Oxfam Volunteers March with the Mayan Community

Yesterday, SF Bay Area Oxfam volunteers joined the thousands of Mayan community members and NGOs marching for climate justice through Cancun's downtown streets. Read their blog post below, and stay tuned for a video with interviews from rally attendees.

Cancun on the Ground: Mayan Community Mobilizes for Climate Justice
DECEMBER 8, 2010, 12:00 PM

Tuesday, December 7th, in downtown Cancun, thousands of locals, NGOs and community groups took to the streets, mobilizing for climate justice in the wake of the UNFCCC negotiations. People carrying large banners, beating drums and chanting in unison, marched through busy streets filled with curious onlookers for almost two miles to draw attention to various issues surrounding climate change and its impacts. Countless local and state groups from Mexico and other parts of Latin America joined together, including the Mexican Action Network on Free Trade, the Indigenous Group Tepehuano of UNORCA (National Union of Autonomous Regional Peasants Organizations), and the Indigenous and Ecological Federation of Chiapas. Mexican chapters of organizations like Friends of the Earth, 350.org, Oxfam, and Greenpeace were also present and adding to the commotion.

While the nuances of their causes varied, the tone of the people gathering was clear: urgent action on climate change is vital. Perhaps the most vocal of the groups present at the march were the Mayan community members, who were teamed up with the International Forum on Globalization (IFG) and the Organization of Forest Producers' Cooperatives of the Zona Maya (OEPFZM), to express their dissatisfaction with the Mexican government for withholding compensation owed to them for an extreme decade-long drought, which has devastated corn crops, food security, and Mayan livelihoods.

The Mayan community is calling for drastic cuts in greenhouse gases by industrial countries, and immediate assistance for adapting to impacts of climate change, like the drought. Some feel it is possible that come Friday, when the UNFCCC talks come to a close, negotiations will establish a fund that will adequately help vulnerable communities cope with their changing climate. State Secretary Emiliano Ramos, felt fairly optimistic that progress could be made on issues that affect the world's poorest (he gauged his level of optimism at a "5" on a scale of one to ten), but others were not so hopeful. A man representing an indigenous group of UNORCA, had lost all faith in negotiations and just wanted emergency help of some kind for his climate-related hardships.

Victor Menotti, Executive Director of IFG, felt what was needed most from developed countries was real commitments, not just pledges. He expressed hopes that there would be "goodwill and cooperation [in talks] and that governments would come to their senses" but that it would take "a lot of noise on the street to make that happen."

As we marched with the people through the avenues of downtown Cancun under the hot midday sun, the energy of the group seemed endless. Our final destination was the Palacio Municipal where we expected people to disperse, or at least sit down to rest. But upon arriving, there was a stage set up complete with live music and MC, and giant house-sized corn cob structures illustrating (with a touch of humor) the plight of the indigenous Mayan farmer. The crowd was instantly reinvigorated and the mobilization continued on for hours.

With Friday's outcome still hanging in the balance, the fate of the Mayan farming community and many other vulnerable areas around the world that are most heavily affected by decreases in rainfall and other environmental changes, is unknown. Hopefully Tuesday's noise on the street caught the attention of negotiators not far down the road at the Moon Palace conference center.



Check out the "Cancun on the Ground" Flickr set for more photos from COP16. And stay tuned for comments from UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, and more, in tomorrow's next blog post!

Oxfam Volunteers Cover Climate Fund Press Briefing in Cancun, MX

On day two of week two of the UNFCCC climate talks in Cancun, Mexico, SF Bay Area Oxfam volunteers attended the press briefing, "Funding the Future", which discussed the global climate fund and current problems with financing that many groups hope will be solved by the end of this week. Read their full blog post here:

Cancun on the Ground: Poor People Losing Twice
DECEMBER 7, 2010, 12:00 PM

On the first day of week two of the UNFCCC climate negotiations, things are busy at the Cancunmesse exhibition hall, which is filled with hundreds of booths staffed by NGO, IGO, and national representatives. Among them are antipoverty development organizations such as Oxfam, WEDO, and CARE who are calling for the establishment of a fair global climate fund that will meet the needs and rights of the world’s most vulnerable communities. They, and scores of other attendees at the conference, believe that climate change poses an unprecedented threat to poor people who are already struggling to sustain their livelihoods and maintain food security, and that women and other marginalized groups are most vulnerable.

Yesterday afternoon at a press briefing titled Funding the Future organized by Oxfam International, six panelists shared their visions and experiences to help set the path to establish a fair global climate fund by week’s end. Top climate negotiators and ministers responsible for actualizing this goal are in Cancun right now and more are flying in this week. Although the first week of talks seems to have shown a fairly positive spirit and willingness to compromise on the part of many countries, a feeling of trepidation is present that the building pressure to make progress regarding emissions cuts and the Kyoto Protocol may result in insufficient time and energy for agreement on the establishment of a fair climate fund.

So what is this fund and how is it different from what Tim Gore, International Policy Advisor for Oxfam, calls the “spaghetti bowl of different climate financing channels” that currently exists? Well, as outlined in a letter signed by 215 civil society organizations released today at the press briefing, in order for the fund to be legitimate and effective it must:

• Be established under the authority of the UNFCCC, a legitimate forum where all countries are represented.
• Have equitable representation for developing countries on the board and not be donor country dominated.
• Ensure consideration is given to gender and multicultural balance on the board.
• Guarantee at least 50 percent of the resources of the fund are channeled to adaptation.
• Be a one-stop shop with the vast majority of climate financing passing through the fund.
• Ensure that vulnerable communities, especially women and indigenous populations, participate fully in decisions on uses and monitoring at the national level.

