Oxfam Action Corps Minnesota

Oxfam Action Corps 2012 Recruitment

2012-01-20T14:01:00.002-06:00

Hey Everyone,

Oxfam America is currently recruiting new volunteers for 2012-2013. If you are interested in joining the Oxfam Action Corps please sign up and spread the word by February 14^th at http://www.oxfamactioncorps.org.

Join the Oxfam Action Corps to support women farmers, fight global hunger, and build a better food system! You will meet great people and work together to change laws that can save lives, defend the rights of the world’s poorest farmers, and protect communities from rising food prices and climate change. You will gain leadership skills, have fun, and change the world!

Anybody can join the local effort! All levels of experience are welcome. You can also apply for Oxfam’s free four-day leadership training in Washington D.C. May 12 – May 15.

This year, we will mobilize for the GROW campaign for global food justice. The women and men in poor countries who struggle to grow enough food to feed their families are facing competition for land and water, rising prices, and climate change. We will call for laws that support women and farmers, sustainable practices, and resilience to climate change, and ensure a better future for people in the poorest regions of the world.

This is a year-round volunteer opportunity, with a deadline of February 14 to apply for the spring training. Find out more and sign up at http://www.oxfamactioncorps.org .

Check out this video to see what we are all about:

Wear a green scarf in solidarity with the women of Afghanistan

2011-12-09T11:25:00.001-06:00

Ten years into the war in Afghanistan, nearly half of Afghans live in poverty, while only one in five girls attends primary school. Despite the hardships, many Afghans young and old carry on with their lives, discuss, create, and imagine a better world. "Recent history has been harsh to Afghan women - and we don't want to see it repeated," said one Afghan woman leader in October 2011. "We are a voice that must be heard."

This winter, as world leaders debate Afghanistan's future, join the international relief and development organization Oxfam as we show solidarity with Afghan women's efforts. Take a photo of yourself wearing a green scarf, in honor of the green headscarf worn by Afghan women working for peace and equal rights. Then visit Oxfam America's online photobook at www.oxfamamerica.org/photobook and click "start here" to upload your photo. Oxfam will share the collected images with women leaders in Afghanistan.

2011-11-23T11:39:00.001-06:00

Say it with sweet potatoes - "don't uproot foreign aid!"

Today and in coming days Congress is debating cuts to life-saving foreign aid, and Oxfam volunteer leaders are delivering petitions to save foreign aid to Senate offices along with an unusual twist: sweet potatoes. Why sweet potatoes? Because this Thanksgiving staple is also a feature of aid programs that boost nutrition in Africa.

A special orange-fleshed variety (conventionally bred) is rich in vitamin-A and drought resistant. Promoting it in place of less-nutritious varieties in communities in Africa has helped boost immune systems, prevent blindness, and improve livelihoods for growers. (A keen-eyed foodie will know that those pictured above are actually yams doing their best sweet potato impression.)

But this noble root is just one out of hundreds of such simple, cost-effective projects that are saving lives and livelihoods around the world - and funded by US foreign aid programs like Feed the Future!

On Tuesday, a group of Oxfam Action Corps Minnesota volunteers visited Senator Amy Klobuchar's office to deliver sweet potatoes, the letter below, and hundreds of petition signatures. This was done to let Klobuchar and her staff know that we, as Minnesotans, want to see simple, cost-effective projects, such as providing nourishing sweet potatoes to malnourished populations, protected. This is the second visit to her office in less than a month. We will contintue to watch our representatives in Congress and encourage them to protect vulnerable populations.

2011-09-24T21:59:00.001-05:00

Life-saving funding is on the line – and your call could be the one to save it.
Congress is threatening to cut support for poverty-fighting foreign assistance, including for programs that:

Feed more than 46 million of the world’s poorest people,

Prevent more than 114,000 children from being born with HIV,

Save 3 million lives through immunization programs, and

Help poor people lift themselves out of poverty.

It’s up to us to speak up for those whose lives are changed – and saved – by this funding. Congress is about to finalize the budget for next year and years to come. Before they do, we need you to make a quick call to send them a clear message: don’t cut poverty-fighting foreign assistance.

