Favor number one.
I am supposed to be leaving for Santa Cruz early next week. I say supposed to be leaving because while I have every intention of going from here to there, at the moment, I have no place to stay once I arrive there. Normally, this wouldn't dissuade me from just pointing my car in a westward direction and pushing the gas pedal and going anyway, but for this particular trip I am bringing the two big black furry dogs with me and it makes me just a tad more cautious. I know they can manage quite well even if we are forced to sleep in the car the entire time we're there, but I'd rather we not have to do that.
I know I have a lot of readers in the Bay Area (and in Santa Cruz, in particular), so I'm asking for a favor. A really big favor. If you have a couch, floor space, a futon, a closet, that you'd be willing to share with me and the two big black furry dogs for a night or two anytime between June 1 and June 12, could you please let me know? I'll be eternally grateful and will gladly make you your own very large batch of Clyde's Cookies as payment. And can also offer a holistic consult or two or three and some Dreamsweet Organic Medicinal tea made especially for you.
The reason for my visit to Santa Cruz is because Pilar is graduating from high school. Otherwise, I would certainly postpone. I thought I had my accommodations all sorted, but it turns out it is not sorted (obviously, or I wouldn't be asking the Internet for accommodations) and so here I am asking for favors. Again.
I know that the it will all work out. It always does. I just have to trust that there's some grand adventure in store for me and the big black dogs. They, by the way, can stay in their kennel on wheels (AKA my car) and do not need to stay in your house, but it would be great if I can stay in your house if at all possible.
Let me know. Like I said there are cookies and tea and holistic healing to be had in return for your kindness.
Favor number two is actually even easier. It just involves sending an email on behalf of the environment. You don't have to put up with me in your house or black dog fur tumbleweeds or anything like that at all!
In fact, I'll just cut and paste and let Colin Bevan, aka NoImpactMan do the talking.
I really, really need support from all of you today (and I’m unashamedly bribing you with the offer of free Reverend Billy DVDs). But first I have to give you some background. Just read the bits in bold if you’re in hurry.
Next Friday, May 30, Representative Jerrold Nadler of New York’s Eight Congressional District has kindly agreed to meet with me in his New York office. As one of his constituents, I intend to ask Representative Nadler to support an effective global warming mitigation policy that is based not on what is politically possible but on what is scientifically necessary.
More specifically, I intend to ask him to:
* Introduce, as soon as possible, a non-binding resolution to the House of Representatives asserting that we need a climate change mitigation policy with a goal of no more than 350 ppm of atmospheric carbon dioxide (read why here). Furthermore, the resolution should say that the United States must collaborate with the international community to achieve an effective successor to the Kyoto Protocol that will achieve the 350 goal or better (depending on how the science progresses).
* Pledge to support the 1sky.org policy platform that also includes creating five million green jobs (through, for example, weatherizing our buildings and manufacturing solar panels and windmills), and placing a moratorium on the building of new coal power plants.
* Pass on to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi a letter addressed jointly to her and Representative Nadler, in his position as Assistant Whip, asking them both to push for the introduction of new and the strengthening of currently pending climate change legislation to reflect the crucial 350 goal. This means, at the very least, aiming for an 80% reduction in climate emissions below 1990 levels by 2050 and a 25% reduction by 2020.Now then, here’s how I was hoping you could help. My dream is to present Representative Nadler and Speaker Pelosi with between 350 and 3,500 (10 x 350) emails of support for these policy objectives.
Can you help? All it requires is a cut and paste job (see below).
Fellow bloggers: would you be willing to pass this request onto your readers?
Everyone: would you email this around and get your friends to pitch in?
Two bits of good news:
1. Representative Nadler has been an ardent supporter of environmental issues ranging from the thorough cleanup of the World Trade Center site to securing federal funding for state conservation and wildlife grants. He received a score of 95% for his voting record in the 1st session of the 110th Congress from the League of Conservation Voters.
2. Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping have provided me with five copies of their new DVD, What Would Jesus Buy (watch the trailer here). I’m going to give the DVDs to people who send in their emails of support (the 1st, the 35th, 100th, the 350th and the 1000th).Here’s how to send in your email of support:
Simply cut and paste the below, making sure to substitute in your name, mailing address and email address, and send it to noimpactman+nadler+pelosi@gmail.com (it looks like a weird email address but, don’t worry, it will work).
———————
Dear Representative Nadler and Speaker Pelosi–
Thank you for your hard work on behalf of the people of the United States. It is indisputable that the health, happiness and security of the American people depends upon the well-being of our planetary habitat. It is also indisputable that the anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases is causing changes in our habitat that will adversely effect Americans on every level–from our health to our economy.
On May 30, Colin Beavan aka No Impact Man will visit Representative Nadler to express to him support for a number of climate change mitigation policies that are much stronger than those currently passing through Congress. Please consider this a letter of support for the measures Colin Beavan will be advocating.
Specifically, I support Colin Beavan in requesting that Representative Nadler and Speaker Pelosi both, together or separately:
* Introduce, as soon as possible, a non-binding resolution to the House of Representatives asserting that we need a climate change mitigation policy that accords not with what is politically possible but what is scientifically necessary–a goal of no more than 350 ppm of atmospheric carbon dioxide (read why here). Furthermore, this resolution should assert that the United States must collaborate with the international community to achieve an effective successor to the Kyoto Protocol that will achieve the 350 goal or better (depending on how the science progresses).
* Pledge to support the 1sky.org policy platform that also includes creating five million green jobs (through, for example, weatherizing our buildings and manufacturing solar panels and windmills) and placing a moratorium on the building of new coal power plants.
* Push for the introduction of new and the strengthening of currently pending climate change legislation to reflect the crucial 350 goal. This means, at the very least, aiming for an 80% reduction in climate emissions below 1990 levels by 2050 and a 25% reduction by 2020.Yours sincerely,
<Your Name>
<Your Mailing Address>
<Your Email Address>