"There's a problem with the current system," explained Gore. "We think that the current arrangements for managing climate finances are really broken. They're not delivering the money to those that need it most and can spend it best."

Cate Owren, Program Director for WEDO, noted that, while climate financing is politically challenging, it should not be economically challenging because investments now save money in the future. She also reiterated that design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the fund will be crucial and will help prevent a negative impact on women and marginalized groups. Stories of climate adaptation needs and successes were shared by Alcinda Abreu, Mozambique’s Minister for Coordination of Environmental Affairs.

The briefing began and ended with the message that the establishment of this fund in Cancun will not only help developing countries adapt to the changing climate and adopt low-carbon development pathways, but also help rebuild trust in the negotiations. While a legally binding climate agreement seems almost certainly not on the cards for this round of negotiations, a fair global climate fund will hopefully produce tangible, concrete outcomes by Friday that addresses the need for both mitigation and adaptation assistance.



Check out the "Cancun on the Ground" Flickr set for more photos from COP16. And stay tuned for coverage of a mass mobilization of Mayan farmers calling for climate justice in tomorrow's next blog post!

SF Bay Oxfam Volunteers in Cancun for COP16!

Oxfam Action Corps volunteers Megan Ferreira and Lili Polastri are on location with Link TV in Cancun, Mexico, covering the events of the annual UN Climate Change Conference and the reaction to talks by NGOs and the local community. Check out their first blog post:

Cancun on the Ground: Getting Acclimated
DECEMBER 6, 2010, 12:00 PM

After almost 12 hours of traveling due to flight delays, my colleague and I completed our journey from San Francisco to Cancun, Mexico. We were greeted by a warm ocean breeze, friendly helpful locals, and banners for the COP16 UN Climate Change Conference decorating every inch of the city. We instantly knew we were in the right place.

Our studio is situated on the west end of the hotel zone, closer to the Cancunmesse and Moon Palace conference centers than the infamous discoteca nightlife. But, famished, we ventured toward the bright lights in the hopes of finding an authentic Mexican dinner. Despite humble requests to our cab driver to take us someplace "tranquilo," we found ourselves dropped off in the heart of Cancun among giant, warehouse-sized designer shops (Louis Vuitton, Chanel), American chain restaurants (Outback Steakhouse, Applebees), and gargantuan night clubs with bumping baselines audible from miles away. This was not the Mexico either of us had ever been to -- or imagined. In fact, it bore a greater resemblance to Las Vegas.

Fearing our search for authentic Mexican food would end at a Taco Bell, we asked a nearby club promoter for advice, and after some labored thought, he pointed us to our only option: a pricey, upscale restaurant complete with Mariachi band, white linens, and an indoor fountain. After dinner (which was delicious), we were saddened to see among the glitz and scantily clad club-goers, several child beggars, and mothers with infants in tow, selling trinkets to tourists. The stark contrast, though not so different from that of many large cities, hinted at an interesting parallel to the conference in town. I was instantly reminded of an article I read on the trip over here that described Cancun as the "suicide capital" of Mexico. Climate change is contributing to the migration of many people out of rural areas of Mexico where crops have become harder to manage and resources harder to gather. But, as people have moved into the city, the divide in urban areas between locals and tourists has led to a culture of extreme poverty, hopelessness, and depression.

As week one of the conference wrapped up, the divide between rich and poor, and inequalities within negotiations were also apparent in many ways. Talks appear to favor the rich, as developed countries have a much greater number of participating delegates and negotiators than developing countries, thus stacking the cards against poorer countries with fewer resources to attend meetings and interpret information.



Also, the Kyoto Protocol has become the subject of heated debate, as Japan, Russia, and Canada have all rejected a second commitment period under the agreement. This move has sparked objections from developing countries who feel major emitting countries should continue to be held accountable for the targets set under Kyoto.

The impacts of climate change, as we know, disproportionately affect the poor, who are more reliant on natural resources and less able to cope with environmental changes and natural disasters. And the impacts are growing. As was reported in talks this week, an estimated 1 million deaths a year by 2030 and $157 billion in damage will result from climate change. Also reported, was the likelihood that 2010 would rank among the three hottest years in recorded history, according to the World Meteorological Organization.

Speaking with a few locals during our first days here, we received mixed responses to the conference which has invaded the town. One cab driver didn't actually believe that climate change was happening, but more importantly he didn't appreciate the inflated security around Cancun which was making it hard for the locals to "party" -- and thus harder for him to run his business. Apparently, groups of machine gun-toting policemen are a deterrent for the normally hassle-free recreational drug use in Cancun's Party Central. We're looking forward to gaining further insight to the local views of the conference this week ... outside of Party Central.

Check out the "Cancun on the Ground" Flickr set for more photos from COP16. And stay tuned for more reports from the ground in Cancun, as our volunteers delve into week two of talks. Next up: Will delegates be able to come to an agreement on global climate financing?

Hear first-hand stories of the tragedies and triumphs of women of war

Women for Women International is inviting the San Francisco Bay Area Oxfam Action Corps to a special one-night event this Tuesday, November 16th, to hear first-hand stories of women from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sudan about the tragedies and triumphs of women survivors of war.

Attend the reception and intimate dialogue for a chance to meet and connect with other local supporters of Women for Women International, and learn more about women survivors of war, and what you can do to make a difference.

Date: Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Time: Hors d'oeuvres from 6:00pm. Dialogue begins at 7:00pm.

Place: Golden Gate Room in the Conference Center (Bldg A) at Fort Mason in San Francisco. Parking is available for a nominal fee and Fort Mason is accessible by several bus routes. Get directions here.

Limited tickets are available at $20, students with ID $15, click here to purchase. All proceeds benefit Women for Women International.

