Transition Fidalgo & Friends 
Seventh Generation Supper 
Tuesday, July 29th, 5:45 pm       Anacortes Senior Center

Bill Bowman emceed the evening, and Linda Zielinski and her wonderful troop of ukelele players provided the evening music. 47 attended.

Recognition:   TFF gave the first "Sustainable Business Award" to Larry and Amber Nelson, owners of the Blue Cow Carwash.  Larry has taken advantage of incentives to recycle the carwash water, resulting in substantial savings on the total amount of water used. LED lights have been installed throughout the business for greater energy efficiency throughout the day.  Congratulations and thank you to the Nelsons for being conscientious local business owners.
Announcements:
Hootenanny: Sommer Carter announced the 3rd Hootenanny event, a "bubble party" at Causland Park on Aug.2, 2 - 4pm.
Volunteer gleaners are needed to help harvest vegetables.  Those who are interested should contact Sylvia Cooper - ssylviac@yahoo.com
Linda Z announced that ukelele "jams" are every Wednesday evening, 7pm at Causland Park. Bring your uke or just come and sing along.

Shipwreck Days table made $1600 for the Oso landslide families.   Larry Collinge thanked Evelyn and TFF in general for all the support to help make the benefit a success.
Tour de Coups and Crops:   Evelyn recognized Linda Z. for her leadership and another highly successful tour.  Over 140 people enjoyed the tour.
Skill Share Workshops: Evelyn also noted that those with surplus garden produce should take note of the upcoming skillshare workshops: Aug 16 (Safe Home Canning) 10 am at the Farmer's Market and Aug. 23 (Canning Jams and Jellies) 10 am at the Potluck Kitchen Studio.

Kefir grains -- Sequoia Ferrel is looking for kefir grains if anyone has them.
Program:
Kevin Mass of Glacier Energy gave an interesting program on "Scaling Up Community Solar." Anacortes leads the County with one completed community solar (CS) project on the Anacortes Middle School roof and two more projects that are now fully invested.  One of these new CS installations will be another array on the Middle School and the other will be on the Anacortes Library. Another round of projects will be coming up this fall. Three things are needed for CS projects to become reality:  1) local investors, since the projects are privately funded;  2) solar panels (Kevin uses made-in-Washington panels which are decreasing in cost as demand grows); and 3) a government building for mounting the panels. Kevin is also the owner of Farm Power NW, the bio-digester in the Skagit farmlands that generates power using cow manure. The bio-digester also traps methane gas which is a powerful greenhouse gas. For further information about Community Solar, contact Kevin - kevinmass@gmail.com
Respectfully submitted, Carolyn Gastellum on behalf of Bud Anderson, secretary

The Catalyst 
     ~Stirring the pot to cook up change
    Transition Fidalgo & Friends  E-Newsletter August 2014

    Thought for the month:  "Residents of southern India have a clever way of capturing monkeys. They drill a hole in a hollow coconut, place rice inside, and then chain the coconut to a tree. Here is the clever part: The hole in the coconut is large enough for a monkey to insert his hand inside, but too small to extract it once a handful of rice has been grasped. Instead of letting go of the rice, the monkey often holds on greedily, only to be captured in a net by the villagers. Just as the monkey is captured because of his refusal to let go, we as a society are now trapped because we are clinging, tenaciously, to counterproductive ways of thinking and acting in the world." Christopher Uhl

CLIMATE CHANGE

People's Climate March:  On Sept. 21 in New York City, the People’s Climate March will coincide with the UN Climate Summit, where world leaders will consult on climate change. Tens of thousands of people are expected to march to call for climate action. More than 500 organizations - ­from community and labor groups to international NGOs and faith organizations­ around the world - have joined to organize or endorse the march. "With our future on the line and the whole world watching, we’ll take a stand to bend the course of history. We’ll take to the streets to demand the world we know is within our reach: a world with an economy that works for people and the planet; a world safe from the ravages of climate change; a world with good jobs, clean air and water, and healthy communities." For more info about this historic march, go to: http://act.350.org/signup/obama_peoples_climate_march/?t=1&akid=4815.515993.8bDF6W. To read Bill McKibben's call to arms, visit http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/a-call-to-arms-an-invitation-to-demand-action-on-climate-change-20140521

