Trends in Global Grassroots Organizing May 2017 by We, The World

TRENDS

, THE WORLD

MAY/JUNE 2017

in global grassroots organizing

FEATURED: THE MONSANTO TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE

IN THE NEWS: ENVIRONMENT

THE GROWING WAVE OF WOMAN

UNITED RELIGIONS INITIATIVE INTERFAITH RESPONSE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS

SACRED WATER, PROFANE MARKETS

NRDC: "CLIMATE SANCTUARY CITIES"

GLOBAL VOICE - REVITALIZING THE UN FROM THE GRASSROOTS

ZIMBABWE PERMACULTURE

BENJAMIN BARBER PROPHET OF INTERDEPENDENCE 1939-2017

50/50 Day: Women + Power May 10, 2017

Continuous Newsfeed: Trends.we.net

CLIMATE CHANGE FACT SHEET

Welcome to

Trends In Global Grassroots Organizing TRENDS.WE.NET

At this moment of political discord and social turmoil in the USA and many other countries, when millions of people are frightened about their future and wondering where our society is headed, we think it is crucial to know Who is doing What to protect People and the Planet Then we can focus our energy in the most effective and fulfilling ways to be part of the growing movement for peace, sustainability and transformation. Whether you're a committed activist or new to the world of social change, Trends can deliver a mega-dose of optimism while connecting you to new and inspiring Change Agents working locally and globally for a better world. Trends is focused on the 11 Campaigns For Change which developed from 11 Days of Global Unity. Together they form a comprehensive blueprint for global transformation: Would you like to help us Inspire, Inform and Involve millions more people to create a better world? Here are 3 ways you can be part of this effort: Join the WE Team that creates Trends and does so many other things too! Sign up to become a Volunteer Coordinator here: http://WE.net/takeaction/volunteer Submit your own Trend Report for possible publication in Trends! Tell us whose transformative work for social change inspires you - including your own! Send to Trends@WeTheWorld.org Make a generous tax deductible contribution to help We, The World continue and expand our global networks of collaboration and action! Click here to make a secure donation or go to http://WE.net/donate to see an address where you can send a check. Rick Ulfik, Angel Fullerton, Robert Levine and Mahika Halepete co-produced Trends in Global Grassroots Organizing. Thank you for reading it and using it to help create a better world!

ABOUT WE, THE WORLD

WE - A global campaign of We, The World to unite and amplify the efforts of people, organizations and movements working for the common good WE.net

Mission The mission of We, The World is to maximize social change globally - until we have a world that works for all. Background & Overview We, The World (at WE.net) is a global coalition-building non-profit organization that annually connects and promotes thousands of socially conscious organizations and individuals to amplify their efforts and generate public awareness and action. Advisors and Supporters include Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Jane Goodall, Deepak Chopra, Bill McKibben, Barbara Marx Hubbard, Daniel Ellsberg, Marianne Williamson, Tavis Smiley, Patch Adams, Hazel Henderson and about 70 other visionary leaders from around the world. Current Major Objective Unprecedented Grassroots Cooperation and Coordination to address the enormous social and environmental challenges we are facing today. We hope you will Join and Support us!

The Global Unity Calendar - A Free Public International Resource: GlobalUnityCalendar.org

The Global Unity Calendar is a free public calendar hosted byWe, The World and the WE Campaign. People and groups worldwide can add events and announcements to the calendar themselves You can link your calendar to ours as well, since it can be shared with Google, Outlook, Apple and other calendars.

Disclaimer While We, The World offers Trends in Global Grassroots Organizing as a public service to promote peace, sustainability and transformation, We, The World and our board, personnel, volunteers, organizers, members, advisors, supporters, partners, friends, allies and others connected with us do not necessarily endorse, support, and are not necessarily affiliated in any way with, the people, organizations, activities, values, strategies and ideas that appear here. We thank you for your efforts to create a world that works for all!

in this issue Trends in Unity Governance as Equals ... 4

Trends in interdependence

Trends in health 6th Annual Food Revolution Summit ... 24

Trends in children & youth

Friends of the Institute of Noetic Sciences ... 6

The Trilig Movement ... 25

In Memoriam: Benjamin Barber ... 7

An Urgent Message From Your Children ... 26

Trends in environment The Monsanto Tribunal ... 8 United Religions Initiative ... 13 Reaction and Response to Shifting Policy at the Environmental Protection Agency ... 14 Why We Need Sisterhood in the Face of Climate Change ... 16 Biodiversity by Protecting the Ecosystems and Supporting Sustainable Agriculture in Africa ... 17 Updates: Earth Month Rallies & Actions ... 18 Nature, Economy, and Equity ... 20

Trends in economic justice Economic Inequality Runs Rampant Among Individuals, Groups, and Countries ... 23

Climate Change Fact Sheet ... 10 The Action Toolkit ... 22 A Letter to the World ... 27 Blessings in Disguise ... 32 One ... 36

Trends in women The Growing Wave of Woman ... 28

Trends in human rights The Division of Elections in France ... 29

Trends in freedom Global Voice ... 30

Trends in disarmament It Is Two and a Half Minutes To Midnight ... 31

Trends in peace Educating for a Culture of Peace ... 33 A Path to Peace Education ... 34 Symphony of Peace Prayers ... 35

Trends in unity GOVERNANCE AS EQUALS By Jennifer Rau, Sociocracy For All www.sociocracyforall.org

