Howdy!
Oh my, the pollen has been thick the past couple days, but the dogwood blooms and bird songs are beautiful! It’s April, so there are MANY things happening!
I’ll start with some great news. The City of Durham is the latest municipality in NC that has passed a 100% renewable energy resolution. Yeah! I think it’s one of the strongest resolutions in the state!
If you haven’t done so already, please sign the Energy Justice NC (EJNC) Coalition’s Energy Choice Petition at this linkand spread the word! Individuals, organizations, and businesses can sign on to endorse the campaign! We are calling on our elected and civic leaders in NC to:
*End Duke Energy’s monopoly
*Transition to 100% renewable energy
*Refuse toxic money, and
*Appoint utilities commissioners who will protect the people.
*Transition to 100% renewable energy
*Refuse toxic money, and
*Appoint utilities commissioners who will protect the people.
Also, check out this great op-ed by Ayo and Bobby, “NC Needs Energy Choice, Not Monopoly Control,” in the Goldsboro paper about our EJNC End the Duke Monopoly campaign.
April 9, Pipelines: What They Go Through — A Panel Discussion
5:30-7 pm, NCCU School of Law, 640 Nelson St., Durham
Getting beyond the flurries of news about maneuvers on the Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley Pipelines, this panel will cover personal and legal aspects of protecting the places the pipelines would go through.
The panelists include:
* Emily Sutton — Riverkeeper, Haw River Assembly
* Andrew Curley — Department of Geography, UNC-CH, who studies resource conflicts and tribal sovereignty
* Nancy Rosborough — a landowner on the route of the Mountain Valley Pipeline
* Catherine Cralle Jones — Attorney with Law Offices of F. Bryan Brice, Jr. who has represented landowners affected by pipelines
* Emily Sutton — Riverkeeper, Haw River Assembly
* Andrew Curley — Department of Geography, UNC-CH, who studies resource conflicts and tribal sovereignty
* Nancy Rosborough — a landowner on the route of the Mountain Valley Pipeline
* Catherine Cralle Jones — Attorney with Law Offices of F. Bryan Brice, Jr. who has represented landowners affected by pipelines
**Actions to take!!
Stop Dominion Energy’s Attempt to Get Congress to Pass Legislation that Allows the Atlantic Coast Pipeline to Cross theAppalachian Trail!
Please contact your U.S.Senators and Representative!
In December 2018, theU.S. Court of Appeals – 4th Circuit (Richmond) overturned the U.S. Forest Service approval for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline to cross the Appalachian Trail.Dominion has announced that they will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Dominion is trying to circumvent the court’s decision by sneaking a bill through Congress thatwill allow the crossing. Legislation could also affect Mountain Valley Pipeline’s A.T. crossing.
Locate your representatives and their contact info here: http://myreps.datamade.us/
Tell Congress that you oppose any attempt to change the rules to benefit Dominion and push through this unnecessary, TOXIC pipeline!
Call Governor Roy Cooper and address allegations of environmental injustice related to the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline!!
From Ryan Emanuel: “For two years, North Carolinians have called on state and federal governments to address the project’s disproportionate impacts on rural communities, low-income communities, and communities of color. Native American tribal governments, the NC Commission of Indian Affairs, and the National Congress of American Indians have criticized the state over its failure to acknowledge and address these allegations. The NAACP, the Poor People’s Campaign, The NC Council of Churches, and the Climate Reality Project have all called out the state government over allegations of injustice related to the pipeline. Energy and climate experts point out that continued investment in fossil fuel infrastructure, especially fracked gas, will irreversibly damage Earth’s life support systems. North Carolina’s environmental equity policy, established in 2000, says that the state will “respond in a meaningful manner to allegations of environmental injustice.” After two years, there has been no response.”
You can contact Governor Cooper in the following ways:
Web: https://governor.nc.gov/contact/contact-governor-cooper
Text Message: https://resist.bot
Phone: (919) 814-2000
If you are uncertain about the issues and would like to learn more, you can read Ryan’s 2017 commentary in Science Magazine.
Month of April Earth & Climate Justice Month at Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
4907 Garrett Road, Durham
Join in several events including the Drawdown EcoChallenge, and the Sustainable Living Fair on April 27. More details.
Tuesdays with Tillis, join activists every Tuesday in Raleigh as different themes and issues are shared, 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, Federal Building, 310 New Bern Avenue, Raleigh. Tomorrow will be week number 116 for this amazing group of activists! Follow their facebook page for more information on upcoming themes and actions.
