Film Screening: Conversation with the Valve Turners

Friday, January 6th, 7:00 PM, Eliot Hall - submitted by Joan Gregory, Environmental Ministry

Cosponsored by: Environmental Ministry, Association for the Tree of Life, and Climate Emergency Coalition
“If people are not acting as if there’s an emergency, people don’t believe there’s an emergency. So for me, this is about acting consistent with the threat I’m seeing.”
– Leonard Higgens, valve turner
On October 11, 2016, five brave climate activists, determined to act commensurately with the truth of unfolding climate cataclysm, closed safety valves on the 5 pipelines carrying tar sands crude oil into the United States – stopping 15% of US oil flow for an entire business day.
"The biggest coordinated move on US energy infrastructure ever undertaken by protesters.” – Reuters
Come listen to the valve turners’ deep reflections about courage, fear, hope, and motivations for action, a web video chat hosted by author Kathleen Dean Moore – a 1:10 hour film – and then join the discussion. We’ll begin with a 7-minute film about the action by Utah’s own Steve Liptay, who faces 2 misdemeanors for his role in documenting the action.
Was this an appropriate and practical response to terrifying climate conditions?
Who are we going to be in the face of what is going on?
What are effective responses to Trump?
How can we support the valve turners in their trials?

“Even as seas rise against the shores, another great tide is beginning to rise — So, let us be .... a tide of outrage against the pillage of the planet, let us be ... a tide of commitment to justice and human rights, let us be ... a swelling affirmation of moral responsibility to the future and to Earth's fullness of life.” – Kathleen Dean Moore, Great Tide Rising

Threatened Bear River Program

Friday, January 20, 7pm, Eliot Hall -submitted by Judy Lord, Environmental Ministry

After years of lurking in the shadows, the proposed Bear River water diversion has emerged as a proposal to provide additional lawn water for Wasatch Front residents. Water lobbyists at the Utah Legislature are proposing to spend at least $2.5 billion to divert the Bear River — the Great Salt Lake’s single largest source of water each year. Although the project has been given initial funding and a green light from the Legislature, many people are left with a list of questions about the project and its impacts: What will happen to the Great Salt Lake's wetlands if the diversion is approved, what are the next steps for the project’s approval process and what can be done to stop this destructive project?

Zach Frankel, Executive Director of the Utah Rivers Council, will present an interactive presentation on the Bear River Water Grab and discuss the many alternatives to diverting the life source for the Great Salt Lake.