Here's how to make your call:

Call the Congressional switchboard at (202)-224-3121 and tell the operator your name and where you’re calling from. Ask to speak to your Representative – the operator will connect you.
Tell the staffer: “I’m calling to oppose cuts to poverty-focused foreign aid in FY12 and beyond. Do not cut the deficit on the backs of the world’s poor. Many lives depend on these programs that give the world’s poorest people the tools they need to help lift themselves out of hunger and poverty. With high food prices and extreme weather events threatening millions around the world, now is not the time to cut life-saving assistance – which makes up less than 1% of the US budget. These strategic investments help make a safer world today and avert costlier interventions and humanitarian emergencies tomorrow.”
When you’re done, you can call your Senators through the switchboard and ask for their support as well.
Once you've ended your call, email Oxfam Action Corps Minnesota at minnesota@oxfamactioncorps.org to let us know how it went!

2011-09-19T13:19:00.001-05:00

MN 350

Moving Planet: Minnesota

Minnesota Oxfam Action Corps is partnering with MN350 to organize Moving Planet, this year’s Global Day of Action. Join with millions around the world on September 24th to call for bold action on climate change. This year’s event is about movement in every sense of the word: Powerful, fun dramatic movement in the streets -- putting into action our demand for a real solutions to climate change. Moving Planet will begin on the Minnesota State Capitol lawn at 2pm where we will have music, food, resource tables and activities such as kite flying, yoga, art, puppetry, and Frisbee. At 3pm the Mass Bike Ride and the Interfaith Procession will arrive at the capitol lawn to kick-off a speaker program designed to examine the many dimensions of the climate movement. After the program we will host a party with music by Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles, The New Primitives, Alicia Wiley and others. Bring your friends, family and neighbors to join in sending a clear message that Minnesotans are rising to the challenge of the climate crisis.Moving Planet is a zero-waste, family-friendly event. Please consider your carbon footprint in getting to the capitol. Walk, bike, bus or carpool. Moving Planet free bus passes are available on our website. Dress for the weather. If you are interested in more information and ways to plug your talents into the movement, visit MN350.org or call 651-402-8901.

Interactive Map: Food Price Spikes

2011-09-04T20:20:00.000-05:00

2011-07-25T09:58:00.000-05:00

Urgent Action on Ethanol

In June the US Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor of ending ethanol subsidies. In an attempt to save ethanol subsidies, Senators Klobuchar (D-MN), Thune (R-SD), and Feinstein (D-CA) have agreed to a compromise deal that would cut the ethanol tax credit this August via passage within the debt-ceiling bill. If passed on time, this would save $1.3 billion (to be applied toward deficit reduction). Unfortunately, it also calls for some investment/subsidies for development of next generation ethanol, a signal of continued support for the ethanol industry.

Why should we care if ethanol subsidies end or not? Here are just a few reasons why:

Ethanol subsidies are pushing up food prices. Some places have seen food prices rise by as much as 80%.
Riots have broken out in 36 countries as people desperately try to improve their access to food.
Ethanol subsidies cost US taxpayers $6 billion each year.
An EPA federal mandate ensures that a minimum amount of ethanol be purchased in the US each year. Tax credits (subsidies) on top of this are excessive.
Taking into account the full life cycle of ethanol production, actual emits more greenhouse gases than it offsets.
Each job created by the ethanol industry costs US taxpayers $14 million.
As the world population grows to 9 billion (by 2050) a focus on food production is important to ensure that everyone has enough to eat. Today 1 in 7 people are hungry.

Oxfam America is urging representatives in Washington
to support the Herger-Crowley bill in the US House, which would put an end to thirty years of wasteful ethanol subsidies and a tariff on imported ethanol. With a voting deadline of August 2 fast approaching our urgent action is needed to ensure that ethanol subsidies end.

You can take action on this issue now.

Click here to sign the petition to urge the House of Representatives to choose food over fuel and put an end to ethanol subsidies.
Ask US House Representative Erik Paulsen (R-MN) to support the Herger Crowley Bill (H.R. 2307). Given Rep. Paulsen's position on the House Ways and Means Committee (the committee voting on the debt ceiling bill on August 2) he is a strategic target for this issue. Oxfam wants to know we can count on his vote in favor of the Herger Crowley bill. Contact Rep. Paulsen:

Visit Rep. Paulsen's district office in Eden Prairie with other Oxfam Action Corps volunteers. Please send an e-mail to oxfam.mn@gmail.com to let us know that you are interested.
Send Rep. Paulsen a letter or e-mail. Click here to find contact information on his webpage.(Scroll to the bottom of the page for this DC and district office information.)
Call Representative Paulsen's district office (952) 405-8510 or DC office (202) 225-2871

Thank you for taking action!

