GRANDMOTHERS TO GRANDMOTHERS
Welcome to 1000 Grandmothers for Future Generations
Newsletter #7, May 2022
(Sections are color coded to match this list's colors, so you can focus on what's most interesting to you):
- ACTION ALERTS
- 1000 GRANDMOTHERS KEEP ON SHOWING UP
- "HAVE YOU HEARD" - Climate News Highlights
- RESOURCES
- GRANDMA SAYS
- OUR ORGANIZATIONAL WORK - inside story
ACTION ALERTS
1) May 11. Tell Contra Costa to ban oil and gas drilling
Join via Zoom to support the Contra Costa movement to ban oil and gas drilling in the new county general plan. Despite a powerful youth-led march and rally, more than 3,300 county residents’ signatures on a petition, and appeals from many community groups, the Planning Commission is preparing to approve continuing fossil fuel extraction in the future, with minimal safeguards. Now is that time for all Bay Area residents to join in and tell Contra Costa: We’re counting on you to ban drilling!
Info and talking points here
2) May 12. Rally for a strong California plan to end fossil fuels, create environmental justice
This year, California's Air Resources Board (CARB) is developing its 2022 Scoping Plan, a blueprint for California’s climate policy for the next 20 years. Join the California Environmental Justice Alliance and climate justice activists all over the state for an online rally to demand a full, coordinated phaseout of fossil fuels; accelerated investments in clean vehicles and mass transit for working-class Californians, and elimination of climate dead-ends like Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) on polluting fuel sources.
Info/rsvp. https://actionnetwork.org/events/ourclimatefuture-virtual-rally/
This year, California's Air Resources Board (CARB) is developing its 2022 Scoping Plan, a blueprint for California’s climate policy for the next 20 years. Join the California Environmental Justice Alliance and climate justice activists all over the state for an online rally to demand a full, coordinated phaseout of fossil fuels; accelerated investments in clean vehicles and mass transit for working-class Californians, and elimination of climate dead-ends like Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) on polluting fuel sources.
Info/rsvp. https://actionnetwork.org/events/ourclimatefuture-virtual-rally/
3) May 15: Robin Wall Kimmerer: Braiding Sweetgrass
Indigenous leader, author and scientist Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer will talk about the themes of her best-selling book, Braiding Sweetgrass, at an in-person and online event hosted by Peninsula Open Space Trust and the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area . A citizen of the Potawatomi Nation, Dr. Kimmerer writes about how integrating native traditions and scientific disciplines can provide us with a roadmap for a sustainable future.
In person Sunday, May 15, California Theater, San Jose
Online: Watch live or any time until Sunday, June.
Info/register here
Indigenous leader, author and scientist Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer will talk about the themes of her best-selling book, Braiding Sweetgrass, at an in-person and online event hosted by Peninsula Open Space Trust and the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area . A citizen of the Potawatomi Nation, Dr. Kimmerer writes about how integrating native traditions and scientific disciplines can provide us with a roadmap for a sustainable future.
In person Sunday, May 15, California Theater, San Jose
Online: Watch live or any time until Sunday, June.
Info/register here
4) May 18. Tell Wells Fargo: Stop financing climate destruction!
In a national week of action to Stop the Money Pipeline, join climate justice activists at Wells Fargo in San Francisco to demand that they cut financing for expansion of fossil fuels. With street theater, dance, and outreach to the public. In April and May, Wall Street banks and insurance companies host their annual shareholder meetings – and at every one, shareholder resolutions will call for an end to fossil fuel expansion.
This is Wall Street's moment of truth: People or Fossil Fuels? https://www.facebook.com/events/507663547567202
In a national week of action to Stop the Money Pipeline, join climate justice activists at Wells Fargo in San Francisco to demand that they cut financing for expansion of fossil fuels. With street theater, dance, and outreach to the public. In April and May, Wall Street banks and insurance companies host their annual shareholder meetings – and at every one, shareholder resolutions will call for an end to fossil fuel expansion.
