Climate and the environment are the root of all we do. Solutions are what we can do NOW.
At All Our Energy, just because we are focused on the solutions: renewable energy and stopping pollution in all forms; whether it be an LNG Port, an unnecessary fossil fuel power plant, or the needless waste of single use plastic bags- doesn’t mean we should forget what drives our actions. Climate change and the degradation of air, land, and water for human livability is where we spring to action from.
So you want to see what climate change “looks like”?
Earlier this year, the alarming “climate spiral” visualization was released, showing the months of the year represented as a circle, with recorded monthly temperatures added in, over time. It clearly shows the spiral getting larger then dramatically larger, representing higher temperature, as we reach the present.
The original was scary enough, showing the dramatic increase and acceleration in global warming up to the present day. This new projection shows the unprecedented temperature spike we are in now…. and takes us where it leads.
No one is coming to save us. No magic carbon vacuum is coming that costs less than the immediate “benefits” of fossil fuels. The free market isn’t coming. Its been nearly 30 years since James Hansen sat in front of congress imploring action on climate. Nothing has changed. We can not afford to wait. Maybe, too, we can not afford to be so focused solely on solutions. Maybe this focus on solutions hurts our public awareness by skipping the first step of the discussion: “we have a problem- something must be done- you can continue as part of that problem, or decide to become the solution”.
We need to make that change now. We have no time to wait for polluters and their employees in the field, in their law offices, or in government to “change their mind” or agree to some watered-down version of what needs to be done: a concerted, citizen-powered changeover to 100% renewable energy, with as much transportation, heating and cooking switched to clean, renewable-generated electricity ASAP.
To survive, we must transition to a renewable generated economy that values workers, the environment, local communities and empowers all to take part however they can, to foster that transformation of our society and ensure livability of the planet for future generations. Germany did this and produce more solar than the US in a fraction of the size and the solar resource. Denmark did this and got massive amounts of wind energy (and the leading international wind industry that goes with it).
The good news: we here on Long Island are finally have the potential to lead a massive switch to renewables in the form of our potential 35000 megawatts, (with realistic expectations at about 10,000-15,000) of readily available off shore wind power.
The bad news: this process, without encountering resistance(just elected), technical issues, policy or leadership changes(just changed), or any of a multitude of potential delays, has been decided to take at least 5-7 years, with reality possibly longer. This is only for the first wind farm. Policy has rendered commercial scale off shore wind development for the entire US to merely BEGIN operations in 2022-2025. It could be another 10-20 years after that for full deployment.
This is time we just don’t have. We have much to do now to avoid new fossil fuel and dangerous nuclear from being added, before we can offset any need for them. tick-tick-tick.
The Administration & Lobbyists are pushing for a vote on TPP right after elections. But what they’re not telling the public is–the Trans Pacific Partnership is NOT just a Trade deal! It’s a corporate wish list that will affect every aspect of our lives–from environmental protection, to access to medicine, to personal financial stability, to the sovereignty of municipalities and nations to make and enforce laws. Why are so many human rights groups, leading economists, environmental, and faith groups actively opposing it? How is this a social justice issue? Join us for a presentation on the TPP, which will include a PowerPoint and expert speakers.
Your Representatives in Congress have a key vote! Find out where your representative stands and learn what YOU can do to help!
Guest Speakers: Eric Weltman, Senior Organizer of Food & Water Watch NY; Michael Gendron, Exec. VP of Communication Workers of America 1108; Stan Bergman, Pres. LI Chapter of Alliance for Retired Americans; George Povall, Organizer of All Our Energy; Jane Fasullo, Group Chair of Sierra Club LI.
NY Renews Town Hall Meeting
Yes We Can Community Center
141 Garden St, Westbury, NY 11590 Facebook event here.
On Thursday 10/13/16, coalition members New York Communities for Change, Long Island Progressive Coalition, and All Our Energy are holding a Town Hall event on Long Island, part of a series we’re doing across the state to engage communities and hold our elected officials accountable.
Want to learn more about the coalition and our policy platform? Want to come together with diverse constituencies from across LI dedicated to climate justice?