We hope to see you there!

Great Bay Area Events to Celebrate Peace, Culture & Education

The Bay Area Oxfam Action Corps was delighted to learn that we'll be receiving an award for our work in support of the UN Millennium Development Goals!

The award will be presented this Saturday evening by the United Nations Association of San Francisco (UNA-SF) is the San Francisco chapter of the United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA), a national, nonpartisan, and nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing US participation in the United Nations system and to strengthening that system as it seeks to define and carry out its mission. This event is part of many others taking place this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. All events are free or low-cost and open to the public! Advance registration requested. See more details below and visit http://una-sf.org.

Upcoming Special Events Hosted by the UNA-SF WHAT: UN-65: Peace, Human Rights, Justice A three day celebration of the United Nations 65th anniversary WHEN: October 22-24, 2010 WHY: From Grassroots to Gala, UN-65 will focus on the UN Millennium Development Goals and will celebrate Peace, Culture and Education. Activities include a walk in Muir Woods to the UN Grove, your professionals and student activities each day, networking with community leaders and international guests, Beethoven's Ode to Joy with the Symphony for the UN, special exhibits, a panel of experts, and much more! Check out the event flyer HERE Register for events HERE

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Also, many thanks to the hundreds of people who took action with us this weekend at the Treasure Island Music Festival by participating in the Sow the Seed photo petition and sending postcards asking Congress to pass the Global Food Security Act and asking Obama to support a Global Climate Fund at COP 16 this December in Cancun.

Photos taken will be added to thousands of others from around the world and used during meetings with governments, with media and at campaign events to make sure our world leaders hear your demands for them to tackle climate change, secure food supplies and reduce poverty.

View more photos from around the world HERE.

We Stood Up, and They Responded!

We did it! Last Saturday the SF Bay Area Oxfam Action Corps held a Hunger Banquet to Stand Up Against Poverty, contributing to the 1,328 events that took place worldwide at the time of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Review Summit in New York City (Sept. 17-19). This global action called for a comprehensive development strategy to alleviate poverty and achieve the MDGs by 2015, and the call was heard!

Click here for more info about the 8 goals.

On Wednesday afternoon, US President Obama delivered a speech announcing a sweeping new effort called the US Global Development Policy. This historic initiative elevates development and poverty reduction as a US priority, expands the notion beyond just aid to areas such as trade and investment, demands increased coherency and coordination among US agencies, and calls for a new results-oriented approach that follows locally-set agendas in partnership with recipient countries.

Better yet, the White House announced that every four years US development policies will be updated in the US Global Development Strategy. This is truly a monumental shift in US development policy.

Read Oxfam America's response to this breakthrough here.

As always, a lot rides on the details of the program and its successful implementation. President Obama can implement reforms among his Administration and provide needed leadership. But permanent reform will require acts of Congress. So stay tuned - we'll soon be circulating an e-action urging supporters to help us ensure this reform sticks.

A huge THANK YOU to all who attended Saturday's Hunger Banquet and helped make this happen. And an extra special thanks to Luna Park SF and Regalito Rosticeria for their generous food donations.

Little-known facts about our global community
Forty percent of the people on our planet—more than 2.5 billion—now live in poverty, struggling to survive on less than $2 a day. Oxfam is working to change that. Hunger is the most visible face of poverty. In every nation on earth, people go to sleep hungry—more than 854 million people worldwide—even though our planet produces enough food to feed every woman, man, and child.

How does the Oxfam Hunger Banquet work?
Few experiences bring to life the inequalities in our world more powerfully than an Oxfam America Hunger Banquet event. Organizers and participants alike can experience firsthand how our decisions affect others in the world.

Guests draw tickets at random that assign them each to either a high, middle, or low-income tier and receive a corresponding meal. The 15% in the high-income tier are served a sumptuous meal. The 35% in the middle-income section eat a simple meal of rice and beans. The 50% in the low-income tier help themselves to small portions of rice and water.

Guests can also assume characterizations that describe the situation of a specific person at the income level to which they’ve been assigned. Finally, all guests are invited to share their thoughts after the meal.

After an Oxfam America Hunger Banquet event, few participants leave with full stomachs, but all possess a greater understanding of the problems of hunger and poverty and will hopefully be motivated to do something about them.

Join us for a Hunger Banquet on Saturday, September 18th, at The Women's Building in San Francisco's Mission District, from 3-5pm. RSVP at oxfam.sf@gmail.com.

Stand Up Against Poverty on September 18th with an Oxfam America Hunger Banquet!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Saturday, September 18th, join us (and the masses around the world) and Stand Up Against Poverty in response to global leaders meeting in New York City for the 2010 UN Millennium Development Goals Review Summit. This is a critical time for us to make our voices heard and call for President Obama and other world leaders to create a development strategy for reducing global poverty. Here are the details:

WHAT: Stand Up Against Poverty Hunger Banquet

WHEN: Saturday, September 18, 2010, 3-5pm

WHERE: The Women's Building, Audre Lorde Room, 3543 18th St. #8, San Francisco, CA 94110 (women, men and children welcome!)

WHY: Stand Up Against Poverty weekend of action is September 17-19th in response to the UN Millennium Development Goals Review Summit, and Oxfam Action Corps and other allied organizations will be planning events all over the nation and the world calling for global development strategy to beat poverty! The SF Bay Area Oxfam Action Corps will be holding a Hunger Banquet to rally local support, spread awareness, and add our city to the map of action taking place this weekend. Learn more about this global event here.

HOW: To attend this event please RSVP at oxfam.sf@gmail.com. Please also let us know if you are able to volunteer at this event (may require you to arrive an hour early and/or stay and hour late).

