Category: PACG Events - PACG - Progressive Action for the Common Good

Introducing the "No Hate In Our States" Section in Our WEU

6/23/2020

No Hate In Our States -
A Recent Addition to the PACG Weekly Email Update

A Message From Our President

Dear Progressives,

I am sure you have been as disheartened as I have over the murder of George Floyd, but I hope you have also found hope in the powerful resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement. PACG wholeheartedly supports this movement as well as all efforts for advancing racial justice in our communities and our country.

In response, demonstrating the importance of these efforts, our newsletter will begin each week with a new "No Hate in Our States" section, which will provide information on how you can get involved in supporting Black Lives Matter as well as justice and equality for all. In addition, links to more suggested actions for advancing these efforts will appear in this section.

Let's stand in solidarity with our diverse brothers and sisters in advancing justice!

Your President,

Allison

After Action Report -" the Story of Plastics" Discussion

5/5/2020

The Story of Plastics Zoom Happy Hour - After Action Report

Environmental Forum

In lieu of our postponement of Earth Day events, we placed an ad in local papers for the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, and wish to thank the PACG Board for providing funding for that announcement. We also co-sponsored a virtual showing of the film, the Story of Plastics, along with the Rock Island Soil and Conservation District, the Niabi Zoo, and the UU Congregation of the QC. The film was on the Discovery Channel, or available virtually through a link. We then offered a followup Happy Hour on Zoom to discuss the film and listen to local leaders who are working with methods of reducing plastic pollution: Joel Vanderbush from the Zoo, Kurt Liske from the Scott County Waste Commission, Karen Neder from Terracycle, and Dawn Temple of RISCD. We had nearly 20 people online for the happy hour! We all agreed to continue our work on plastics in the QC through the Plastic Free QC initiative started through the BICAN.

We plan on having our originally scheduled Earth Day activities in July, with "the Vision for the Future" event at the Botanical Center on Thursday, July 16th, and the Earth Day Fair at the Farmers Market on Saturday, July 18th. We hope to see you all there.

Remember to make every day Earth Day!

Lori McCollum

COVID-19 Victims Remembrance

5/5/2020

COVID-19 Victims Remembrance - Friday, May 8th at 3:00 pm

The Catholic Diocese of Davenport, Edwards Congregational United Church of Christ, Hope United Church of Christ, One Human Family, Metropolitan Community Church, Muslim Community of the Quad Cities, Progressive Action for the Common Good, Quad City Interfaith, QC Pride, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, St. Mary’s Monastery, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Temple Emmanuel, Third Missionary Baptist Church, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Quad Cities, and others call upon all people of faith and goodwill throughout Scott County to participate in a COVID-19 Victims Remembrance.

All Scott County residents are invited to join together by stepping outside (following CDC social distancing guidelines) to ring a bell, blow a horn, beat a drum or make any noise to signal support and solidarity for our neighbors suffering from COVID-19. A moment of noise should be followed by a minute of prayer or silent reflection for all those in pain, finally asking “How can I help?”

Why:

The coronavirus has caused unrelenting grief among the families and friends of the estimated 200 Iowans who will have succumbed to the disease by May 8th.
The economic hardships created by the virus will cost Iowans hundreds of millions dollars and require years to recover.

How:

Church bells will chime across the county at 3 pm on May 8th in support of COVID-19 Victims.

Allison Ambrose, President

PACG Supports the Protect Iowa Workers Statement

4/21/2020

PACG signs on to Protect Iowa Workers

A Message to our Membership

PACG has signed on to the Protect Iowa Workers statement to join a broad coalition of Iowans calling on the Iowa Governor, the Iowa Department of Public Health and Iowa OSHA to protect the safety of Iowa's workers during the COVID-19 global pandemic.

This statement is part of a larger campaign to protect Iowa's workers, including immigrants and refugees. Various organizations are raising awareness of the fear reported from people who are concerned about their safety in their workplaces, and the health of their families and communities.

Together we hope to increase worker safety and protection.

