Take Action for Climate Justice!

As the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) heads to the floor of the US House of Representatives, it's vital to preserve and enhance the climate adaptation funding, which will invest in life-saving projects to help vulnerable communities cope with climate change, found in the current version of the bill. Take a moment to add your voice to those calling for climate justice by completing this quick-and-easy form.

A May 21 Oxfam America press release included an assessment of international adaptation funding as passed by the Energy and Commerce Committee:

International Adaptation — The bill establishes an important program for international climate adaptation in the most vulnerable developing countries, but the bill allocates only 1% of the value from the bill (about $750 million a year) for the program. This is an important start but far short of the significant need in developing countries already facing serious climate-related impacts and the amount that will be necessary to achieve a global agreement.

As noted here, current adaptation funding in ACES is only a small step in the right direction. Ask Congress to take advantage of this opportunity to stop harming the environment and start helping those already suffering from climate change through greater investment in adaptation. Stay tuned for developments!

Congressional resolution recognizes the plight of women in the face of climate change

Oxfam America praised a resolution introduced in the US House of Representatives recognizing the disparate impact of climate change on women and the efforts of women globally to address climate change.

Introduced last week by Congresswomen Barbara Lee (D-CA), Betty McCollum (D-MN) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA), House Concurrent Resolution 98 affirms the commitment of Congress to support women globally to prepare for, build resilience for, and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

"The efforts of Congresswomen Lee, McCollum, and Eshoo will help raise awareness about the impacts of global warming on women. The resolution is timely, especially as Congress undertakes legislative action on global warming," said Vicky Rateau, manager of Oxfam America's climate change campaign.

When natural disasters strike, they hit poor communities first and worst, according to Oxfam. Since women make up an estimated 70 percent of those living below the poverty line, they are most likely to bear the heaviest burdens. At the same time, women are often left out of the conversation about adapting to climate change, even though they are sometimes in the best position to provide solutions.

The resolution affirms the commitment of Congress to empower women to have a voice in the planning and implementation of strategies to address climate change so that their roles and resources are taken into account. The resolution also encourages President Obama to consider the impacts of climate change on women while developing policies and programs to address climate change.

Co-sponsors of the resolution include Rep. Baldwin, Rep. Butterfield, Rep. Capps, Rep. Christensen, Rep. Clarke, Rep. Edwards, Rep. Hastings, Rep. Kucinich, Rep Lewis, Rep. Payne, and Rep. Speier.

"As we work to address the devastating impacts of climate change on a global and national level, we must ensure that our policies help women prepare for, build their resilience, and adapt to the adverse impact that climate change has across the globe," said Rateau.

We are thrilled to announce that Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (14th District) has accepted Oxfam's invitation to become a Sisters on the Planet Ambassador! She joins many other prominent women leaders across the US who have accepted leadership roles in highlighting the effects of climate change on women. Other S.O.P. Ambassadors include Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius; award-winning journalist Elizabeth Becker; Reverend Sally Bingham; and League of Women Voters president Mary Wilson.

We are also thrilled to announce our upcoming FREE San Francisco Screening of Sisters on the Planet!

When: Sunday, March 1st, 1:00-3:00pm
Where: Grace Cathedral- Gresham Hall
What: FREE Screening and Informative Afternoon
Why: See previous post below=)

RSVP to oxfam.sf@gmail.com. We hope to see you there!

Women as Agents of Change

When natural disasters strike, they hit poor communities first and worst. And since women make up an estimated 70 percent of those living below the poverty line, they are most likely to bear the heaviest burdens. At the same time, women are often left out of the conversation about adapting to climate change, even though they are sometimes in the best position to provide solutions.

In most poor communities, women play dual roles. As providers, they usually work in agriculture or other informal sectors, and they collect food, water, and fuel. As caretakers, they look after the children, sick, and elderly; the home; and the family’s assets. As a result, women often have invaluable knowledge about adapting to erratic environmental changes. When women are included equally with men in disaster preparedness training, their survival rates improve.

However, socially constructed roles and responsibilities usually put women at a disadvantage in preparing for climate change. Women have less access to resources, are frequently unable to swim or leave the house unattended, and are less likely to migrate to look for shelter and work when a disaster hits. Statistically, women (and children) are more likely to die than
men during disasters.

When women participate in decision-making at national and community levels, they can help devise effective climate change solutions that build stronger communities.

Click here to download a PDF Climate Change and Women Fact Sheet!

Obama's Commitment; New SOP Version; Senator Boxer to Take Quick Action

Obama's video speech at the Governors' Global Climate Summit in Los Angeles indicated that climate change is a high priority for the incoming Administration. Below are some of his remarks, and you can watch the video to experience the full speech.

"Few challenges facing America - and the world - are more urgent than combating climate change. The science is beyond dispute and the facts are clear. Sea levels are rising. Coastlines are shrinking. We've seen record drought, spreading famine, and storms that are growing stronger with each passing hurricane season. Climate change and our dependence on foreign oil, if left unaddressed, will continue to weaken our economy and threaten our national security."

"My presidency will mark a new chapter in America's leadership on climate change that will strengthen our security and create millions of new jobs in the process."

Following the president-elect's video speech, Oxfam America's VP for Policy and Communications, Jim Lyons, spoke at the Summit and showed an excellent new narrated version of Sisters on the Planet. Click here to watch the video.

A few days later, Sen. Barbara Boxer announced her action plan.

"President-elect Obama's clear, unequivocal commitment to stepping up to the challenge of global warming was music to my ears. I believe strongly that when we address the threat of unchecked global warming by investing in clean energy technologies and reducing our dependence on foreign oil, we also have a recipe for economic recovery. The time to start is now, and my colleagues and I are here to step up to President-elect Obama's call to action to address global warming and create millions of green jobs in America. Today I am announcing the first steps that I will be taking in connection with President-elect Obama's historic challenge to address global warming.