NOAA's State Of The Climate report: ‘Our Planet Is Becoming A Warmer Place’: The Earth got its annual checkup, and according to climate scientists around the globe, its fever is continuing to rise. NOAA released the 24th annual State of the Climate report on July 17, including data compiled by 425 top scientists in 57 countries. http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/07/18/3461677/noaa-state-of-the-climate-warmer/  According to NOAA, global land and ocean surface temperatures combined for an average of 61.2 degrees, making June 2014 the hottest June ever. June broke heat records on every continent except Antarctica. http://ecowatch.com/2014/07/22/hottest-june-of-all-time/?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=bcd04a384c-Top_News_7_22_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-bcd04a384c-85362685

About Drought: Droughts affecting several Western states and especially California, ­where rainfall and mountain snowpacks have been below normal for 3 years,­ have the potential to affect society for hundreds of years. Ancient droughts caused civilizations to fall, driving people away in search of water and food. Long-term studies indicate that snowpack is slowly shrinking across the region as the snow season shortens and runoff occurs earlier in spring.  The number of wildfires also is expected to rise as rain, snow, and soil moisture decline. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/07/140715-connecting-the-dots-california-drought-earthquakes-storms/ And check out this water resources fact sheet at Earth Policy Institute: http://www.earth-policy.org/press_room/C68/water_resources_fact_sheet

Climate Change and Wildfires:  The Carlton Complex fire will probably go down as the biggest conflagration in Washington state history, torching about 240,000 acres and counting. An estimated 20% of the buildings in Pateros, WA., population 600 or so, were destroyed. But the news media has largely failed to put wildfires into the climate context for their audiences. This summer (as of July), only 6% of news stories about wildfires even mentioned climate change. Check here for some simple, powerful sound bites to frame conversations about wildfires: http://daily.sightline.org/2013/09/03/monster-wildfires-and-climate-change/?utm_source=Sightline+Newsletters&utm_campaign=d6354a1420-SightlineFlashcards&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_18df351f8f-d6354a1420-291872709

Increased Weather Extremes Linked to Arctic Warming: A new report from the National Research Council  notes that Arctic sea ice in all seasons is declining and the rate of loss is increasing. Multiple lines of study show this is impacting weather outside of the Arctic.  http://truth-out.org/news/item/24485-arctic-warming-and-increased-weather-extremes-the-national-research-council-speaks?mc_cid=c357ee8b82&mc_eid=83a5da071d

Bill Would Fight Climate Change While Aiding Middle Class:  A bill to tackle climate change while helping the middle class with a “cap and dividend” approach was introduced by Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-Md). The “Healthy Climate and Family Security Act” has received the support of a coalition of national, state and local groups representing environmental, justice and consumer organizations. “Two of the most pressing challenges we face as a country are the need to address the economic costs and public health risks associated with climate change, and to strengthen the middle class. We do both in this bill,” saidVan Hollen.  Under the policy, the median American household of four would receive a net benefit of about $260 in the first year; the dividend would grow steadily each year. http://ecowatch.com/2014/07/30/bill-would-fight-climate-change-aid-middle-class/?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=ab3b7ea685-Top_News_7_31_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-ab3b7ea685-85362685

IMF's Blunt Message to Nations: Raise Fossil-Fuel Taxes: Countries all over the world, including the U.S., should collect much higher pollution taxes on fossil fuels—stiff enough to reflect the long-term cost of global warming's damage, the International Monetary Fund said in a new study entitled Getting Energy Prices Right. The IMF, one of the world's leading development institutions, has long favored putting a price on carbon as an essential defense against the mounting damages of climate change. But its advice has never been so blunt, or so detailed. http://insideclimatenews.org/carbon-copy/20140801/imfs-blunt-message-nations-raise-fossil-fuel-taxes-fight-climate-change