North Minneapolis Clean Sweep

2011-06-23T21:56:00.001-05:00

Oxfam Action Corps-Minnesota volunteers responded to the May 22nd tornado that tore through North Minneapolis by participating in the Clean Sweep organized by the City of Minneapolis Neighborhood and Community Relations Department. Equipped with plastic protective eye wear and work gloves OAC-MN volunteers filled a garbage truck with large water-logged mattresses, chairs, and carpet, fencing, wires, and other large items. Check out photos from last week's Clean Sweep effort.

David, the garbage truck driver and waste expert, directed the volunteers what could and could not be junked. Given the utter destruction wrought by the tornado this task was more difficult than one might have expected. Piles were seldom neat and tidy. More often debris and waste were all mixed up, upping the challenge level of garbage collection. Some situations were so tricky that calls to the foreman had to be made. David's knowledge of and experience in waste management are impressive, and not something that any of the OAC-MN volunteers possess.

After a four-hour shift trailing behind or riding on the back of the garbage truck, the mattresses and other waste started pushing its way back out of the truck. Enormous hydraulics compressed the garbage such that we were amazed as much junk fit into the truck as we put into it. Still, there remains much work to be done to clean up North Minneapolis after the tornado.
Luckily there are more opportunities to help out! This Saturday, June 25th there will be a second Clean Sweep. Come at 8:00am-12:00pm or from 12:00pm to 4:00pm to lend a hand and have some fun.
Call 612-673-2243 for more details or to sign up.

GROW: Food Justice Campaign Launches in Minneapolis

2011-06-13T02:52:00.000-05:00

Oxfam Action Corps-Minnesota volunteers staged a fine dinning scene at the Midtown Farmers' Market on Saturday, June 4th. The formal attire, elegant candelabras, and free GROW buttons lured market-goers to the Oxfam table set for nine billion (the estimated human population in 2050). Volunteers took the chance to introduce Oxfam's newest food justice campaign, GROW, to the Minnesota public and garner their support by signing the pledge to help create a world where no one goes hungry.

What is GROW all about? Well, the human population is growing, and with it so is the demand for food. Current power structures prevent one in every seven people from accessing food (i.e., there are 1 billion people on Earth today who go to bed hungry). Armed with the knowledge that our planet produces more than enough food to feed every one of its inhabitants, Oxfam will use GROW to fight for a world free of hunger by targeting five specific areas:

Invest in small-scale food producers
End excessive speculation in agricultural commodities
Modernize food aid
Stop giveaways to the corn-ethanol industry, and
Regulate land and water grabs

By tackling these issues Oxfam will help to build a better food system: one that sustainably feeds a growing population and empowers poor people to earn a living, feed their families, and thrive. Their strategy will be to urge governments and companies to make smarter investment in agriculture and climate preparedness, and create policies and program that protect farmers living in poor and marginalized communities around the world.

You can learn more about the GROW campaign by visiting this link.

Fight for food justice. Take action now by signing the petition here.

Eat for Equity with OAC-MN

2011-04-21T11:35:00.001-05:00

On Saturday, April 23rd, OAC-MN will be hosting an Eat for Equity event to benefit Oxfam America. Eat for Equity is a local grassroots organization that meets once a month for dinner and drinks to benefit a good cause. E4E describes itself by saying: "We bring people together around good food to raise money for good. Friends and friends of friends come together, eat, and drink - and in coming together, manage to do some small good for a community larger than themselves. Each month, we cook food from a specific country and raise money for an organization working in that part of the world. We eat drink, do good, and be merry."

At the dinner, we will be enjoying food from El Salvador such as Pupusas, Curtido, Pollo Guisado, and Horchata. In El Salvador, Oxfam America is working to foster democracy by creating a bridge between the Salvadorian government and its citizens as well as building wells that are tightly sealed to keep out contamination due to flooding.

Special bonus of the evening...Salsa lessons!