At this first town hall meeting, find out about the climate policy platform NY Renews is trying to pass in Albany, and who’s in the coalition. We’re bringing together climate activists, economic justice advocates, and labor voices from across LI to talk about a statewide ‘just transition’. State officials will be in the room and our goal is to keep them accountable by demonstrating our people power and having them hear from community members. Find out about upcoming NYR activities on LI and how people can take action locally to support the statewide campaign.
My first question when this USCG report was released in March 2016, and highlighted in the article Coast Guard Study Blockades Offshore Wind Energy, which demanded extra setbacks beyond the miles-wide existing shipping lanes, was- “says who?” There was no info on who produced this study and no reason why US Shipping interests were unable to work in a multitudinally wider area than Europe already has no problem with.
Now a report released this week from the public interest group Checks and Balances, about the otherwise inexplicable extra 2 mile setbacks recently forced on the Long Beach / Rockaway wind farm (and ostensibly everything from here on out) says outside lobbyists did have a say and that information on who is behind this study is being both denied and withheld.
This study was news from March 2016 (during NY Off Shore Wind Area BOEM lease announcement time). Then, it was inexplicably “dredged up” months later again by Newsday’s Mark Harrington in July. We were wondering why this old news was just hitting the radar of the preeminent energy journalist’s expertise. While all the talk was off shore wind and LIPA’s upcoming planned announcement to buy it, this instead was his article: “Study: LI Wind Farm Sites Risky”(print version title).
We must demand an explanation, release of the documents, identities of the players, and a true impartial reexamination based on the actual science and data, the article cites they never did.
We seem to be just taking regulators at their word right now, and though no need to antagonize, its good to recognize so early on in this process, that acceptance is not in our best interest.
I ask myself: Why was this coast guard setback just accepted by us, the developers, and the entire advocacy community?
It seems to me that that’s not our job. Our job is to get massive offshore wind built right and as soon as possible. BOEM’s timeline announcement in June 2016, which already stretches this process to 5-7 years, 2-3 times what an off shore fossil fuel drilling process takes, and with no guarantee lawsuits could not extend this, is not soon at all.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will hold public meetings in June to provide an overview of the Environmental Assessment findings and offer additional opportunities for public comments.
The process to start Off Shore Wind for Long Island moves forward. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced the proposed lease sale for 81,130 acres offshore New York for commercial wind energy leasing. The area is approximately 11 miles south of Long Beach, an area that can support a large-scale commercial wind project.
We will advocate for it to be
the most environmentally friendly
most responsible and responsive
most local jobs
most committed to soonest operation and long term viability
Get involved in the upcoming BOEM Meeting on June 21, 2016!
On 5/18/16, All Our Energy and partners staged a rally out front of LIPA’s offices, and then spoke at their board meeting that the time has come for off shore wind!
Speakers represented the benefits of off shore wind from jobs, to climate benefits, to getting what we pay for in our rates!
Great work from our team- Matt, K.C., Sam, Karen, and our incredible Speakers- Gordian Raacke of Renewable Energy Long Island, Peter Gollon from Sierra Club Long Island Group, Lisa Oldendorp from Move On, Olga Filakouris from NYPIRG, Joe Tonini from Sierra Club, Lou Sabbatini from Sierra Club, Sam Caslowitz of All Our Energy, and of course Matt Kearns who emceed the day, and designed the 20 foot tall turbine and plugs signs!
Then we went to the Nassau Clean Energy Standard hearing which had a great turnout and some really great testimony from renewable energy advocates. I had stopped my testimony to ask how many people supported a bold move into off shore wind… and pretty much the entire room raised their hand in favor of it.
check our social media for video of the turbine raising!
A very successful day in support of clean energy for LI thanks to YOU and your support and action!!
In the morning we will be assembling in front of LIPA Headquarters in Uniondale for a demonstration of support for offshore wind for the required new power generation on LI.
LIPA are meeting tomorrow as they consider new dirty energy plants for the east end right now, or get new power from an off shore wind farm 30 miles off Montauk, coupled with grid-size battery storage, that supplies that power cleanly, reliably, and economically.
We are staging a visual action outside their offices as we raise a 20 foot tall mock wind turbine and giant plugs as we say “Plug Me In to Off Shore Wind” and ask LIPA to lead us into the next generation, not lock us into dirty fuels of the past. We have hand made signs, placards and stickers from Sierra Club and more for everyone to get their hands on and show their support!