Most Americans Okay Carbon Tax if Revenue Supports Renewable Energy:  According to the University of Michigan and Muhlenberg College’s Spring 2014 National Surveys on Energy and Environment (NSEE), most Americans - ­56% - support a revenue-neutral carbon tax, in which all tax revenue would be returned to the public as a rebate check. However, that amount rises to 60% if revenues would be used to fund research and development for renewable energy programs. The carbon tax support spreads across all political parties.   http://ecowatch.com/2014/07/21/university-michigan-carbon-tax/?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=bcd04a384c-Top_News_7_22_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-bcd04a384c-85362685

Swinomish to Receive $756,000 for Climate Impact Study: The U.S. EPA will award over $756,000 to the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community to research coastal climate impacts to traditional foods, cultural sites and tribal community health and well-being. The funds will be used to: Develop a model showing projected coastal erosion due to sea-level rise, storm surge, and wave energy through 2100 on the shores of the Swinomish Reservation; Map the vulnerability of Swinomish coastal ecosystem habitats and culturally significant sits; Support the Swinomish Climate Change Initiative; Create educational and outreach tools for Swinomish members and Coast Salish communities; Assess research results and develop adaptive strategies. http://anacortesnow.com/community/2899-swinomish-to-receive-756000-for-climate-impact-study.html

Climate Change Fact Sheet:  A quick and easy guide to the basics of climate change by the Earth Policy Institute. http://www.earth-policy.org/press_room/C68/climate_change_fact_sheet

RENEWABLE ENERGY

U.S. Ranks Near Bottom on Energy Efficiency:  Germany leads the world in harnessing the benefits of energy efficiency, followed by Italy, the European Union, China and France, according to a new ranking of the world's 16 largest economies by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. The U.S. was near the bottom, placing 13th.  It outperformed only three countries—Russia, Brazil and Mexico. "How can the U.S. compete in a global economy if it continues to waste money and energy that other countries save and can reinvest?" said Rachel Young, principal author of the energy efficiency report card. The U.S. is one of only two countries in the report without a national energy-savings plan or national greenhouse-gas reduction plan.  Each economy was rated based on 31 criteria in four categories: national efforts/policies, buildings, industrial, and transportation.  http://insideclimatenews.org/news/20140718/us-ranks-near-bottom-energy-efficiency-germany-tops-list

Solar Power: Five Creative Ways to Harness the Sun Around Your House: Contrary to popular belief, solar panels aren’t the only way to use solar at home to help cut energy costs - ­there are several other options. As technology advances, we're seeing more innovative uses for solar power that are now becoming mainstream and commonplace. http://livinggreenmag.com/2014/07/28/energy-ecology/solar-power-five-creative-ways-harness-sun-around-house/

FOSSIL FUEL-ISH

Oil Train Protest: A group of intrepid folks staged a protest July 28th on March Pt., blocking rail tracks to highlight the danger of trains bringing in oil from the Bakken shale fields. It's past time to say NO to a fossil fuel addiction that risks not only exploding oil trains but a dangerously overheated planet. Watch the protest here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qcBoXA14iU&feature=youtu.be

Fracking - A Bridge to Nowhere: Natural gas is falsely promoted by the Obama Administration and energy corporations as a “bridge fuel” that will allow us to continue to use fossil energy over the coming decades while emitting fewer greenhouse gases from other fossil fuels such as coal and oil.  A new scientific study  — “A Bridge to Nowhere: Methane Emissions and the Greenhouse Gas Footprint of Natural Gas” —argues that both shale gas and conventional natural gas have a larger greenhouse gas footprint than do coal or oil, especially for the primary uses of residential and commercial heating.  http://www.globalresearch.ca/environmental-impacts-of-shale-gas-and-natural-gas-obama-supports-massive-expansion-of-hydraulic-fracturing/5393422?mc_cid=680f3ace02&mc_eid=83a5da071d And to read the latest on fracking's link to earthquakes, see http://www.bcbr.com/article/20140725/EDITION/140729945