BACKGROUND/MORE INFO: Help for people in poor communities affected by climate change and food scarcity can come in many forms - one example is the adaptation finance that we've been pushing for this year. But for too long, US assistance to poor countries has been a mixed bag of unfocused measures. We may provide aid to a poor nation but block their economic growth with unfair barriers to trade. We may ship US grains to a region going hungry when sending direct cash assistance would feed people and stimulate the local food economy. Rather than directly engaging with communities on their needs and goals, policy has too often been designed to meet goals pushed by Washington DC, with aid money paid to consultants. The list goes on, and despite some positive signals from President Obama, and bolstering of USAID under its new head Rajiv Shah, the Obama Administration has not made the big changes necessary to fix the outdated system.

In response, Oxfam and allies are calling for a "global development strategy" that brings coherency, transparency, and closer partnership with recipient communities and countries. And this summer presents an opportunity to push such a goal! Nations will convene in NYC this summer for the Millennium Development Goals review summit.

Recently, President Obama released a draft strategy to meet US commitments to the Millennium Development Goals. It embraced a results-oriented approach and positive principals such as transparency and country partnership, but it failed to articulate how to update US laws and put all possible tools into action. It is now our job to take this draft as a leaping off point toward further progress, and to push Congress to demonstrate forward motion on key elements.

What is a Hunger Banquet?

An Oxfam America Hunger Banquet allows participants will get to experience first hand the inequalities in our world, the disproportion of food, wealth and resources, and how our decisions affect others. Guests draw a ticket at random that assign them to either a high, middle, or low-income tier, based on the statistics about the number of people living in poverty in the world. Each income level has a corresponding story and meal (of differing portions). As you can imagine, most people do not leave this "banquet" with full stomachs.

Oxfam at Outside Lands Rallies Local Support to Fight Poverty

A HUGE thank you to everyone who stopped by the Oxfam booth this past weekend and took action in support of Oxfam America's work to fight global poverty. We are proud to report that we surpassed our goal and reached a whopping 809 signatures on our petition asking Obama to 1) create a global development strategy in support of the Millennium Development Goals and, 2) work with Congress to revise and strengthen the outdated Foreign Assistance Act.

Of the hundreds of people who signed the petition, over half also opted to take local action by joining our Bay Area listserv. Thanks also to all of the AMAZING volunteers who joined us in our outreach efforts. As a volunteer initiative, it goes without saying, we couldn't have done it without you!

Here are just a few photos from this fantastic day (and scroll down for the complete slide show):

Event Planning Meeting - Thursday August 26th!

Next month, the world will be joining together in calling out our global leaders on the promises they made via the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The 2010 review summit, hosted by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, will be held this September to examine the progress made on achieving these goals thus far. It's up to us to make our voices heard and demand that global leaders take the necessary steps towards ending poverty and inequality by 2015, as outlined in the MDG framework.

That's why Oxfam America is joining the masses on September 17-19, to Stand Up Against Poverty! Join the SF Bay Oxfam Action Corps at 6:30pm on Thursday, August 26 at Cafe International if you would like to participate in the planning of our local event. Ideas currently on the table include: a Hunger Banquet, a movie screening, a panel discussion, or a musical performance by local artists. Please send your ideas to oxfam.sf@gmail.com, or join us on the 26th and help us make this event one to remember!

Vent Your Outrage - Call Your Senator!

Thanks to everyone who participated in our efforts last week to generate calls to Senators to vent our outrage regarding the lack of Senate action on climate change before the August recess! Our Bay Area actions were part of a national effort, with similar phone banking gatherings taking place in cities like New York, Minneappolis, Albuquerque, Columbus, and Philly.

Haven't called yet? It's not too late! Please see the previous post for more info and email us if you have any questions. Also, check out this article about the challenge the US will face trying to meet our aid commitments to without cap-and-trade revenue.

Flex Your Constituent Muscle: Phone Banking TONIGHT and TOMORROW!

Thanks for sticking with us through this tough time, and for taking action when it's needed most. If you didn't get a chance to add your name to the Senate petition demanding climate action, you can do so here. Then, take a moment to check out Oxfam's latest e-action regarding the Senate failure to address climate change.

You can make calls on your own, or, TONIGHT and TOMORROW, as promised, we will be holding gatherings around the Bay Area for local volunteers to join together in contacting Senators and other influential community members in California to urge them to keep fighting to pass climate legislation. Locations and times are as follows:

TONIGHT - TUESDAY 7/27/10

San Francisco:

6:30-8pm @ Megan Ferreira's house, 44 Ulloa, San Francisco, CA 94127, email megimegs1@gmail.com

East Bay:

5-8pm @ Nickolas Johnson Berkeley, email johnson_nickolas@mac.com

TOMORROW - WEDNESDAY 7/28/10

South Bay:

5-8pm @ Karen Crumlin's house, 1048 Keeble Court, San Jose, CA 95126, email karen.crumlin@gmail.com

Email hosts for more info, or just show up with your phone and be prepared to make some calls! Flexing your constituent muscle with a phone call is one of the most powerful things you can do as a concerned citizen in this country. Remember, the government works for and represents us, so it's our right and our duty to voice our opinions.

Thanks everyone and we hope to see some of you tonight and tomorrow!

The US Senate Puts off Climate Legislation Again While Poor People Continue to Suffer - Your Help Needed!

In reaction to the announcement that climate change legislation is delayed by the United States Senate, perhaps indefinitely, David Waskow, Oxfam America's climate change program director, made the following statement:

“It is critical that the US pass legislation to deal with the oil spill and impacts on communities in the Gulf Coast, but the world cannot stand to hear, again, that the Senate will not act on climate change. While Senators go on their summer break, millions of poor people on the front lines of climate change around the world can’t take a break from the droughts and floods made worse by climate pollution.”