Want to help make it happen? Sign up to volunteer on Friday night, Saturday afternoon, or Saturday evening, and you can be a part of putting food on the table. Email us to let us know if you are interested in helping out. Also, be sure to visit the event page to let us know if you plan on joining us for the big event.

Hope to see you there!

Brooklyn Center EarthFest

2011-04-10T17:09:00.004-05:00

Oxfam Action Corps Minnesota is thrilled to be participating in Brooklyn Center EarthFest this weekend!
Brooklyn Center EarthFest
Saturday, April 16, 1-4 p.m.
Brooklyn Center High School
6500 Humboldt, Ave N., Brooklyn Center, MN
Free and open to all.

From the EarthFest's Facebook page:

The EarthFest is a free event, and includes activities the whole family will enjoy! You'll learn everything from how to compost and reduce toxicity in your home and garden, to the latest energy (and money) saving tips. Featured will be over 60 educational exhibits presented by local, county and state experts as well as tables and activities run by our local school children. There will also be 30 workshops on a wide variety of sustainability topics, as well as many fun activities for kids, a ”garage” sale, book swap, entertainment, organic, local food, an eco fashion show, a kite making activity for kids, and much more. Come learn how to take small steps toward big results- at Brooklyn Center Earthfest! E-mail bcearthfest@gmail.com for more information or if you would like to get involved! Many volunteer positions available!

Visit the EarthFest Facebook page for complete details, including the impressive roster of participating organizations. Don't miss the Oxfam America information table and workshop to learn how climate change is affecting vulnerable communities and what you can do to fight back. Hope to see you there!

International Women's Day and Springing into Action with OAC-MN

2011-03-06T09:15:00.002-06:00

Over two hundred people joined Oxfam America and several other amazing sponsor organizations to celebrate International Women's Day on Friday night in St. Paul. In addition to messages from Congresswoman Betty McCollum, State Senator Sandy Pappas and a special video message from Senator Amy Klobuchar, participants heard words from our very special guest, Mme. Jacqueline Morette, a Haitian farmer and president of the United Women's Association of Pouille, Haiti.

Click here to read the Minnesota Daily's story on the hunger banquet. Photos from Oxfam America are posted here, and thanks to Brandon Wu for sharing his photographs here.

Thank you to all who joined us to make this event an unforgettable experience and a powerful example of citizens showing their support for women across the globe during this 100 year celebration of International Women's Day. If you weren't able to attend, there is still time to take action before Tuesday March 8th - the official day of International Women's Day. Visit Oxfam's Act Fast website to learn more about the action you can take or become a sister (or brother) on the planet today!

Also, stay tuned to our blog and Facebook page for additional photos and video from the event that we are very excited to share with you.

We also invite you to join us on Wednesday March 9th and Wednesday April 13th for our monthly meetings at Common Roots Cafe. On the heels of International Women's Day we have lots of exciting events to plan for spring (yes, we can start to say SPRING) and would love you to join us. Now's the time to take action and keep the momentum moving forward to support women around the globe and their children and families by continuing to advocate for sustainable solutions to poverty and hunger. Visit our Facebook page for more meeting details.

Oxfam America Hunger Banquet

2011-02-07T23:30:00.007-06:00

Join with Oxfam America and celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day!

Jacqueline Morette

Please join us for this unforgettable experience

Oxfam America Hunger Banquet:

A Sisters on the Planet Event
Friday, March 4, 2011, 6 PM to 8 PM

University of Minnesota

Continuing Education Conference Center
1890 Buford Avenue, St. Paul, MN

With special guests Congresswoman Betty McCollum and Mme. Jacqueline Morette, Haitian farmer and president of the United Women's Association of Pouille, Haiti. Other guests to be announced.

Globally, women are the primary caretakers of their families and the land – often producing up to 75% of the food in developing nations. Please join with Oxfam America and cosponsors on March 4 for an interactive meal where you can learn how women feed the world, and what you can do to support them.

This event is free and open to the public. Advanced registration is requested. Please click here to register, and Facebook it and invite your friends.

Sponsors: Advocates for Human Rights; AFSA High School; Church World Service; Compatible Technology International; Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs; Land Stewardship Project; League of Women Voters – Minnesota; Minnesota Fair Trade Coalition; McKnight Foundation; Minnesota International Center; Minnesota Oxfam Action Corps; Minnesota United Methodist Women; National Catholic Rural Life Conference; National Peace Corps Association; University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences; University of Minnesota Human Rights Program; Universities Fighting Hunger; World Food Prize Foundation.