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.
Rising Earth: Transformative Permaculture Immersion at The Eco-Institute
Do you know a change-maker between the ages of 18-28 ready to leverage the transformative power of permaculture?
Please share! Click here to learn more, apply, or join the interest list.
April 13, 2019 Walk/Run/Bike for Umstead!
8 am-1:30 pm, 6000 Reedy Creek Rd, Raleigh
Kids activities, art vendors, food trucks, pollinator plant sale, music. More information
April 14, Climate Panel: A Discussion on Local and Global Climate Change
4-6:00 pm, Wellness Center Room 148, Duke University
Join Environmental Alliance for a panel discussion on climate change, its direction, and what you can do locally and regionally to have an impactful change on this important issue. We would like this discussion to be as enlightening and inspiring as possible (as well as both locally and globally relevant). In order to bring attention to the facts on a national and international scale as well as bring it back to the student body and the Durham community, we’re bringing together several non-profit members, local politicians and advocates, and Duke professors to speak on their perspective and provide very necessary information on how this issue will impact us in the United States.
April 16, Sustainable Spirits
5:30-7:30 pm, 460 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill
Sustainable Spiritsis a casual monthly gathering for the sustainability community organized by the North Carolina Composting Council. It’s free, unstructured, and open to everyone interested in anything from renewable energy and civic engagement to green building, organic farming, and beyond! Each month we gather at breweries, restaurants and sometimes even gardens around the greater Triangle area and beyond. We target zero waste establishments because they think like we do that the earth is not to be wasted and compost can change the world! This month we’re at Carolina Brewery in Chapel Hill. Join us and you’ll find intelligent conversation with people who care about sustainability.
April 16, Coal Ash, Lead, & Aging Infrastructure: Stories of North Carolina Drinking Water
6:30 pm, Motorco Music Hall, 723 Rigsbee Ave., Durham
Periodic Tables science gathering. Every drink of water is a risk: Where did it come from? How did it get there? What chemicals or microbes are in it? Who processed it and how well? Come listen to an interdisciplinary group of Duke University students showcase their creative projects, sharing insights they learned from communities and stakeholders across the state about the kinds of risks they encounter in their drinking water. This Periodic Tables presentation focuses on three different case studies that explore water and risk in North Carolina: lead contamination in Durham, coal ash impoundments in Belmont, and aging infrastructure in Orange County. Collectively, these case studies make visible the structural risks built into our politics, laws, and infrastructure. Reserve your $5 ticket here.
Periodic Tables science gathering. Every drink of water is a risk: Where did it come from? How did it get there? What chemicals or microbes are in it? Who processed it and how well? Come listen to an interdisciplinary group of Duke University students showcase their creative projects, sharing insights they learned from communities and stakeholders across the state about the kinds of risks they encounter in their drinking water. This Periodic Tables presentation focuses on three different case studies that explore water and risk in North Carolina: lead contamination in Durham, coal ash impoundments in Belmont, and aging infrastructure in Orange County. Collectively, these case studies make visible the structural risks built into our politics, laws, and infrastructure. Reserve your $5 ticket here.
April 18, Majora Carter
5:30-6:30 reception; 6:30- 8 pm program, Wellness Center, Room 148, Duke University
Join Sustainable Duke and the Undergraduate Environmental Union for an afternoon with Majora Carter, an American urban revitalization strategist and public radio host from the South Bronx area of New York City. Come out for free food and enlightening discussion with this eco-friendly visionary!
April 20 & 21, 100th Firing
W.M.Hewitt Pottery, 424 Johnny Burke Road, Pittsboro
In April, 2019 Mark Hewitt and his apprentices and helpers will fire the kiln he built in 1983 for the 100th time. It’s a momentous occasion that calls for a memorable celebration! So we’re hosting one for all of you ~ a special Kiln Opening celebration that goes on all day Saturday, April 20th (8-5pm) and Sunday, April 21st (noon-5pm)!
Details and info here
Continuing NC Department of Environmental Quality Listening Sessions on North Carolina’s “Clean Energy Plan”
More information here.
