Howdy!
 
Hope you’ve been enjoying this lovely spring weather! A few upcoming events.  
 
TODAY! May 2, No MVP Southgate Walk & Concert Convergences
It’s too late to sign up to walk, but you can still join the special gatherings in support of our waters and communities at the Dan and Haw Rivers at 3 pm or 6 pm.
Pandemic safe protocols followed.
 
3 pm, Dan River, Draper’s Landing: 763 South Fieldcrest Rd., Eden NC. Rally, concert with the SUN SiNG Collective and others, water ceremony, and speakers.
6 pm, Haw River, Red Slide Park: 389 Lang Street, Haw River, NC. Raging Grannies, music, speakers, water blessing, and closing ceremonies.  
More information here

Good news last week. The NC Department of Environmental Quality denied Mountain Valley Pipeline’s Southgate’s water quality permit — again! Read Lisa Sorg’s article here for more information. It’s time to STOP the MVP Southgate and MVP pipeline for good!!
 
May 4, Duke Energy’s Climate Change Denialism
9:30 – 11 am, online
The Duke Energy Accountability Coalition’s People’s Commission will convene its second hearing to shine a light on Duke’s policies and practices that resist clean energy solutions and rely heavily on fossil fuels that stand squarely in the way of addressing the climate emergency.

Those who will testify before the People’s Commission: 
Jennifer Washburn, general counsel at the nonprofit Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana
Heaven Campbell, Florida program director for the nonprofit Solar United Neighbors
Cathy Buckley, Director of statewide organizing at the nonprofit NC Alliance To Protect Our People and the Places We Live
 
More information and registration here
May 7, Defund Line 3 Global Day of Action
Actions will be taking place around the country. 
Charlotte Banks – #DefundLine3! 
3-5:00 pm,  Founders’ Hall Plaza – Sidewalk,  100 N Tryon St, Charlotte
Join people in Charlotte (outside Bank of America’s headquarters corner) for a vigil, speakers, art, leafletting, and postcard writing. More info and RSVP here
 
From home, you can also: Tell Banks: #DefundLine3
Join others in demanding banks like Chase, Citi, Bank of America and TD Bank to STOP financing Line 3. Send a direct email to CEOs to demand they stop funding the toxic Line 3 pipeline. Your email will go directly to the CEOs, executives, and board members of the banks funding Line 3. You can also call Chase asking them to stop funding Line 3. More details on sending letters and making calls here. If you’re on social media, spread the word on May 7th!
 
Check out this great video No More Pipeline Blues featuring Bonnie Raitt and the Indigo Girls here.
 
May 11, The Red Black and Green New Deal Climate Summit 2021
6-8 pm, online 
Register here for the launch of the RBGND.
 
More ways to TAKE ACTION!
 
The THRIVE Act was introduced last week in Congress. Please send an email here or call your Representative and Senators asking them to support the THRIVE Act. Fact sheet link here.
 
Tell the North Carolina Division of Air Quality (DAQ) to protect people from UNC’s dirty coal plant that has been in the community for more than 100 years! Among the most hardest-hit areas is the historically Black neighborhood of Pine Knolls, which sits directly across the street. The DAQ’s draft air permit would weaken pollution limits for the UNC coal plant and get rid of the most basic pollution-control measure. The more coal burned, the more pollution it will send out into the air. 

Tell the Division of Air Quality it must strengthen, not weaken, the controls on UNC’s pollution and restore the heat input limit.
Sign here
 
There is also an online public hearing on the coal plant May 4 at 6 pm.  If you would like to give a public comment, you must register by May 4 at 4 pm. Register here or call 919- 618-0968. 
WebX info for 6 pm hearing: Phone: 1-415-655-0003, Access Code 185 344 4346 

WebEx Link: https://bit.ly/2NSBHHp
Event Password: NCDAQ 

 
You can also submit written comments by emailing [email protected] with the subject line [“UNC.15B”]. You may also leave a voicemail comment at 919- 707-8726. All comments will be accepted until May 6, at 5 pm.

AIG: Stop Inusring the Climate Crisis
AIG is one of the top insurers of coal, oil, and gas in the world, with billions more in fossil fuel investments. Demand AIG stop fueling the climate crisis and Indigenous rights abuses. It’s time to drop coverage of coal, tar sands, and ALL fossil fuel expansion. Send a letter here.
 
Job opening! NC WARN is seeking an assistant director. Check out the job description here and share with people you know who might be interested.
 
If you missed the excellent Climate Webinar hosted by Debbie Roos with the Chatham County NC Cooperative Extension featuring Rebecca Ward with the NC State Climate Office, here is a link to the recording.
 
The above are just a few things going on this upcoming week!
 
Peace and love for our beautiful Earth, Karen