From June 14-16th students, community members, and activists from across Ohio and around the country are converging in Columbus to build a movement through trainings, story telling, and workshops… AND on June 17th WE are taking over the OHIO Statehouse, demanding a BAN on Fracking and ALL injection wells.
Stopping the industry in Ohio has major implications for the entire nation, that is why we are asking YOU to join US in OHIO! We will also be joined by inspiring leaders, like Bill McKibben & Josh Fox.
Students at Middle Tennessee State University did an action on Wednesday to stand in solidarity with gulf. Two years ago, the BP Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill happened exactly to this day. Although Tennessee students did not suffer the consequences from it because we're not near the gulf, we understand that this a result of our addiction to oil. For this reason, we all took a stand to take pictures and pledges. Pledges included: using reusable water bottles, use reusable grocery bags, riding bikes, and other small steps that reduce our consumption to oil.
by Jeff Mann, Online Director, Energy Action Coalition
Earlier this month you voted Bank of America one of the top Fossil Fools for being the #1 financier of the coal industry AND the #1 forecloser on American homes — and now it’s time to take action.
Today we’re launching the first step in a campaign to demand Bank of America stop bankrupting our future.
Right now Bank of America is under incredible pressure to clean up their act from a coalition of economic and environmental justice organizations, led by our partners at Rainforest Action Network.
As leaders of the next generation we have an incredible opportunity to join this call, and use our financial power to do it.
On Monday, April 9, three Maryland students were arrested in front of the Annapolis State House in support of offshore wind. (There will be a post with more about the whole campaign coming later). They agreed to share their stories about their decision to risk arrest, the consequences of civil disobedience, and how civil disobedience as a tactic fits into campaigns as a whole. Below are excerpts from our interview, for which they graciously took time out of their crazy schedules.
I’ve included everything in order so that readers can see the trajectory of the conversation, but the best parts of the interview are at the end and if you don’t have much time I encourage you to check out the last few sections first.
by Jeff Mann, Online Director, Energy Action Coalition
The votes are in, the ballots are counted, and we are excited to announce the winners of this year’s Fossil Fools Day awards!
And now, the moment you have been waiting for: taking home top honors for Biggest Fossil Fool of the 1% is [envelope, please]… TransCanada CEO Russ Girling!
Russ Girling wins this prize for his starring role in the Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline project. This is his first Fossil Fools nomination. We tried to contact Mr. Girling to congratulate him on his victory, but were informed he was busy poisoning communities across the continent, so we are accepting this award on his behalf.
by Whit Jones, Campaign Director, Energy Action Coalition
This morning President Obama announced his support for the southern portion of the Keystone XL pipeline. And no, unfortunately this isn’t an early April Fools joke.
It’s a hugely disappointing move, but thankfully we’re working with the Ohio Student Environmental Coalition to show our outrage with a protest at his next campaign stop at Ohio State University.
But our problem is bigger than just Ohio or Oklahoma, and it’s not limited to President Obama. That’s why we are declaring that April 1st is national Fossil Fools Day. The President’s announcement in Cushing today is just one more sign that Big Oil and the 1% have a powerful grip on our political system — and that we’ve got to do something about it, fast.
by Ash Lauth, Tar Sands Campaign Organizer, Energy Action Coalition
Everyday when I wake up, I wonder sardonically, what new surprises will Keystone XL bring me today. Sure, it's a zombie pipeline that just won't die; it's a whack-a-mole pipeline that pops up everywhere; but I'm surprised and saddened to say that today, it's a presidential pipeline.
On Friday, March 9, 2012 Students Promoting Environmental Action in Knoxville (SPEAK) set out to blow the whistle on Senator Bob Corker, Senator Lamar Alexander, and Representative Duncan and call a penalty. The three of them have received close to half a million dollars from coal and oil industries in the past 5 years. Students set out dressed as referees (pinstripes and flags included) and blew the whistle at their offices in Knoxville. Students called a penalty on congressman for supporting the Keystone XL pipeline while taking millions of dollars in campaign contributions from the fossil fuel industry.
Everyday, young people around the country are taking action for climate justice. But what does it take for us to stand up for our future in New York?
Since April 2011, hundreds of young New Yorkers have taken action against Big Oil and Gas. In August, over 50 New York youth joined the historic Tar Sands Action sit-in in Washington D.C. In November, hundreds traveled to D.C. to hold President Obama to his campaign promise- "to end the tyranny of oil"- and we blocked the Keystone XL pipeline. When the fight turned to fracking in the Delaware River Basin, we teamed up with Josh Fox, Food & Water Watch, 350.org and frontline activists from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware to protect 15 million people's water and score a huge win in the movement to ban fracking. Since Power Shift 2011, we've been winning.
