Env Events and Vol

[Env Events & Vol] IS CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE MORALLY REQUIRED IN THIS TIME? (Fri, Jan 16, 7pm, First Unitarian Church)

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:52:00 GMT

IS CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE MORALLY REQUIRED IN THIS TIME? Date and Time: Friday, January 16, 2009, 7 pm Location: First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City, 569 South 1300 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84102 | Map It! <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&hs=gW5&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=First+Unitarian+Church+SLC&fb=1&cid=0,0,1685692070104333803&sa=X">http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&hs=gW5&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=First+Unitarian+Church+SLC&fb=1&cid=0,0,1685692070104333803&sa=X</a> We hope you will join us in an interactive conversation that asks us to consider the extent of action required to forestall the destruction to the living systems that support us and to move in the direction of restoring a livable world for our children. We will consider that question from the perspective of over-exploitation of the spectacular lands around us and the poisoning of the biosphere represented by global climate chaos. We are eager for your thoughts and comments, particularly following the courageous act of Civil Disobedience initiated by Tim DeChristopher. What is the extent of personal and collective action, including Civil Disobedience, that is required to change the fatal course that all of us are taking and that the Nobel Prize Winners are sternly warning us about? If we value the living world of which we are a part, if we care deeply for our children and theirs, if we are able to respond to the overwhelming destruction that we together are causing, then what is a constructive response? A complete and immediate overhaul of our economic, social, and moral systems seems required. Reality will have to trump virtual reality. Our perspectives, conversations and expectations will need to match what Mother Nature can provide without destroying the nurture in her. How do we do it? For the doubters: Even if there is only a 50% chance that the state of our planet is as dire as the leading climate scientist, James Hansen, and others clearly and urgently explain -- isn't consequential action to end Coal Fired Power Plants immediately required by those of us who understand the flagrant immorality of continuing to burn these dirty fossils? Let's engage that dialogue. And then, lets see if we are prepared to act. Is action the central moral duty of our time? And if we do actively engage, as Bill McKibben said in our own Salt Lake Unitarian pulpit, isn't action genuinely "loving our neighbors as ourselves?" Scheduled speakers: Tim DeChristopher, Rocky Anderson, Tom Goldsmith, and David Chapman * Context: Bill McKibben and Wendell Berry's Capitol Climate Action: <a href="http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/10/wendell-berry-bill-mckibben-civil-disobedience-washington-dc-coal-plant-march-2/">http://climateprogress.org/2008/12/10/wendell-berry-bill-mckibben-civil-disobedience-washington-dc-coal-plant-march-2/</a>

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[Env Events & Vol] Electronic Waste Recycling this Saturday (01/10/2009)

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:36:00 GMT

There will be an Electronic Waste Recycling Event this Saturday at Franklin Covey Field from 10 am - 2 pm. Please drop off your electronic waste for recycling! FREE for SLC residents. SALT LAKE CITYS ELECTRONIC WASTE RECYCLING EVENT Saturday, January 10, 2009 10:00 AM 2:00 PM Parking lot on 1300 South & West Temple (across from Franklin Covey Field) Accepting all electronics. GRX will be the recycler for the event. Please visit www.grxrecycles.com for more information on e-waste recycling. FREE to all SLC residents, other residents may be charged a recycling fee. No businesses (call GRX at 801.525.8847 to recycle commercial e-waste). Please contact Bridget Stuchly, Outreach Coordinator, Division of Sustainability and the Environment Salt Lake City Corporation, 801-535-6438 or <a href="mailto:Bridget.Stuchly@slcgov.com">Bridget.Stuchly@slcgov.com</a> with questions or to volunteer your help with this event.

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[Env Events & Vol] Update: Tim DeChristopher Raising Funds to Buy the Oil Leases

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 03:37:00 GMT

Tim DeChristopher is has decided to raise the funds to purchase the leases for the 22,500 acres of beautiful land near Moab which he "won" in the BLM auction. To read his letter, go to: <a href="http://www.bidder70.org/articles/view/136369/">http://www.bidder70.org/articles/view/136369/</a>

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[Env Events & Vol] Educational Session on the Health consequences of the proposed co-generation power plant in West Bountiful

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 03:27:00 GMT

Here is information about an upcoming educational session about the health consequences of the proposed co-generation power plant in West Bountiful: Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment and other citizen groups will host a community education session on the health consequences of the proposed co-generation power plant in West Bountiful, Davis County on January 8, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. at the Woods Cross City Building, 1555 S. 800 W. Woods Cross. On November 16, 2008, the Department of Environmental Quality posted in the Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News a Notice of Intent to Approve an application for a permit to build a 109 MW co-generation power plant near the Woods Cross Holly Refinery. The plant will use petroleum coke (petcoke), a coal-like byproduct of the oil refining process, to create energy to be sold back to Holly. The pollutants in petcoke to be transported to, stored and released from the activities at the proposed plant contain toxic heavy metals, which have been linked to respiratory illness, heart disease and cancer. Please attend the community education session on January 8, 2009 to learn more about the plan to expand the refinery, as well as the health consequences associated with petcoke. Information will also be provided for the subsequent public hearing on January 13 at 6:30 p.m. before the Department of Environmental Quality, 168 N. 1950 W., Salt Lake City.

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[Env Events & Vol] Next Env Min Meeting, Sun, Jan 11th, 12:20 pm

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:51:00 GMT

Although we typically meet on the first Sunday of each month, I think this is too soon after the holidays this time. So, let's have our next Environmental Ministry Meeting on Sunday, January 11th, 12:20 pm, 2nd floor, RE Building. See you then, Joan

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[Env Events & Vol] Tim DeChristopher - Bidding to Save Utah Lands

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:47:00 GMT

As many of you may already know, Tim DeChristopher, a regular attendee at First Unitarian Church and member of our Environmental Ministry Team and of the Garden Group, took bold and courageous action on Friday, December 19th to protect Utah lands from oil and gas drilling. The Salt Lake Tribune wrote: Yesterday, in a brave act of civil disobedience, Tim Dechristopher threw a Monkey Wrench into one of the Bush Administrations parting shots at environmentalist and the American people. "He didn't pour sugar into a bulldozer's gas tank. He didn't spike a tree or set a billboard on fire. But wielding only a bidder's paddle, a University of Utah student just as surely monkey-wrenched a federal oil- and gas-lease sale Friday, ensuring that thousands of acres near two southern Utah national parks won't be opened to drilling anytime soon." Salt Lake Tribune Here is a link to Tims statement [ <a href="http://oneutah.org/2008/12/20/why-i-disrupted-a-fraudulent-auction/">http://oneutah.org/2008/12/20/why-i-disrupted-a-fraudulent-auction/</a> ], an opportunity to thank Tim for his courageous act of civil disobedience [ <a href="http://oneutah.org/2008/12/20/thank-you-tim-dechristopher/#respond">http://oneutah.org/2008/12/20/thank-you-tim-dechristopher/#respond</a> be sure to scroll up also and read other comments], and an opportunity to donate (if you are willing and able) to support Tims legal defense (as I have done) [<a href="http://www.wateradvocacy.org/id86.html">http://www.wateradvocacy.org/id86.html</a> ] AND he has been interviewed early this morning (Mon, Dec 22nd) by AMY GOODMAN on DemocracyNow! (<a href="http://www.democracynow.org/">http://www.democracynow.org/</a> - Listen today on KRCL 90.9 FM, 7 pm) TODAY (Mon, Dec 22nd) here is the link to the mp3 of that AWESOME interview: <a href="http://manyone.net/files/37301_37400/37379/file_37379.mp3">http://manyone.net/files/37301_37400/37379/file_37379.mp3</a> . Listen and be inspired to action! Joan

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[Env Events & Vol] REMINDER: Environmental Ministry Meeting, Sun, Dec 14, 2008, 12:20 pm, 2nd Floor, RE Building

Sat, 13 Dec 2008 14:43:00 GMT

REMINDER: Environmental Ministry Planning Meeting, Sunday, December 14, 2008, 12:20 pm, 2nd floor, RE Building The next Environmental Ministry Planning meeting is scheduled for Sunday, December 14, 2008, 12:20 pm, 2nd floor, RE Building. Topics for discussion include a new organizational structure and new opportunities to get involved in the environmental ministry work of the church. We will be planning programs for the remainder of the church year and setting project priorities. All are welcome.

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[Env Events Vol] Tragic News from the UofU Office of Sustainability

