Ecominds-a Mailing List: June MUUSA EcoMinds minutes

[Ralph Wyman (rwmuusja]

                                     MUUSJA EcoMinds ? Draft Meeting Notes,
June 9, 2009

Next meeting:
Thursday, August 6th.  First Universalist in Minneapolis
Social time w/ Pizza, salad, drinks @ 6:30 pm
Bring a salad, bars, or beverage to share.  We will order Galactic Pizza for
entrée.
Meeting 7:00 ? 9:00 pm


*  350.org
October 24th - Copenhagen Intl Climate Change treaty round of negotiations
start w/in a week or so of October 24th.
MUUSJA has been asked to collaborate with the other UU State Networks to
reach out to all 26 (27 w/ Moorhead[Fargo]) congregations.  The idea is to
get congregations to sponsor an event that has some theme of 350.  Like
planting 350 flower bulbs, or serving 350 bowls of 'stone soup' etc.  This
is because many scientists now think we need to get the earth below 350
parts per million (ppm) of carbon.  We are currently at 390 ppm and rising.
Wawman only strives for 450.

Actions - can we link 350 to the fundraising walk?  Serve 350 bowls of soup
to walkers?  Pre sell tickets, money goes to ____?

Marcy & Cecelia will check out www.350.org and write up a blurb for
newsletters and actions.

*  EPA testimony recap
See http://www.uua.org/news/newssubmissions/142655.shtml for a write-up of
the joint testimony offered by UU Legislative Ministry of Maryland on behalf
of MUUSJA and the other state Networks on the EPA finding for green house
gas regulation.  This was a great way for multiple state UU groups to get
our voice heard collectively at a high level of government.

*  Waxman-Markey
Is it too watered down?  Sierra club or Move On may be mobilizing. (Note 1
Sky is mobilizing a "strengthen the bill" fax campaign
http://action.1sky.org/t/4153/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=1642).
Ralph will attend a 1 Sky conference call (...notes already sent out).

*  HIRE
Catie is covering many of the HIRE meetings, Ralph some.
1) June 2 - HIRE community meeting, many electeds were there. Good recap of
the session.  This summer HIRE central committee will retreat and work on
goals/vision/plans.  Lots of people signed up to be on work groups.
2) June 6 - Louis King spoke at a transportation public meeting called by
Rep Keith Ellison.  Good discussion of impacts of transit on communities,
and jobs for low income and community people.  Havnig Louis stepping up as a
leader is changing the dialog!  The moments when Louis talks about his new
friendship with Will Steger and how minority communities who have previously
not engaged in climate change work is moving.  And the flip side - enviro's
starting to really get that we have to figure out how addressing climate
helps lift people out of poverty is to all our benefit too as a movement.

*  State Fair
Not planned for this year.  It was a good project, run its course.

*  Weatherization
Come fall, MUUSJA can help promote the nearly $200 million in Fed.
weatherization money that MN is getting.  There are folks in UU
congregations that probably can qualify for the program (can't assume that
all UUs are out of low-income brackets).  As Van Jones said here recently -
at Ted Mann event - the US is watching Minnesota and how we implement this
program.  It needs to succeed so that it shows the way for other states.  
- Table @ coffee hours with info at various UU congregations this fall.  

*  C3 Networking meeting
5- 8 p.m., Thurs July 18
St. Joan of Arc, Minneapolis
- WBUUC will be one of 3 congregations highlighted.