The Green Flash

This Tuesday, November 5th, at 7 pm. I’ll be speaking to Veterans for Peace, San Diego Chapter, on The U.S. Military and Climate Change. Our addiction to fossil fuels has put our men and women in uniform in harm’s way for far too long. You may be surprised to know that the Department of Defense wants to move away from its dependence on dirty energy and considers the climate crisis its biggest threat. Want to learn more? Join us at University City United Church of Christ, 2877 Governor Dr. San Diego, CA

This Friday, Nov. 1st, join the Climate strike with Greta Thunberg in Los Angeles. Or urge friends to attend. It is a strike to declare climate emergency to end California’s use of fossil fuels. The rally is Friday, November 1, 12 PM to 3 PM. The location is the WEST STEPS LOS ANGELES CITY HALL• 200 N SPRING ST, LOS ANGELES, CA 90012. I’m taking the train to Union station then the short walk to LA’s City Hall. Bring your friends!

“Climate change is a direct threat to the national security of the United States.“ former Secretary of Defense, James Mattis

“The US Department of Defense recognizes the reality of climate change.” “These impacts are already occurring, and the scope, scale, and intensity of these impacts are projected to increase over time.”

This Thursday evening, September 26th, 2019 don’t miss this rare San Diego County screening of the national award-winning documentary, “THE BURDEN Fossil Fuel, The Military and National Security” (https://www.amresproject.org/the-burden) including a live discussion with the filmmaker. The film features top military experts illustrating how fossil fuel dependence is our greatest long-term national security threat, and why our military is ready and willing to speed the transition to clean energy.

Joining us via Zoom for Q & A will be “THE BURDEN’s” creator Roger Sorkin, who directed, produced, and edited this groundbreaking film in conjunction with the Truman Project. Roger founded and runs American Resilience Project, which has produced such acclaimed documentaries as “Tidewater” and “Current Revolution”.

Featuring guest moderator Eve Simmons, a decades-long environmental speaker, activist, former Congressional Liaison and lobbyist, wildlife guide, Fish and Wildlife Advisory Commissioner and green blogger, THE GREEN FLASH Awakening Your True Nature… with Eve Simmons.

Join us at 6 PM, or arrive at 5:30 PM and enjoy live music by Sabine and John Sherman prior to the film.  https://www.dryadflutes.com/

Popcorn and beverages will be provided. You are welcome to bring a “brown bag lunch/dinner” or takeout to eat. *The Leeds home is at the end of a long driveway off the main road. Look for the orange traffic cone to see where to turn. This event is hosted by Nikki and Merrill Leeds and the North County Climate Change Alliance. Please contact nikkileeds@cox.net to RSVP or for any questions.

Want a more visible bang for your buck during this coming weeklong climate strike? Jamie Dimon, the C.E.O. of JPMorgan Chase, is an oil, coal, and gas baron almost without peer. Let’s encourage him to change his mind on fossil fuel funding. If you’re looking for the best location to choose for your personal statement on raising climate awareness and action for this week’s climate strike (from Sept. 20th – 27th), I can’t think of a better spot than your nearest Chase Bank. Please obey all laws, be courteous, and use common sense. But by peacefully and respectfully displaying your climate sign visibly near the financial institution most responsible for funding fossil fuel investments you will quietly send a powerful message. Not only is profiting from oil, gas, and coal, shortsighted, it’s risky from a financial perspective. Stranded assets anyone? By the way, any Wells Fargo, Citibank, or Bank of America locations could use the same gentle but clear reminder. Want to dig deeper? Two excellent articles on divestment are here:

https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/money-is-the-oxygen-on-which-the-fire-of-global-warming-burns https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2019-09-16/divestment-fossil-fuel-university-of-california-climate-change

I’m going to channel my inner Greta and so can you.

En masse climate actions send powerful messages, but so can singular efforts, as our glorious Greta Thunberg has proven. So if you can’t make it to a major #StrikeForClimate demonstration on September 20th (or even if you can), then #CloneGreta and DIY locally that day and repeatedly at anytime.
Give yourself permission to hit the streets anytime with your sign (mine says “STRIKING FOR CLIMATE AWARENESS AND ACTION”). For maximum impact I’m encouraging people to do this often, as individuals or in small groups, in any pedestrian-safe, high-foot-traffic area. For example, in front  of libraries, banks, post offices, at shopping centers, city halls, colleges, etc. Snap a photo of yourself with your sign and share on social media (as well as to local broadcast and print media if you’d like) to spread this idea and #CloneGreta  This is something we can all do in any town, at any time. Meeting a friend for coffee? Bring your sign and sit outside:) PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD! Thanks!!