THE CHALLENGE

Our vision is for organizations to be effective. Inclusive. Transparent. Everyone’s voice should be heard. The reality is power struggles. Endless meetings. Not enough output. Frustration. Most people share the vision, but the reality of "everyone's voice matters" is hard to put into practice. This might be familiar: ideally, meetings are the time when we get to hear each other. But then - why do they have to take so long, lead to so much frustration and way too often, too little gets done? The reality in most organizations consists of meetings where people who repeat themselves, while others roll their eyes. Plans that never happen, meetings that leave us feeling disconnected. That’s not what we signed up for. And it is not the way it has to be. Why does a purpose-driven organization fall so short on how they do things themselves - what can be done? HOW do we make sure everyone's voice matters? We work with egalitarian organizations that often start out with one misconception: when all of us are decision-makers, things will be fair. Unfortunately, it is not that easy. More likely, when all of us are decision-makers, we will argue and nothing will happen. What’s going on? All of us grew up (and are still immersed) in power-over systems, with all the -isms still going strong. Sexism, racism, classism, etc. Their impact is always in the room, and ignoring it won't fix it. One practical implication of that is A worker-coop in Oregon enjoys effective and even if we want to create an open, just discussion, the old connecting decision-making patterns are still very much with us. Some people make themselves heard - and others not so much. In order to overcome those patterns, we need some serious effort to counterbalance this. A simple tool we use and teach in sociocracy are rounds. Everyone in the room gets a turn to speak, one by one. Not only does this support people in speaking (especially those who do not tend to speak up), but rounds also support listening. Are you familiar with a situation where someone else is speaking and on your mind, you are already preparing your counterargument, while you are just waiting for a good moment to interrupt them and jump in, proving them wrong? Rounds help break that pattern of competition and dominance. If you know that it will not be your turn until the round comes to you, you will sit back. And while you are sitting back, you will be much more likely to listen. 4

TRENDS IN UNITY We cannot all be decision-makers at the same time for all decisions. If we are all decision-makers and try to get to consensus on a decision, then we are likely to burn out. There are two aspects of that. Consensus (we talk until we all agree) works well in homogeneous groups. But it is often not implemented as a process that is strong enough to hold dissent. To keep it simple, let's shorten the difference between consensus and consent to a slogan. Consensus asks" do you agree?". Consent asks: "do you object?" Many consensus-run groups use consensus in a way we describe consent, and it serves them well. Others do not have a formal process in place and they suffer from blocks and lack of forward-movement. If we widen the "range of tolerance" -- the decisions we are willing to work with even though they are not our preference -- we create more options for common ground. We can make decisions even in heterogeneous groups. Since everyone can object (on the basis of a reasoned objection), no one will be ignored. But we also get things done! With these (and some more) tweaks, egalitarian organizations can be effective. In the long run, they will be even be more effective than autocratic organizations because everyone can tap into the innate desire to contribute and collaborate, creating more sustainable decisions and more buy-in from everyone. Balancing group needs and individual needs, organizations transition from a competitive paradigm into a collaborative mindset where we together create a win-win. Is this already being done? Yes. Quite a lot. The biggest example is the children's parliament in India where hundreds of thousands of children in thousands of teams (we call them circles) collaborate to improve their immediate environment, in layers of linked circles that go up to a national level.

The Children’s Parliament in India uses tools from sociocracy

But also worker-cooperatives, communities, non-profits and forprofits work with sociocracy, a model that was developed in the early 1980ies in the Netherlands and has since spread in Europe, the Americas and India. Sociocracy is particularly helpful for multi-stakeholder organizations because it is strong at hearing many different views while supporting the members in moving forward with clarity and accountability. Learning sociocracy is very affordable and doable. You can learn sociocracy in small study groups in your own living room with a study group curriculum we developed. Videos lead you through a total of 6 sessions (of about 1.5h each), with exercises, lectures, handouts, session plans and enrichment content all prepared. All you need is a group, internet connection and the willingness to try something new. Most likely you will fall in love with it. 5

Trends in iNTERDEPENDENCE FRIENDS OF THE INSTITUTE OF NOETIC SCIENCES (FIONS)

By Robert Levine FIONS Board Member, Principal Instructor at TGR Yoga and Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator for We, The World and The We Campaign we.net

THE CHALLENGE

To take on the challenge as conveyed by Dr. Jane Goodall:

"It's time for us to realize that we are part of those who are hungry and starving, all those animals that face extinction. Then we begin to make the change from 'I' to 'WE'. We are the world." - Dr. Jane Goodall

CHANGE AGENTS ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGE

FIONS is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to exploring the meaning of consciousness in its many forms. It is inspired by the epiphany Dr. Edgar Mitchell had on his return from the moon in 1971; an experience of universal connectedness. From the unique vantage point of the space capsule, the image of the Earth floating gently in space radically altered his preconceived and pragmatic view of reality. What if reality was more complex than physical science had led us to believe? Might the study of "inner space" yield a more thorough understanding of the human experience and expand our concepts about reality? This expanded understanding provides us with the insight to break down the divisions and limitations, and barriers, between religions, fields of knowledge, people and species, changing the paradigm of how we understand and live in the universe.

UPCOMING EVENTS

KeyNote Conversations: A Music infused, Soul-full dialogue with Jude Currivan, PhD, author of The Cosmic Hologram, with song responses by Kristin Hoffman. Special Guest Host and President of FIONS Kurt Johnson, Phd. May 12, 2017 at the Integral Yoga Institute, 227 West 13th Street, New York, NY 6

TRENDS IN INTERDEPENDENCE

In Memoriam

Benjamin Barber Prophet of Interdependence By Robert Levine FIONS Board Member, Principal Instructor at TGR Yoga and Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator for We, The World and the WE Campaign at we.net On April 24, 2017 the world lost an extraordinary champion of Interdependence with the passing of Benjamin Barber at the age of 77. He was a colleague, friend and for many years, a visionary partner of We, The World collaborating with us in the promotion of Interdependence Day activities in many cities around the world.