"Without a commitment that the United States will work with other countries to solve the climate challenge and build resilience to its consequences, we cannot move forward globally. All eyes are on the US to show leadership. Failure on this critically important issue is just unacceptable, but the Senate has failed to match the leadership in the House and the Obama Administration has abandoned the helm.”

“Time is ticking away. We urge President Obama to lead and Senators to get back to work determined to deliver legislation that cuts harmful pollution and invests in the resilience of poor communities on the front lines of climate change. "

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR NAME TO THE LIST OF SUPPORTERS CALLING FOR CLIMATE ACTION NOW!

Phone-banking gatherings are still tentatively scheduled to take place in South Bay, East Bay, and San Francisco locations next week July 27-29. Stay tuned or email oxfam.sf@gmail.com for more details...

ACTION UPDATE:

New forecasts for the climate bill release in the Senate have moved to next week, on July 26th. Please note that phone banking gatherings around the Bay Area will now be scheduled to take place July 27-29th, in response to this new information. Email oxfam.sf@gmail.com for more information on how to attend or throw your own gathering.

Also, if you are a fan of the R&B/Rap group, Foreign Exchange, come see us this Thursday and Friday at Yoshi's Jazz Club in San Francisco where Oxfamers will be tabling and doing local outreach. Check out the flyer for more info:

Senate Climate Bill Vote Approaching - Mark Your Calendars for Action!

A vote on the Senate climate bill will be taking place this month and we need your help to ensure the bill passes with international adaptation funding in tact! Vulnerable communities around the world are counting on the U.S. to do their part to combat climate change on a global scale, and that begins with setting an example and taking responsibility at home by reducing our carbon footprint and helping those most effected by (though least responsible for) climate change.

On July 19th-21st, the Oxfam America Action Corps will be holding gatherings in cities across the country to generate constituent calls to Senators. Join us at one of several locations in the Bay Area to add your voice to this important cause! Phone lists and scripts will be provided at what promises to be an exciting and inspiring time for everyone involved. Please contact oxfam.sf@gmail.com if you would like to attend one of these gatherings, or if you would like to hold your own!

We'll be updating our blog soon with more details about this call for action and the bill, expected to be introduced for debate in the Senate on July 19th.

Also, click here to watch the trailer for "Beautiful Islands", an award-winning film about three locations, Tuvalu (South Pacific), Venice (Italy), and Shishmaref (USA), that are sinking into the ocean due to sea level rise. The serious threat posed by climate change stands to eliminate entire countries and cultures.

And, check out the new iPhone app based on the film, the "Flood Camera", which allows you to see what your favorite places might look like flooded. Shocking stuff.

In-District Senate Lobby Visits Keep Adaptation in the Conversation

Over the Memorial Day Congressional Recess, the Oxfam Action Corps was hard at work across the country making in-district visits to Senators to ensure international adaptation funding remains a priority of climate legislation. In San Francisco, 10 volunteers met with the staffers of Senators Feinstein and Boxer to reemphasize crucial information and share personal stories about the importance of adaptation. They told the staffers that it is urgent that the Senate act on climate change this year – every day the Senate doesn’t act, poor people worldwide who are hardest hit by climate change are left fighting on their own. (Boxer has been a long supporter of comprehensive climate legislation and adaptation, and Feinstein is supportive of passing a comprehensive climate bill, but her office hasn't yet released a public position on international adaptation...but stay tuned!)

Back on Capitol Hill this week Senate Majority Leader Reid (D-NV) met with other leaders in the Senate to discuss how to move forward a climate bill. Oxfam is still anticipating outcomes from this meeting - we'll keep you posted! On the Republican side, Richard Lugar (R-IN) offered an alternative proposal and Lindsay Graham (R-SC) backpedaled on his commitment to the issue (details on his comments here).

And on a related note, a small victory! Yesterday the Senate voted 53-47 to defeat an effort by Sen. Murkowski (R-AK) to strip the Environmental Protection Agency of its ability to regulate greenhouse gases. For news coverage and a notable speech by Sen. Kerry (D-MA) click here. And click here for a NY Times article on the prospective of a comprehensive energy bill passing after this vote.

Stay tuned for more legislative updates and calls for action during this crucial time...

Summer of Action Kick-Off Meeting Success!

Thank you to everyone who attended this past Sunday's Summer of Action Kick-Off Meeting (scroll down for pics)! We had a big variety of volunteers present, some who'd been volunteering for years, and some who were getting involved with Oxfam for the very first time. But it was clear after introductions, that every single person had something very valuable to contribute.

During the meeting we were able to identify some key strengths within the group through discussing the many ways one can volunteer with the Action Corps. From tabling at concerts and festivals, to lobby visits and calling your legislators, these areas of action can be categorized as such:

- Communications (Letters to the Editor, letters to your representatives, contributing to the OAC blog or Facebook)

- Legislation (Lobby visits, bill research, Senate phone calls/emails, town hall meetings)

- Concerts/Festivals (Tabling outreach, petition signing, volunteer and materials coordination)

- Events and Promotion (Event oversight/planning/promotion, phone banking, social networking)

- Allies and Community Outreach (Networking with partner orgs, finding new allies, adding OAC events to community calendars, making connections)

If your day job, area of expertise, or general interest lies in one of these categories and you would like to be specifically considered when volunteer opportunities arise, please write to us at sanfrancisco@oxfamactioncorps.org and let us know!