This is Wall Street's moment of truth: People or Fossil Fuels? https://www.facebook.com/events/507663547567202
5) May 21. Anti-Chevron Day
Join the ninth annual global "Anti-Chevron Day" before Chevron’s Annual General meeting May 26, calling on the international community to “combat impunity by corporations and secure recognition of the human rights violations against affected communities.”
Gate 14, Chevron Oil Refinery, Richmond, May 21, Noon
https://www.facebook.com/events/1867850833605642
Join the ninth annual global "Anti-Chevron Day" before Chevron’s Annual General meeting May 26, calling on the international community to “combat impunity by corporations and secure recognition of the human rights violations against affected communities.”
Gate 14, Chevron Oil Refinery, Richmond, May 21, Noon
https://www.facebook.com/events/1867850833605642
6) June 4 – 5, 11 – 12 The Road to a Livable Climate
350 Bay Area will host two weekends of biking and walking for the climate, with events in many locations across six counties. Each event will feature inspiring speakers, climate points of interest along the way, a delicious lunch, and prizes. Participants’ registration fee of $35 will support the work of 350 Bay Area, as well as local groups Napa Climate NOW!, 350 Sonoma, 350Marin, 350 Contra Costa, 350 East Bay, and 350 San Francisco and allied groups. www.350bayarea.org/livableclimate
350 Bay Area will host two weekends of biking and walking for the climate, with events in many locations across six counties. Each event will feature inspiring speakers, climate points of interest along the way, a delicious lunch, and prizes. Participants’ registration fee of $35 will support the work of 350 Bay Area, as well as local groups Napa Climate NOW!, 350 Sonoma, 350Marin, 350 Contra Costa, 350 East Bay, and 350 San Francisco and allied groups. www.350bayarea.org/livableclimate
All GRANDMOTHERS, this is a QUESTION FOR YOU, : Do you want more frequent action alerts? We will be making a smaller list than our whole list of 1550 Grandmothers to send notices to, about all actions happening between our monthly newsletters. Our newsletter contains action alerts, but sometimes actions come up during the month, or people want more advance notice about actions. If you’re interested in receiving notice about all actions and demonstrations Grandmothers are participating in – or if you have an action item to suggest for an update -- please contact Kat Broomall, [email protected].
GRANDMOTHERS KEEP SHOWING UP
April 19 and 20, Passover action
Grandmothers in San Francisco and Palo Alto joined a national Passover action telling big banks and asset managers to stop investing their money in “Fossil Fuel Pharaohs: oil, gas, and coal companies,” and naming today’s fossil-fueled plagues.
April 21, 1000 Grandmothers Climate Justice Award
On Earth Week, 350 Bay Area presented a Climate Justice Awards to honorees including 1000 Grandmothers for Future Generations. Barbara Rhine, Coordinating Committee member and chair of the Legislative Working Group, made the acceptance speech and played Peg Hunter’s video about our work: https://vimeo.com/695241735/092cb497a0)
Video of the one-hour event here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15HrF1IWV2I265S1g0q2kBgxLibBW96zR/view?usp=sharing
More info about the honorees here: https://350bayarea.org/climate-justice-awardees-2022/
On Earth Week, 350 Bay Area presented a Climate Justice Awards to honorees including 1000 Grandmothers for Future Generations. Barbara Rhine, Coordinating Committee member and chair of the Legislative Working Group, made the acceptance speech and played Peg Hunter’s video about our work: https://vimeo.com/695241735/092cb497a0)
Video of the one-hour event here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15HrF1IWV2I265S1g0q2kBgxLibBW96zR/view?usp=sharing
More info about the honorees here: https://350bayarea.org/climate-justice-awardees-2022/
April 22: Earth Day Action
Grandmothers showed up to support the Earth Day youth climate strike action calling for environmental justice – cleanup and reparations – for the Bayview/Hunters Point and Treasure Island communities contaminated by toxic and radioactive waste from the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard.
Grandmothers showed up to support the Earth Day youth climate strike action calling for environmental justice – cleanup and reparations – for the Bayview/Hunters Point and Treasure Island communities contaminated by toxic and radioactive waste from the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard.
April 24. Telling Wells Fargo: Defund Fossil Fuel
Grandmothers were among 19 people arrested at a direct action at Wells Fargo headquarters, pressuring shareholders to stop the bank from further financing the fossil fuel industry.