Join us Wednesday at Uncommon Grounds

2011-02-05T22:38:00.000-06:00

The City Pages says that Uncommon Grounds Coffeehouse has "the best chai in the state." By no small coincidence, we're holding our monthly meeting on the second floor of Uncommon Grounds (2809 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis) on Wednesday, February 9 at 7 PM. Please join us!

Whether you're ready to roll your sleeves up and volunteer, or if you're simply curious about Oxfam Action Corps, our informal monthly meetings are a great way to get your feet wet. We review news and plan outreach activities in our campaign for lasting solutions to poverty and injustice. If you can be there on Wednesday, Facebook it! If you can't attend but want to get involved, just contact us.

We'll have plenty to talk about on Wednesday. Oxfam Action Corps Minnesota is playing a lead role in a major hunger banquet (+250 people) at the University of Minnesota's St. Paul campus. More to come on that soon.

Engaging Entertainment for a Better Tomorrow!

2011-01-29T18:21:00.000-06:00

Looking for a way to help celebrate the start to a new month? Join Oxfam Action Corps Minnesota for an evening of social and environmental justice complete with a fantastic soundtrack.

Cocktails and Climate Change
7th St Entry at First Avenue
701 1st Ave. N., Minneapolis

Tuesday, February 1st
Doors: 7 pm
Program: 7:30 pm

In addition to guests from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, enjoy live music by local musicians Julia Douglass and Andy Elwell and show your support for women farmers across the globe and the communities that are most impacted by the effects of climate change. Proceeds from the evening will go to benefit Saving Lives 24/7. Buy tickets in advance or at the door for $5. Come for the music, company, cocktails, and the cause!

Can you make it? Facebook it!

Speak up for Haiti

2011-01-12T00:13:00.001-06:00

Haitians were already living in the worst conditions found in the Americas when a crippling earthquake struck one year ago today. Over 200,000 people perished and many more were left maimed, ill, and homeless. The immediate international response was tremendous, but the recovery may take decades. An important report from Oxfam titled From relief to recovery delivers recommendations on recovery efforts and this Oxfam America website chronicles progress and needs on the island nation to-date.

On this solemn anniversary, we pause to remember. We also renew our commitment to the people of Haiti. The government of the United States pledged to support Haiti throughout its recovery. Let's send our legislators a reminder.

Please take a moment to speak up for Haiti by literally adding your voice to a growing chorus calling on Congress to remember Haiti. Click here for simple instructions to speak up for Haiti from any phone. You can even listen to others who have already taken action.

If you're in the Twin Cities area, please join us today at our monthly meeting (7 pm at Common Roots Cafe in Minneapolis) to join with others supporting Haiti and learning about Oxfam Action Corps Minnesota's ongoing advocacy of lasting solutions to poverty and injustice.

No matter where you are, you can lend your voice to Haitians, so please click here and follow the easy instructions from Oxfam America. Thank you for taking action!

New Volunteer Meeting

2011-01-04T18:49:00.001-06:00

Looking for a way to achieve your New Year's resolution to advocate for lasting solutions to poverty and injustice? If so, or if you just want to learn more about Oxfam Action Corps Minnesota, don't miss our New Volunteer Meeting on Wednesday, January 12, 7 PM at Common Roots Cafe (2558 S Lyndale Avenue, Minneapolis). New volunteers and curious supporters are always welcomed at our monthly meetings, but this meeting will be especially tailored to fresh faces. We'll talk about what we do, opportunities to get involved, and plan outreach activities, all while enjoying the cafe's tasty fare. Please join us and spread the word on the event's Facebook page.

If you'd like to get involved but can't attend the meeting, feel free to email or call us at 612-293-9831 and we'll bring you up to speed. Everyone is welcome, and there is something for everyone. Click here to learn more about Oxfam Action Corps as a whole, and don't miss this great introductory video.