Lastly, I have to mention that by the end of the meeting, we had collectively hand-written 15 letters to our CA Senators about the pros and cons of the American Power Act (namely that while Adaptation funding is indeed included in the bill, it is not nearly enough and will be delayed for almost a decade). These letters will be hand-delivered during lobby visits next week! Letter writing is an easy, yet invaluable way of flexing your constituent muscle. Let us know if you'd like to write one, and we can send you talking points.

Stay tuned for info on next quarter's volunteer meeting, to be set early August.

American Power Act Introduced Today!

After much anticipation, Senators John Kerry (D-Mass) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn) released The American Power Act, a comprehensive climate and energy bill. Ultimately, the bill is a product of compromises aimed at bipartisan appeal, so it's political prospects are uncertain. However, while Oxfam and its allies are dissecting the 987 pages and scoping out its political viability, our common immediate perspective is that it is a welcome step, and we urgently need political leadership to strengthen its provisions.

So far, what we know about the bill is that it:

- aims for 17% GHG reductions by 2020

- proposes a cap & trade system with significant consumer protection

- includes money and incentives for nuclear energy

- includes concessions on off-shore drilling (fewer though, in the wake of Gulf spill).

- includes a program to build resilience through international adaptation, but funding is inadequate and doesn’t commence until 2019.

Read more about the bill here.

Take Immediate Action: Join a national conference call tomorrow (5/13) on the American Power Act, hosted by 1Sky

Time: Thursday, May 13, 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM (Eastern Time)
Dial-in number: 877-366-0713 (toll-free)
Participant code: 38735133#
Questions: Submit your questions in advance here. (And ask about adaptation!)

Guest speakers on the call include Jesse Tolkan (Green for All), Dave Hamilton (Sierra Club), Vicky Rateau (Oxfam America), Jason Kowalski (1Sky).

May 23- Summer of Action Kick-Off Meeting

Have you been waiting for an opportunity to jump in an start volunteering with the Bay Action Corps, or learn more about what we do? Well, now is your chance and we can't wait to meet you!


WHAT: SF Bay Area Summer of Action Kick-Off Meeting

WHEN: 5:00pm, Sunday, May 23rd

WHERE: Action Corps Organizer Megan's House, 44 Ulloa St., San Francisco, CA 94127

DIRECTIONS: Take MUNI lines M, L, and K to Forest Hill, and/or the 36, 43, 44 & 52 buses. BART riders can get off at Glen Park station and take the 44 or 52 bus up the hill. Plenty of street parking is also available.

WHY: This meeting will be a gathering of new volunteers and old from all parts of the Bay Area interested in making this summer and beyond a forceful effort towards achieving comprehensive climate legislation that includes adequate funding for international adaptation! It's time the U.S. steps up as a leader in the fight against climate change and takes a stand for the world's most vulnerable communities. And we need YOUR help to accomplish this.

Items to be covered at this meeting will include:

General overview of Oxfam America, and the Bay Area Action Corps

Overview of climate change, international adaptation, and current legislative implications

Primary action calendar for the summer (not limited to)

Key areas of action and sign-up sheet for interested volunteers

Idea exchange/Meet and greet

Pizza and beverages!!!

Please RSVP to sanfrancisco@oxfamactioncorps.org so we know to expect you and how much food to order (and let us know if you have any dietary restrictions, too).

Immigration Politics Threaten to Unravel Bipartisan Climate Bill Efforts

Prospects for a comprehensive climate bill passing this year suffered a blow Saturday after Republican Senator Lindsey Graham (South Carolina), who had been helping to write and sponsor the bill, pulled out of negotiations. But although Graham has split from Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), the split fortunately does not appear to be on substantive issues, but instead is a procedural protest directed at Majority Leader Reid. In a nut shell, Graham wants the climate bill taken up now, and not put off until after an immigration reform bill which Reid is considering pushing forward.

More details about this policy update can be found in the following articles:

Senate Climate Bill Trio Headed in Different Directions
NY Times, April 27, 2010

Troubled Senate Climate Bill to Undergo EPA Analysis
NY Times, April 26, 2010

Outlook for climate bill in U.S. Congress
Reuters, April 26, 2010

Climate Bill On Hold After Lindsey Graham Threatens To Withdraw Support Over Immigration
Huffington Post, April 24, 2010

Congress always has its ups and downs, and while this development has sparked much speculation and worry, we need to keep our message steady and strong! Please check back soon for more updates and make sure you have contacted your Senators to urge them to not cut the world's poorest communities out of the climate bill.

Happy Earth Day!

Today marks the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, and it couldn't come at a better time. Climate change is more relevant today than ever before; not only is the science clear-- with the consensus of the Nobel Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which represents the collaboration of over 2,500 scientific expert reviewers and 800 authors from 130 countries-- but the impacts are clear, too. Climate change is no longer a problem of the future that we can put off dealing with, we simply don't have that luxury, now knowing what we do.

Bill McKibben may have put it best when he spoke at the World Affairs Council in San Francisco, CA last night. He explained that, in this new era, we have to change the way we think, and the vocabulary we use. In developing countries (and developed), we can no longer talk about "growth". We need to instead discuss options for "stability," "security," and "resilience." And that is what International Adaptation is all about.

Fortunately, the US President's Interagency Task Force on Climate Change Adaptation is working on this and they've released a progress report, which can be found here. They are accepting public comments (until May 14) and we need to show them that people nationwide support adaptation funding. So today, on the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, in addition to taking the bus, shortening your shower, or planting a tree, take a minute to read the report, and leave your honest and informed feedback. To view public comments go here.

Finally, we'll leave you with this inspiring message from President Obama, who sums up pretty well the urgency with which we need to think about and act on climate change.

