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Feb25

LARGEST CLIMATE CHANGE DEMONSTRATION IN AMERICAN HISTORY…

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24 Comments

  1. Jackie Goldberg

    Wish we cou ld have gone to the rally too. Thanks for going and representing millions of others
    who just wanted it to happen, but could not go themselves! Jackie and Sharon

    1. barbararhine

      I am heartened by the responses I have received to this post about the demonstration. A Board Member of the Union of Concerned scientists, for example, has sent me an e-mail saying that the American public has finally caught, and that we are in the midst of a sea change of opinion like that on gay marriage. While damage has been done, he states, a response is coming! The Senate, he says, is the body that needs the most public pressure.

  2. Beth Weinberger

    Barbara, Thanks for sharing your experience. You’ll be happy to hear that there was a good-sized Kehilla contingent at the rally in SF. And you are very welcome to rejoin the Greening Committee any time. We are working on some big projects as part of the Oakland Climate Action Coalition.

    1. barbararhine

      Kehilla Community Synagogue’s commitment on this issue has been unwavering. It is the small groups that, one day soon, will add up to a huge response. Thanks, Beth, for your hard work.

  3. Steve Bingham

    good for you Barbara. definitely THE issue for the next xxx years. discouraging to read that latest Field poll shows less people are concerned than a few years ago, still 2/3 but discouraging nonetheless. how can the message be reframed so it becomes everybody’s issue?

    1. barbararhine

      Ah, but public opinion is changing as we speak. Worth catching Thomas Friedman in March 10th, 2013, NYT Sunday Review, re “No to Keystone. Yes to Crazy.” By “crazy,” he means he hopes McKibben et al (you and me?) will go crazy with protests and civil disobedience if and when Obama approves Keystone, so we get something BIG in exchange. The tide is turning on this issue–it’s just a question of whether the change will be soon enough.

  4. Dorothy Bender

    Thanks for this post, Barbara. Appreciate your thoughtful analysis and your perspective. We have a lot of work to do.

    1. barbararhine

      Yes indeed, on the word we have in front of us. See my other blog post, though, on how daily practice on these issues adds up: http://barbararhine.wordpress.com/2012/12/03/climate-change-on-my-mind/
      Thanks for sending this post to others in your family, Dorothy.

  5. Arthur Rhine

    I can remember 40 years ago when Pete Seeger said, “Let’s clean up the Hudson River” and all of us so-called radicals said whatsa matter with Pete, he giving up da fight?! How prescient he was. Hand-in-hand we must fight on. Stop the drones! Stop fracking! The school system here in NYC makes me cry. Unions are being crushed. But if we all stick together, it won’t take long… shorter hours, better working conditions, vacations with pay, take your kids to the seashore (we are several seashores short here in Brooklyn).

    1. barbararhine

      Many issues contained in this lovely comment, Cuz. But you start and end with the environment, which reflects the way our actual lives work, no?

  6. mary Borevitz

    Glad you are on board with this also! I enjoyed participating with the 350 group and many others on Feb 17 here in San Diego. Even our new Democratic Mayor addressed us.
    Mary Borevitz, President, Lake San Marcos Democratic Club, San Marcos, CA

    1. barbararhine

      The word is spreading, and the deniers are on the run. The trouble is, there is so much darned money to be made with fossil fuels, and the technology is more invasive than ever. But natural gas is partly a good thing, since it generates fewer emissions than oil. Better yet? Renewables! Thanks for your comment, Mary.

  7. Walter Riley

    Great post! It’s a good story of your experience woven with a lot of important information.

    1. barbararhine

      What a sweetheart you are, dear husband. Thanks for your support!

  8. Derek Rusch

    thank you Barbara for sharring your thoughts, feeling and trip!

    1. barbararhine

      Thanks for reading and commenting, nephew D. Did you check out the pix and their captions? That was what took up the most time and work, but now I know how to do it! AND, each one matches something in the text!

  9. Wayne Jaquith

    Barbara,

    Thanks for doing this. Great pics and stories. I decided to save the carbon emissions, and collect signatures on a petition to block fracking in Massachusetts. Keep up the good work.

    Wayne

    1. barbararhine

      Hi Wayne–didn’t see this before. Will now “Manage Comments” better, since apparently some have slipped by. Have you read the latest by Bill McKibben in “The Rolling Stone?” He tells us that the movement re climate change is wide and deep and local and decentralized and growing every day. To me, your comment reflects that.

  10. Burt Jacobson

    Many thanks for your thoughtful email. I’m so glad that you were able to take part in the gathering. I so hope that Obama is courageous and makes the right decision.

    1. barbararhine

      Ah, Rabbi Burt, how difficult this issue is as a spiritual matter, at least for me. I want to be old and tired and rest on my laurels and enjoy what’s left of nature, BUT I am haunted, and often sad, on behalf of my children and grandchild (soon to be two). Thank you for your comment, and years of spiritual leadership which never leaves out the political…

  11. Joan

    Your account made me realize I have to get busy again, stirring up awareness that this is OUR TIME to stand up for the earth against greed. Even the Sierra CLub is breaking precedent and planning civil disobedience. Thanks for reminding me the fight is on now, not tomorrow. Good for you for going to D.C.

    1. barbararhine

      Oh, Joan, your comment is music to my ears. The fact that my piece has reached and activated others is my fondest desire for this writing business. Let’s go commit civil disobedience if Obama has the nerve to okay Keystone, and make him have to give us, and the world, something big on climate change in return!

  12. Kirsten

    Thanks Barbara, Every emotion-laden step forward is important. I’m so glad you were there and talking to everyone you met! The problem isn’t in the future, it is now..

    1. barbararhine

      Kirsten, you and Global Exchange are in the forefront of so many issues, and you always include the environmental aspect front and center. Let’s all get out there for McKibben when he calls for direct action, which is going to happen soon!

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