Climate Concerns Trump Arch Coal:  It was a good day in court for Earthjustice and their clients after four years of fighting to protect the roadless forest in western Colorado from a coal mine that would deal a double whammy of damage through road construction and millions of tons of climate pollution. The Sunset Roadless Area, a 5800-acre area within the Gunnison National Forest, provides great hiking and hunting, as well as habitat for goshawk, black bear, elk, and the imperiled lynx. Arch Coal, the nation’s second-largest producer, was poised on July 1 to carve up to 6 miles of road through the area for coal exploration, a prelude to even more roads the company needs to remove 10 million tons of coal under the area to expand the West Elk mine. But four days earlier, a U.S. District Court Judge issued an order to halt the bulldozers. In his ruling, the Judge made clear that federal agencies approving the West Elk expansion can’t bury their heads in the sand when analyzing the coal mine’s climate pollution impacts. http://earthjustice.org/blog/2014-july/a-win-for-roadless-forest-climate?utm_source=crm&utm_content=plain

America's Oil Consumption Rising, Not Falling: U.S. oil demand reversed course in dramatic fashion in 2013, as the nation's growth in crude consumption outpaced perennial leader China for the first time since 1999, according to oil company BP's annual compendium of world energy statistics. The U.S. increase follows two years of declines, and dampens hopes that the world's largest oil guzzler was permanently reining in its appetite for crude.  http://insideclimatenews.org/news/20140714/americas-oil-consumption-rising-not-falling-outpacing-chinas

TAKE ACTION!

Comments Needed on Shell Oil-by-Rail Proposal: Please comment ASAP on the permits for Shell's East Gate rail spur project that are approved or denied by the Washington Department of Ecology and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  Comments are due August 7 and will help establish a strong public record of opposition to unquestioned permit approvals.  (Note: This is separate from the Shoreline Substantial Development permit that is currently being processed by Skagit County Planning and Development Services. If you haven't yet sent in your comments to Skagit County on the Shoreline permit (permit #PL13-0468 ), you can use the online comment form at www.skagitcounty.net/pdscomments.)  In addition, a new 23-minute video has just been released from Sightline. Watch it and you'll be inspired and informed as a result.  http://daily.sightline.org/2014/07/28/video-the-northwests-bomb-trains/?utm_source=Sightline+Newsletters&utm_campaign=5655629f2b-SightlineWeekly&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_18df351f8f-5655629f2b-291890361

DEPT. OF ENCOURAGEMENT

The 10 Most Inspirational Sustainability Initiatives in the U.S.: As the debate about climate change continues, more examples of how to fight it are popping up around the world.  New York-based Recyclebank took note of sustainable solutions in the U.S. and issued a ranking of the ten it believes sets the bar for urban sustainability and environmental practices by inspiring other communities. All of these practices are taking place in cities across the U.S and can be replicated in other communities. http://ecowatch.com/2014/07/14/ranking-sustainability-programs-u-s/?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=2d260dae0f-Top_News_7_15_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-2d260dae0f-85362685

Group Representing Half A Billion Christians Says It Will No Longer Support Fossil Fuels: The World Council of Churches, representing more than half a billion Christians worldwide, announced it would pull all of its investments in fossil fuels, saying it had determined the investments were no longer ethical. “The World Council of Churches reminds us that morality demands thinking as much about the future as about ourselves — and that there’s no threat to the future greater than the unchecked burning of fossil fuels,” Bill McKibben, the founder of 350.org, said in a statement. “This is a remarkable moment for the 590 million Christians in its member denominations: a huge percentage of humanity says today ‘this far and no further.’”  http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/07/11/3459111/wcc-christians-divests/?elq=~~eloqua..type--emailfield..syntax--recipientid~~&elqCampaignId=~~eloqua..type--campaign..campaignid--0..fieldname--id~~

"Yes Men" Strike Again:  This time the jokesters proposed a radical (but fake) energy plan to the rousing approval of some of America's most conservative government and corporate officials. The disguised activists ­got Homeland Security Congress attendees enthused to address climate change. Hilarious and enlightening. http://inthesetimes.com/article/16938/the_yes_men_secure_the_homeland

Transition Fidalgo & Friends
Growing a resilient community with a reduced reliance on fossil fuels
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