100 Places to Remember Before They Disappear

Newsweek magazine recently released a limited edition special issue featuring 100 places to remember before they disappear due to the devastating impacts of climate change. With a moving introduction by Fareed Zakaria, this tribute to only some of the many places suffering from rising sea levels, diminishing resources, or dying eco-systems, is an important reminder that climate change is happening now and to a very serious degree. While much of the damage to our planet cannot be reversed, there is still plenty we can do to prevent further devastation, like the loss of entire low-lying island nations (a risk facing the Republic of Kiribati, not featured in Newsweek's report).

Stay tuned for more action opportunities, through which you can join the fight for comprehensive climate change legislation. A climate bill is expected to drop in the U.S. Senate April 26th, just after Earth Day, and in this bill Oxfam is calling for adequate funding for international adaptation, so that the most vulnerable communities bearing the brunt of climate change can cope. After all, it's these communities who contribute the least to climate change, and yet they stand to lose the most.

Sign the petition now - Tell your Senators: Don't cut poor people out of the climate Bill!

Reminder: Please Call Your Senators!

Senator Boxer: (202) 224-3553 or (415) 403-0100
Senator Feinstein: (202) 224-3841 or (415) 393-0707

WHAT:
If you’re a person who cares deeply about the world's poorest people and believes the US has a responsibility to help these communities adapt to the effects of climate change, now is the time to let them our political leaders know!

1. Please call Senators Feinstein and Boxer and urge them to ensure that international assistance for the world's poorest people to adapt to climate change not be left out of a comprehensive US climate and energy bill!

2. Please also ask them to co-sponsor the International Climate Change Investment Act (S. 2835), which addresses the global security risks of climate change, helps hard-hit communities to build resilience to climate impacts, and promotes US leadership in clean technology.

WHY:
The world’s poorest people are currently being hit hardest by climate change and need assistance to build up resilience against its effects.

International investments are in the interests of US national security and global stability. Climate-exacerbated impacts (droughts, floods, storms, disease) will increase environmental migration, poverty and hunger, and possible armed conflicts over scarce resources, as already seen in Sudan. Supporting climate-readiness now will save lives and money by helping to decrease the damage caused by climate change.

Without financial and technical support from countries like the United States, developing countries will not be able to address the immediate, serious impacts facing vulnerable communities today or reduce their own emissions, leaving billions of people in peril from worsening storms, droughts, and floods.

AND:
There's still time to take action!!! But, unfortunately, there has been talk of splitting the bill to leave out essential portions that would both cap greenhouse gas emissions and provide funding for vulnerable communities least responsible for the devastating effects of climate change that they are the most incapable of dealing with.

Exciting International Women's Day Events

THURSDAY, MARCH 4TH:

Half the Sky LIVE
7:30 – 9:30 pm
Theaters Nationwide

At 7:30 pm (all time zones), in honor of International Women’s Day, CARE will present Half the Sky LIVE in movie theatres nationwide!

Inspired by the best-selling book from Pulitzer-prize winning journalists Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, this special screening will feature musical performances, celebrity commentary and the world premiere of “Woineshet,” a powerful short film directed by Academy Award Winner Marisa Tomei and Lisa Leone. Watch the pages of Half the Sky come to life onscreen as “Woineshet” chronicles the struggles of a poor Ethiopian woman who ultimately triumphs over sexual violence and discrimination.

SATURDAY, MARCH 6TH:

International Women's Day Feast, Facts & Festival
11 am – 5 pm
Oakland, CA

11 am- Drum Circle at Diamond Park in front of the tennis courts, at Fruitvale and Damuth.
12 pm- March through the Fruitvale business district.
1 pm- Feast & Facts Lunch: Enjoy a scrumptious buffet and choose a Circle of Interest covering various issues concerning women, including Women and Climate Change, presented by the Bay Area Oxfam Action Corps!
2 pm- Music, Dance, Poetry & Spoken Word.
4 pm- Tea Dance

International Women's Day March & Festival
11 am – 4 pm
San Jose, CA

11 am- The march begins at Roosevelt Park (21st St. & Santa Clara St.)
1 pm- The march ends at the Biblioteca Latinoamericana at 921 S. First Street, with music and cultural performances.

MONDAY, MARCH 8th:

Women for Women, Bridge to Bridge
11:30 am – 1 pm
San Francisco, CA

Join us on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco! Thousands of women (and men) worldwide will gather on bridges from San Francisco to Congo to demonstrate that women can build the bridges of peace and hope.

11:30 am- Participants gather in the parking lot on the San Francisco side of the bridge
12 pm- Walk starts toward the center of the bridge. Parking is limited, so carpooling and public transit is encouraged.

Women & Leadership: The 30% Solution
5:30 – 8 pm
Monterey, CA

5:30 pm- Informational Fair and Reception: Browse local organizations' informational tables, enjoy appetizers, drinks, and music.

6:30 pm- Keynote Linda Tarr-Whelan, Demos Distinguished Senior Fellow, President Clinton’s Ambassador to the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women, and author of Women Lead The Way: Your Guide to Stepping Up to Leadership and Changing the World.

7:30 pm- Panel discussion including Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS) Provost Dr. Amy Sands; Linda Alepin, Founding Director of the Global Women's Leadership Network (GWLN) of the Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University; and Christine Grumm, President and CEO of the Women's Funding Network will follow.

TUESDAY, MARCH 9TH:

Sisters on the Planet Climate Leaders Summit
In honor of International Women’s Day, Oxfam is bringing inspiring women from around the world to Washington, DC, for a summit with some of America’s most prominent women leaders. They’ll talk about how climate change affects women here and abroad—and how women can use their power to fight back against the crisis.

Even though we can't be in DC with them, we'll still be flexing our constituent muscles locally! Email us at oxfam.sf@gmail.com if you'd like to join Bay Area Oxfam Action Corps volunteers and climate justice advocates for local lobby visits.