Protesters chained themselves to an antique stagecoach on display in the lobby of the building at 420 Montgomery Street. Those arrested were later released.
HAVE YOU HEARD? Climate News Highlights
California regulators allow wastewater from oil drilling to be used in farming
Although fracking water is banned for use in farming, water from conventional drilling is used in nearly 100,000 acres of farmlands. Scientists say there’s little difference – no surprise to Grandmothers. See this article for an analysis of why wastewater with carcinogens and other harmful chemicals continues to irrigate the nuts, citrus, and vegetables we eat.
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/24042022/california-produced-water/
On mining precious metals for clean energy
Lately, some Grandmothers have been talking about how the mining of lithium and other precious metals for clean energy is in itself dirty work. Not only does the mining take place mostly on Indigenous lands worldwide, but the mining process itself is one of the leading industrial polluters in this country. This article/podcast explains the issues and suggests some solutions to this contradiction of our time.
https://www.climateone.org/audio/can-we-get-clean-energy-without-dirty-mines
And this report from the Climate and Community Project lists environmental justice policies that should be added toBiden’s new order invoking the Defense Production Act to ramp up domestic mining for “clean energy technologies.” https://www.climateandcommunity.org/_files/ugd/d6378b_9f3331a1be9346b8b18fc8b7a1b37c47.pdf
How the war in Ukraine affects the environment
Much of the conflict has occurred in highly industrialized eastern Ukraine where missiles have struck ammonia pipelines and chemical plants, & risks to petroleum refineries are grave.
https://www.npr.org/2022/04/24/1094538498/how-the-war-in-ukraine-affects-the-environment
Beyond this, there are enormous impacts on agricultural lands as they are mined, & unexploded ordnance & munitions accumulate. If a disaster at one of Ukraine’s 15 active reactors were to occur, the wider European region would be affected.
CLIMATE JUSTICE RESOURCES
A sampling of sites to help you connect and keep up
ORGANIZATIONS:
Thirdact.org is people over the age of 60 mustering political and economic power to move Washington & Wall Street in the name of a fairer, more sustainable society & planet. Campaigns: Protect Our Vote & Bug the Banks to cut the financial lifeline of the fossil fuel industry.
Stopthemoneypipeline.com is a coalition of over 175 organizations holding the financial backers of climate chaos accountable with multiple campaigns demanding that financial institutions stop funding, insuring, and investing in climate destruction, e.g. BlackRock, the world’s leading investor in fossil fuels and Chase, the biggest global funder of the fossil fuel industry.
NEWS SOURCES
Gas Leaks is a new collaborative project between Climate Nexus, Energy Media, Fossil Free Media, and Sunstone Strategies, highlighting the climate, health and safety risks of methane gas in all its uses and taking on the industry’s misinformation efforts. The hope is that Gas Leaks can help amplify the many grassroots fights against gas going on across the country and put the industry on the defensive as it seeks to make us more dependent on fossil fuels at a time when clean electricity is cheaper, safer and healthier.
Los Angeles Times, Boiling Point. Weekly commentary and articles focusing on California climate issues. Free, sign up for newsletter at: membership. https://www.latimes.com/newsletters/boiling-point
BOOK RECOMMENDATION
“Migrations” by Charlotte McConaghy
A stunning book -- deeply moving, devastating, but somehow also hopeful. Set in the near-ish future when mass extinctions have left a world almost entirely without animals — except the human animals who have brought the world to this. Frannie, the woman at the center, is also damaged and struggling to survive/careening toward destruction. Like a bird, it’s “in her nature” to fly free. She is driven to follow the arctic terns on what may be their final migration to Antarctica.. She joins a fishing crew (otherwise despised for despoiling the ocean and its fish) to make her way -- those characters, too, are sparsely and finely drawn. The writing is exquisite, and the descriptions of nature and the unveiling of understories are done with multi-faceted love.
Pam White
California regulators allow wastewater from oil drilling to be used in farming
Although fracking water is banned for use in farming, water from conventional drilling is used in nearly 100,000 acres of farmlands. Scientists say there’s little difference – no surprise to Grandmothers. See this article for an analysis of why wastewater with carcinogens and other harmful chemicals continues to irrigate the nuts, citrus, and vegetables we eat.
