WACO FRIENDS OF PEACE/CLIMATE Update 3/21/2020

With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, this is a difficult time for the climate movement.Most important is for everyone to follow CDC recommended precautions and remain healthy.  We will attempt to make some progress during this period.  We wish for all our members to remain healthy, as we do for all our fellow humans on this planet.  And we appreciate your continued dedication as we work to preserve a livable biosphere.

APRIL 6 FRIENDS OF PEACE/CLIMATE MEETING:  Cancelled.

It appears impossible at this point that social distancing secondary to the COVID-19 pandemic will be ended in 2 weeks.  If an unexpected change should happen, we will announce a reinstatement of the the meeting.

Instead of the in person meeting, we will attempt to devise a local online climate action that all members can perform.

Of course we all look forward to our meetings and it is frustrating to feel some momentum of the climate movement is being lost.  But we must follow the science and do what is necessary to keep our members and all citizens of Waco safe.  We can hope for a May 4 meeting, but that is also questionable at this moment.

7th ANNUAL EARTH DAY  REUSABLE SHOPPING BAG DISTRIBUTION
This event was originally scheduled for April 18, 4 days before Earth Day.  We have received a  fresh supply of the canvas bags, but is is also very likely the Downtown Farmer's Market will be closed that day.  This is  heartbreaking, as this action has become a Waco tradition.  And recall that last year we published lifecycle analyses demonstrating that these bags DO have a lower GHG emissions impact, lower energy requirement, and lower litter weight than various plastics.  We will play this by ear, and provide the bags if possible.

Here is an alternative idea.  Since Wacoans will have to go to local grocery stores at times to buy groceries, maybe the HEBs and others would allow us to leave stacks of bags outside the stores around Earth Day, so that we could provide this service with NO added risk.  Although HEB does sell similar bags, I am hopeful they might allow us to provide bags given this unique, emergency situation.

STYROFOAM RECYCLING, PART 4, EARTH DAY EDITION
With this event scheduled  approximately one month from today, its occurrence is also highly questionable.  I think it could be done safely if our workers removed the styrofoam from trunks and the contributors did not leave their vehicles.  However, since this is not urgent, the best option may be to reschedule.

4th ANNUAL CLIMATE CRISIS Art Exhibit:  September 30 through October 24, 2020
The Call for Artists has been sent out this week, in hopes that by October social distancing will not be required.  In any event, we felt we must inform artists now if we are to continue with excellent participation numbers.  The big change this year, to accommodate student entries, is an October rather than September show month.  We will continue at the beautiful Waco Winery venue and our cash awards have increased to $3200.   The climate show is our biggest event of the year,  so we ask all members to do two things at this time:

1. If you are an amateur or professional artist, please start planning and thinking and acting to begin your piece for the show.  Up to 3 pieces may be entered. 
2. Spread the word about the show to artists you know, as well as students.  Supply them with the URL for the Artist Instructions, which are in a previous post on this website.

GO RENEWABLE WACO:  Let's Continue the Victory Momentum
After the victory of the City decision to go all renewable in their power contract for 2022, we presented a spread sheet at Council Meeting demonstrating that EVs may actually be cheaper on a lifecycle cost basis.  After that, the pandemic engulfed us, and it’s a difficult time to make progress on climate.  We have proposed that FOP/C donate a Level 2 charger for the City, destined for Cameron Park, and the City handle the installation and upkeep.  Since other organizations make donations to the City, this seems like a reasonable proposal that would help lower emissions, represent concrete evidence of the City's concern with climate, and be a good PR action for our organization.

DAVE MORROW FOR MAYOR
Many of our member know Dave.  He clearly recognizes the climate crisis and is much stronger on climate than his opponent, Dillon Meek.  He has requested our members also host yard signs if possible.  We encourage our members to do this.  If Dave should win, it would be vastly easier to accomplish our climate agenda.  If you can display a sign, please email Dave at: dave@dave4mayor.com 

To subscribe to FOP/Climate email list: anorthc@aol.com