Draw the Line Say NO to Fossil Fuel Exports with Bill McKibben!
Two years ago, retired NASA climatologist James Hansen famously said that if we allowed the development of Keystone XL, it would be “game over” for the climate. But today there were over 200 Draw the Line actions that took place across the country saying emphatically that that is not going to happen. Draw the Line: Stop Keystone XL - Sept. 21st I attended the one in Seattle. The keynote speaker was Bill McKibben. It was a great day of environmental activism. Please go below the fold to check out the pictures I took and some key things I learned.
Trans-Pacific Partnership. We need to stop Fast Track Authority.
There were workshops (in two sessions) on topics including: an overview of all of the infrastructure projects currently on the table in the Northwest, tar sands in Washington State, theTrans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the current status of the coal train proposals, ocean acidification, a possible WA carbon tax, Nonviolent Direct Action, and Plant for the Planet. There were kids art-making and Plant for the Planet tents in both sessions; and the whole event was family friendly.The sessions were very informative and very well attended.
Ambassadors for the Planet – Informed and articulate.
Following these workshops the crowd (between 1,000 -1,500) gathered to hear the speeches. Right before the speeches began the Plant for the Planet Amassadors confronted the nasty train trying to ship coal from west coast ports to markets in Asia.
These young Ambassadors were the first to speak and immediately touched the hearts of all in the crowd.
Our line in the sand! Below are the workshops I attended and links so you can learn what I learned today.The Trans-Pacific Partnership A “free trade” agreement that would set rules on non-trade matters such as food safety, internet freedom, medicine costs, financial regulation, and the environment. 2. A binding international governance system that would require the United States, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam, and any other country that signs on to conform their domestic policies to its rules. 3. A secret trade negotiation that has included over 600 official corporate “trade advisors” while hiding the text from Members of Congress, governors, state legislators, the press, civil society, and the public.