Allison Ambrose, President

What You Can Do Now - Earth Day Action Steps

4/21/2020

Earth Day Action Steps - Wednesday, April 22nd

Environmental Forum

This year we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22nd.

You can celebrate Earth Day in many ways:

Sing “I Feel the Earth Move Under My Feet” or another earth-based song.
Go for a walk and notice what you see, hear, smell, and feel.
Clean out your old toxic household supplies and stock up on non-toxic cleaners.
Cook a plant-based dinner.
Make cloth grocery bags from some old t-shirts. Patterns can be found online.
Write a letter or postcard to your local, state and federal political leaders about an environmental issue.
Pick a national or state park you plan to visit this summer.
Teach your kids about an endangered species or learn more yourself.
Make a pledge to reduce single-use plastics.
Check your voter registration status: http://www.nass.org/can-I-vote

What You Can Do Now - Celebrate Earth Week Virtually

4/21/2020

Virtual Earth Week Celebration - Wednesday, April 22nd

Environmental Forum

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the PACG-sponsored celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day has been postponed to July. As we’re waiting for the pandemic crisis to pass, the climate crisis continues and we need to continue to help the earth heal. There are virtual Earth Day events that are happening you can participate in at your convenience.

“The Story of Plastic” will be televised globally on Discovery Channel on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22nd, at 1 pm CDT (check your local listings). Additional virtual showings are being arranged, and will be announced on our Environmental Forum Facebook pag e. Join us for a virtual Happy Hour on Friday, April 24th at 5 pm to discuss actions we can take locally to reduce/eliminate the use of single-use plastic. Click here to RSVP.
PACG is sponsoring the April 22nd Earth Day Rally hosted by Environment Iowa. Visit IowaVirtualEarthDay to register now.
The Team Sierra is bringing their Earth Day celebration from outdoors to indoors. To register for their events go to: teamsierra.org/everycorner

For additional virtual Earth Week events, visit our blog at pacgqc.org/blog/online-earth-week-activities.

Susan Leuthauser

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day - A Message to Our Membership

4/21/2020

We Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day!!

A Message to Our Membership

Hello Progressives!

Wednesday, April 22nd is the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day!

Our Environmental Forum has worked hard all year to make this anniversary a special event. Unfortunately, the live events will not be occurring as planned, but the forum has made sure that we do have some virtual ways to celebrate. Look for details in today's newsletter.

I want to give a SHOUT OUT to the Environmental Forum for all they have done to help us remember how precious our planet is.

Happy Earth Day everyone!

Allison Ambrose, President

Online Earth Week Activities

4/12/2020

Earth Week Activities

We might not be able to meet in person to celebrate Earth Day, but we have come up with a list of online events and activities to help you feed your passion about our planet. Join our Environmental Forum in participating in one or more of these activities, and post your feedback on our Facebook page.

April 1-30 - 50 Actions for the 50th Earth Day Pledge – Green Corps Iowa
For the month of April, we have a goal for 50 people to take 50 easy actions for the environment. Programming and DIY tools will provide climate education opportunities with local climate leaders, trainings on advocacy skills, and the tools to act together.  RSVP and check out our Facebook event. Go to #IowaVirtualEarthDay
Iowa Virtual Earth Day Webinars & Events Series - Environment Iowa and partners will coordinate a series of webinars, advocacy trainings, and a virtual Earth Day Rally. Webinars will cover carbon-free transportation, solar communities, renewable energy on campus, and more.  RSVP  to see an events schedule and check out our Facebook event.

4/14, 3:00 pm   Grassroots Outreach – Citizens Climate Lobby. go to: www.zoom.us/j/273716354 or call 1-408-638-0968 and enter meeting code: # 273-716-354.  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWuCkmi8ySLMTZEpJC7jMsA/videos For more information https://community.citizensclimate.org/resources/item/19/63

4/16, 3:00 pm Citizens' Climate University: Preparing for Media Interviews - Want to talk about CCL on TV or radio? Communications Director Flannery Winchester will tell you how to prepare for your interview.
https://citizensclimate.zoom.us/j/2017201717 or call in at 1-408-638-0968 and enter meeting code: 2017201717. Learn more.