Join All Our Energy, Long Island Progressive Coalition, NYPIRG, Mothers Out Front, and the Sierra Club for this memorable and newsworthy event. Then we will go in to LIPA’s board meeting and testify that the time for off shore wind is NOW
Then in the evening join us to speak out at the NY State Public Service Commission’s “Clean Energy Standard” (CES) hearing in Mineola to determine the future of clean energy programs in the state. Local community groups including All Our Energy, Long Island Progressive Coalition, NYPIRG, Mothers Out Front, and the Sierra Club, will call on Governor Cuomo to make an enforceable commitment to renewable energy that includes large-scale offshore wind power. By compelling utilities and public energy authorities to purchase a certain amount of renewable power each year, the CES could make the Governor’s goal of generating 50 percent of New York State’s electricity from renewables by 2030 a reality!
We urge you to come speak and make sure we get the renewable energy future we deserve. Please bring a printed version of your comments to turn in if you must leave, just to be on the record, or if you have too much to say, but will be brief anyway!
Bag bill passed in NYC! Now…
Here comes the plastic bag industry with their friends in NY State government to overthrow democracy…
You read that right. On the heels of the successful NYC plastic bag fee law, legislation has been introduced in both the NY Senate and Assembly to thwart attempts to stop plastic bag pollution.
Now, State Senator Simcha Felder’s bill “establishes a prohibition on the imposition of any tax, fee or local charge on carry out merchandise bags.” If only they were prohibiting the tax on society and the environment that plastic bags cost, or the fees to deal with them that are placed on everyone, including future generations, after people discard them. They’re not against everyone paying thosetaxes and fees.
This attempt to overthrow the right to local control is outrageous, even for New York State politics.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t see anything in any federal or state constitution that people are entitled to a free bag, nor the consequences of such a thing. Lets help remind those that do not yet understand that it’s not ok to destroy the environment, even for 12 whole minutes convenience. We need your help to stop this terrible legislation!
First, we need your help to raise awareness with your neighbors, friends, and everyone here, NOW, for the need for plastic bag laws. Get Involved-volunteer your time – join our volunteer team at this week’s team meeting at 6:30 pm on April 19 at Gentle Brew!
RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/237236193312543/
We need your help to speak to merchants, staff events, engage the public, get signatures on our petition, help people display their support with window clings and stickers, and bring everyone together to make this a success for everyone involved to push this campaign over the finish line.
Please donate to the cause here. We would love to have a reusable bag giveaway or fundraiser campaign to help get bags into the hands of all. If even a small portion of our petition signers chipped in even 5, 10, 20 dollars it would go far towards removing the barriers to legislation, number one of which is making sure no one is left out who cannot afford reusable bags.
Contact your Representative
Tell your Assembly and Senate members that stopping plastic bag ordinances is not supported. If one of your representatives is on this list, we need you especially to call and write the Senators and Assembly Members who are signed on to this legislation.
Senators in favor so far:
Sponsor-Simcha Felder (D) 17th Senate District
Andrew J Lanza (R) 24th Senate District
Martin J. Golden (R, C, IP) 22nd Senate District
Tony Avella (D, IP) 11th Senate District
Roxanne J. Persaud (D) 19th Senate District
Diane J. Savino (D, IP, WF) 23rd Senate District
James L. Seward (R, C, IP) 51st Senate District
Assembly members in favor so far
Sponsor- Michael Cusick(staten island)
Mark Gjonaj
David Weprin
Steven Cymbrowitz
Michael G. Miller
Ron Castorina
Michael Simanowitz
Victor M. Pichardo
Peter Abbate
Dov Hikind
Michael DenDekker
Nicole Malliotakis
Phillip Goldfeder
Walter T. Mosley
Erik Dilan
Andrew Hevesi
Inez Barron
Matthew Titone
Marcos Crespo
William Colton
Michael J. Fitzpatrick
Here are the links to S7336 and A9904, the companion bill in the State Assembly:
Please circulate information about this latest attempt by the plastic bag industry to prevent limits on the use of plastic bags and ask your representatives in the State Senate and State Assembly to oppose S7336/A9904.
