For nearly ten years, the Unist’ot’en Camp has been a leader in indigenous anti-colonial resistance and the movement to keep fossil fuels in the ground. Now, they are asking for help.
We won’t mince words. Locally, last night sucked. Despite the largest, most diverse coalition in WA state history, and despite the heroic efforts of 6,500 volunteers, I-1631 probably lost. But if we broaden our view to take in the rest of the country, it’s important to understand what we gained:
For well over a decade, anyone following the news has known that climate change is a matter of profound urgency. Scientists and oil company executives have known it since at least 1959. In 1977, an Exxon scientist wrote that “man has a time window of five to ten years before the need for hard decisions regarding changes in energy strategies might become critical.”
If Puget Sound Energy hadn’t already gotten the message, they have now: they have a gas problem.
Business as usual must end—especially when it involves new fossil fuel projects. So yesterday morning, three people hoisted themselves up 10′ in the air onto tripods at each gate of the proposed PSE liquefied “natural” gas (LNG) facility, to slow down construction for the second day this week.
Congratulations! We look forward to working with you to make Seattle a world-class city that’s leading boldly on climate, transportation, and livability.
The reality is that Seattle is failing to meet its targets–even though there is now consensus that those targets were inadequately bold.
When I came to 350 Seattle and began focusing on the relationship between trade and climate in the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), I noticed that trade agreements themselves are intersectional; they involve not just climate, but also worker rights, immigrant rights, food sovereignty, and, of course, the abuse of corporate power.
When Harvey first formed in the Caribbean, we tried to stay abreast of every development–knowing how badly frontline communities were being hit, and how long and difficult the recovery would likely be.
Think of it this way: the carbon pricing initiative is a big step forward–but for bold strides and real progress, we need to use the other foot, too.