We, The World launched Interdependence Day in September of 2002 at the UN Earth Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa. Independently, Benjamin Barber launched his version of Interdependence Day placing it on September 12th in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks of 2001. Then, when Dr. Barber found out about We, The World he contacted us and we collaborated by cross promoting Interdependence Day on September 12th as part of 11 Days of Global Unity which launched in 2004 and takes place annually from September 11th through September 21st (the UN International Day of Peace). And when the 11 Global Unity Themes for Change were developed, Theme 2 became Interdependence. Benjamin Barber was a political theorist who wrote numerous books and founded and inspired organizations that advocated for decentralized democracy where an engaged citizenry acted through local organizations to ultimately affect global change. This reflected what he called "Constructive Interdependence" (or "Conscious Interdependence") in which societal attitudes and policies take into account our global interconnectedness. Described by the New York Times as an academic and public intellectual, as well as advisor to world leaders, he epitomized the deep inner connectedness of the global and the local which is reflected in many of the organizations he founded. One is the Global Parliament of Mayors, featured in the March/April 2017 issue of Trends, which builds on the experience of mayors from all continents to "tackle local challenges resulting from global problems." Dr. Barber's goal with his Interdependence Movement was to inspire the development of solutions to world problems based on local sovereignty and global interconnectedness rather than the nation state; communal action rather than unilateral action. Among the books he published are Strong Democracy, The Conquest of Politics, and The Truth of Power. His work also includes Jihad vs. McWorld: How Globalism and Tribalism are Reshaping the World. His vision helps us to shine a light on the recent developments shaking our world as well as the power of localism and participatory democracy to show us the ways in which we can successfully face these challenges. Though he will be greatly missed, he has left a vital legacy to guide us forward. 7

trends in environment

THE MONSANTO TRIBUNAL

By Juliette Taylor-Lallau, French writer, activist and WE Team Coordinator for We, The World

The Monsanto Tribunal took place over 2 days in October 2016 in The Hague and was convened by members of civil society from varying professional backgrounds with the necessary expertise and supported by a significant number of international associations and environmental bodies of activists, agricultural workers and victims. There were 3 witnesses and experts from 5 different continents, all represented by experienced legal counsel. Five internationally renowned judges presided over the proceedings. Six questions were asked, concerning the role of Monsanto in infringing the right to health, the right to a healthy environment and the intellectual freedom to carry out scientific research, compromising food sovereignty, as well as on their possible responsibility for war crimes and the possibility that they could be found guilty of ecocide, as and when this crime is established in international law. The purpose of the tribunal was to get a ruling, even symbolic, against Monsanto by a bench of real judges, after veritable proceedings in an international court, and enable the creation of international mechanisms to bring justice to victims of multinationals. The tribunal was also intended to inform a wider public of Monsanto’s practices and convince international bodies to act and defend the rights of individuals and collectivities affected by them, as well as influence future agricultural policies and ultimately limit the use of chemicals used in farming and food production. The legal files will provide a useful body of material for future criminal proceedings against multinationals. It is currently impossible under law, to take criminal action against a company for damage caused to health or the environment. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

CHANGE AGENTS ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGE Générations Futures www.generations-futures.fr/

European Citizen's Initiative - if a million people sign by the end of 2017, we may be able to influence European Policy and have the use of glyphosate banned completely. It is only temporarily halted for the time being. stopglyphosate.org/

The association intends to act locally and nationally, using all legal means, to defend the environment and citizens' health particularly concerning the use of synthetic, chemical products in agriculture, the consequences of GMOs, the use of radiation treatments for the preservation of food and the excessive production of waste material.

trends in environment Whilst Monsanto is not the only company to engage in practices considered detrimental to the environment and health, they are being taken as an example and this was a test case to enable future cases to be brought against other companies demonstrating blatant disregard for the impact of their activities on individuals and the environment. Monsanto were invited to participate but declined and instead published an open letter which they asked to be included in the proceedings, calling it a ‘mock trial’ and a ‘stunt’. The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the legal guidelines behind the tribunal, is the international authority on the responsibilities of business with regard companies must to human rights. The guidelines state that companies must respect all human rights, respect all human including the right to life, the right to health and the right to a healthy environment. rights They define society’s expectations of businesses. The Court would consider whether Monsanto's conduct could be considered criminal following existing international criminal law, as well as paving the way for the law of ECOCIDE, which it is hoped will eventually be recognised in international legislation, following an amendment to the Statute of Rome. On April 18th 2017, the Tribunal gave their advisory opinion based on all the legal evidence collected and examined. They concluded that Monsanto have indeed indulged in activities which have a negative impact on the environment. They have also directly affected the rights of individuals to access food or produce food for themselves, with their aggressive marketing of GMO seeds. The judges emphasized the track record of Monsanto in producing dangerous substances they had and heard many testimonies on a wide range of physical and mental illnesses suffered as a result of exposure to these products. There was particular reference to glyphosate and falsified science the conflicting reports as to its carcinogenic properties. The WHO has stated that it is ‘probably carcinogenic’. The judges were also very keen to draw attention to the Court Order issued in the Northern District of California in March 2017, requiring Monsanto to release internal documents showing that they had falsified science. The findings also point to Monsanto limiting the right to freedom for intellectual research, by using intimidation, lobbying governments or discrediting independent research. The question was raised as to possible war crimes committed by Monsanto, particularly in relation to the use of Agent Orange during the Vietnam war. However, whilst the Tribunal finds that Monsanto most likely knew how the product was being deployed and were well aware of the effects on people and the environment, the current state of international law and the lack of specific evidence during this particular trial means that they cannot give any opinion at this time. The Tribunal considers that international law should now precisely and clearly assert the protection of the environment and acknowledge the crime of ecocide. The Tribunal concludes that if such a crime of ecocide were recognized in international criminal law, the activities of Monsanto could possibly constitute a crime of ecocide.

crime of ecocide

What imports now is that citizens across the world make use of this solid body of information, thoroughly investigated and assessed by reputable, experienced legal experts from a wide range of countries. To follow on from these findings, a European Citizens’ Initiative has been launched and will run for the rest of 2017, with the aim of collecting at least a million signatures in order to influence European policy and have glyphosate definitively banned. 9

Climate Change FACT SHEET

COMPILED BY ANDREW KAEN

THE UNITED STATES IS THE LARGEST CONTRIBUTOR TO CO 2 IN OUR ATMOSPHERE, THOUGH IT 2nd IS HOME TO JUST OF THE WORLD’S POPULATION. IF EVERYONE IN THE WORLD LIVED 4.4% THE WAY PEOPLE DO IN THE U.S., IT WOULD TAKE 4 EARTHS TO PROVIDE ENOUGH RESOURCES FOR EVERYONE. SOURCES

http://www.worldatlas.com/articles/biggest-contributors-to-global-warming-in-the-world.html http://www.census.gov/popclock/ http://www.popsci.com/environment/article/2012-10/daily-infographic-if-everyone-lived-american-how-many-earths-would-we-need 10

Climate Change FACT SHEET

CONTINUED...

SEA ICE IS DISAPPEARING AND COULD BE A THING OF THE PAST BY THE 2030S.

LAND ICE IS DISAPPEARING, RAISING SEAS AND ALTERING OCEAN

CIRCULATION. THE BIGGEST IMPACT FOR THE GLOBE IS THE MELT OF LAND ICE FROM GREENLAND'S MASSIVE ICE SHEET. IT'S THE BIGGEST

LAND ICE DRIVER OF SEA LEVEL RISE, AND IT'S BEEN MELTING AT A QUICKENING RATE SINCE 2011.

SOURCES

http://www.livescience.com/58830-climate-change-altering-arctic-faster.html

THE AVERAGE SEA LEVEL IS EXPECTED TO RISE

1-6 BEFORE THE END OF THIS CENTURY FEET

SOURCES

https://sealevel.nasa.gov/understanding-sea-level/projections/empirical-projections

2017 IS EXPECTED TO BE AMONG THE HOTTEST YEARS IN MORE THAN 130 YEARS OF RECORD KEEPING. SOURCES

http://www.climatecentral.org/news/2016-days-away-from-sealing-record-hot-spot-20990

Climate Change FACT SHEET

CONTINUED...

BURNING 1 GALLON OF GASOLINE PUTS

19.64 pounds OF CARBON DIOXIDE

INTO THE ATMOSPHERE.

SOURCES

http://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=307&t=11

GLOBAL SURFACE TEMPERATURES HAVE RISEN BY 1.3º F OVER THE LAST 100 YEARS. WORLDWIDE, THE LAST DECADE HAS BEEN THE WARMEST ON RECORD. THE RATE OF WARMING ACROSS THE GLOBE OVER THE LAST 50 YEARS (0.24ºF PER DECADE) IS ALMOST THE RATE OF WARMING OVER THE LAST 100 YEARS 2X (0.13ºF PER DECADE). AT THE CURRENT RATE, THE EARTH’S GLOBAL AVERAGE TEMPERATURE IS PROJECTED TO RISE FROM BY 2100, AND IT WILL GET EVEN WARMER AFTER 3°F 7°F THAT. SOURCES

https://www3.epa.gov/climatechange/downloads/Climate_Change_Science_Facts.pdf

Trends in ENVIRONMENT

UNITED RELIGIONS INITIATIVE www.uri.org By Katherine Hreib khreib@uri.org

THE CHALLENGE

Our collective environmental challenge calls us all to the table, and asks for us to listen closely to the voices who bear the burden of environmental crises. An interfaith approach to climate and environmental action is rooted in deep and appreciative listening, honoring difference of opinion and practice, and sharing bestpractices across faith, identity and country lines to walk towards justice. “Our faith, beliefs and aspirations are influenced by the environment in which we live. As Cooperation Circles [of the United Religions Initiative] we have the responsibility to promote interfaith harmony and see the environment as something in which we can live, protect and preserve.” Raymond Enoch, CEED Nigeria

uri.org

HOW WE ARE ADDRESSING THIS CHALLENGE United Religions Initiative - Environmental Resource Cooperation Circle urimulti.org/cooperation-circle/environmental-resources-cooperation-circle The Environmental Resource Cooperation Circle (ERCC) is a satellite group of the United Religions Initiative (URI) that acts as a resource for environmentally focused interfaith community builders throughout the world. Following URI’s Principle 10, the ERCC’s develops resources and relationships to actualize our commitment to “act from sound ecological practices to protect and preserve the Earth for both present and future generations.” Nearly 200 self-organizing interfaith groups, called Cooperation Circles, in the URI network, are engaged in environmental work. In order to support the breadth of this work, the ERCC is available as a resource for connection and coordination among Cooperation Circles in different regions of the world. Through webinars; co-created environmental action toolkits; discussion groups on topics such as worker justice and inclusive messaging strategies; social media campaigns; and an upcoming youth environmental leadership training, the ERCC aims to enhance and promote the work of Cooperation Circles who are dedicated to peace, justice and healing for the entire Earth community. 13

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REACTION AND RESPONSE TO SHIFTING POLICY AT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY By Heather Bain, WE Team Coordinator We, The World

The last two weeks of April were particularly busy ones within the United States for those concerned with data, facts, figures and verifiable science supporting the notion of Climate Change. On Earth Day, April 22nd, there were marches around the country defending science based reasoning, decision making and shaping of our governmental policies. Over the following weekend of April 29th, Washington, DC played host to another People’s Climate March. DC was by no means alone in this regard, but it was the largest and most significant of the many marches that took place elsewhere around the country. In advance of the April 29th Climate March in Washington DC, Environmental Protection the previous evening, the United States Environmental Agency removed information Protection Agency removed information and pages from its website. According to a Washington Post article published on and pages from its website April 29, 2017 by Chris Mooney and Juliet Eilperin, “The Environmental Protection Agency announced that its website would be “undergoing changes” to better represent the new direction the agency is taking, [and] triggering the removal of several agency websites containing detailed climate data and scientific information.” The article goes on to quote an EPA spokesperson, J.P. Freire, who indicated that as the “EPA renews its commitment to human health and clean air, land, and water, our website needs to reflect the views of the leadership of the agency.” This new stance of the EPA, seeming to suggest that human activity has little to no “verifiable” impact on climate change, is not merely disappointing, it is truly devastating to most Americans and could have an irreversible detrimental impact not just to our country but on the entire planet. Fortunately, there exist in our country a substantial number of organizations, foundations and advocacy groups established to address issues of preservation, conservation, and climate change and help concerned citizens advocate, agitate and mitigate actions taken by the EPA or other government agencies deemed reckless, dangerous or irresponsible. NRDC works to One such organization is the National Resources Defense Council, safeguard the earth NRDC. As the NRDC proclaims on its website, it “works to safeguard the earth—its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends.” The NRDC website goes on to explain that NRDC “combine(s) the power of more than two million members and online activists with the expertise of some 500 scientists, lawyers, and policy advocates across the globe to ensure the rights of all people to the air, the water, and the wild”. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE 14

trends in environment Nearly half a century in existence, the NRDC was founded in 1970 by a group of “law students and attorneys at the forefront of the environmental movement” as explained by their website. Since that time, NRDC has enjoyed many successes both global as well as local. More recently, NRDC was engaged in advocacy to achieve international consensus for the Paris COP21 climate agreement and was delighted when agreement by 180 countries was reached by Earth Day of 2016 to limit temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. NRDC was also active on the ground in Paris to ensure the successful participation of the US, India and China in the December accord. Additionally, as the NRDC website notes, a primary focus in 2016 “a crucial step toward had become “implementing the Clean Power Plan at home”. The CPP is intended to limit carbon pollution from power plants and achieving the United States’ is considered “a crucial step toward achieving the United States’ own climate goal” own climate goal”. The NRDC site goes on to suggest that “although the Supreme Court has issued a temporary stay on the plan’s execution, NRDC is already working with states that want to meet the requirements and helping others prepare to comply when the court upholds the legislation (as we expect it will). This historic action moves us closer to cutting carbon pollution by 80 percent by 2050—an essential milestone for tackling climate change”. Given the posture of the nascent Trump administration related to environmental regulation and climate change, litigation will seemingly be called upon more and more to resolve contradictory policy directives between this new and prior administrations and the courts will be increasingly relied upon to render and/or uphold such decisions. This truly makes NRDC’s work and activity more important and more necessary than ever! As the expression, goes “watch this space”. For more information about NRDC- its work, its positions and any news, please visit their website at https://www.nrdc.org/

CHANGE AGENTS ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGE

WHY THE PEOPLE'S CLIMATE MARCH MATTERED

https://www.nrdc.org/stories/resistance-your-backyard

THE RESISTANCE IS IN YOUR BACKYARD Find local allies. Make your city a "climate sanctuary". Support a healthy habitat. Get to know your elected officials. Host a party.

Video available at https://www.climaterealityproject.org/vid eo/why-peoples-climate-march-mattered? utm_source=advocacy

trends in environment

WHY WE NEED SISTERHOOD IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE CHANGE By Kenya and the TreeSisters team

When you think of Kenya, you don’t usually think of trees - you tend to think of wide open plains and grasslands. This is partly because Kenya is one of the most deforested countries in Africa.

We spent a day together planting trees on Mount Kenya, which is one of the five “water towers” (areas of high elevation where many of Kenya’s rivers originate from). You can meet the women who are planting your trees in the Kenya is one of As a result, the rivers are drying up, the video I captured during my visit! causing a wide variety of problems from most deforested This was one of the most joyful famine to lack of electricity (I was told experiences I’ve ever had, and I countries in that 70% of Kenya’s electricity is hydro Africa suddenly felt that my attitude towards powered). Most people have a hectare of farmland climate change needed a serious reframe… that they rely on to feed their families, so the lack of water and irrigation is a very real and everyday Taking responsibility for climate change had problem for them. always felt so big and so heavy, and now, it suddenly felt light and joyful - even hopeful. All What was most astounding about my time in because we were in sisterhood, and because we Kenya is that everyone I met understood that opened our hearts enough to reach out our arms climate change is happening now, it’s happening and hold this sacred responsibility fast, and we have to do something together. about it. Even in Nairobi, the bustling reach out our arms capital, people understood the and And I realized… isn’t this what importance of planting trees as part TreeSisters is all about? My whole hold this sacred of the solution. body felt it from head to toe in a responsibility together way I never have before. In Kenya, women are a big part of the reforestation work that’s happening, which is I also realized just how much work is needed in something that we are supporting along with our our own culture around behavior change. Because planting partner The International Tree let’s face it, most of us don’t farm our own food or Foundation. I had the joy of meeting the women rely on our local rivers for drinking water - these who are planting our trees, and even seeing some things are sourced from all over the country and of the 50,000+ trees they planted in November all over the world. So the impact of climate change after our Million Trees campaign. They welcomed can feel like somewhat of a removed problem, and us with singing and dancing, and I immediately therefore less urgent somehow. felt us as part of the same tapestry, the same sisterhood, our hearts are woven together in our I am guilty of this, too, and know that I am part of common love for the earth. the problem. Which is why I’m interested in coming together in sisterhood to explore how we can support each other in this challenging Go to treesisters.org behavior-changing work.

for more info

trends in environment

BIODIVERSITY BY PROTECTING THE ECO-SYSTEMS AND SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE IN AFRICA

By Ms Thato Angelina Gabaitse Partner Outreach & Coordination of We, The World & the WE Campaign at WE.net

THE CHALLENGE “It is time for us now as a nation to exercise the same reasonable foresight in dealing with our great natural resources that would be shown by any prudent man in conserving and widely using the property which contains the assurance of wellbeing for himself and his children.” —President Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919), remarks at the Conference on Conservation of Natural Resources, 1908.

CHANGE AGENTS ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGE ZIMBABWE INSTITUTE OF PERMACULTURE— ZIP W.O 12/92 T/A FAMBIDZANAI PERMACULTURE CENTRE www.fambidzanai.org.zw

VISIT WEBSITE FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF TRAININGS

Fambidzanai promotes food security through sustainable land use management (Permaculture) in Zimbabwe. Its mission is characterized by skills training in sustainable agricultural methodologies, demonstrating the ecological and economic viability of Permaculture and organic farming as well as the creation, enhancement and facilitation of market opportunities for farmers’ organic produce. "Our past, present and the future is full of joy and laughter of good company that can be re-created, but the scenic view of nature will stay forever." Dr Christopher Gadzirai (Board chairman at Fambidzanai Permaculture Centre). "A TREE PLANTED IN TIME IS GOOD ENOUGH, BUT A TREE PLANTED NOW IS THE BEST THING THAT IS EVER NEEDED." - LEWIS K. MASHINGAIDZE, DIRECTOR OF THE FAMBIDZANAI PERMACULTURE CENTRE 17

U P D A EST

trends in environment

EARTH MONTH: RALLIES & ACTIONS Celebrating Earth Month Worldwide: March 20th (Equinox) through April 22nd and Beyond!

Democracy Now Coverage of Climate March in Washington DC on April 29th 2017 One hour Summary (7 segments with Speakers and Transcripts) https://www.democracynow.org/shows/2017/5/1 Five hour Special Live Coverage Video https://www.democracynow.org/live/coming_up_on_april_29th_democracy

600+

Earth Day rallies and marches for science were counted in

continents

VIDEO REPLAY

Planet Heart's 10th Anniversary Annual World Peace Earth Day Celebration planetheart.org

A beautiful wave of people power is sweeping the nation â&#x20AC;&#x201C; just look: https://350.org/abeautiful-wave-ofpeople-power-issweeping-thenation-just-look/

300,000+ people participated in the Climate March

370+

sister marchesÂ

TE DA UP

march for science "There is no Planet B"

The march is over, and the movement has begun. Science keeps marching forward, and so do we. On April 22, 2017, in more than 600 cities around the world, we marched as an unprecedented coalition of organizations and individuals. We marched because science is critical to our health, economies, food security, and safety. We marched to defend the role of science in policy and society.

We are science advocates and scientists who share an important goal: CHAMPION SCIENCE FOR THE COMMON GOOD marchforscience.com 19

TRENDS IN ENVIRONMENT

NATURE, ECONOMY AND EQUITY: SACRED WATER, PROFANE MARKETS Friday, May 19th, 9:00 am – Noon 22 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016 Register to attend in New York via Eventbrite: HTTPS://theiu-waterforum.eventbrite.com Sign up for the live stream here: http://www.gmcv.net Sacred Water, Profane Markets should be of Treating nature as a sacred gift particular interest and provide ground-breaking requires our full capacity to imagine insights to any professional, NGO, or others with ways to heal the split between humans an interest in or responsibility for managing, funding, using or caring for substantial bodies of and the earth. A comprehensive plan to water for municipal, domestic, commercial, protect nature while securing the agricultural, industrial, amenity, leisure or hydro human right to water means changing power purposes. the rules that govern the current Two of our speakers, David Triggs and Mary ‘operating system’ for planet Earth. Cleveland, will address the economics and Mason Gaffney, American Journal of management of water. They will describe how a just system of charging for nature’s services can Economics and Sociology, November not only protect nature from excessive use but 2016 also make the market for produced goods and services healthier by preventing the development of monopolies that impede economic efficiency and destroy social harmony. Drawing upon many years of practical experience in both developed and developing countries and extensive academic research they will show how a healthy balance of demand management and market forces may be used to ensure both safe drinking water for all in water scarce cities and the optimum sharing of water between agricultural, industrial and commercial users of water. 20

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TRENDS IN ENVIRONMENT They will provide fresh thinking with regard to how the cost benefit analyses that underpin major water related capital projects throughout the world may be improved to avoid unnecessary waste of natural, human and financial resources. The principles underpinning this approach apply to wider economic and public revenue issues. Our third speaker, David Michel, has researched and written about transboundary water governance, maritime resources management, and water conflict and cooperation. He is co-author of Toward Global Water Security: US Strategy for a Twenty-First-Century Challenge. He will share his views about the water ethics and policy presented by the first two speakers and how these might make a valuable contribution to a global water grand strategy formulation. The intention of Dr. Michel’s current work on global water security is to maximize the potential for civil society and the private sector to speak with a cohesive voice on water ethics and policy. Following the three main speakers several designated respondents will draw on their own insights and experiences in water ethics and management in giving their input to the proposed reconciliation of Sacred Water and Profane Markets. The main speakers and the respondents will then participate in a plenary round table discussion on a number of key points and questions raised by forum attendees.

SPEAKERS:

David Triggs is a Chartered Engineer and Management Consultant who studied Engineering at Imperial College London and Business Administration and Management at Henley -The Management College.

Mary M. (Polly) Cleveland is Adjunct Professor of Environmental Economics at the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs where she teaches courses on Poverty, Inequality and the Environment.

David Michel is Nonresident Fellow at The Stimson Center in Washington, DC, and Executive-in-Residence with the Global Fellowship Initiative at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy.

EVENT SPONSORS The International Union for Land Value Taxation United Nations ECOSOC NGO

RESPONDENTS:

The Robert Schalkenbach Foundation

Christiana Zenner Peppard is an expert on the ethics of fresh water and problems of climate change, social justice, and sustainability and a public/social media educator.

