September 2013 – Climate Action Alliance of the Valley

September 24, 2013

CAAV Invests in … Dems Dinner, VNO, Wild VA Film Festival

The CAAV steering committee has opted to lend some financial support to an interesting mix of investment opportunities available this fall.

The 2013 Harrisonburg/ Rockingham County Labor Day banquet held Sunday, Sept. 1 at the JMU Festival Conference & Student Center raised funds for the state democratic party while entertaining diners with presentations from the 2013 state democratic ticket candidates: Terry McAuliffe, Ralph Northam and Mark Herring.

In hopes of keeping climate change issues fresh on the democrats’ agenda, CAAV submitted this ad image for a looping slide show:

Knowing that one of the most significant personal actions one can make to minimize their carbon footprint is to reduce or eliminate animal products in their diets, CAAV supported the second annual Vegan Night Out held in downtown Harrisonburg the evening of Tuesday, September 17. Featuring discounted vegan meals at various local restaurants, activities and a free motivational presentation and movie at Court Square Theater, this event offered camaraderie and inspiration for devout vegans and the vegan-curious alike.

Finally, there is nothing like a vivid documentary to evoke a response. Charlottesville based Wild Virginia, dedicated to preserving wild forest ecosystems in Virginia’s National Forests, is hosting a night with eight short environmentally themed movies at Court Square Theater on Thursday evening, Sept. 26 at 7:30 pm. CAAV is one of several local sponsors for this Wild Virginia Film Festival, other versions of which were held in Staunton and Charlottesville last spring.

The Wild and Scenic Film Festival brings together a selection of films that tell stories about our planet, our beautiful and precious wildlands, and the people of the communities who love them, play in them and defend them. They open our eyes and hearts to fantastic experiences in remarkable places. They inspire a sense of wonder, beckon us towards action, highlight issues, and provide solutions.

– Misty Boos of Wild Virginia

September 23, 2013

Energy, Innovation, and Stewardship on Valley Farms

While some urban dwellers can avoid going outside for days if necessary, the Valley farmer is outdoors facing the elements every day of the year, rain or shine, drought or flood, snow or heat wave. And when he/she comes inside, it’s to plan how to reduce the risks and uncertainties of not only the weather but the markets, government regulations, the cost of energy, and the changing climate, with better ways to improve resiliency and productivity.

The Climate Action Alliance of the Valley is hosting a forum to address these issues on Tuesday, October 15th at 6:00 pm at the Massanutten Regional Library, 174 S. Main St, Harrisonburg. Well acquainted with the problems Valley farmers face, our speakers will include Eric Bendfeldt, Extension Specialist in Community Viability with the Virginia Cooperative Extension; Dr. Maria Papadakis, ISAT professor at JMU; and Mike Phillips, a farmer and a soil conservation technician with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Council. Bendfeldt will talk about the innovative ways farmers are working as good stewards of the land to keep agriculture a viable part of Valley life, everything from growing forage radishes and drought resistant feed crops to co-ops and the Produce Auction. Papadakis will speak about Valley farms, energy, and climate change: how energy conservation can help with greenhouse gas mitigation, and the increased demands on energy consumption that Valley farmers will face adapting to a changing climate. Phillips will offer us his point of view as a farmer and government worker implementing best management practices.

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See the Daily News Record‘s October 17, 2013 coverage of the forum here by Alex Rohr. (Note that Firefox’s built-in PDF renderer might not display this correctly; right click here and choose “Save Link As…” to download it instead.)

Les introducing Mike Phillips _Converted — Les Grady introduces Mike Phillips with a screen photo including Mike’s father as a young plowman in the background.

Joni with Mike and Eric — Joni Grady with presenters Mike Phillips and Eric Bendfeldt

Maria Papadakis fields a question from the audience

lush forage crops.500 — Lush forage crops planted by Mike on August 10, 2013, harvested October 15.

post forum discussion — Post forum conversations

September 23, 2013

Fossil Fuel Zombies on Parade

CAAV members paraded as Fossil Fuel Zombies for the Carnival de Resistance Power Down/ Lift Up! parade in downtown Harrisonburg on September 19, 2013. This is the story of the fossil fuel zombies:

zombie comic — This picture was created by Rebecca Laura for CAAV.

CAAV chairperson Les Grady joined representatives of the New Community Project, the International Festival, Friends of Shenandoah Mountain and Occupy Harrisonburg with the delivery of this public witness statement at Court Square following the parade:

Climate scientists tell us that only a limited amount of carbon dioxide can be added to the atmosphere if we are to keep global warming within safe levels. If we continue with “business as usual” we will reach that limit in 15 years. Scientists also tell us that the more carbon dioxide we add, the warmer Earth will be. A warmer Earth will have more severe weather, with negative impacts on agriculture, ecosystems, and people. A warmer Earth will have more disease, more famines, and more conflict. A warmer Earth will have a higher sea level, with adverse effects on coastal communities and the people in them. There are no positives associated with a warmer Earth! The only way to limit the warming is to limit carbon dioxide emissions. The only way to limit emissions is to stop bringing long-dead plants and animals, fossil fuel zombies, back to life. Instead, we must leave them in the ground! We must switch to alternative energy systems. This will not be easy. This cannot be done overnight. But, it must be done. We must start now. This is the transformation we are called upon to make. Keep fossil fuel zombies in the ground!

“On the steps of the Courthouse …Les spoke of the urgent necessity to leave the fossil fuels in the ground and not allow Big Oil to reanimate them. At which point we zombies disrobed, planted an RIP tombstone on the zombie remains and left flowers.” – Joni Grady