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/24042022/california-produced-water/
On mining precious metals for clean energy
Lately, some Grandmothers have been talking about how the mining of lithium and other precious metals for clean energy is in itself dirty work. Not only does the mining take place mostly on Indigenous lands worldwide, but the mining process itself is one of the leading industrial polluters in this country. This article/podcast explains the issues and suggests some solutions to this contradiction of our time.
https://www.climateone.org/audio/can-we-get-clean-energy-without-dirty-mines
And this report from the Climate and Community Project lists environmental justice policies that should be added toBiden’s new order invoking the Defense Production Act to ramp up domestic mining for “clean energy technologies.” https://www.climateandcommunity.org/_files/ugd/d6378b_9f3331a1be9346b8b18fc8b7a1b37c47.pdf
How the war in Ukraine affects the environment
Much of the conflict has occurred in highly industrialized eastern Ukraine where missiles have struck ammonia pipelines and chemical plants, & risks to petroleum refineries are grave.
https://www.npr.org/2022/04/24/1094538498/how-the-war-in-ukraine-affects-the-environment
Beyond this, there are enormous impacts on agricultural lands as they are mined, & unexploded ordnance & munitions accumulate. If a disaster at one of Ukraine’s 15 active reactors were to occur, the wider European region would be affected.
CLIMATE JUSTICE RESOURCES
A sampling of sites to help you connect and keep up
ORGANIZATIONS:
Thirdact.org is people over the age of 60 mustering political and economic power to move Washington & Wall Street in the name of a fairer, more sustainable society & planet. Campaigns: Protect Our Vote & Bug the Banks to cut the financial lifeline of the fossil fuel industry.
Stopthemoneypipeline.com is a coalition of over 175 organizations holding the financial backers of climate chaos accountable with multiple campaigns demanding that financial institutions stop funding, insuring, and investing in climate destruction, e.g. BlackRock, the world’s leading investor in fossil fuels and Chase, the biggest global funder of the fossil fuel industry.
NEWS SOURCES
Gas Leaks is a new collaborative project between Climate Nexus, Energy Media, Fossil Free Media, and Sunstone Strategies, highlighting the climate, health and safety risks of methane gas in all its uses and taking on the industry’s misinformation efforts. The hope is that Gas Leaks can help amplify the many grassroots fights against gas going on across the country and put the industry on the defensive as it seeks to make us more dependent on fossil fuels at a time when clean electricity is cheaper, safer and healthier.
Los Angeles Times, Boiling Point. Weekly commentary and articles focusing on California climate issues. Free, sign up for newsletter at: membership. https://www.latimes.com/newsletters/boiling-point
BOOK RECOMMENDATION
“Migrations” by Charlotte McConaghy
A stunning book -- deeply moving, devastating, but somehow also hopeful. Set in the near-ish future when mass extinctions have left a world almost entirely without animals — except the human animals who have brought the world to this. Frannie, the woman at the center, is also damaged and struggling to survive/careening toward destruction. Like a bird, it’s “in her nature” to fly free. She is driven to follow the arctic terns on what may be their final migration to Antarctica.. She joins a fishing crew (otherwise despised for despoiling the ocean and its fish) to make her way -- those characters, too, are sparsely and finely drawn. The writing is exquisite, and the descriptions of nature and the unveiling of understories are done with multi-faceted love.
Pam White
GRANDMA SAYS
Dear Grandma,
How does being in 1000 Grandmothers for Future Generations fit you?
Curious
Dear Curious,
Those of us who are older increasingly feel the sweetness of every day as our days feel more fleeting. We watch loved ones fall ill and die, and wonder when we will go. But, at the same time as we grieve what has been and will be lost, we find that the love in our bellies, our throats, and our hearts grows stronger. Even as we face less time ahead than behind, our purpose, and our desire to be of use, can crystalize. Like my sister Grandmothers, I need to rest more than I wish I did, but, at the same time I don’t want to just sit still or turn inward. I feel called to push my aching body to stand in the streets, when I can no longer sit in them; to protest the symbols of power that continue to deny the need to prevent and protect us all from extinction. I feel called to drink in everything that is beautiful, and cherish what is most meaningful. I look around at the Grandmothers who have chosen to come together to strengthen our voices and our roles in the Climate Justice Movement, and I am sure I am in the right place. I think that is what we can ask for right now: to put ourselves in the right places with the right people.
