The Senate climate bill is coming out any day now, and it’s time to get heard! With a new tool from 1Sky, it’s easier than ever to call your Senator and let him or her know you support a strong clean energy policy.

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Yesterday, I posted about green jobs advocacy day on Capitol Hill and some of the ways in which a green recovery will benefit ecopreneurs. Thanks to 1Sky, the nonprofit with the single goal of seeing federal action that can reverse global warming, today (and actually tomorrow or the day after, etc…) you can quickly and easily call your Senator and tell them that you support green measures in the stimulus package.  All you have to do is click through to the 1sky site and the handy, dandy Click-to-Call webform asks for your email address, name, address and zip code as well as a 10 digit phone number where you can be reached so that they can connect you directly to your senator. Here’s the 1sky pitch:

Right now, the Senate is working on the economic recovery package passed by the House. This is a pivotal opportunity to invest in green projects like public transit and energy efficiency, which will jump-start our economy lay the foundations of a new, clean energy America. We’ve made it easy for you to call Washington–at no cost to you! Call your senators today and tell them to keep the economic recovery green!

Making that call couldn’t be easier. Whatcha waiting for?

Photo by Lusi at sxc.hu

Recently, 1Sky and Brighter Planet ran a user generated video contest called Climate Matters, asking people to send in videos that address the problem of climate change. The winning submissions from the Climate Matters video contest will be distributed to all presidential nominees and each member of Congress. The winning video, created by Steven Dempsey features a child’s voice talking about making the difference to today for a better tomorrow. Ask the Children, the video that came in second place was created by Barbara Lucas who asked her niece why we should be concerned about using fossil fuels and was touched by the depth of her awareness and fear. To view Ask the Children click here.

Read more about the winning videos and watch Climate Matters, the video that came in first place.

This particular video came in at third place. It calls for the President to lead by example on climate change by planting a food garden in the White House. Says Roger Doiron, the creator,

“This video was made to support the “Eat the View” campaign, a citizen-powered effort to petition the next President to show leadership on global issues such as climate change and food security by converting part of the White House’s 18 acre grounds back into an edible landscape. It made sense in the past for the “First Family” to eat foods grown close to home and - given the climate challenge - it makes sense again. It features me, Roger Doiron, digging a new organic garden on my white house lawn with an invitation to the next President to do the same.

Recently, we have seen Presidential candidate, Obama dance on the Ellen Degeneres Show and Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin do a cameo on Saturday night Live. But who if any will actually follow the example set here? Will any of them actually put their money where their mouth is when it comes to taking action on climate change?

Take a look at this video.

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Video source: GreenForAllOfficial on YouTube

1Sky was one of the few envrionmental groups that opposed the recently defeated Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act. “The failure of the deeply-flawed Lieberman-Warner bill gives us a fresh chance to protect our childrens’ climate,” said Betsy Taylor, president of 1Sky’s Board of Directors. “New climate legislation must focus on reducing carbon emissions quickly and effectively, and on schedule with or even ahead of recommendations made by international climate scientists so the U.S. can be a leader in this field.” Hopefully a new Congress and new president will hear the message on the 1Sky murals.

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Lieberman-Warner was not opposed by a majority of environmental groups, and it was recognized as an important step. Dave Hamilton, director of global warming and energy programs for the Sierra Club, explained the flaws in the legislation, “We’d like to see the targets and timetables stronger,” although the Sierra Club supported Lieberman-Warner. Hamilton was not alone in concern over the bill. 1Sky, an organization that did oppose the bill, felt we should not back it because it only offers a band-aid solution. Betsy Taylor, President of the 1Sky campaign’s Board of Directors stated:

This bill failed on two fundamental measures and that is why 1Sky and many others did not support it. It would not have reduced carbon emissions as deeply or as quickly as the world scientific community says is necessary to address global warming. And, it would have given more money to the bloated fossil fuel industry, and left ordinary Americans paying too much for rising energy bills.

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]]> http://redgreenandblue.org/2008/06/11/good-news-lieberman-warner-climate-security-act-fails-in-senate/feed/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/05/07/how-to-celebrate-mothers-day-with-an-eco-mom-get-active/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/05/07/how-to-celebrate-mothers-day-with-an-eco-mom-get-active/#comments Wed, 07 May 2008 13:20:11 +0000 Jennifer Lance http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/05/07/how-to-celebrate-mothers-day-with-an-eco-mom-get-active/ This story contains additional media. Click here to view the media.

Mother’s Day began when social activist and poet Julia Ward Howe wrote the original Mother’s Day Proclamation after the Civil War in 1870.

In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask
That a general congress of women without limit of nationality,
May be appointed and held at someplace deemed most convenient
And the earliest period consistent with its objects,
To promote the alliance of the different nationalities,
The amicable settlement of international questions,
The great and general interests of peace.

This day began as a call to action, and it is only fitting this Sunday on Mother’s Day families take action on climate change and let their voices be heard.  1Sky is asking mothers and their children to create images to send to Congress urging them to remember the implications of climate change on the next generation.  The images will be compiled and be taken to DC to be displayed and given to Congress.

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