April 11, 12:30-2:30, Museum of the Albemarle, 501 S Water St, Elizabeth City
May 7, 12:30-2:30 in Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College
May 14, 1-3:30 pm in Charlotte; UNC Charlotte, EPIC Auditorium
May 17, 1-3:30 in Greensboro; NC A&T State Univ., Academic Classroom Bldg Auditorium
June 5, 1-3:30 in Asheville; The Collider
June 18 in Greenville; ECU, Center for Sustainable Energy & Environmental Engineering
More information here.
April 11, 12:30-2:30, Museum of the Albemarle, 501 S Water St, Elizabeth City
May 7, 12:30-2:30 in Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College
May 14, 1-3:30 pm in Charlotte; UNC Charlotte, EPIC Auditorium
May 17, 1-3:30 in Greensboro; NC A&T State Univ., Academic Classroom Bldg Auditorium
June 5, 1-3:30 in Asheville; The Collider
June 18 in Greenville; ECU, Center for Sustainable Energy & Environmental Engineering
April 24, Durham Green New Deal Town Hall
6:30- 8:30 pm, Hayti Heritage Center, 804 Old Fayetteville St, Durham
Join us at this Town Hall to hear leaders in our community share about how the Green New Deal is the biggest opportunity of our lifetime to invest in the American people, and what that looks like for us.The town hall will feature a number of movement and community leaders to speak about the vision of the Green New Deal and what this means for our community. Participants will reflect on the pain of living through the climate crisis, the fury at the fossil fuel billionaires and political elites who have failed us, the hope of finally having an opportunity to solve the crisis, and the resolve to see that opportunity all the way through to governing power. More information.
April 27-28, 24th Annual Piedmont Farm Tour
The nation’s largest sustainable farm tour, the always fun and educational Piedmont Farm Tour offers the opportunity to tour 40+ local farms across Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Guilford, Johnston, Orange, Person, and Wake Counties. Come pet baby animals, smell the flowers, and devour delicious fruits, mushrooms, veggies, dairy, and meat produced in the Piedmont! More information about the farms and tickets here.
April 27, Paddle against the Mountain Valley Pipeline
9 am – 1:30 pm, Red Slide Park, 103 Elk St. Haw River
Join Elon Sierra ClubThe family-friendly picnic will be at Red Slide Park (where paddlers start from).**You do not have to paddle to enjoy the afternoon festivities.
Join the Haw RiverKeeper and Elon Sierra Club on a short paddle to learn more about the proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline Southgate Extension proposed to come through Alamance County. We will gather at Red Slide Park in the Town of Haw River at 9 am and start to paddle down the Haw River at 10 am. When we arrive at the Graham Paddle Access around noon, we will take out our boats and then gather back at Red Slide Park for food and fun, learn information about the pipeline, its proposed route, and also hear testimonials from individuals who have been directly affected by this pipeline.**The family-friendly picnic will be at Red Slide Park (where paddlers start from). You do not have to paddle to enjoy the afternoon festivities! RSVP and more information.
May 2, Waste Not: Moving your Congregation Toward Zero Waste
Church of the Nativity, 8849 Ray Rd, Raleigh
Church of the Nativity, 8849 Ray Rd, Raleigh
How can people of faith find hope in caring for God’s creation when the issues seem so big? Can small steps to “Waste Not” done with great love really make a difference? More information here.
May 3rd is the next Global Youth Strike.
There will be strikes taking place across the U.S. also. No details yet, but check out this link for updates.
May 4, 2019 Haw River Festival
4-8 pm, Saxapahaw
Haw River Assembly is hosting our 30th Annual Haw River Festival! There will be live music, a farmers’ market, food truck vendors, a silent auction, river monitoring, a puppet parade, and canoe rides for the kids! This event is the kick off the 15th year of Saturdays in Saxapahaw, a summer long market and music festival! More information.
May 4, Native Plant Sale & Festival
2-7 pm, NC Botanical Garden, 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill
Purchase native plants from the NCBG nursery as well as from Niche Gardens, Cure Nursery, Mellow Marsh Farm, and Growing Wild Nursery. There will be a food truck village and an environmental fair. The plant sale begins at 2 pm and the other activities start at 3 pm.
Purchase native plants from the NCBG nursery as well as from Niche Gardens, Cure Nursery, Mellow Marsh Farm, and Growing Wild Nursery. There will be a food truck village and an environmental fair. The plant sale begins at 2 pm and the other activities start at 3 pm.
Happy spring and thanks for reading this far!
Peace and love for our beautiful Earth, Karen
350 Triangle Coordinator