Break Free from Fossil Fuels: May 13 – 15, 2016
The largest climate demonstration in the history of the Northwest is taking place in Anacortes, Washington, the second week of May, and 350Missoula is working with Northern Rockies Rising Tide and other groups to involve Montanans
This is one of six regional climate demonstrations in the U.S. and multiple actions abroad in May 2016 to call attention to the commitment 200 nations made in Paris last December, when leaders of the world committed to keeping global temperatures below 1.5oC. The simple fact is that world leaders agreed, but no current policies bring us even close to that goal.
In fact, at refineries like the Tesoro Refinery at Anacortes, the fossil fuel industry is talking about expanding the use of fossil fuels, increasing the amount of Bakken oil shipped by mile-long, 125-car “boom trains” and building a $400 million xylene plant.
Please take a few minutes to learn about this action, come to several community learning sessions or a nonviolent civil disobedience training, sign up to go with us, or support our work by donating to defray the costs of the trip.
This Action
Thousands of people are converging upon March Point in Anacortes, Washington, in May 13, 14, and 15, 2016. Hundreds of people will risk arrest at two refineries by engaging in peaceful civil disobedience.
We are asking YOU to join this historic convergence and begin the global break from fossil fuels. Why? Because it’s time.
The Rationale
World leaders say we have to stay below 1.5°C of warming to avoid radical climate destabilization. No current policies keep us anywhere near this goal, and the fossil fuel industry is turning the Northwest into a dirty energy superhighway.
Here’s a summary of our situation unapologetically plagiarized from an outstanding blog by Seattle writer/activist Patrick Mazza. The hyperlinks will take you to specific articles where you can go for more information.
Never has radical climate disruption caused by fossil fuel pollution been so visible. The Northwest is seeing more drought, less snowpack, more frequent – and larger – forest fires, dry streams that imperil our cold-water fisheries, warmer ocean temperatures, distorted salmon runs, and many other indicators that our climate is changing.
Besides the temperature spikes humans are been experiencing all over the world, with new records every month, the Arctic is flashing red warning signs. An Arctic Ocean ice pack at record lows could be setting up a record melt season. The Greenland ice melt season just started, two months ahead of normal. One of the world’s foremost scientists, James Hansen, is talking about more instability when the arctic ice-melt flows out of the poles.
We don’t have to sit idly by. The status quo is not conservative. It’s the radical choice. Doing nothing makes things worse!
We must do all that we can.
Moving to a World Powered by Renewables
Scientists tell us we must end fossil fuel use by 2030 at latest. A new University of Sussex study concludes the world has the capability to end fossil use for energy by 2025.
Climate disruption is accelerating, but so are the ideas needed to address the challenge at the scale it must be addressed. The concept of 100 percent renewables, on the fringes even a few years ago, has now moved to the forefront. The message was flashed on the Eiffel Tower at the Paris summit. Sierra Club officially launched its Ready for 100 campaign in January. Environment America is also forwarding the 100 percent message.
“World governments have agreed to global action,” writes the international organization 350.org, “but without a clear commitment on how and when they will transition off of fossil fuels. The way to make that transition a reality is by organizing to keep coal, oil, and gas in the ground and accelerate the just transition to 100 percent renewable energy.”
Just transition is a crucial concept. The world energy system will not be transformed without disruption. Workers in conventional energy industries must be given help to transition into new occupations that pay as well. Fortunately, there will be more jobs in new clean energy sectors.
A plan for 100 percent renewables in the U.S. done by Mark Jacobson of Stanford projects. While it’s true 3.9 million old energy jobs will be lost, 5.9 million jobs will created in new energy sectors. Old job skills are highly transferrable to the new, and displaced workers should be given explicit preference in hiring. They should also be provided with job training, and full pay with benefits until they are placed in new jobs.
It’s not too late
We can lead a just transition to 100 percent renewable energy safeguarding workers and our climate. We cannot delay.
Join us May 13, 14, 15 as we put our bodies on the line to stop the fossil fuel economy and change history.
We’re planning several community learning sessions. Come to our educational session on April 25 to learn more. There are two trainings on April 26 and May 3 if you are thinking of engaging in nonviolent civil disobedience.
Please sign up to join 350 Missoula to Break Free from fossil fuels in Anacortes.
Community Learning Sessions
On Monday, April 25, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Union Hall, second floor ballroom, 208 East Main, 350 Missoula is sponsoring a general education session about the Anacortes action.
This is a chance to learn more about the way to move on from Paris and what place this new wave of mass action around the world plays to steering us in the right direction. We are a democracy. Our leaders are no longer making choices according to the best interest of the people and the planet. It’s time for ordinary citizens to step up.
Expect a 30-minute PowerPoint presentation. Expect to meet some of the Missoula people who are going to Anacortes. Expect an active discussion with some light drinks and snacks.
Two Nonviolent Civil Disobedience Trainings
These are three-hour sessions for folks who want to join an “affinity group” to engage in civil disobedience. The first session is from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m on Tuesday, April 26, and Tuesday, May 3, at the Union Hall, second floor ballroom, 208 East Main.
The trainer for these sessions attended the training (for trainers) in Seattle, and he is focused on the methods and the logistics of the Break Free action at Anacortes. There are nine core values:
- We will use no physical violence towards any person.
- We will carry no weapons.
- We will not destroy other’s property.
- We will prioritize safety in our actions.
- We will plan our actions with and understanding that some risk more than others
- We will respect indigenous people whose land we occupy.
- We will not cooperate with surveillance, infiltration, disruption, and violence by law enforcement.
- We will avoid unilateral public denunciation of fellow activists.
- We will respect and uplift the voices and power of traditionally marginalized people.
Donate
Traveling 500 miles to Anacortes and back, providing food and lodging, and missing work for nearly a week is expensive. There may also be legal expenses and future travel. If you care to support those who are taking part, please send a check to 350 Missoula, P.O. Box 7006, Missoula, MT 59807.