On July 27th, the Environmental Change-Makers meeting was a host site for the “Party for the Planet” organized by Union of Concerned Scientists activists.  We watched a short documentary on global warming and participated in a conference call which united California activists in many cities across the state.  There were more than 2,000 people listening on the call.

The objective is to raise awareness for California AB 32, a landmark new bill to cap global warming emissions (Authors: Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, Assembly Member Fran Pavley).  The Union of Concerned Scientists had provided hand fans (yes, cardboard fans to fan ourselves in the heat) which we addressed to our legislators with personal messages.  UCS will make a presentation of all the fans in Sacramento later in August.

On the call we learned that opposition to the bill came from (of course) the oil and gas industry.  UCS representatives also anticipate some resistance from agricultural interests.  I personally find the later quite silly, because the agriculture industry will be very heavily impacted if global warming gets out of control in the higher emissions scenarios.  (for documentation read reports of Adams, et al)

It was a great meeting - lots of enthusiasm for creating a better future.  People departed in high energy, and several took the extra blank fans home and had friends sign them.  I look forward to the next 30 or so days, as we rally to contact our legislators and register our (strong) opinions in favor of this important bill.

Resources mentioned that evening included:

Union of Concerned Scientists fact sheet about AB 32

ClimateChoices.org includes clips from the documentary movie.  You may order a DVD from that site.

UCSUSA.org the Union of Concerned Scientists’ main website 

Our WHAT CAN I DO? Section:

25 Ways to Help Curb Climate Change (Parade Magazine)

Tip #1: Buy better bulbs.  Register your pledge to switch to Compact fluorescent bulbs at the “Make the Switch” program (Environmental Defense)

Tip #13: Plant a Tree, via LADWP’s free residential shade trees program or by donating to an organization like TreePeople

Tip #14: Buy local.  Find out how, right here in Los Angeles.  Join the Environmental Change-Makers for our August meeting, where we challenge each other to create a “100-mile potluck” with foods raised within 100 miles of your home or the meeting site.

Tip #15: Practice the three R’s.  (that should say four R’s!) Read more about Reduce/Reuse/Recycle/Rebuy.  Rethink your habits.  Try it out, with the support of a circle of friends, like the Environmental Change-Makers.  Dispense with Disposables, a piece written by Joanne Poyourow.

Tip #16: Go Green.  LADWP Green Power program

Tip #17:  Stop Guzzling.  Plan a wiser vehicle purchase by reviewing Environmental Change-Makers ‘Greener Vehicles’ meeting resources

Tip #18: Stay in Tune.  Learn how to improve your fuel economy in your existing vehicle.

Tip #24: Erase your carbon footprint.  Offset your carbon emissions through one of the following programs:CarbonFund.org  Drive Neutral  TerraPass  Read Joanne’s 2-part review of these programs:  part 1  part 2

Tip #25: Agitate.  Call your representative to register your support for California AB 32.  Email them here.  Call your friends and have them call their representatives too.
More about AB32 and CFLs editorial with links by TruffulaTuft

If you’re reading this from another area of California, and want to host the Union of Concerned Scientists’ movie in your area, contact UCS via http://www.partylaunch.com/ucs/index.cfm or ClimateChoices.org (grey box on right side of page)  Other states, you’ll have to email UCS and inquire what their effort is in your area.  I know that several U.S. states are lined up right behind California to pass similar legislation.