Without question, one of the most rewarding organizing experiences I have ever been a part of was the “Appalachia Rising” mobilization in late September of last year. Appalachia Rising consisted of three very successful days of action in Washington, D.C.: a two-day weekend conference, followed by a Monday morning march of 2,000 people to the White House demanding an end to mountaintop removal coal mining. At the White House 118 people were arrested in front of it.   The next morning there was a huge color picture on the front page of the Washington Post of the nonviolent civil disobedience …

"The world now has the technologies and financial resources to stabilize climate, eradicate poverty, stabilize population, restore the economy's natural support systems, and, above all, restore hope. The United States, the wealthiest society that has ever existed, has the resources and leadership to lead this effort." -Lester Brown World on the Edge, a just-released, 200-page book by Lester Brown, is important for many reasons. For those who still don't understand the depth, immediacy and urgency of the climate crisis, World on the Edge makes that case clearly and understandably with a wealth of hard information. World makes the connections between …

Sen. Maria Cantwell has taken an initiative, supported by 26 other senators, that is an immediate, lame-duck-session issue.  It has to do with the extension of a program, the "Section 1603 Treasury Grant Program," that has played an important role over the last couple of years to build the renewable energy industry. See the link here for more info: http://cantwell.senate.gov/news/record.cfm?id=328729 This program will expire at the end of this year. If it is not extended, it will be a "hit" on the renewable energy industry. In the words of a statement signed by 26 U.S. Senators in support of extending this program, "Absent an extension …

Media reports of the massive and important One Nation Working Together demonstration at the Lincoln Memorial yesterday reported on its diversity, the mix of cultures, and issues represented. Indeed, when compared to the Tea Party/Glenn Beck, virtually-all-white event on August 28, the contrast is striking. This isn't surprising, of course, given that the Tea Party is essentially re-packaged, big money-supported, ultra-right-wingism: hostile to affirmative action, immigrants, an African American president, low-income people, the idea of health care for all, equality, justice, and much more. Regarding diversity at yesterday's rally, the Washington Post commented in its news story that "members of …

Are you frustrated by the inaction in Washington, D.C. on the deepening climate crisis? Are you trying to figure out what more you could do, in addition to what you're already doing, to advance a much-needed clean energy revolution in the USA? Here's an answer: work to enact a local tax on carbon polluters in your area. It can happen, and it doesn't take forever! In May of this year, in Montgomery County, Md., the County Council became the first county government in the country to enact a carbon tax. The owners of an 850 megawatt coal plant in the …

It is wonderful and empowering to see the organizing taking place for major mass mobilizations on three consecutive weekends this fall. Some of us, many of us, in the face of a resurgent right-wing movement and disappointment in and/or anger with Obama, are taking to heart the words of early twentieth century labor organizer Joe Hill: "Don't mourn, organize." The first of these mobilizations, Appalachia Rising (www.appalachiarising.org), will take place in Washington, D.C. from September 25-27. Thousands of people, including many from Appalachia, will join together for a two-day, Voices from the Mountains weekend conference, followed by an action on …

Yesterday, I was sentenced in Washington, D.C. for my conviction on two misdemeanors for hanging "Green Jobs Now" and "Get to Work" banners in the Hart Senate Office Building last September. I was facing up to three years. Instead, Judge Frederick Weisberg sentenced me to one year on probation, 40 hours of community service, an $1100 fine, and 30 days in jail on each count, suspended. To my surprise, I was not sentenced to jail time. The judge did not accept the U.S. Attorney's recommendation that I go to jail for 40 days. Here is the statement I read in …

  Question #1: Who has done more to build the 21st century climate movement, Al Gore or Bill McKibben?   Question #2: Who is doing the most right now to build the kind of climate movement we need?   Short answers: Al Gore for question #1, Bill McKibben for question #2.   Another question: Is it really helpful to pose these questions? Short answer: Y-E-S.   Both of these prominent individuals came forward to give leadership to the climate movement, and burst into public consciousness as doing so, in 2006. Both had been writing and speaking about the developing climate …

Cochabamba, Bolivia, April 19, 2010 At the end of my third day in Cochabamba and after the first day of the World People’s Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth, it has become very clear that “walking on two legs” is very much what is taking place and will be taking place. This is the case as people have been walking from venue to venue in the part of Cochabamba where this historic conference of many thousands is taking place. I must have walked at least 3-4 miles today, but it was a joy to be doing …

It is a very unfortunate fact that what the U.S. Senate does about the climate crisis, and when, is decisive when it comes to the possibility of an eventual solution to that absolutely critical issue. If the Senate does nothing, or very little, this year or for the next few years, the odds of staying this side of climate tipping points and avoiding climate catastrophe are definitely worsened, and they’re not so good right now. The conventional wisdom among the inside-the-beltway, established environmental groups is that the hope for action lies with the legislation-writing process currently taking place under the …