Climate Justice Strategy Meeting: Monday Feb 11th in San Francisco

DATE AND LOGISTICS:
The meeting will be held Monday Feb 11th, from 10-5:30 at the Rainforest Action Network office. 221 Pine St, Suite 500 in San Francisco. You need to be buzzed in to the office, and signs will be posted with instructions for how to do this.

We are also hoping to have a shorter, public speaking event as part of Durban Group speaking tour in San Francisco on Wednesday Feb 13th, location TBD. If you cannot make the strategy meeting, or can help promote the presentation from the tour, please be in touch.

Unfortunately, we do not have the facilities or capabilities to provide lunch for the entire group. There are numerous places nearby to grab a bite to eat, and we do have basic kitchen space (and refrigerator) if people want to bring lunch from home. We will supply some snacks and beverages throughout the day.

AGENDA:
In the US, we are facing the largest pushes yet from industry-led interests for “climate action” that at best amount to half-measures for climate and communities, and at worst – multi-trillion dollar giveaways to corporate interests and accelerating the largest social and ecological crisis in human history. Momentum to confront the climate crisis is at an all-time high in the US – and we have a unique opportunity to ensure that the political, economic, social, and cultural responses to the crisis are meaningful and adequate, and build towards a just and truly sustainable world.

We see the need for enhanced discussion, better strategizing, and stronger coordination amongst our various efforts addressing the climate crisis, and this meeting could be a good step in that direction. By coinciding with the Durban Group speaking tour – we felt this meeting could be a good forum for regional groups to better network and strategize about US-based efforts, while being joined by leading international voices and perspectives who have worked on these issues for a number of years.

To determine an effective format and agenda for the meeting, we are proposing to empower a small working group to lead this process. If you are interested in joining this working group and helping devise the goals, structure, and agenda for this meeting, and are willing to commit a few hours to conference calls and emails – please be in touch with Jane Williams (DcapJane@aol.com). If you simply have some ideas and hopes for the meeting but not the time to contribute – feel free to email your suggestions and we will do our best to incorporate them.

PARTICIPANTS:
This strategy meeting is geared towards US-based organizations, and we sent an initial invite out to over 40 regional groups we identified as working broadly on issues relating to climate justice, fossil fuel expansion, carbon trading, and/or offsets. Joining the group will be international members of the Durban Group for Climate Justice, including Larry Lohmann (of The Corner House, and author of the book “Carbon Trading: A Critical Conversation on Climate Change, Privatization and Power”); Kevin Smith (co-author “The Carbon Neutral Myth: Offset Indulgences for Your Climate Sins” / Carbon Trade Watch, UK); and Tamra Gilbertson (co-author “Paving the Way for Agrofuels” / Transnational Institute, Spain).

You are welcome to invite other parties you think may be interested – though we are trying to maintain some shared perspective to ensure effective discussion.  To see the original “Durban Declaration on Carbon Trading” – please visit http://www.sinkswatch.org/pubs/2007%2010%20Durban%20DeclarationEN.pdf

Invites went out to approximately 40 regional organizations, activists,  and scholars, and the following groups have thus far expressed interest and likelihood in attending:

• Bay Localize
• California Communities against Toxics
• Cascadia Rising Tide
• Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies
• Communities for a Better Environment
• CorpWatch
• EcoEquities
• Global Exchange
• GreenAction
• International Rivers
• International Forum on Globalization
• Pacific Environment
• Physicians for Social Responsibility - LA chapter
• Post-Carbon Institute
• Rainforest Action Network
• The Center for Environmental Health
• The Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives
• The Indigenous Environmental Network
• The Just Transition Alliance