We are so excited to invite you to the Long Island Premiere of How to Let Go of the World and Love All The Things Climate Can’t Change, from Oscar Nominated director Josh Fox (GASLAND)..
We will be promoting and joining the event and follow the movie with a discussion from All Our Energy’s own Off Shore Wind Team Leader Matthew Kearns!
UNSHAKEABLE IMAGES! THIS FILM WILL MAKE YOU WANT TO BE THE CHANGE- Daily Journal
Date: Thursday April 21, 2016 7:30pm
Where: CINEMA ARTS CENTRE AD: 423 Park Avenue Huntington NY 11743 WE highly recommend buying tickets in advance from Cinema Arts Centre here
Josh Fox continues in his deeply personal style, investigating climate change – the greatest threat our world has ever known. Traveling to 12 countries on 6 continents, the film acknowledges that it may be too late to stop some of the worst consequences and asks, what is it that climate change can’t destroy? What is so deep within us that no calamity can take it away? www.howtoletgomovie.com/
We hope you’ll join us for this event! Come and bring YOUR answer what YOU’RE fighting for that climate can’t change!
Are you seeing the bumper stickers and window clings around town? Tell us where!
have you displayed your support, too?
you are following the campaign facebook page? https://www.facebook.com/byobaglbny/ Stay tuned- more dates and events will be coming.
Climate Underlies It All
Climate and the environment are the root of all we do. Solutions are what we can do NOW.
At All Our Energy, just because we are focused on the solutions: renewable energy and stopping pollution in all forms; whether it be an LNG Port, an unnecessary fossil fuel power plant, or the needless waste of single use plastic bags- doesn’t mean we should forget what drives our actions.
Climate change and the degradation of air, land, and water for human livability is where we spring to action from.
So you want to see what climate change “looks like”?
Earlier this year, the alarming “climate spiral” visualization was released, showing the months of the year represented as a circle, with recorded monthly temperatures added in, over time. It clearly shows the spiral getting larger then dramatically larger, representing higher temperature, as we reach the present.
The original was scary enough, showing the dramatic increase and acceleration in global warming up to the present day. This new projection shows the unprecedented temperature spike we are in now…. and takes us where it leads.
heres a 3-d representation:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cVt6ximM4hE
Here’s a graph that shows “yes, this is how quick (climate change) is happening“.
No one is coming to save us. No magic carbon vacuum is coming that costs less than the immediate “benefits” of fossil fuels. The free market isn’t coming. Its been nearly 30 years since James Hansen sat in front of congress imploring action on climate. Nothing has changed. We can not afford to wait. Maybe, too, we can not afford to be so focused solely on solutions. Maybe this focus on solutions hurts our public awareness by skipping the first step of the discussion: “we have a problem- something must be done- you can continue as part of that problem, or decide to become the solution”.
We need to make that change now. We have no time to wait for polluters and their employees in the field, in their law offices, or in government to “change their mind” or agree to some watered-down version of what needs to be done: a concerted, citizen-powered changeover to 100% renewable energy, with as much transportation, heating and cooking switched to clean, renewable-generated electricity ASAP.
To survive, we must transition to a renewable generated economy that values workers, the environment, local communities and empowers all to take part however they can, to foster that transformation of our society and ensure livability of the planet for future generations. Germany did this and produce more solar than the US in a fraction of the size and the solar resource. Denmark did this and got massive amounts of wind energy (and the leading international wind industry that goes with it).
The good news: we here on Long Island are finally have the potential to lead a massive switch to renewables in the form of our potential 35000 megawatts, (with realistic expectations at about 10,000-15,000) of readily available off shore wind power.
The bad news: this process, without encountering resistance(just elected), technical issues, policy or leadership changes(just changed), or any of a multitude of potential delays, has been decided to take at least 5-7 years, with reality possibly longer. This is only for the first wind farm. Policy has rendered commercial scale off shore wind development for the entire US to merely BEGIN operations in 2022-2025. It could be another 10-20 years after that for full deployment.
This is time we just don’t have. We have much to do now to avoid new fossil fuel and dangerous nuclear from being added, before we can offset any need for them. tick-tick-tick.
Share this: