Southern Energy Network Newsletter, April 2008
Southern Energy Network Newsletter, March 2008
Southern Energy Network Newsletter, February 2008
Southern Energy Network Newsletter, January 2008
April 2008
Get Involved!
* POWERSHIFT 08' - http://climateaction.net/PS08
This fall we have an amazing opportunity to shift the debate on global
warming away from false solutions towards a truly just and sustainable
future. WE Have The POWER and will demonstrate this by engaging with
over 1,000,000 young people who commit to holding their government
officials accountable by demanding bold action now.
Please fill out the form at http://climateaction.net/PS08 if you are interested in working on PS08 on your campus or in your community
Get your training on! SEN and the Sierra Student Coalition have
partnered up to organize a summer training program for rising
environmental leaders in the Southeast. The Georgia "SPROG" runs from
Sunday, July 27 to Sunday, August 3 at Cloudlands Canyon Lodge near
Chattanooga and Dalton. Trainees will improve skills in running an
organization, building a campaign, and effective communications, in
addition to meeting amazing guest speakers. Registration deadline is
May 31st. More information about the Sierra Student Coalition's
Student Environmental Leadership Trainings can be found at [http://www.ssc.org/sprog/].
Regional Updates
On April 1st, thousands of young
people from across the US and Canada took action against the fossil
fuel industry for the third annual Fossil Fools Day. Eight protestors
were arrested in North Carolina after locking themselves to bulldozers
on the construction site of a new Duke Energy Cliffside coal-fired power plant.
More information about the international day of action, including maps,
press, and the final results of the 2008 Foolies awards can be found at
[http://www.fossilfools08.org].
Students in Knoxville, TN will host a full calendar of events
in April for their annual Earth Month Celebration. Events include
screenings of King Corn and The 11th Hour followed by discussions with
the filmmakers as part of the Earth Month Film Series. A complete list
of events can be found at [http://environment.utk.edu/].
Campus Highlights
Georgia rocks! Over 100 Atlanta
students attended the Dream Reborn Conference held last week in
Memphis, TN. Atlanta Students were also featured on the local news talking about all the awesome work they are doing.
So does North Carolina...
Durham Tech students including Vanessa Bowman-Allen won a huge victory
this semester. Their president committed to signing the PCC. The
president will sign the PCC on Earth Day as part of a large
media-friendly event.
If you've got an event, action, or news item that you want announced to the rest of the Southeast region, contact [chris@climateaction.net] to get it into the SEN Newsletter.
Take Action!
May 9-11, on Mother's Day weekend, the
1Sky Campaign is calling for families around the US to send a message
to Congress demanding climate action for the welfare of future
generations. Your group can prepare a banner that will be combined
with many others into a massive tapestry presented in DC as part of a
high-profile press event. Sign up for more details and support at [http://action.1sky.org/t/1426/signUp.jsp?key=121].
Events Calendar
Knoxville hosts the Energy &
Responsibility Conference, April 10-12. Join leading environmental
thinkers and policymakers from around the world this weekend for a
conference on the future of energy ethics and environmental policy.
Find out about free registration and housing by contacting [reagan@climateaction.net].
Contents:
*Get involved in the Southern Energy Network: become a blogger and/or join our steering committee
*Turn your representative into a Climate Champion: set up a meeting or drop by over recess & learn more on phone trainings
*Mtn. Justice Spring Break in Ohio: March 22-30
*Tue, April 1st: Fossil Fools Day 08: free movies, vote for fossil fools, & take action
*Summer Training Programs from SEN and Sierra Student Coalition
*Energy & Responsibility Conference at UT Knoxville
>>
Get involved in the Southern Energy Network!
*Become a Blogger*
Get
the word out across the Southeast about your group's projects! Become
a contributor to the new Southern Energy Network blog at <southeastenergy.wordpress.com>.
This is a great new media resource we've set up for everyone to take
advantage of! If you'd like to start publicizing your events and
notices to organizers across the Southeast and Appalachia, contact
Chris Martin at <chris@climateaction.net>. You can also send us any pics and vids of projects and actions for us to post. Our site is here for your news!
*Apply for our Steering Committee*
We
need active, creative and enthusiastic leaders, who are willing to
devote time to conference calls, both the bi-monthly Steering committee
calls, and any conference calls that the finance and strategic planning
subcommittees will have. The students must also be willing to devote 3
weekends per year to the annual committee meetings. In return, you’ll
be able to meet awesome environmental activists throughout your region,
be actively involved in directing the course of the Southern Energy
Network, and learn the skills you’ll need to effect real change.
Deadline for 2008 is March 17. If you're interested in getting
involved but can't make the deadline or have questions,
contact: steeringapp [at] climateaction.net
apply now: http://tinyurl.com/ytlzyh
more info: http://www.climateaction.net/get_involved/opportunities#steering
>>
Turn your representative into a Climate Champion
Thousands
of young people met with their representatives November 5, 2007 at
Power Shift Lobby Day to ask for the 1 Sky principles of 80% reduction
by 2050, green jobs, and no coal! We still have not seen the climate
and energy legislation pass that we need to stop global warming and
create the clean energy future that we need, so continue the
conversation with your elected representatives while they are at home
for Easter congressional recess from March 17-28.
The
Southern Energy Network and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy are
hosting trainings for students and young people to learn how to
effectively advocate for policy change with elected officials!
* WHO: Jen Rennicks, Federal Policy Advisor for SACE and YOU!
* WHAT: Two identical phone trainings that will give you the basic
skills to hold an effective meeting with an elective official. Jen
will teach us about what questions to ask, how to respond, what
legislation is pertinent to discuss right now, what other groups are
advocating for, and how to make your elected official a CLIMATE
CHAMPION! She will also answer questions you have about climate policy
and where your representative stands on the issues! With the training
you will get a helpful toolkit with lots of tips for the meeting and
how to follow up!
* WHEN: Two nights! Monday March 17 at 9 PM EDT and Tuesday March 18 at 7 PM EDT
* WHERE: The SEN conference line!
o 512-597-6296
o PIN: 412870#
* WHY: If you are meeting with your Senator or Congressional
Representative during the Spring Recess, trying to get a meeting with
one, or meeting with any elected official, these skills will be
INVALUABLE! Jen has over 20 years of experience working on federal
climate policy and will help you turn your representative into a
CLIMATE CHAMPION!
The trainings will be exactly the same, so you
only need to attend one or the other. Please be on the call a few
minutes before the start time so we can get started right on time!
Talk to you on Monday or Tuesday!
>>
March 22-30, Mountain Justice Spring Break (MJSB) in Southern Ohio
MJSB
2008 will bring you face to face with the devastating effects of
mountain top rmoval and coal industry abuse – and give you the skills
and knowledge you need to fight back! Through education, community
service, speakers, hiking, music, poetry, direct action and more, you
will join local communities in the struggle to maintain their land and
culture.
Register online at http://mjsb.org/
>>
Tue, April 1st: Fossil Fools Day 08: free movies, vote for fossil fools, & take action!
The
good people at Working Films are giving away 100 free copies of the new
movie Everything's Cool to the first Energy Action Coalition youth
climate champions who sign up to host a movie screening for Fossil
Fools Day. This special activist edition is jam packed with info on how
to turn the US into a leader on climate change, as well as extras
spotlighting green jobs and the youth climate movement. Get 'em while
they're hot (and free) at http://events.everythingscool.org/screenings/signup/fossilfools.
Speaking
of free movies. Some amazing youth climate activists in Tennessee have
made a great Fossil Fools Day promo for YouTube. Watch it and then tell
your friends to watch it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4hetwJPZJ8
"The
Foolies," our Fossil Fools awards ceremony is taking off! Thousands of
people are voting, nail biter races between automakers and coal czars
are developing, and THE national French newspaper is working on an
article about it. If you haven't yet, vote today. If you have, hassle
your friends, families, and acquaintances to do the same! http://www.FossilFools08.org/vote.
Join
the fun and expose the Fossil Fools in your region! Register an action
for Fossil Fools day or join an action planned in your area: www.fossilfools08.org
>>
SIERRA STUDENT COALITION: Student Environmental Leadership Training Programs
SUMMER 2008: BE A FORCE FOR CHANGE
Southern
Energy Network is partnering with SSC on a SPROG in Georgia at
Cloudlands Canyon State Park July 27-Aug 3. And there are a number of
other training dates around the country. to apply and find info on all
trainings see http://www.ssc.org
APPLY NOW online at www.ssc.org/sprog
LEARN:
* Campaign Planning--Learn how to plan and run an effective campaign to
make a tangible difference in your school or community.
* Communication Skills--Learn how to define your message, work with the media, and communicate persuasively.
* Organizing 101--Learn how to start a group, recruit and develop new leaders, facilitate effective meetings, etc.
* Guest Speakers--You'll hear from engaging speakers from the climate and environmental movement from your area.
* and lots more!
>>
Energy & Responsibility: A Conference on Ethics and the Environment
April 10-12 in Knoxville, TN
Conflicts
and controversies about energy have become familiar features of the
political and economic landscape around the globe. The environmental
consequences of energy production, distribution and consumption and
energy policy invite consideration of the ethical implications of both
practice and policy. What are our ethical obligations to manage the
earth's resources and natural environment in a 'sustainable' manner?
How should these obligations be enacted, institutionalized and
implemented?
This conference invites ethicists, legal theorists,
energy policy makers, energy enterprises and environmental activists to
engage in a conversation about ethics and responsibility in the
contested terrain of energy and the environment.
Online registration at http://isse.utk.edu/energy_and_responsibility/
* Become a contributor to the SEN blog!
* Nominate a Fossil Fool for an award
* Jobs: Florida Campus Organizer & other positions with ally organizations
* Mountain Justice Spring Break (Mar.1-9 Va., Mar.22-30 Oh.)
* Apr.1, Get ready to rock on Fossil Fools Day 2008!
* more events
* Send us your opportunities
* National and regional news updates
>>>TAKE ACTION!
CALL FOR CONTRIBUTORS TO SEN BLOG
To become a contributor to the Southern Energy Network's Climate Action Blog <southeastenergy.wordpress.com>, sign up for a Wordpress account and send an email to chris@climateaction.net We'll make you a Contributor, and you can start posting events, news, and media to our growing regional blog.
NOMINATE A FOSSIL FOOL FOR THE FOSSIL FOOLS DAY AWARDS & TAKE ACTION ON FOSSIL FOOLS DAY
We're
excited to let everyone know of our plans to promote fossil fools day
virally through a online polling feature that will be rolled out on fossilfools08.org.
Starting next week, March 3rd, we will be inviting anyone and everyone
to vote for their favorite fossil fool in 5 categories, then we'll be
looking to get some media coverage while presenting the winner with an
award on Fossil Fools Day, April 1, 2008. Nominations will ideally be
people who are targets of an ongoing campaign, to be targeted by an
action on Fossil Fools Day. If you are targeting a company, please
nominate their CEO. We will also accept nominations for politicians
and other foolish people. The 5 foolish categories that we will be
accepting nominations for are: (1) Fossil Fool of the Year, (2)
Outstanding Performance in Corporate Greenwashing, (3) Most
Inauspicious Newcomer, (4) Lifetime Achievement Award, (5) Biggest
Human Toll. Send any nominations to Yochi Zakai (yochiz@gmail.com) ASAP, by Wednesday 2/27 if possible.
>>> JOBS
Florida Organizer
The
Southern Energy Network is looking for a dynamic organizer to take on
the role of student organizing around global warming and energy
issues. Florida is on the front lines of our current energy and
climate crisis with large portions of Florida expected to be underwater
due to the effects of global warming. Therefore, we need someone who
is dedicated to pursuing campus victories and leveraging those
victories toward broad spectrum policies, now! The exciting and
fast-paced position offers countless opportunities for skill building
and development.
http://www.climateaction.net/jobs
NC 1Sky Organizer
http://www.ncconservationnetwork.org/jobs/ncconnetjob.2008-02-22.4726020003
more jobs, check out EAC jobs board: http://climatechallenge.org/jobsboard
>>>EVENTS
MOUNTAIN JUSTICE SPRING BREAK
Virginia: Saturday, March 1st - Sunday, March 9th
Ohio: Saturday, March 22nd - Sunday, March 30th
Activists
from across Appalachia will assemble twice this March for two weeks of
workshops, presentations, food, and fun in Virginia and Ohio. This is
a major opportunity to meet other organizers committed to fighting
dirty energy in Appalachia. If you can't attend on the weekdays, don't
worry! Each of the four available weekends are scheduled to be
autonomous events. If you plan to attend MJSB in any capacity, be sure
to register on the website <http://mjsb.org/register.php>. More information available at <http://www.mjsb.org>.
FOSSIL FOOLS DAY 2008
Tuesday, April 1st
The
International Rising Tide network and its allies are calling for a day
of action against the fossil fuel industry on April 1st 2008...FOSSIL
FOOLS DAY! You can register your action and receive a media toolkit
from Energy Action, <http://www.energyaction.net/fossilfools>. Find ideas for actions in your community at <http://www.fossilfoolsday.org/>. Be sure to get lots of photos and video and send them out to us!
more events:
Feb. 1-30 National Campus Energy Challenge
Feb. 26 -- TN Student Lobby Day -- support renewable energy & climate policies and help stop MTR in TN!
March 18-19th No War! No Warming! Washington, D.C.
March 28-30 9th Annual SURGE Conference in NC
April 4-6th "The Dream Reborn" in Memphis, Tn
April 16th Campus Chill Out Video Contest
Late July Southeastern Climate Convergence in VA
July 27-August 3rd SEN/SSC Summer SPROG Training
find out more on all of these events here: http://www.climateaction.net/get_involved/events
>>>OPPORTUNITIES OR RESOURCES
If
you know of any upcoming internships available in your organization,
resources, or other opportunities send the application and workplan our
way, and we can publicize the opportunities & resources over our
website. send along to chris@climateaction.net with "opportunity" in the subject.
>>>NEWS
"Coastal wind farm proposed" (NC)
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/926691.html
Duke Energy & other USCAP members are supporting efforts to undermine restrictions on CO2 emissions
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_09/b4073000596425.htm
Earth First! Blockades Florida Power Plant Construction, 27 Arrested
http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/2008/02/19/bond-money-needed-for-earth-first-power-plant-blockaders/
Duke Energy Deception Worsens Regarding New Plant's Emisssions
http://www.ncwarn.org/docs/NoteToEdsAndOfficialsReDukeDeception2-18-08.htm
Environmental Justice Movement says NO to Carbon Trading!
http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/2008/02/19/environmental-justice-community-says-no-to-carbon-trading/
Tallahassee approves energy-savings plan
http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080221/NEWS01/802210319/1010
"After Washington Pulls Plug on FutureGen, Clean Coal Hopes Flicker"
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120192661667637793.html
~~Contents~~~
*Call for content on the new SEN website and newsletter
*National and regional news stories
*Facebook Giving Challenge: donate by 3pm EST on Tues Jan 29!
*Share your Photos for Flickr
*Upcoming regional events (FTN, SSREC, I Love Mountains Day, MJSB,
Fossil Fools Day)
*2008 Energy Forum hosts $10,000 essay contest
*SEN now taking applications for Florida Campus Organizer
*Trainers wanted for SSC/SEN Summer Training Program
*Davis-Putter Scholarships for Student Activists
*$10,000 "Project Slingshot" Grants from Clif Mojo
*Information resources
CALL FOR CONTENT!
We're working on a new website with more information and a better
layout. It should launch around February 6th, before the Southeast
Student Renewable Energy Conference (Feb.8-10). Use the submissions
page linked below if you have items for website or newsletter content:
campus projects, upcoming events, organizing resources, job
opportunities, you name it.
www.climateaction.net/news
TAKE ACTION!
Support the Southern Energy Network through the Facebook Giving
Challenge. Donate $10 or more and recruit your friends to help us win
$1,000+ by 3pm EST Tuesday January 29
January 28 through 3pm Tuesday January 29. We need your help to
continue building our youth-led work on clean energy and climate
throughout the Southeast!
donate & recruit your friends:
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/view_cause/54118?h=plw&recruiter_id=243459
*** if you're not on Facebook, you can still donate anytime to support
our work: http://www.climateaction.net/support
Contribute Photos to SEN's Flickr Feed
Upload photos of Focus the Nation, other events, and actions and with
the "southernenergy" tag. We're also working on compiling photos of
the drought to use to make the connection between the huge amount of
water that coal, nuclear, and other dirty energy plants use. Tag
drought photos "SEdrought" and if you can, include date and location.
Check out the photos we have now!
http://flickr.com/search/?q=southernenergy
http://flickr.com/search/?q=sedrought
EVENTS:
FOCUS THE NATION: A Nationwide Teach-In on Climate Change
Thursday, January 31st
On January 31st, thousands of students on every campus, millions of
students nationwide, will participate in workshops and panels,
brainstorming global warming solutions. Are you with us? Are your
faculty supporting you? Ask ten, twenty, fifty faculty to stand up as
educators on behalf of your future. They will say yes.
http://www.focusthenation.org/
Edward Norton will make an appearance on the 2% Solution webcast along
with Senator Bill Nelson and Governor Crist of Florida, Governor
Napolitano of Arizona, Van Jones, Hunter Lovins and Stephen Schneider.
Check out the trailer with Ed Norton and if you haven't already, sign
up to host a screening in your community.
http://www.focusthenation.org/2percentsolution.php
SOUTHEAST STUDENT RENEWABLE ENERGY CONFERENCE (GA)
February 8th-10th
In less than three weeks, the 5th annual Southeast Student Renewable
Energy Conference (SSREC) will take place at Valdosta State
University. Energy Action Coalition partners the Environmental
Justice and Climate Change Initiative and the Southern Energy Network
invite you to participate in this historic event. There will be
amazing presentations and workshops through out the weekend including
a panel connecting water, energy and climate through stories of from
the Gulf South, workshops on topics from equity and justice to digital
organizing to taking your work beyond campus.
http://www.climateaction.net/ssrec
KY & VA are Taking ACTION FOR VALENTINE'S DAY!
ORGANIZE YOUR OWN VALENTINES ACTION
I Love Mountains Day; February 14th
We hope to bring hundreds of people out to Frankfort on Valentine's
Day for our 3rd annual I Love Mountains Day. We want to have a big
show of force to help get our Stream Saver Bill moving. Save the date!
http://www.kftc.org/calendar/events/i-love-mountains-lobby-day/
Join citizens from all over Virginia for a week of Valentines themed
action from Monday, February 11th to Friday, February 15th. We can no
longer afford to stay silent as our mountains are razed for coal. We
must stand up and
act so we can preserve our mountains and our way of life that makes us
distinctly Virginian.
http://www.loveyourmountains.org/
MOUNTAIN JUSTICE SPRING BREAK (VA, OH)
March 1-9 (Va.), March 22-30 (Ohio)
Stand in solidarity with communities impacted by dirty coal. Mountain
Justice Spring Break 2008 will show you the effects of coal industry
abuse and Mountain Top Removal, and it will give you a way to fight
back. There will be
education, community service, speakers, hiking, music, poetry, action, and more!
REGISTER NOW!
http://www.mjsb.org
FOSSIL FOOLS DAY
Tuesday, April 1st
Join thousands of youth around North America and take action to break
our oil addiction! Register your action, find an action near you to
join, search for actions around North America, and find action ideas
here. After you
register, we'll send you resources for your action including: media
guides, draft press advisories and releases, AND we'll send you
information on trainings we're scheduling in the next few weeks on
media.
http://www.energyaction.net/fossilfools
OPPORTUNITIES:
"2008 Presidential Forum on Renewable Energy" Essay Contest
Three Scholarships of $10,000 each to be given away to three college
students who write the best renewable energy plan for America.