The American Journal of Economics and Sociology. 21

THE ACTION TOOLKIT: SUPPORT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE By Robert Levine FIONS Board Member, Principal Instructor at TGR Yoga and Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator for We, The World and the WE Campaign at We.net

The upswell in grassroots organizing throughout the world and in the United States since the presidential election, is a sign of the growing awareness among people in all the nations across this planet that we can each make a difference in determining the direction of our nations and our planet. There are amazing organizations working on a vast myriad of issues, along with so many inspired to generate many more to join in the ongoing evolutionary change to save our world and each other.

The Action Toolkit can provide information and resources on how to perform outreach, to engage with organizations and individuals to raise critical funds, to reach out and share our ideas with like minded people, to advocate to elected officials, to motivate people to take action, and support each other to be active change agents. Within WE, THE WORLD we are graced with so many talented and effective people and organizations that have been making positive change for years, if not decades. Join us in developing this critical resource to encourage and support so many others working to make this a better world.

To support and inspire each other, WE, THE WORLD is initiating a new effort to generate the resources and the tools we can share with each other to organize our fellow travelers on our journey through the universe. This Action Toolkit is the inspired idea of Mahika Halepete, whose ideas and hard work was so critical in our launching the first issue of Trends.

As the legendary community organizer Fred Ross so eloquently said, "a good organizer is a social arsonist who goes around setting people on fire." Work with us to light thousands, if not millions, of beacons of change.

HAVE RECOMMENDATIONS OR RESOURCES FOR TAKING ACTION? WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO SUBMIT THEM ON THE ACTIVISM BULLETIN BOARD WHERE THEY'LL BE SEEN BY THOUSANDS AND ALSO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE UPCOMING PUBLICATION! HTTP://TRENDS.WE.NET/ACTIVISM-BULLETIN-BOARD/ 22

Trends in Economic Justice ECONOMIC INEQUALITY RUNS RAMPANT AMONG INDIVIDUALS, GROUPS, AND COUNTRIES By Angel Fullerton, Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator for We, The World

THE CHALLENGE

"Massive economic inequality has become the global status quo and is evident in disparity of consumption as well as income – 1.2 billion impoverished people account for only 1 per cent of world consumption while the million richest consume 72 %. The current economic model with its strong focus on profit-led growth is increasingly recognized for its role in perpetuating this inequality and poverty..." AWID.org https://www.awid.org/priority-areas/economic-justice

CHANGE AGENTS ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGE

MAY DAY: A DAY WITHOUT IMMIGRANTS STRIKE MAY 1, 2017 Cosecha For years our community has marched, voted, and gone through the courts. We’ve won some battles, but we’re losing the war. Striking will show the public that this country cannot function without us and help us win protection, dignity and respect. Cosecha is organizing a series of strikes that will culminate in a week without immigrants. It all starts on May 1st. STRIKING REVEALS OUR TRUE POWER – MAY 1ST IS JUST THE BEGINNING. 23

Trends in hEALTH 6TH ANNUAL FOOD REVOLUTION SUMMIT With John & Ocean Robbins + 24 of the World's Top Food Experts

THE CHALLENGE THIS IS URGENT. Pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, and toxic, untested chemicals are spreading like a virus through our food supply. Your health and the health of your family and friends, as well as our planet, is at risk! NOW, it’s more important than ever to find out the truth. Discover what these experts KNOW about how you can prevent and reverse heart disease, cancer, diabetes, fatigue, poor sleep, memory problems, and other health challenges — with food!

CHANGE AGENTS ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGE www.foodrevolutionsummit.org From April 29th - May 7th, bestselling author John Robbins is personally interviewing 24 of the world's top experts, scientists, and celebrities in movements for healthy, sustainable, humane, and delicious food. You'll hear from food revolutionaries, including: Sanjay Gupta, MD; Dean Ornish, MD; Michael Greger, MD; Mark Hyman, MD; David Perlmutter, MD; Christiane Northrup, MD; and Joel Fuhrman, MD. You'll also get the latest breakthrough health tips to feel your best, sleep deeply, increase mental focus, and lose weight. All while discovering how to support the health and longevity of your family and loved ones with the one thing we all love: food! For free. 24

trends in children & youth THE TRILIG MOVEMENT

By Mark Douglas, Founder of The Trilig Movement triligmovement.com

THE CHALLENGE

Teachers need essential supplies for the children in order to create a positive learning environment within the classroom. TRILIG wants to see the schools continue their art and music programs which are beginning to be shut down in various schools. We want to lift up the hurting people of our world, the ones fighting for their lives, the ones that are losing this fight. Let's help them. TRILIG will soon be launching their first funding project for schools in Oklahoma. For more information, please visit http://triligmovement.com/

CHANGE AGENTS ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGE

Emerging Global Leaders Program www.materdeiprep.org Through this program, Mater Dei Prep students participate in youth forums at the United Nations headquarters in New York City. Students speak at subcommittee meetings and attend civil rights conferences, all with the goal of developing themselves into global citizens.

International Childrens Month internationalchildrensmonth.com International Children’s Month is a unity organization who’s mission is “Children across the planet in love, care and respect.”

UPCOMING EVENTS June 21, 2017 THE CHILDREN’S GLOBAL WAVE OF LOVE internationalchildrensmonth.com

trends in children & youth As people around the world react to the actions of the US Administration and Congress, new voices are emerging that may have an unexpected influence in high places...

Spanish & Italian Subtitles Now Available

An Urgent Message From Your Children

Are you alarmed about the kind of world our children will grow up in? They are too! If you or your friends have environmentally concerned children who are 12 years old or younger in your life, here is an opportunity for them to express their fears, concerns and hopes for the future. An Urgent Message From Your Children WeYourChildren.org is a Public Service Video Series featuring children under 13 speaking in their own words to adults, making an appeal to all of us to respond with appropriate urgency. At WeYourChildren.org you'll see 20 inspiring kids speaking in their own words, and learn how the children in your life can create and upload their own videos to add their voice for a Livable Future. Let's spark a global children's movement that gets attention and helps to create major change! 26

Trends in Children & Youth

A Letter to the World By Michelle Reid, Community Activist, We, The World and The Trilig Movement

Dear World, It has been said that a society is only as well as the wellness of their children…looking at where we are as a people, we are in a real crisis.Our children and grandchildren are hurting and we as parents and grandparents need to come to their aid… We need to become One People…One Creator…One World. By our loving and compassionate actions can we create a better world for them and their children,also for the next 7 generations yet to come. There is no easy fix, all the systems presently in place are failing not only us, but also our children. We need to unite and rebuild a better way of living in a more simple sustainable way… We need to start now…No more time for the I’s…Time to become We…Because I=Illness and We=Wellness. We need to find a way of finding solutions that will bring about right livelihood… Living simply so others can simply live. Our legacy to our children needs to come from a place of love and not fear… It needs come from a place of helping our neighbors and caring for the Earth right where we live… Every person deserves love and compassion as well as their basic needs met… There is more than enough to make sure everyone has their needs met.. Creating community gardens in every neighborhood will help to feed everyone good wholesome vegetables… If we all grew food,the extra can be given to food pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens as well as neighbors who had no garden. Another great idea is to put your extra in a vegetable stand in front of your house… Free to those who walk by… Start a Gleaners project where local farms are called when they have finished harvesting… Volunteers go and pick what is left in the fields or on the fruit trees.The Boston Area Gleaners have been doing this for many years. Childrens’ Gardens planted at every school will make sure all children and their families have access to healthy wholesome food. With that comes growing food for Seniors and those disabled which brings us together and we become part of the solution, teaching our youth to become caring individuals and the kindness ripples…. Farmers’ Markets on town commons bring everyone together… To meet…Share… And listen to music as little ones dance and eat freshly baked sweets. Knowing our local farmers is fun and educational. Along the way, book swaps are created, clothing exchanges, community dinners at the Churches become a family night out without the stress… We are all there for the common good of all. So much can shift within a community that comes together in compassion and love… This is the kind of shift I would like to leave my grandchildren and all children… Sincerely,

Michelle Reid

Trends in WOMEN THE GROWING WAVE OF WOMAN

By Heidi Little, Co Chair of the Womens Empowerment Music Tour (#WE), International Children’s Month Co-founder/ director, radio show host One Love Rising, and musical/performing artist, WE Team Coordinator We, The World

There is a growing wave. It beats in the heart of every woman. A time to shine, grow, flourish, move forward, rise up, be heard, be seen, be felt. It goes beyond color, race, religion, and shows up deeply, resonating in the heart. Our one heart. It’s about a coming together of love and light, of strength and grace, of water and vision, birthing a new vision of a future that is safe for all.

“It has been prophesied...that the women will have the power to move and be leaders and to bring people into the light.” - Grandmother Flordemayo

CHANGE AGENTS ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGE

wemusictour.com

The #WE Music Tour. Coming to a city near you. The Women’s Empowerment Movement is on the rise. “It is time to come together. The wave is here for us to catch, a movement of love and divine feminine, a movement of compassion, care and respect, of better ways and it begins inside of each unique one of us, in circle. One heart. The time has come for us to gather together to support, and be supported, by one another, through music, performing arts, and powerful spoken word.” Heidi Little #WE Women’s Empowerment Music Tour, it is building.Can you feel it? Do you resonate with the call? If so, we want your voice, your message. What is important about women's’ empowerment for you? Record it on your device and email it to womansempowermentwave@gmail.com to go up on our all new Youtube Channel Woman’s Empowerment Wave. It is all happening. Stand tall. Love long. Know you are loved. Connect.

http://www.letitripple.org/films/50-50/5050-day/

On May 10th, join thousands of organizations, companies, schools, museums, libraries and homes — anywhere people already gather — in a global conversation about what it will take to get to a more gender-balanced world in all sectors of society: business, politics, culture, home, and more. Led by Tiffany Shlain, Emmy-nominated filmmaker and founder of The Webby Awards and her team at Let it Ripple Film Studio,50/50 Day is based on the model of their annual Character Day, which last year had over 93,000 events in 125 countries and all 50 states.

Trends in HUMAN RIGHTS THE DIVISION OF ELECTIONS IN FRANCE By Juliette Taylor-Lallau www.colibris-lemouvement.org/

THE CHALLENGE

Faced with a similar situation in the second round of the presidential elections, France is currently divided in two. There's a very real possibility that the National Front could be elected in the shape of Marine Le Pen. However, the opposition does not in reality represent the revolution it has promised and a lot of people are very wary of electing Macron. There's a real desire for change and a more ethical, humane face to politics and this is reflected in the success of groups like 'La France Insoumise', headed by Mélenchon. This was the only party that had any kind of ecological programme. A people's candidate had initially been voted for online, through the Colibri movement, but she didn't make it to the final 11 candidates. Whoever wins on the 7th May, there will need to be a huge amount of work from these other groups to prepare for the general election in June, which will hopefully enable France to have some kind of balance of power and allow people to work towards the kind of society they wish to see and be part of.

CHANGE AGENTS ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGE

www.colibris-lemouvement.org/ The Colibris movement aims to inspire, unite and support citizens who wish to create and live in a more ecological and humane society. They work through local groups, have a more circular, democratic structure and bring people together through their magazine 'Kaizen', their school, their documentaries and films, as well as a very developed online presence and website. The Colibris run the Project Oasis to help people set up their own local structures, and they are currently running a MOOC to guide people in the concepts of shared governance.

https://lafranceinsoumise.fr/ La France Insoumise are currently starting their campaign for the general election in June.