The plunge, the resistance, the dividend

The plungers were all collecting pledges to subject themselves to a brief, yet torturous, swim so you might donate a couple bucks to help Keep Winter Cold. You might not want to do it, but unlike US Senate appointments, it's for a good cause when you bribe someone else to on your behalf! Funds raised support the Chesapeake Climate Action Network and the US Climate Emergency Council in their efforts to fight global warming both in the Chesapeake region and at the federal level (see March 2 action details below).

The author took a chilly bath in an effort to keep winter cold.

Highlights from the event included: A substantially greener event than years past. There was extensive carpooling, organic and fair-trade refreshments (vegan muffins, locally roasted and wind-powered coffee), several cyclists who rode to the event, and a festive after party at the Rockfish Restaurant, the only EPA Certified Green Restaurant in Annapolis, which is also 100 percent wind-powered. Musical inspiration was provided by Emma's Revolution singing about the now missing snow caps of Mt Kilamanjaro. Costumes included several polar bears, "blue man" (me), "green man", "bamboo head-dress man", and even one person dressed as an electric vehicle, complete with latin slogan: "we plug em inum".

So far over $40,000 dollars was raised to help fight global warming regionally and nationally. See photos, watch video, read more, and consider a belated donation to help us reach our goal of $60,000 at:
www.KeepWinterCold.org or call 240.396.2029

Civil Resistance Action: March 2

I can't improve much on the words of climate and environmental activists, Bill McKibben and Wendell Berry, so I'll let an excerpt of their words speak for themselves: (Read the entire "Coal to Action" at www.ChesapeakeClimate.org )

"There are moments in a nation's -- and a planet's -- history when it may be necessary for some to break the law in order to bear witness to an evil, bring it to wider attention, and push for its correction. We think such a time has arrived, and we are writing to say that we hope some of you will join us in Washington, D.C. on Monday, March 2, in order to take part in a civil act of civil [resistance] outside a coal-fired power plant near Capitol Hill.

"So we feel the time has come to do more -- we hear President Barack Obama's call for a movement for change that continues past election day, and we hear Nobel Laureate Al Gore's call for creative non-violence outside coal plants. As part of the international negotiations now underway on global warming, our nation will be asking China, India, and others to limit their use of coal in the future to help save the planet's atmosphere. This is a hard thing to ask, because it's their cheapest fuel. Part of our witness in March will be to say that we're willing to make some sacrifices ourselves, even if it's only a trip to the jail.

Participants in the Polar Bear Plunge pose on the beach after the event. 

"With any luck, this will be the largest such protest yet, large enough that it may provide a real spark. If you want to participate with us, you need to go through a short course of non-violence training. This will be, to the extent it depends on us, an entirely peaceful demonstration, carried out in a spirit of hope and not rancor.

"The worldwide daily reliance on coal is the danger; this is one small step to raise awareness of that ruinous habit and hence help to break it."

I will be participating in this action. Please consider joining, even as an observer or supporter. This is an event you don't want to--and our planet can't afford for you to--miss. More info at: www.CapitolClimateAction.com or call 240.396.2155

Note: as a way to better "frame the debate", the term civil resistance is being used instead of disobedience. Rather than disobeying which sounds like something "wrong", the action below is a form of protest where the means to produce "right" have been pushed far enough without response, that what is now needed is RESISTANCE. (I'm not sure I'll rue or be proud of the day when my daughter uses these lines with me as she tries to extend her curfew.)

Comprehensive federal action: Cap and dividend

Expanding on last month's "Local Environmental Goals for 2009", I wanted to extend the scope to hopeful federal (and global) solutions. I'll keep this short; I'll just plant this seed: "Cap and Dividend". Cap and Dividend is THE elegant and simple solution to reducing carbon emissions while maintaining an equitable access to energy sources. 

 
It puts a hard cap on emissions, taxes polluters, and gives a rebate check to every citizen (like the Alaska Permanent Fund) to help offset increased costs of energy. It will encourage dirty polluters to clean up, as well as put them on a more even playing field with cleaner, renewable energy sources. Remember: "Cap and Dividend Helps Global Warming End" (more at www.CapAndDividend.org)

Sat Jiwan Iklé-Khalsa, is a recent green home renovator, and a green building/renovation consultant. See annotated green house renovation photos at:
www.flickr.com/photos/satjiwan

CORRECTION: In a recent column (Going Green, Dec 2008), I said you could get a whole house seal-up and insulation job professionally done for $1500. It should have said "a typical attic seal-up and insulation." Still a good deal that can pay for itself within 10 years.