October 2006
Welcome to e-Sierra
The email newsletter of the Sierra Club North Star ChapterOctober 2006 - Issue 52
Click your issue of interest!
Live in the 'burbs and want more transit?
Curbing Climate Change starts at home - Go on an Energy Diet!
Sierra Club Sheds Light on Legislators' Environmental Records
Trick or Treat - This Halloween, tell the Dept. of Commerce that Big Stone II is scary
Roadless Rockstars
Protect Minnesota from Mining Damage - join the Mining Without Harm Campaign!
Off-Road Vehicle Damage Prevention - Be a Leader
Calendar of Events
Live in the 'burbs and want more transit?
Are you tired of sitting in traffic? Do you long for a train or high speed bus to hop onto for a stress-free commute to work everyday? We're building our base of transit advocates living in the suburbs and need YOUR help. It's time to get on board! Contact at 612-659-9124 for more info.
Curbing Climate Change starts at home - Go on an Energy Diet!
The Mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul are both recipients of the Sierra Club "Cool Cities" award for signing the Climate Protection Agreement. Recently they kicked off a Twin Cities Energy Challenge to reduce our collective carbon dioxide emissions. Reduce our need for dirty power like Big Stone II - take the challenge and reduce your CO2 footprint! Go to http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/energychallenge/. Find out more ways to conserve energy in your home and daily life at an energy fair Oct. 24th from 6-9pm, at Jenny Lind Community School, 5025 Bryant Ave. N., Features speaker Will Steger. A free compact fluorescent bulb will be given to the first 500 people!! To volunteer at the Sierra Club table, or for more info. Contact: Cesia at 612-659-9124 email: .
Sierra Club Sheds Light on Legislators' Environmental Records
With election season heating up, do you know whether your legislators are voting for safe and healthy communities? The Sierra Club just released our 2005-2006 Legislative Scorecard, where we've identified votes taken by Minnesota Representatives and Senators over a two-year period, and disclosed the voting records of legislators on issues relating to clean air and water, renewable energy, transportation funding, forest protection, and more. Check out the cool interactive web version or download the whole report at http://northstar.sierraclub.org/2006scorecard.
Trick or Treat - This Halloween, tell the Dept. of Commerce that Big Stone II is Scary
Stop dirty coal-fired power coming into Minnesota and help lay a deeper foundation for renewable energy like wind power. We have a public comment period until OCT. 31st to send a letter to the Department of Commerce saying that Minnesota does not want new coal-fired power from the proposed Big Stone II coal plant project - we want clean energy! To get more involved in stopping global warming and bringing clean energy to MN, please contact Cesia at 612-659-9124 or . For info and to take action on Big Stone II, go to http://northstar.sierraclub.org/campaigns/air/coal/bigStoneProposal.html.
Roadless Rockstars
See Sierra Club volunteers in action protecting Minnesota's beloved roadless wilderness areas. Go to MPR to hear one of their feature stories on Sierra Club activists' great work on this important wilderness issue. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/10/09/roadlessrulemn/
To get more involved in the Chapter's Forest Committee and become a roadless rockstar yourself, contact Lois Norrgard at .
Protect Minnesota from Mining Damage - join the Mining Without Harm Campaign!
Our campaign to prevent air, water and wetlands damage from metallic sulfide mining (copper, nickel, platinum, palladium, gold) in Minnesota just south of the BWCAW is moving statewide. Volunteers are needed to write letters, meet with their legislators, reach out to union members to raise the visibility of this looming threat and to promote recycling and positive alternatives. Help protect Lake Superior and BWCAW from mining damage. Time commitment is 1-5 hours a month. Contact Co-Chair John Doberstein at 218-522-0595.
Off-Road Vehicle Damage Prevention - Be a Leader
Hobby users of off-road motorcycles, trucks and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are pushing government to turn public lands over to their use, thereby taking away wild and scenic places that hikers, bicyclists, and hunters have long used. Help us protect places like the North Shore State Trail by promoting responsible motorized vehicle use, and preserving sensitive places. Use your skills or learn new ones — writing, speaking, lobbying, and mentoring. To learn more about the needs and opportunities available, visit the North Star Chapter website, or call Clyde Hanson at 218-387-9081
Calendar of Events
http://northstar.sierraclub.org
For More Calendar Information or for Interesting Submissions Contact: .