Bill Gates Announces Top Priority: Zero Climate Emissions

On Friday the world's most successful businessperson and most powerful philanthropist declared that reaching zero climate emissions is his top priority. We were particularly happy to hear that Bill Gates spoke about his commitment to using his massive philanthropic resources (the Gates Foundation is the world's largest) to make life better for people through public health and poverty alleviation ("vaccines and seeds" as he put it). Then he said something he's never said before:

that is it because he's committed to improving life for the world's most vulnerable people that he now believes that climate change is the most important challenge on the planet.

Check out Alex Steffen's summary for more details.

Call your Senators TODAY to Keep the Comprehensive Climate Bill Alive!

There's still time to take action!!! Please call your Senators today and demand that a comprehensive climate bill be passed in the Senate this year.

Unfortunately, there has been talk of splitting the bill to leave out essential portions that would both cap greenhouse gas emissions and provide funding for vulnerable communities least responsible for the devastating effects of climate change that they are the most incapable of dealing with.

Senator Boxer: (202) 224-3553 or (415) 403-0100
Senator Feinstein: (202) 224-3841 or (415) 393-0707


7 Reasons why we must continue to call for a Comprehensive Climate Bill:

1. With every delay come increased risks of global instability and threats to national security from global migration and refugee crises, conflicts over natural resources, and economic destabilization.

2. American innovators and entrepreneurs are eager to take advantage of the increasing global demand for climate resilience tools, services and technologies. Scores of major corporations are fighting for climate solutions as a key to keeping our nation competitive, securing global supply chains, and expanding business opportunities. By ignoring the changing realities imposed by global warming, we risk missing the next great economic wave.

3. Now is the time to put in place a pathway toward a clean energy future, and inspire innovative, people-focused solutions to adapt to climate change.

4. While least responsible for causing climate change, poor people bear the brunt of its impacts.

5. Studies show that across Africa, 75 million to 250 million people could face severe water shortages by 2020. (According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.)

6. People in poor countries are 20 times more likely to be affected by disasters caused by climate change than those in the developed world. And the World Health Organization estimated that climate change already claims 150,000 lives annually.

7. In a nutshell... now is the time to pass a comprehensive clean energy and climate policy to enhance global stability, generate the kinds of business and job opportunities critically needed to rebuild our nation's economy, and help poor communities cope with the impacts of a changing climate!

Action Corps Recruitment & Editors Concert

Happy 2010! Thank you everyone for your support in December during the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit; the global effort displayed was truly inspiring (check out photos of the SF Day of Action here). While the outcome may not have been ideal, it was an important start to bigger change down the road. Stay tuned as there will be many updates and activities ahead as we continue to campaign for comprehensive national legislation and an ambitious, fair and binding global treaty at the Cancun climate summit in December 2010!

In other news...recruiting has commenced for new Action Corps organizers for 2010! This year’s recruitment is about finding and engaging several people who can fill out our local leadership team. A team structure will allow more sustained efforts and bring distinct strengths to the table. Applications accepted through Feb. 15 at www.oxfamactioncorps.org.

As a refresher, the Oxfam Action Corps is:

- a unique program that joins principles of local community organizing to the purpose of eradicating global poverty. Organizing is bringing people together around a shared purpose to make political change. The Action Corps is a learning experience in which volunteers become skilled organizers, communities become powerful advocates for the rights of the poor and vulnerable, and we all change our world for the better.

- a local effort that is an important part of Oxfam’s national campaign strategy, which takes place in over a dozen cities across America. As such, regular communication, coordination, and training and support between volunteer organizers and staff are essential to its success.

AND,

- Oxfam America staff provide a national plan of action for the year including objectives, priority members of Congress, key moments, activities and organizing tools. Within this, Action Corps organizers have flexibility to create plans and actions that are inspiring and effective locally. This year we will continue to campaign on climate change and adaptation financing for poor and vulnerable communities. Possible Senate action, mid-term elections, and lead-up to COP16 in Mexico make for a very interesting year ahead!

Your role as an Oxfam Action Corps organizer would involve:

- being committed to the success of local efforts. In turn, Oxfam America is committed to providing you organizing tools, policy updates, and ongoing guidance and support. It’s a learning experience, so please expect coaching and candid feedback.

- being part of a group of 5 or more organizers forming a local leadership team. While sharing overall responsibility, you each also take on a specific role suited to your skills and availability. Roles include tracking policy developments in detail and leading lobby delegations; leading outreach at public events like concerts and conferences; reaching out to community organizations; gathering volunteers for regular planning sessions; updating your blog and email announcements; etc.

What’s in it for you?

–Making a difference through advocating for millions of people in poverty
–Developing leadership, organizing, and communication skills and experience
–Being closer to Oxfam’s work and staff
–Issue expertise on poverty and climate change
–Better understanding of policy-making at the national and international level
–A greater community of like-minded individuals
–Personal fulfillment/satisfaction
–Helping build a unique program and learning experience!

Those interested in being organizers for the full year should apply at www.oxfamactioncorps.org by February 15th. If accepted, there is a chance you may be selected for Oxfam's annual training and lobby visits in Washington D.C! Those interested in occasional volunteering should also sign up.

That's the end of the wrap for our recruitment. Please also note we have an Editors concert on Monday, February 8th at the Warfield, SF that we need 4 volunteers for (one person should have prior tabling experience), so please email us back ASAP at oxfam.sf@gmail.com if you're interested. Should be a rockin' show!

And, lastly, stay tuned for details about March Action Week, where we'll be celebrating International Women's Day and our Sisters on the Planet, with your help!