From Minnesota to Cancun and Back Again

2011-01-02T18:15:00.000-06:00

Minnesota was well represented at the Cancun Climate Conference. We had a lot of fun following our friends Paul Thompson, Reed Aronow, Valida Prentice, and Alec Neal while they were in Cancun. Now, they're back. Join them and hear first hand about the conference and next steps at this free event organized by 1Sky Minnesota, Cool Planet, and Citizens Climate Energy:

Climate Solutions – from Minnesota to Cancun and Back Again
A report from local residents who were delegates to the recent international conference on climate change

Monday, January 10, 7 to 8:30 pm
Southdale Library, 7000 York Ave. S., Edina, MN

Speakers:

Reed Aronow and Valida Prentice, both youth delegates to Cancun and Copenhagen conferences
Paul Thompson, Edina Energy and Environment Commission member and also delegate to both Copenhagen and Cancun
Alec Neal, who did a cross-country bike trek on his way to Cancun, filming a documentary about solutions to the climate crisis along the way

In addition to the report from the Cancun conference, there will be information on a wide array of simple actions that local residents can take to help control climate change.

This session is sponsored by 1Sky.org-Minnesota, Cool Planet and Citizens Climate Energy; it’s free and the public is invited to attend. For more information, contact Chuck Prentice at 612-965-8284.

Happy New Year!

2010-12-30T17:51:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year everyone! We're looking forward to the year ahead, but want to take a moment to look back. Our all-volunteer Oxfam Action Corps Minnesota team led or participated in at least 65 events in 2010! At colleges, schools, concerts, festivals, legislative offices, and conferences, we reached thousands of people with the message of lasting solutions to poverty and injustice while having a lot of fun along the way.

If you volunteered, attended an event, contacted a policymaker, led your organization in a partnership with us, or simply wore that Oxfam button you picked up at a concert - thank you. Best to you and yours in 2011!

Cancún delivers Global Climate Fund

2010-12-11T21:00:00.081-06:00

Delegates and activists are now departing Cancún as the United Nations Climate Change Conference adjourns. As expected, negotiations did not lead to major new treaty, but a meaningful - albeit small - step was made by creating the Green Climate Fund. This fund will finance climate adaptation projects designed to help protect poor communities from the affects of climate change. Click here to read an Oxfam blogger's report on the agreement.

The World Bank, interim trustee of the fund, estimates that adequate climate adaptation costs will be between $70 billion to $100 billion annually from 2010 - 2050. Estimates from other entities are higher. It's a staggering sum, but an investment that pales to the disastrous financial and human costs of failing to prepare developing states for climate change. The Cancún decision does not include commitments on exactly how the Green Climate Fund will be financed. So, we applaud the fund's creation but do so while pledging to continue our campaign to stop harming the environment and start helping those threatened by climate change with strong adaptation funding.

Update, 15 December 2010:
A Care2 blogger's review of the Cancún agreement.
Remarks on the Green Climate Fund from Oxfam New Zealand.

Live from Cancun!

2010-11-24T01:41:00.003-06:00

Important climate change negotiations have begun in Cancun, Mexico. Our friends at Cool Planet have organized an exciting event to connect you to the talks in a unique way while joining with friends in calling for action. Oxfam Action Corps Minnesota is proud to be part of the program.

Live Update from Cancun - COP16 United Nations Climate Change Conference
2 – 4 pm, Saturday, December 4th, 2010

St. Paul's Rondo Community Outreach Library

461 N. Dale Street

Saint Paul, MN 55103

Free and open to all.

Hear first-hand from the 350 Solutions Revolution team in a live video conference from Cancun: Katherine Ball, Alec Neal, Paul Thompson, Malkolm Boothroyd and Don “Peace Rider” Ross.

We will be joined in-person by special guests Dr. John Abraham, Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, and Patricia Ohmans. Supplies will be available to make and mail handmade holiday cards to our representatives asking them to take action on climate change.

Live from Cancun is presented by Cool Planet in partnership with 350 Solutions Revolution, YEA Minnesota, and Oxfam Action Corps Minnesota.

Hope you can make it. Let your friends know on the event's Facebook page.

