3/29/16 - this Blog is no longer active

Thank you for checking into my Great March for Climate Action blog.  Unfortunately this blog was hacked sometime last year while it was idle, and I have decided to discontinue using it.  I will send you an email notice or you can notify me for the address to my new blog which will begin 3/29/16. The sole purpose of the blog is to share some of my challenges and adventures as a Climate Warrior Activist.  Onward!

For the Earth,

Miriam 

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Judy Todd

503-260-4995 (talk or text)

NatureConnect NW

please remember to feed the birds

Democracy Spring March

Dear Friends and Family,

I am resurrecting the blog I used while walking across America in 2014 with the Great March for Climate Action.  Although the urgent climate crisis is still at the heart of my passionate activist life, this time I will be marching from Philadelphia to DC followed by sit-ins at the Capitol to raise awareness and demand that our legislators act now to restore the democratic process to "We the People."  

The 10 day, 140 mile walk is focused on 3 huge problems that are blocking progress on all the injustices (social, economic and climate) we have to solve. We must:

- Reverse the Supreme Court's Citizen's United that gave corporations the same rights as people and made money into free speech;

- Restore voter rights that have been systematically removed;

- Get big money out of our elections through massive campaign finance reform.

I am very grateful to those of you who are supporting my participation with Democracy Spring.org.  And I will use this blog to post my experiences along the journey. 

For the Earth,

Miriam

 

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Sent from my iPhone

Brutal Experience..Help !

Hi,

Trust you're doing fine today? Please I need your help?

Regards
Miriam

Fwd: [Marchers & Virtual Marchers] TIme to chime in on supporting wind energy.

The Great March for Climate Action has just successfully completed our walk across America. We spoke to thousands of people along the way and witnessed the increasingly devastating effects of our climate crisis for ourselves. The callousness of the fossil fuel industry is unimaginable - unless you see and hear it for yourself . IT IS TIME TO STOP GIVING TAX MONEY TO THE INDUSTRY THAT IS DESTROYING OUR PLANET!!

I am writing to urge you to extend the renewable energy production tax credit (PTC) and investment tax credit (ITC) before the end of the year. 

If you let these credits expire, we risk repeating what happened last year, when America lost a devastating 92% of wind power's growth and 30,000 wind jobs.

If you extend these credits before the end of the year, wind power is poised to provide more clean energy to Americans than ever before.  Wind power has delivered a third of all new generating capacity over the past five years, and a record amount of new projects are under construction.

I urge you to extend the PTC and ITC through 2015, so that we can build upon this progress.  Our families' health and thousands of jobs depend on you and your colleagues seeing this through. 

Thank you for your consideration.

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Kat Haber" <notification+p1lpfe6f@facebookmail.com>
Date: November 12, 2014 at 11:54:24 AM CST
To: Marchers & Virtual Marchers <VirtualMarchers@groups.facebook.com>
Subject: [Marchers & Virtual Marchers] TIme to chime in on supporting wind energy.
Reply-To: Reply to Comment <g+40v4iozw000000nzd0yx007j1chb0r610000009xnwcu2ro46@groups.facebook.com>

Kat Haber posted in Marchers & Virtual Marchers Kat Haber 11:54am Nov 12 TIme to chime in on supporting wind energy. Power of Wind: Clean, homegrown energy today | Home www.powerofwind.org Our legislators have a small window of time to make a huge difference in bringing affordable wind po... View Post on Facebook · Edit Email Settings · Reply to this email to add a comment.

Finale !

One more day...

Unless I turn an ankle or get hit by a truck today, I will have walked every step cross America from LA to DC. I can't believe I've done it, and I also can't believe it's over.

This is a piece I wrote at the request of our communications director for publication:

The Great March for Climate Action is nearly over; of our 3000 mile trek from LA to DC,, only 30 or so remain. But the real journey, to protect the future of life on Earth, is rapidly gaining momentum everywhere.

I feel bone-weary and ready to be done. And I also feel intensely sad about the dissolution of "One Earth Village," this rowdy, loving and passionate band of climate warriors. We have made it across the country against great odds and with enormous effort and dedication. I am proud to be a part of this diverse community who have supported and cared for one another and disagreed about nearly everything except our mission to inspire change in the hearts and minds and lives of citizens and legislators.

We will never know how many people we touched nor the impact we have had. We have seen, step by step, the devastating effects of climate change humans are creating. We have met the people on the front lines of the toxic practices of the fossil fuel industry. There are already millions of climate refugees across the world. We have talked with those in our own back yard. There are also those who ridicule us or simply say they don't believe "that hype."

We absolutely know we have each been transformed in ways that will continue to unfold as we continue walking our talk, talking our walk, fighting for climate justice and influencing the course of history.

