The headline of a short blurb buried in The Des
Moines Register this week read “Greenhouse gas emissions already at
critical level, scientist warns.”  The article should have been broadcast in bold across the front page.  It
referenced comments by a leading Australian climate change expert, Tim
Flannery, who discussed the upcoming release of a new report by the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Is the sky falling?  Not yet, but it’s certainly not the same sky I knew as a kid.  Today’s sky contains a lot more carbon, a lot more methane.  And
it’s churning out weather that’s a lot warmer than it used to be, with
a range of potential consequences that stretch from unpredictable to
catastrophic.

We are truly on the
verge of a veritable climate crisis, a challenge unlike any humanity
has faced during 6,000 years of civilization.  We need immediate global, national, local and personal action on what I believe will prove to be the pivotal issue of our time.

As
Gandhi observed regarding the importance of taking small steps toward
big social changes, “Almost everything you do will seem insignificant,
but it is most important that you do it.”  Now, more than ever, we need a veritable stampede of small steps.  In Iowa, several upcoming events present opportunities where your participation could make a difference. 

HELP DEVELOP IOWA’S NEW ENERGY PLAN

The State of Iowa’s Office of Energy Independence will host four public meetings this month to solicit input on developing a new energy plan for Iowa.  Attend
one of these meetings and let state officials know that the plan
should, (1) set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80% by
2050, (2) include interim benchmarks en route to the 80% target, (3)
target a goal of meeting at least 2% of our annual energy sales through
greater energy efficiency, (4) meet at least 25% of Iowa’s energy needs
with renewables by 2025, and (5) ban new coal-fired power plants.   

The meetings are in October from 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. and scheduled for the 18^th in Des Moines (State Historical Building), the 22^nd in Coralville (North Ridge Pavilion), the 25^thCouncil Bluffs (Iowa Western Community College) and the 29^th in Fort Dodge (Iowa Central Community College).  Contact Tommi.Makila@dnr.iowa.gov for details. in

CLIMATE CHANGE ADVISORY COUNCIL

Recently, I was appointed to the Climate Change Advisory Council, which will make recommendations to the Legislature by January.  It’s important for the Council to send the strongest possible message that Iowa needs immediate and decisive action on climate change.  Come to the meeting, monitor the discussion and encourage members of the council to do the right thing.  No doubt, there will be efforts by industry lobbyists to offer the weakest possible recommendations.  With your help, we can make sure that doesn’t happen.  The first meeting is October 18 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the DNR Air Quality Bureau office, 7900 Hickman Road, Suite 1 in Clive.

NATIONAL DAY OF CLIMATE ACTION

Last
April, the national Step It Up campaign spear-headed a grassroots
movement that spawned over 1,000 local actions in all fifty states,
with ten events in Iowa.  Step It Up II is scheduled for November 3, and organizing is underway in Des Moines (contact Kelly Mitchell at kelly.mitchell@wdc.greenpeace.org), North Liberty (contact Alisa Meggitt at (319) 688-1210) and Iowa City (contact Mike Carberry at mcarberry@iowaglobalwarming.org).

If you’d like to organize an event in your community, visit the national Step It Up website at http://www.stepitup2007.org/ for ideas and guidance, or send Lynn and I a message here.

LOCAL FOODS MEALS

What do local foods have to do with climate change?  Lots!  From an industrial farm to your plate, the average food item travels 1,500 miles.  Buying locally-grown food not only helps family farmers but reduces carbon emissions as well.  This fall, Iowa Farmers Union and the Buy Fresh-Buy Local Campaign are hosting meals featuring Iowa-grown food.  Here’s the schedule so far:

October 17, 8:30 a.m., St. Patrick’s Restaurant, Adel

November 7, 8:30 a.m., Vinton Country Club, Vinton

November 14, 9:00 a.m., The Oaks Steak House, Decorah

A meal in Clear Lake is in the planning phase.  To RSVP your attendance, call (800) 775-5227 at least two days in advance.

LOCAL HARVEST BANQUET IN CARROLL

Again, the more we can do to support local food production the more we decrease transportation-based carbon emissions.  Carroll-area residents involved with the Community Market Coop are hosting a Local Harvest Banquet at the Carrollton on November 17, with a reception at 5:00 p.m. and dinner at 6:00.  Contact communitymarketcoop@gmail.com for more information.

COAL PLANT ANNEXATION DEFEATED!

The hard work of the people of Black Hawk County paid off this week.  A proposed annexation to expedite the construction of a new coal-fired plant was defeated on a 3 – 2 vote.  A
hearty “thank you” to the three board members of the State City
Development Board who voted “no,” and a huge pat on the back to the
hundreds of local residents who have worked hard on this issue for over
a year.

Thanks for taking the time to read this e-mail, and please feel free to write back.  It’s always good to have your feedback.

Ed Fallon