Cancun Summit and Climate Justice in the News

Business Week, Islands see 'End of history' as goals slip at UN climate talks

Oxfam America, Climate change talks must deliver following record year of extreme weather

Reuters, Climate deaths more than double in 2010

The Telegraph, Scarlett Johansson lends her voice to climate change campaign

Tell Secretary Clinton: We need a Global Climate Fund

2010-11-19T01:46:00.017-06:00

From November 29 - December 10, world leaders will gather in Cancun, Mexico for the United Nations Climate Change Conference. They will continue negotiations toward critical international agreements on climate change. One of those agreements must be the creation of a Global Climate Fund that will empower vulnerable communities to adapt to the devastating effects of climate change.

Please click here to learn more from Oxfam America and send a short note to Secretary of State Clinton calling for a Global Climate Fund.

World Food Day: Sow the Seed

2010-10-15T19:23:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow, Saturday, October 16, 2010, is World Food Day, a worldwide event designed to spur action to fight hunger and increase awareness and understanding of poverty's root causes.

Nearly a billion people worldwide will go to bed hungry tonight. And by increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as floods, drought, and storms that destroy crops, livestock, and livelihoods, climate change is set to make things much, much worse. Women are especially struggling to grow their crops and provide for their families. But they are fighting back, and we must help them. On this day especially, we must stand in solidarity with them and sow the seed for change. We must sow the seed and help farmers pull themselves out of poverty. We must support communities around the world in their efforts to feed their families.

Today on World Food Day, take a second to ask your senators to pass the Global Food Security Act. This act will help strengthen US commitment to fighting hunger throughout the world. Specifically, it will:

Focus greater US development assistance on comprehensive efforts to address food insecurity abroad
Fund-long term investments in food security, agriculture, social safety nets and interventions to improve maternal and child nutrition
Bolster support for higher education institutions researching agricultural issues that matter to poor farmers
Improve US emergency response capacity to address food emergencies

Then, to sow the seed even further, forward the link to your family and friends.

A Historic Rally at Mill City Ruins

2010-10-11T10:37:00.002-05:00

What a day! Yesterday (October 10, 2010) was 350.org's Global Work Party. Over 500 Minnesotans stood with hundreds of thousands of people at 3,743 events in 188 countries taking action against climate change. The setting in Minneapolis could not have been more historic – Mill Ruins Park is on the ruins of the grain mills that were powered by Saint Anthony Falls and the Great Mississippi river. The rest of Minneapolis grew from this site just as the next chapter of the climate justice movement in Minneapolis will grow from yesterday's Climate Solutions Revolution event, organized by MN350.

It began with hundreds of cyclists descending on the park via Stone Arch Bridge. Activities included a line-up of inspiring speakers and musicians, frisbee, a clothing exchange, and a hand-print petition. Oxfam Action Corps Minnesota was proud to be a co-sponsor and one of twenty-five outstanding organizations at the festival's resource fair.

The message was clear: Through political action and personal choices, we must take aggressive action to stop the pollution that is destabilizing our climate and threatening lives and livelihoods around the world.

Click here for our pictures from the event.

Fresh Energy prepared this great video synopsis and links to more photos are found on MN350's Facebook group. Congratulations to MN350 for organizing a fantastic festival!

We're building on the momentum at this week's monthly meeting. Join us!

Oxfam Action Corps Monthly Meeting

Wednesday, October 13, 7 PM

Common Roots Cafe, 26th and Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis

We'll be watching a clip from Oxfam America's Hardest Hit video series and planning future events, all while enjoying the cafe's tasty fare. Join us if you want to get involved or are just curious about what Oxfam Action Corps does.

This Sunday - Climate Solutions Revolution

2010-10-05T23:40:00.002-05:00

Join Oxfam Action Corps Minnesota and a host of extraordinary allied organizations on 10/10/10 for a unique rally and festival of camaraderie in calling for action against climate change!

Climate Solutions Revolution: Leading the Way to Our Future
Date: 10/10/10 (Sunday, October 10th)
Time: 2pm - 5pm
Place: Mill Ruins Park on the Mississippi River
Address: 103 Portland Ave. S., Minneapolis

The event features live music, a clothing/book swap, collaborative art projects, guest speakers, a resource fair featuring some twenty organizations, and a great opportunity to gather with friends in sending politicians a clear message in demanding action to curb climate change. This event is part of 350.org's 10/10/10 international day of action -- everyone attending will be standing shoulder to shoulder with millions around the world!

For complete details, visit mn350.org and let your friends know that you'll be there on Facebook. We hope to see you on Sunday!