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Summer Newsletter 2013

Living respectfully, responsibly and reverently with one another and with Earth.

Northwest Earth Institute (NWEI) was founded on the belief that the solution to many of the Earthʼs biggest challenges lies in the power of collective change: by taking action in our own lives and inspiring the people around us, each of us contributes to a world of impact.

Join us as we bring together NWEI partners, community organizers, faculty, and students to explore the powerful relationship between leadership and change. What does it mean to be a leader in sustainability? How can we transform our personal networks into communities of change? Youʼll have a rare opportunity to share learning inspiration and best practices from sustainability leaders across the country, while also enjoying the bounty and beauty of western Wisconsin. Take advantage of presentations and experiential workshops on topics such as sustainability and healthcare, what it means to be a land ethic leader, servant leadership and its benefits, bridging faith and sustainability, developing purpose as a green professional, and more. In addition, celebrate our 20th anniversary and the launch of our new digital platform which will transform the way we work in a new digital era.

Co-hosted by Coulee Partners for Sustainability

Sponsors:

For additional information click: http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/nwei/index.htm

Scott Schaub Photo

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Our Purposes

To create the political will for a stable climate.

To empower individuals to have breakthroughs in exercising their personal and political power

Mark your calendars for the Sixth Annual Harvest Dinner

Monday, September 16, 20115:00-8:30

NELLʼS CITY GRILL1111 S. 3rd Street

La Crosse, WI

Join us to honor this yearʼs “Earth First” recipients. Find out what is happening in our community related to the sustainability movement.Touch base with old friends and make new friends!

The LaCrosse Chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby will meet Saturday, July 13, 2013 at 10:30 at 2642 Hackberry Lane in La Crosse Wisconsin.

For more information call: 608-782-5727or go to:

http://citizensclimatelobby.org/

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CONTACT: Madeleine Para, CCL-Madison Co-coordinator, 608-446-4882, [email protected]

Wisconsin Sends Largest Climate Delegation to D.C., calls congress to act against greenhouse gasesJUNE 19, 2013 – The state of Wisconsin sends one of Citizens Climate Lobby's largest volunteer state delegations, and the largest per capita, to Washington, D.C. this week to call Congress to enact effective greenhouse gas reduction legislation.

The group of 35 Wisconsin CCL members come from 8 local chapters covering the state to attend the Citizens Climate Lobby 4th International Conference June 23-25. Renowned climate scientist Dr. James Hansen, who recently retired from NASA to devote more time to advocate on the climate issue, will be the keynote speaker at the conference.

“If we do nothing, we recognize that future generations will inherit an increasingly harsh and inhospitable world because of climbing average global temperatures and the accompanying extreme weather,” said Madeleine Para, leader of the Madison, WI chapter of CCL and newly appointed CCL National Program Director. “Even in historically temperate Wisconsin we have seen chaotic weather, drought, heat waves and extreme precipitation. All this with only a little over one degree of warming. Imagine what things will be like if we allow six or seven degrees of warming.”

Volunteers will spend the final day of the conference, many even later into the week, visiting congressional offices to enroll support for a revenue-neutral carbon tax that gives proceeds back to households. Such an approach is backed by economists and politicians across the political spectrum from the conservative, including former Secretary of State George Shultz and Art Laffer, economic advisor to President Reagan to the liberal, including former Vice President Al Gore and Joseph Stiglitz, former World Bank Chief Economist.

“We want Senators Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson to get behind this solution. It uses the power of the free market to transition us away from fossil fuels and toward clean energy like solar and wind,” said Para. “This is the most pressing problem facing our nation and our world. Thatʼs why weʼre going to Washington this week.”

Last month, the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide – the principal greenhouse gas – exceeded 400 parts per million for the first time in 3 million years. If CO2 emissions are not brought down soon, that concentration will exceed 450 ppm within two or three decades, at which point it will be difficult, if not impossible, to contain global warming to levels that are adaptable.

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Despite the less than ideal weather (starting out with snow!), an estimated 2,000 people attended the 5th annual Earth Fair held at the EcoPark and Myrick Park on Sunday, April 22nd. There were many activities, workshops and demonstrations and over 80 vendors, including the first-of-the-season farmers market. There was also an Earth Fair Dash earlier in the day, a Recycling Fair held at nearby Emerson Elementary and a Spring Cleaning event held the day before. (Attached is the Earth Fair brochure.) We would like to thank the wonderful sponsors who made this yearʼs events possible and to the over 250 volunteers who helped! For more information on our sponsors and for a listing of volunteers, please go www.earthfairlacrosse.org.

Below: The EcoPark building was busy with childrenʼs activities – both inside and out!

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Other areas included the barn, vendor tent, Gun Club Shelter, La Crosse Public Library tent and main

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Recycling Fair at Emerson Elementary included:

* E-waste recycling by Dynamic Recycling (35,000 lbs)* Paper shredding by Shred Right (2,800 lbs)* Ink cartridge recycling by the La Crosse Public Library (one trash bag)* WAFER food collection (1 flat bed truck plus

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Become a Member of:

Living respectfully, responsibly and reverently with one another and with Earth.

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_______$15 Individual _______$25 Family _______$100 Business/Institution _______$10 Student

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_____Occasionally for specific projects! ______Planning or Administration

Study Circle Facilitating: _____The Natural Step _____Northwest Earth Institute_____Film/Other Books

Join a Committee: _____ Local Foods & Sustainable Agriculture (LASA)

! ! _____ Neighborhoods/Housing Task Force

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Suggestions for CPS: ____________________________________________________________________________

Send to: CPS, c/o Glen Jenkins, 2642 Hackberry Lane, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601

CPS is a 501-C3 non-profit, organization. All contributions are tax deductible.

Purpose: Promote sustainable practices in the Coulee Region.

Business: Advocate Natural Step Principles:• Educate• Foster and showcase sustainable practices• Facilitate “Green Group” networking

With the realization that human welfare is directly dependent on the health of the planet and that our welfare cannot be achieved at the expense of the planet. Coulee Partners for Sustainability will work with individuals, environmental organizations, educational institutions, businesses and governmental bodies to educate and create environmentally sustainable practices.