Warmly,
Grandma
1000 GRANDMOTHERS: OUR WORK - inside story
Transitional Coordinating Committee:
With Rochelle, after many years of great work, just leaving the Coordinating Committee -, and in the context of renewed commitments from two of our Transitional Coordinating committee members, we have completed our 'transition' into a new Coordinating Committee. The Committee is continuing to work on how to support new leadership both on and off the Coordinating Committee. We are also working to create written answers to some of the strategic questions that come up repeatedly as we do our work. Three of those questions are:
Engagement Work Group
Attention Grandmothers and Friends!
This is advance notice that the Engagement Work Group will be hosting regular Information Sessions for those who want to know more about 1000 Grandmothers and explore getting involved. We'll include some brief history, an overview of the principles, the basic structure of the group, and time to talk about your interest in the group. Stay tuned for details. Dates will be announced in the newsletter.
Legislative Working Group
The Legislative Working Group (LWG) follows local, state, and federal climate change/environmental justice proposals and bills. Currently we have six active members, and others we have called upon who live in specific legislative districts. We could use more grandmothers who have some time to devote to learning the details and how to act effectively.
Our lunch meeting, previously scheduled for Tuesday May 10th, has been canceled. The Chair, Barbara Rhine, or the Liaison, Susan Penner, will contact existing members to update them. Anyone interested in joining, please send an email to Barbara Rhine at [email protected].
Bills to support: Call or write your California legislators urging them to support these bills—they are slowly progressing through the Legislature:
Long Haul Affinity Group
1. We continue reading Hoodwinked in the Hothouse: Resist False Solutions to Climate Change, a report by the Indigenous Environmental Network. (The online version is available here: https://climatefalsesolutions.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/HOODWINKED_ThirdEdition_On-Screen_version.pdf.)
2. Everyone in Long Haul has finished reading and discussing My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem. Next book – to be determined.
3. As a group, we get to know each other through 2 minute check-ins, discussions about 1000 Grandmother principles, group reading assignments and sharing our experiences at the various actions. Each meeting includes a land acknowledgment, a body-oriented grounding experience, an inspirational reading and some music. The heart and soul put into these offerings and discussions strengthen us and bring us closer together.
HELP WANTED FOR OUR WORK:
We would really appreciate if one or two Grandmothers would step up to help us with our mailing list and/or our Website. Anyone who has experience with websites and mailing list platforms, in general, and/or Mailchimp and Weebly, in particular - would be terrific - but, as none of us are tech whizzes, we would love it if we could find someone who's open to trying to learn how to use these platforms to help us. (This is something you can do from home - so may be particularly appealing for people who want to step up engagement, but can no longer show up at demonstrations...) If you have any interest, please contact Kat Broomall, [email protected].
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Dear Grandma,
How does being in 1000 Grandmothers for Future Generations fit you?
Curious
Dear Curious,
Those of us who are older increasingly feel the sweetness of every day as our days feel more fleeting. We watch loved ones fall ill and die, and wonder when we will go. But, at the same time as we grieve what has been and will be lost, we find that the love in our bellies, our throats, and our hearts grows stronger. Even as we face less time ahead than behind, our purpose, and our desire to be of use, can crystalize. Like my sister Grandmothers, I need to rest more than I wish I did, but, at the same time I don’t want to just sit still or turn inward. I feel called to push my aching body to stand in the streets, when I can no longer sit in them; to protest the symbols of power that continue to deny the need to prevent and protect us all from extinction. I feel called to drink in everything that is beautiful, and cherish what is most meaningful. I look around at the Grandmothers who have chosen to come together to strengthen our voices and our roles in the Climate Justice Movement, and I am sure I am in the right place. I think that is what we can ask for right now: to put ourselves in the right places with the right people.
