the Unist'ot'en Camp in the past and the Camp will be needing more help as the BC Supreme Court moves against them. Watch for more … [Read more...]
COP24 of the Climate Convention Sets Emissions Rules
The 24th Conference of the Parties (COP24) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change concluded its work in Katowice, Poland on December 15, 2018. COP24 debated the rules concerning measurement and reporting of emissions under the Paris Agreement (2015), discussed financing of emissions … [Read more...]