Deadline is February 1, 2008, and apparently there are not too many
applicants as of this late
date so those who apply have a good shot at it!
http://www.2008energyforum.org/forum/events/newsDetails/reqID--100474
SEN seeks Florida Campus Organizer
The Southern Energy Network is looking for a dynamic organizer to take
on the role of student organizing around global warming and energy
issues. With large portions of Florida expected to be underwater due
to the effects of global warming, we need someone who is dedicated to pursuing campus
victories and leveraging those victories toward broad spectrum policies NOW. The
fun-filled, exciting, and fast-paced position offers countless
opportunities for skill-building and development and is highly
personally rewarding.
www.climateaction.net/jobs
Sierra Student Coalition & Southern Energy Network seek "Sprog"
Trainers (July 27 - Aug 3) This summer the SSC is running 10 week-long Summer Training Programs
(Sprogs) so they need more trainers than ever. Learn more about
Sprogs on the SSC website and apply to be a Sprog trainer. As a
trainer, not only will you help train the next generation of leaders, you'll deepen your own
skills at the same time. Read the job description and download your
application TODAY! The SEN/SSC Summer Training Program will be held in Cloudland
Canyon State Park, Georgia from July 27th to August 3rd.
TRAINER APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, February 8th
www.ssc.org/trainings
Davis-Putter Scholarships for Student Activists
The Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund has applications available for
student activists nationally who are building the progressive movement
and will be enrolled in school during the 2008-09 academic year. The
website provides access to the application form, answers to questions about the Fund,
the application process, and the students we support. If you know of
students working for peace and justice, or if you have a list of activist contacts,
please send this announcement along and refer potential applicants to
the Fund's website.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 1st
http://www.davisputter.org
Project Slingshot: $10,000 Grants for Global Warming solutions
Win $10,000 for a creative solution to global warming! Clif Mojo and
Focus the Nation want you to propel your creative Global Warming
solutions into action. Three winners will receive up to $10,000 to
slingshot their ideas into reality.
DEADLINE: March 15
http://www.focusthenation.org/mojoslingshot.php
RESOURCES:
Find out how you're connected to Mountaintop Removal by entering your Zip Code.
http://www.ilovemountains.org/myconnection/
NWF report: "Higher Education in a Warming World -
The Business Case for Climate Leadership on Campus"
http://www.nwf.org/campusecology/BusinessCase/index.cfm
Photo Blog of Elisa Young
Elisa is a strong and amazing woman standing up to fight five new coal
plants and coal mining in her community in Southern Ohio, which
already has four coal plants within a 10 mile radius of her house.
She experiences the entire dirty cycle of coal in her community.
http://www.dsheaphoto.net/blog/?p=163
Also check out their community group website: http://www.meigscan.org/
Story of Stuff
From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in
our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is
hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced,
fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. You can watch
it online and show your friends!
http://www.storyofstuff.com/
Climate of Hope
This 30-minute Australian film is available online and talks about the
entire cycle of nuclear power, how it takes a lot of input of fossil
fuels and about many other reasons why nuclear power is NOT a solution
to global warming.
http://www.icanw.org/climate-hope
NEWS
Clemson Focus the Nation Launch hosts Barak Obama and Bob Inglis.
http://www.clemson.edu/focus/
Southern drought could dry up coolant water and force nuclear plants
to shut down
http://www.startribune.com/nation/14050001.html
Nuclear Power Costs Surge in Rush to Build: Customers may help
shoulder the increase.
http://www.sptimes.com/2007/12/12/State/Nuclear_power_costs_s.shtml
Honoring Dr. King in the Economic Stimulus
http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/2008/01/22/honoring-dr-king-in-the-economic-stimulus/
UNC Focus the Nation hosts Its Getting Hot in Here Speed Dating! <3
http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/2008/01/25/this-is-why-were-hot/
UT Knoxville Make Orange Green Efforts Recognized by National Wildlife
Federation
http://www.utk.edu/news/article.php?id=4389
--New Website: http://www.climateaction.net