First, I will be introducing two pieces of legislation in January. The first bill will establish a grant program to reduce global warming emissions under the Clean Air Act with up to $15 billion a year available to spur innovations in clean energy, including advanced biofuels. This will be an economic stimulus and follows President-elect Obama's recommendation. Clean energy means green jobs. A new report from the U.S. Conference of Mayors estimates that by 2038, another 4.2 million green jobs could be added to the economy - thanks to the alternative energy and renewable energy industries, and the benefits of energy efficiency. That could account for 10 percent of job growth over the next 30 years. The second piece of legislation will direct the Environmental Protection Agency to set up a cap and trade system for greenhouse gases that meets the goals laid out by the President elect. This bill will reflect the strong partnership we will have with the new Administration, and will focus on achieving the emissions reductions needed while restoring the economy. It will be a streamlined bill, which will amend the Clean Air Act.

Next, I am announcing our first hearing in the 111th Congress. The hearing will take place as soon as possible after we convene in January, and will be entitled "How Fighting Global Warming is Good for the Economy and Will Create Jobs."

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will be represented next month at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poznan, Poland. I am sending my top Committee staff, who will act as my representatives in meetings with international leaders as they prepare for a new global agreement to address greenhouse gas emissions, which will be completed in 2009 in Denmark. In addition, Senator Klobuchar will be attending and plans to report back to President-elect Obama and to our Committee. Other Senators from the Committee may join her. President-elect Obama told the world on Tuesday that our country will be an ally in the fight against global warming. I am here to say that our Committee stands ready to be a tireless ally in that effort."

You are invited to the launch party for Global Verve, a conscious jewelry collection. Participate in a unique effort to bring global awareness, and experience "Sisters on the Planet," a new project of Oxfam America.

NOVEMBER 5, 2008 6pm-8:30pm
7:15 (20 minute film screening)
SECESSION ART & DESIGN
3361 Mission St @ 30th
San Francisco 94110

R S V P to Josie Adele:
josie@globalvervedesigns.com or 415.336.0106

Hunger Banquet November 18th... join us!

Events Update

Many thanks to everyone who joined us on September 4th in Palo Alto for the premier U.S. screening of "Sisters on the Planet." We had a great turn out with over 60 people attending! Plans are in the works for a San Francisco and San Jose screening, along with other exciting fall events, so be sure to sign up for local updates to receive the latest invitations.

Confirmed upcoming events include:

October 18th:
We've been invited to table and promote "Sisters on the Planet" at an event in Saratoga hosted by the League of Women Voters. More details to come soon, but we'll need a few volunteers so please let us know if you're available to help out (carpool available).

November 18th:
Hunger Banquet at the Dorothy Stang Center for Social Justice and Community Engagement in Belmont (at Notre Dame de Namur Universtity). This is a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with this great group dedicated to increasing awareness, dialogue, and activism around the issues of social and environmental justice. The more the merrier, so please let us know if you're available to attend and if you're interested in volunteering.

You're Invited...

What: Premier Screening of Oxfam's Documentary "Sisters on the Planet"
When: Thursday, Sept. 4th
Time: 6 - 8 p.m.
Where: Lucie Stern Center
1305 Middlefield Road
Palo Alto, CA 94301

The San Francisco Oxfam Action Corps invites you to a free reception and screening to honor the launch of Oxfam's new film, "Sisters on the Planet," which tells the story of four women determined to do whatever they can to fight climate change.

As obvious as it sounds, climate change affects everybody. But climate change is already having a disproportionate impact on people in poor communities, and it’s hitting women hardest.

It’s not the easiest idea to understand, so to help explain we’ve made these short films about women, in both rich and poor countries, who are determined to do whatever they can to put a stop to climate change.

Watch them and become aware of the impact our changing climate is having on people’s lives. And be inspired to join the fight against climate change (yummy hors d'oeuvres and wine too!).

Special Guests Attending:

Oxfam America welcomes featured “Sister” Sharon Hanshaw, executive director of Biloxi organization Coastal Women for Change, a community action organization dedicated to the preservation and restoration of their Biloxi neighborhoods and way of life.

Representative Anna Eshoo (CA-14) has also been invited to attend the Oxfam America “Sisters on the Planet” Screening and Reception and we hope that she will be able to attend.

Please email kdanko@oxfamamerica.org soon to reserve your spot.

Some great news, and some not so great news...

First, the great news. With your help, last week Oxfam hit its goal of ONE MILLION people worldwide who signed our petition calling on the G8 leaders to put climate change and poverty at the top of the agenda. This is an amazing achievement. It shows the G8 leaders that the world is demanding they act now. Thank you for helping to push us over the top!

Now for the bad news. While the G8 leaders agreed to try to cut emissions by half by 2050, they did not come up with a plan to reach that goal or any short-term benchmarks-and without those, their promise could be just a lot of hot air. Oxfam works every day with people whose lives and livelihoods are already being affected by climate change, so we know the devastating effects it has on poor people. But we can’t win this fight alone. Please take a moment to email congress and tell the presidential candidates to:

1) Commit the US to reducing its global warming pollution to a level consistent with limiting warming to 2 degrees Celsius over preindustrial levels;

2) Dedicate new and sufficient funding to help developing countries adapt to climate change impacts such as flooding, droughts, crop failures, and disease;

3) Shift subsidies for fossil fuels like oil and coal to support clean energy solutions;

4) Engage constructively in international negotiations and committing the US to mandatory targets to reduce global warming pollution.