President-Elect Barack Obama outlined a bold new policy direction for the US to slash greenhouse emissions 80% by 2050. He stated his intention to implement a "cap and trade" system whereby countries agree to cut carbon emissions but allow industries to buy and sell credits to reduce the financial burdens of meeting those goals. His address comes a month before a new Kyoto Protocol for curbing emissions worldwide is to be negotiated in Poland. The US under the Bush administration has resisted global agreements to aggressively reduce global warming.
Here is Obama's address; This video highlights Obama's energy and environment transition team:
Green City Journal hosted a forum on November 8th for the closing night of Philadelphia Independent Film and Video Association's (PIFVA) expo "Politics As Usual?", which highlighted political documentaries made by local filmmakers. I moderated a forum with local activists: Jerry Silberman, sustainability advocate and negotiator for PASNAP , Philly for Change's David Sternberg, Casino Free Philadelphia's Jethro Heiko, who is also Director of Organizing for Iraq Veterans Against the War , Filmmaker and Evolve Strategies founder Rob Stuart, and Winter Soldier editor Gail Lloyd. The evening's focus was on grassroots local movements with attention to tactics and strategies used in various campaigns.
Monday Nov. 17, 2008 7-9 PM First Unitarian Church 2125 Chestnut St. Philadelphia
Neighborhood Networks agrees with President-Elect Obama that we have to be the change we seek. To get universal health care, or to achieve independence from big oil, we have to be organized in the communities where we live.
Since 2005 Neighborhood Networks has organizing where we live in communities throughout Philadelphia.
On November 17 we will have a Citywide Town Hall meeting to engage everyone who participated in the Obama campaign to continue with us in building progressive infrastructure everywhere in our City.
Here's what we'll do on November 17. First we'll hear from two inspiring young Philadelphia leaders:
Maria Qunones-Sanchez, Elected to City Council in 2007 Seth Williams, former Philadelphia Inspector General
Then we'll hear Marc Stier, PA State Director, Health Care For America Now, and Carol Rogers of AFSCME District Council 47, talk about ways to work for health care for all.
Then we'll break into small groups and meet our neighbors who share our commitment to stay together and move ahead. And then, everywhere in the City we'll work to insure that the change is real.
Yes, We Can!
A Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks event. http://www.phillynn.com 215-568-4990