Warmly,
Grandma
1000 GRANDMOTHERS: OUR WORK - inside story
Transitional Coordinating Committee:
With Rochelle, after many years of great work, just leaving the Coordinating Committee -, and in the context of renewed commitments from two of our Transitional Coordinating committee members, we have completed our 'transition' into a new Coordinating Committee. The Committee is continuing to work on how to support new leadership both on and off the Coordinating Committee. We are also working to create written answers to some of the strategic questions that come up repeatedly as we do our work. Three of those questions are:
- What kinds of activities fit into our climate jusice organization, and what activities might we support as individuals - but do not fit into our work as an organization?;
- What do we mean when we say that our work supports BIPOC leadership?; and
- What does it mean to be not just a Climate Justice Organization – but a Grandmothers’ Climate Justice Organization?
Engagement Work Group
Attention Grandmothers and Friends!
This is advance notice that the Engagement Work Group will be hosting regular Information Sessions for those who want to know more about 1000 Grandmothers and explore getting involved. We'll include some brief history, an overview of the principles, the basic structure of the group, and time to talk about your interest in the group. Stay tuned for details. Dates will be announced in the newsletter.
Legislative Working Group
The Legislative Working Group (LWG) follows local, state, and federal climate change/environmental justice proposals and bills. Currently we have six active members, and others we have called upon who live in specific legislative districts. We could use more grandmothers who have some time to devote to learning the details and how to act effectively.
Our lunch meeting, previously scheduled for Tuesday May 10th, has been canceled. The Chair, Barbara Rhine, or the Liaison, Susan Penner, will contact existing members to update them. Anyone interested in joining, please send an email to Barbara Rhine at [email protected].
Bills to support: Call or write your California legislators urging them to support these bills—they are slowly progressing through the Legislature:
- SB 1173 (Gonzalez and Wiener) would divest public retirement systems from fossil fuel investments https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220SB1173 — other environmental groups such as 350 Bay Area Action and Youth vs Apocalypse are supporting this bill
- AB 2419 would require that federal climate and infrastructure investments will advance California’s goals to promote equity, environmental justice, and good jobs through targeted investments to disadvantaged and low-income communities. Sponsored by the California Green New Deal Coalition https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB2419
Long Haul Affinity Group
1. We continue reading Hoodwinked in the Hothouse: Resist False Solutions to Climate Change, a report by the Indigenous Environmental Network. (The online version is available here: https://climatefalsesolutions.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/HOODWINKED_ThirdEdition_On-Screen_version.pdf.)
2. Everyone in Long Haul has finished reading and discussing My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem. Next book – to be determined.
3. As a group, we get to know each other through 2 minute check-ins, discussions about 1000 Grandmother principles, group reading assignments and sharing our experiences at the various actions. Each meeting includes a land acknowledgment, a body-oriented grounding experience, an inspirational reading and some music. The heart and soul put into these offerings and discussions strengthen us and bring us closer together.
HELP WANTED FOR OUR WORK:
We would really appreciate if one or two Grandmothers would step up to help us with our mailing list and/or our Website. Anyone who has experience with websites and mailing list platforms, in general, and/or Mailchimp and Weebly, in particular - would be terrific - but, as none of us are tech whizzes, we would love it if we could find someone who's open to trying to learn how to use these platforms to help us. (This is something you can do from home - so may be particularly appealing for people who want to step up engagement, but can no longer show up at demonstrations...) If you have any interest, please contact Kat Broomall, [email protected].
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
- Reports from your group or circle: If your 1000 Grandmothers group has anything you want to share in the next newsletter, please send it in by June 1.
- Book suggestions: Have you recently read a book you would recommend to other Grandmothers? Send us the title, author, and a short description of the book and why you recommend it. We’ll pick out one suggestion to include in the next newsletter.
- Pictures of 1000 Grandmothers in action: If you attend any demonstrations with other Grandmothers, please take pictures and email them to us to include in the newsletter and website.
- Feedback on this newsletter: We appreciate your expressions of appreciation but we would love to get any more specific feedback you have – what you like, what you could live without, changes you would like to see.