I am bone-tired, sad, jubilant, and more committed than ever.

Sent from my iPhone

Allegheny Mtns, PA

These roads have been spectacular and challenging. Almost done with this incredible journey. I'm exhausted, sore, and feeling triumphant. Only 6 marching days left. I'm so grateful for all the support you have provided to me for these many months. I am so grateful!

Geezer Gals

Judy (Portland), Kathe (Florida), Kai (San Juan Islands), Deb (Silver City, NM) and me. Great friends.

Skinny dip canoeing

Staying on lively farm before our push to DC. Four of the young folks went skinny dipping and then climbed in the canoes on the pond and had a water fight. Good to let off steam. It's been a long, arduous journey!

A moment of frivolity

A week to go. Last stay day. Beautiful friends, glorious weather, Greencastle, PA.

Frackers billboard

In Ohio and now Pennsylvania, we have collaborated with local anti-fracking groups. It is a serious problem, causing earthquakes, polluting water supplies, and poisoning the air. These companies are operating with impunity, and advancing their vast fracking operations with the aid of these billboards. Since jobs are such a huge issue here, many people are eager to sign permits. They are paying big bucks to drill on people's property, and under public lands and lakes. This is crazy! The fossil fuel frenzy is out of control and has no regard for the health of the community or the earth.

Broke curfew

What a hoot!!! Six of us went out for a glass of wine after yet another interminable meeting last night and had some great fun. Alas, upon our return we discovered that the Holy Family Institute which was housing us for the night in. Pittsburgh suburb, had locked the gate.?thus is Kim, Liz, Judy, Kathe, Deb and me climbing the fence to get back like a bunch of college kids caught out after curfew.

Halloween in the air

Even in a depressed area like Pittsburgh, people get into the fun of Halloween. We saw many creative and outlandish decorations en route to a rally at a local UU church. Most if us (about 45 of us now) are enjoying home stays tonight and tomorrow. Home cooking, laundry, shower, a trip to thrift store tomorrow to replace some clothes that no longer fit, and a delightful visit with our activist host couple Nd their two rescued greyhounds. Much needed rest!!!

Lovers Bridge near U if Pittsburgh

Bright spot in our march today - crossing the bridge on campus we encountered hundreds of padlocks attached to the dance with lovers names on them. That's Jeffrey, 33 year old Spirit Walker" from Des Moines.

Toxic coke plant in Pittsburgh

Here's what my friend Judy posted a out this plant where they burn coal to make "coke" for the steel industry. As always near these places, air, water, and health are suffering. Not to mention the compounding effects on climate.

Judy wrote: "Into Pittsburg today on the great climate action march. Along the Ohio river where the beauty of autumn is nearly outpaced by the vulgarity of industrial degradation as in this coke piles. Of course asthma, cancer, poverty, and despair also abide here. We can change this...together."

Day marchers in Pittsburgh

Leah & sons. Petcoke (byproduct of tar sands oil refining) plant here is causing health problems and Leah testified at local health dept.

Standing vigil for Terry Greenwood

Terry's story

Several years ago Terry Greenwood and his wife bought a farm and retired to Eastern Ohio. They had no idea that in 1922 the mineral rights had been sold. So when the oil company put a fracking well on their property, they had no legal recourse. Soon there was an "accident/spill" into a pond where Terry's cattle got their water. The EPA tested and said the water was safe. Several months later Terry's cows gave birth to 1/2 the usual number of calves, and every one was stillborn with cleft pallets and hooves, and without eyes. The EPA told Terry it was his bad farming practices or bad luck. A year leter, Terry was diagnosed with brain cancer and died soon after. More bad luck, I guess. We went to the Youngstown Chamber of Commerce, which is a big supporter of local fracking in the area, and silently stood for 5 minutes holding this sign. No one said or did anything. The police were called, but since we'd not broken any laws, they were courteous to us. When we left the building, I sat on a bench in front and sobbed. The citizens of Ohio and all over are suffering because of these practices. Children are ill in increasing numbers near frack wells, and people have no recourse. Then the carbon is spewed into our atmosphere, killing our oceans and causing over 100 species per day to go extinct. It has got to stop!
People don't want to hear the truth about what we are allowing the fossil fuel industry to do and what is happening to our planet. It's not a happy story and the outcome is going to be unimaginable. Not for our great grandchildren,
at some vague future time. It's happening now all around the earth. Please don't change the channel at this awful truth. Get involved. Join CCL or 350.org or your local clean water group. Action, I have found, is the best antidote to hopelessness and despair. I walk for Terry. I walk for the children. I walk because I cannot pretend this is not happening. I walk because humanity his facing the most urgent and devastating thing we've ever faced. Perhaps we can still halt it and reverse the worst impacts. But only if we do it now.