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:48:00 GMT

I am forwarding this message from Jen Colby at the University of Utah's Office of Sustainability: _________________________________________________________________ From: Jen Colby [<a href="mailto:jcolby@sustainability.utah.edu">mailto:jcolby@sustainability.utah.edu</a>] Sent: Monday, December 01, 2008 8:38 AM Subject: [os_steering] a tragic loss By now many of you have heard the tragic news about our director and dear friend, Craig Forster. On Friday, November 28, he died in a fall while hiking in the canyons of Zion National Park with his family and friends. We are deeply saddened and shocked at the loss of a wonderful human being and a true champion and leader in the area of sustainability. We will miss him greatly. Craig dedicated his life to creating a better world and a better campus. His passion was contagious and he fostered an interest in sustainability in the lives of many students, faculty, and staff at the University of Utah and in the greater community. When he wasn't working hard, Craig loved to cook delicious food, play in a band, and enjoy the outdoors with his wife, Bonnie Baty. There have been several news articles already: <a href="http://www.dailyutahchronicle.com/news/forster_leaves_legacy_of_sustainability">http://www.dailyutahchronicle.com/news/forster_leaves_legacy_of_sustainability</a> <a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_11108370">http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_11108370</a> <a href="http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=4942545">http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=4942545</a> Please feel free to call or stop by the office anytime if you would like to talk and share your memories of Craig. You may also send condolences to his wife Bonnie care of our office, or alternatively to her campus address, Pediatric Genetics, School of Medicine, 0 N 1900 E, Rm. 2C412. There will be a public memorial service on campus in the near future. Once we have the details arranged, we will let you know. In the meantime, we have set up a facebook group, In Memoriam -- Dr. Craig Forster, where you may post memories and notes. It is a public group so you can find it by searching for the page name. We appreciate your support at this difficult time. We also recognize how profoundly difficult Craigs loss is for his family and so many of us here on campus and in the greater community. Sincerely, Jen Colby and Marie Martin Office of Sustainability University of Utah Annex Building Room 1024 1901 E. South Campus Drive Salt Lake City, UT 84112 801.585.9352 (o) 801.699.1474 (c) ____________________________________________________________________________ Craig was a friend, a mentor, and a colleague - he was so very supportive of the Environmental Ministry work we have been doing at First Unitarian Church. I know that you join me in expressing our very deepest sympathy to Craigs wife, Bonnie, and to his daughter, as well as to Jen Colby, Heather Reese, and Marie Martin, his colleagues and friends in the Office of Sustainability.

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[Env Events & Vol] Unstuffing the Holidays Service (Sun, Nov 30, 2008, 9 & 11 am)

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:17:00 GMT

This Sunday, November 30th, Environmental Ministry will be presenting the services (9 am and 11 am) at First Unitarian Church. The focus will be on: Unstuffing the Holidays. Please join us as we explore ways of celebrating the holidays that reduce consumption, reduce stress, and reduce our impact on the environment, but increase connectedness to family and friends and make a difference for those in need. Also coming up in December: The Holiday Triple R Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - Sat, Dec 6th, 9-11 am, Elliot Hall, Environmental Ministry will host: The Holiday Triple R Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. The purpose of this event is to share what we have with each other and with the Crossroads Urban Center and IRC. Heres how it works: bring what you dont need anymore, take what you do need, no money exchanged, whats not taken will be donated to Crossroads Urban Center and IRC. Help with cleanup and transport will also be greatly appreciated. Unstuffing the Holidays Continuing The Discussion If you would like to share ideas, discuss the challenges of changing your holiday traditions, figure out how to talk to family and friends about the holiday changes you are making, discover alternative holiday traditions, please join Environmental Ministry next Sunday, Dec 7th, 10:15-11:00 am, and again 12:15-1:00 pm for a discussion on unstuffing the holidays. We will meet upstairs in the RE Building after each service (next Sunday). Hope to see you soon. Joan

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[Env Events & Vol] Help Sunday (11/23/08) with Env Min table after 11 am Service

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 21:12:00 GMT

I have two meetings following the 11 am Service on Sunday, November 23rd (tomorrow). If anyone is able to cover the Env Ministry table from Noon - 12:45 pm or so, that would be great. If you are able to pack our stuff up and put it in the book table closet following the coffee hour, that would be awesome too. If you are able to help, please call Joan at 582-7783 or email me at <a href="mailto:green@slcuu.org">green@slcuu.org</a>. And if you are able to help on a regular basis, please let me know that too. We could use help at the table with setup (8:30 am), staffing (10-11 am or Noon-12:45 pm), and/or take-down (12:45-1:00 pm) each and every Sunday. Just let me know which Sunday(s) you are available to help - typically it is easiest to pick a week, a service, and a job (e.g., 1st Sunday, 2nd service, staffing after the service). Thank you one and all, Joan

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[Env Events & Vol] Holiday Donation Cards - Recommendation

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 02:46:00 GMT

At the next Social Justice Council (SJC) meeting, the Council will be making a decision about Holiday Donation Cards (i.e., which 3 organizations the SJC will prepare holiday donation cards for so that people can donate to those organizations instead of buying gifts - another way of "unsuffing the holidays."). Environmental Ministry and Animal Ministry have been asked to collaborate in choosing one of the 3 non-profit organization to support during this holiday season. Please be mindful that the request is that Environmental Ministry and Animal Ministry collaborate in making this recommendation. Here are some suggestions that have been made so far: Friends of Great Salt Lake Nature Conservancy Great Salt Lake Nature Education Center Pax Natura Earthjustice Please send your recommendations/suggestions/votes/comments to <a href="mailto:green@slcuu.org">green@slcuu.org</a> no later than Friday, November 21, 2008 for inclusion in the decision. Thank you. Joan

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