Howdy!
I’ve started reading Bill McKibben’s new book, Falter: Has the Human Game Begun to Play Itself Out that was released last month. A couple of my favorite articles about the book are hereand here. From his opening note on hope: “A writer doesn’t owe a reader hope—the only obligation is honesty—but I want those who pick up this volume to know that its author lives in a state of engagement, not despair. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have bothered writing what follows.”
It’s time to be engaged, and there are many ways you can learn and be engaged this upcoming month!
May 9, Screening of The Devil We Know
6:30 pm, 415 S Madison St, Whiteville
Unraveling one of the biggest environmental scandals of our time, this film shows how a group of citizens in West Virginia take on the powerful corporation DuPont, after they discover it has knowingly been dumping a toxic chemical – now found in the blood of 99.7% of Americans – into the drinking water supply.
The Devil We Know serves as a prequel to the Gen-X water crisis happening in North Carolina due to the chemical dumping by the DuPont spin-off corporation, Chemours. After the film join in our discussion led by Kemp Burdette of Cape Fear River Watch, Emily Donovan of Clean Cape Fear, and Sonya Bennetone-Patrick of the Trouble in the Water Project. Hosted by the North Carolina Environmental Justice Network and Working Films. More info here.
May 10, Procession of the Trees
5 – 6:30 pm, Circle Around the Historic Chatham County Courthouse, Downtown Pittsboro
5 – 6:30 pm, Circle Around the Historic Chatham County Courthouse, Downtown Pittsboro
The Chatham Park Tree Protection Element has not been approved by the Pittsboro Town Board yet. Although some small changes have been made, they are not enough – more trees need to be protected. Let’s raise awareness and once again gather together to SPEAK FOR THE TREES!
In case you missed it, another heartbreaking report this week from the UN’s Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services about the ecological biodiversity crisis humans are causing. A couple articles here and here.
Events at Eco-Institute at Pickards Mountain
8519 Pickards Meadow Road, Chapel Hill
May 11, Rising Earth Immersion Interest Pizza Party!
12:00 – 2:30 pm, The Rising Earth Immersion is a residential program at The Eco-Institute for young adults or gap year students ages 18-28 interested in learning permaculture skills to build a more sustainable world. The REI program was designed to help you develop a vision for contributing your gifts to the healing of our world. Through a holistic curriculum, integrated workshops, and farm-side living at The Eco-Institute, you will leverage a permaculture perspective to foster resilient systems of abundance on the farm, in your community, and in your inner life. Curious about the Rising Earth Immersion? Questions about how it all works? Whether you are interested in the program yourself, know someone who might be interested, or otherwise want to get involved with a group of young adults this fall, we’d love to have you join us for an outdoor pizza party in our cob oven, featuring fresh spring toppings from The Eco-Institute garden. Learn more.
Also Thursdays & Saturdays, starting June 1st, 7:30-10:00 am
Summer Garden Cooperative at the Eco-Institute
Do you wish you had an edible garden? Do you love to be outdoors with friends getting your hands dirty? Want to learn more about growing your own fresh vegetables? The Summer Garden Cooperative starts on June 1st! Grow Food & Friendship!
Register here.
Climate Destabilization gatherings on the 2nd and 4th Sundays each month at the Oasis Cafe in Carrboro, 6:30-8:30 pm. Carr Mill Mall, 200 N. Greensboro Street. More info here.
Topic on May 12th is “What are the Real Causes and Why the Climate May Tip,” with a presentation with visuals by Norbert Lechner.
Tuesdays with(out) Tillis, join an awesome group of activists and speakers every Tuesday in Raleigh as different themes, actions, and issues are shared, 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, Federal Building, 310 New Bern Avenue, Raleigh. Follow their Facebook page for more information on upcoming themes and actions.
May 15, Bio(gas) Hazards: Dirty Air, Factory Farms and Climate Change webinar
8 pm, Webinar co-sponsored by Food and Water Watch, NC Environmental Justice Network, NC WARN and others. Link to register here.
Manure-to-energy or “biogas” is a false solution. Oil and gas companies are teaming up with factory farms to sell us a greenwashed nightmare: manure as renewable energy. But all we get is dirty air, factory farms and climate impacts. We’ll look at the flawed economic reasoning behind it, learn about the harms to communities on the front lines of this buildout, and talk about real energy solutions to address the climate crisis.
May 15, Climate Change and the Future of Energy Policy In North Carolina
6:30-8:30 pm, Union Presbyterian Seminary in the Main Chapel, 5141 Sharon Road, Charlotte
You are cordially invited to attend a very important interactive Town Hall meeting and Symposium. Moderated by former Mayor Jennifer Roberts, with Charlotte City Councilwoman Dimple Ajmera, Rev. Rodney Sadler, Rev. Mac Legerton, Amanda Robertson and more.
Pollinator Garden Tours — May-October
480 Hillsboro Street, Pittsboro, at the Chatham Marketplace lawn
Join Agriculture Extension Agent Debbie Roos for tours of the N.C. Cooperative Extension of Chatham County’s Pollinator Paradise Demonstration Garden. Tours are free and open to the public. Upcoming tours on May 18 and 23. More information and schedule here.
May 22, DEQ Secretary’s Environmental Justice and Equity Board meeting
10:30 am – 5:00 pm, UNC Charlotte, Harris Alumni Center, Tate Hall (Conference Room)
May 24, Global Strike for Climate 2
1 – 4 pm, Halifax Mall, 16 W. Jones St, Raleigh
In solidarity with people around the world, gather with youth and adults outside the North Carolina State Legislature Building on Halifax Mall. Bring a sign. More information.
June 1, Dealing with Climate Change at the Local and State Levels
10:30 am, Chapel Hill Public Library Meeting Room A, Chapel Hill
Rick Savage, President of Carolina Wetlands Association, will present. Rick is Co-Chair of the Steering Committee of the Wetland Forest Initiative and Chair of the Town of Cary’s Environmental Advisory Board. He ispart of the Governor’s Natural and Working Land workgroup to develop plans for extensive forest and wetland restoration to sequester carbon. Climate change has been a primary focus of Rick’s.
June 2, Farm to Fork Picnic at Fearrington Village
4-7 pm, Pittsboro
A joyous celebration of local foods and the people who artfully produce and prepare them, Bon Appétit magazine called it “the country’s best all-you-can-eat feast”! We’ll return to the beautiful grounds of Fearrington Village, where dozens of our area’s best chefs, farmers, artisan producers and beverage providers will create a dizzying array of delectable dishes highlighting the bounty of the season. The Picnic also features fun activities for children and live music. Ticket information.
A joyous celebration of local foods and the people who artfully produce and prepare them, Bon Appétit magazine called it “the country’s best all-you-can-eat feast”! We’ll return to the beautiful grounds of Fearrington Village, where dozens of our area’s best chefs, farmers, artisan producers and beverage providers will create a dizzying array of delectable dishes highlighting the bounty of the season. The Picnic also features fun activities for children and live music. Ticket information.
Save the Date!
June 4, Juliana v. US Hearing at Ninth Circuitin Portland
The constitutional youth climate lawsuit, Juliana v. United States, will be heard before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Portland, Oregon. Counsel for youth plaintiffs, Julia Olson, will argue on their behalf and an attorney from the Department of Justice will argue on behalf of the federal government.
Hopefully this historic case will finally begin with no more delays!
TBA, any solidarity actions in NC!