Like most of you, I’ve been wrapped up in following the latest news on Syria. Whichever way things end up going, innocent lives will be lost, its a heartbreaking situation. One of the most interesting pieces I read about the Syrian situation came from a post on Bill Moyer’s blog. Drought Helped Spark Syria’s Civil War — Is it One of Many Climate Wars to Come?
Climate change is already hurting the world’s most vulnerable populations. Those who live in areas hit hard by drought, severe storms or rising seas and can’t relocate because of economic or social factors bear the brunt of our planet’s increasing volatility.
One way the changing climate has already made itself known is through a devastating drought — and ensuing food shortage — in Syria; it created a powder keg, and played a significant role in sparking the country’s civil war. We can expect to see similar scenarios unfold in the future.
Reading this piece connecting the dots between climate change and global unrest causes me great despair. Learning all I have in this past summer while attending the Climate Reality Leadership training, I understand what a huge global task we have in addressing the issue of man made climate change that creates extreme weather such as extended droughts, massive floods, superstorms like Sandy and much much more.
Taking action can be an antidote to despair. This month, I’m teaming up with 350.org, the international environmental organization founded by writer and environmentalist Bill McKibben and other green groups to inform and engage my community about the problems associated with extreme energy excavation. I’ll be hosting a Tar Sands Teach-In on September 21st in Mount Kisco NY, one of over 150 actions happening all over the country that day as we Draw the Line on Keystone XL.
September 21st 2:30 pm Unitarian Fellowship of N.Westchester
The Keystone XL pipeline is still awaiting President Obama’s approval. This pipeline, if approved, will accelerate the destruction of the boreal forests in Alberta, Canada. This huge tar sands extraction project has the potential to accelerate man made climate change to a point where positive feedback loops take place which will accelerate extreme weather. Or, as top NASA climatologist James Hansen says, it will be “game over” for the climate. And for the biosphere.
If you are in Westchester County, I invite you to join me on September 21st for the Teach-In. I’ll share some homemade cookies that will knock your socks off. You’ll feel better too, as you learn what you can do close to home to help keep tar sands in the ground. The details are below. If you’re not in my area, visit the 350.org site to learn about the other 149 events across the country.
Tar Sands Teach In
A day dedicated to creating awareness of the global climate catastrophe and the importance of stopping the Keystone XL pipeline. Join us and learn more about the Canadian Tar Sands and how they impact our water, our weather and the future of life on this planet.
September 21st, 2:30 pm
Unitarian Fellowship of N. Westchester
236 S.Bedford Road Mount Kisco, NY