4/22-25 - Earth Day Live – Earth Day Network
Join this 3-day live stream event focused on climate action with training sessions, performances and appearances from scientists, celebrities, politicians and youth activists. Go to https://www.earthdaylive2020.org/?source  to join this event.
Show the youth climate movement that science has their back, and so do we – RSVP for Earth Day Live

4/25 – Virtual Earth Day - Citizens Climate Lobby
Starts: Saturday April 25th, 2020 1:00pm
Venue: https://citizensclimate.zoom.us/j/563867729
Conference Registration: https://unitingfromhome.eventbrite.com

1:00 p.m. ET - Keynote speaker Dr. Katharine Hayhoe. Dr. Hayhoe is a world-renowned climate scientist, evangelical Christian, and host of the podcast, “Global Weirding”
1:45 p.m. ET - 3 easy actions you can take from home to help the climate right now.
2:00 p.m. ET - Choose ONE of four parallel breakout sessions:

1. Climate Advocate Training [two hours]
2. CCL Volunteer Spotlight Panel, Moderated by Peterson Toscano, Citizens’ Climate Radio Host [one hour]
3. Climate Organizing During the Pandemic [90 minutes]
4. Depolarizing Within: A Better Way to Prepare for Climate Discussions, presented by Braver Angels [two hours]

Earth Challenge 2020 – EarthDay Network
Coordinated in partnership with the Wilson Center, the US Dept of State, Earth Challenge 2020 connects, builds and enables global communities to leverage the power of scientific research to drive meaningful change.  By downloading their app and data platform, you can help them collect and integrate observations on pollution. Contact earthchallenge2020@earthday.org. For more lighthearted activities, connect with this site to decorate your windows and make signs for Earth Day. https://www.earthday.org/actions/make-an-earth-day-window-sign/

Action Alert - Participate in Virtual Public Hearing Online Regarding EPA Inaction

4/7/2020

EPA Stops Enforcement - Action Alert
Tuesday, April 14th 9 am to 8 pm

Online

Union of Concerned Scientists

Last week the EPA announced that they will stop enforcement of environmental safeguards and fines during this crisis, with no time limitation in place. It may be necessary for the EPA to make limited administrative changes required for physical distancing, but why allow companies to emit toxins with impunity? Instead, the pandemic should be an opportunity to pair financial assistance with requirements that companies become better environmental stewards.

The Union of Concerned Scientists is holding a Virtual Public Hearing regarding "Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science," to be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2020.

You can read more about this Virtual Public Hearing and register for the event here. Questions can be emailed at anytime to: ucsvph@gmail.com.

Contact Lori McCollum with questions

What You Can Do Now - Start a Climate Victory Garden

4/7/2020

Celebrate the Beginning of Earth Month - Start a Climate Victory Garden

Your Own Home

Environmental Forum

Live celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day has been postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic, but the festivities are going to take place digitally to mark this milestone event. Through the month of April the Environmental Forum will post activities you can do as we’re staying at home and practicing social distancing.

Be a part of the climate solution, join the Green America Climate Victory Garden movement and start a Climate Victory Garden. Plants help sequester carbon in the soil. The Climate Victory Garden uses gardening methods that minimize soil disturbance and improves the ability of the soil to hold carbon. If you already have a garden, you can transform it into a Victory Garden by doing the following:

Know your garden, - test the soil to determine nutrient content and plant accordingly.
Grow edible plants and increase your vegetable consumption.
Cover the soil with mulch, leaves or cover plants. Mulching reduces water needs, soil erosion, protects soil microbes, and maintains topsoil.
Maintain a chemical-free garden by composting your food waste and using it as fertilizer.
Plant pollinator habitats to encourage biodiversity.
Plant perennials - they reduce soil disturbance.

Click on this link to get started on your Climate Victory Garden.

For additional information on Climate Victory Garden, visit the Green America Climate Victory Garden 101 website.

Susan Leuthauser