Letter from the Executive Director
Last week, the Trump Administration stated its intent to repeal the groundbreaking Clean Power Plan. It rebukes the scientific consensus that without action, the consequences of climate change — widespread species extinction, more devastating droughts, more Harveys and Irmas and wildfires like those raging in Northern California — will become more likely. The Clean Power Plan not only sought to help cut the emissions driving climate change, but also to lead the U.S. toward a healthy and sustainable future powered by cleaner energy. In response, MN’s Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor Smith released a statement calling on legislators to support a stronger, 50% Renewable Energy Standard, which we wholeheartedly support! We released a statement in response. Despite the Trump administration’s rollback, U.S. states are forging ahead with initiatives to combat climate change.
We were proud to partner with Xcel Energy to co-host Leading the Clean Energy Transition: Climate Stories, Business and Community Solutions. Participants heard Xcel Energy President Chris Clark share their plan to be 75% carbon free and over 45% renewable by 2030; Lt. Governor Tina Smith spoke to MN’s clean energy job growth; and MPR’s Paul Huttner and our own Will Steger spoke to the impacts of climate change globally and locally. Participants then had the opportunity to hear from three community leaders embracing clean energy and dig into practical solutions.
In less than one month, the world will gather in Bonn, Germany for the 23rd annual UN Climate Negotiations (COP23) to decide how to move forward with the Paris Climate Agreement. We are sending a multi-sector delegation, an exciting new effort to integrate the work we do across our programs. Our hope is that our delegates’ first-hand experiences will provide invaluable insight into opportunities for cross-sector leadership to uphold Paris Agreement goals and grow a just, clean energy economy throughout Minnesota.
Mark your calendars! Join us for three opportunities this October and November:
- Brewing a Better Climate at Rahr Malting Co in Shakopee – Oct 26; Meet the providers of malt for Minnesota’s craft beer and sample beer from Dangerous Man, Summit Brewing and Tanzenwald Brewing
- Indeed We Can at Indeed Brewing – Nov 8; For the second year running, Indeed has selected us as a beneficiary of their Indeed We Can charitable initiative where they donate the night’s net proceeds to us!
- Give to the Max Day – Nov 16; Support Climate Generation on this annual day of giving! Your gift will be matched!
Sincerely,
Nicole Rom, Executive Director
Education
Climate Change and the Mississippi: Meet Us at the Confluence
Did you know we have a national park area in our city? Educators are invited to explore the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area at our Climate Change and the Mississippi Workshop, held at Fort Snelling State Park on Saturday, December 9th. Join us in partnership with the National Park Service, Mississippi Park Connection, and Fort Snelling State Park to discover the science, impacts, and solutions of climate change right here in the Midwest. You will hear from experts working in the field and take part in activities that you can implement with your students right away.
Leading the Clean Energy Transition
On October 3, we partnered with Xcel Energy to co-host a three-hour workshop featuring eyewitness accounts of climate change and innovative solutions that community leaders are advancing. Over 70 participants engaged in solutions-oriented breakout sessions, heard from three local storytellers on implementing clean energy policy and reducing carbon emissions, and made commitments to act on climate in their businesses and communities. Relive the event with our recap page.
Emerging Leaders
YES! Fall Summit
Climate Generation staff presented the Youth Convening Minnesota program to students of Youth Energy Summit (YES!) this month. Youth Convening Minnesota is a 7-month leadership program
for high school age students to lead their community on climate action, meet other young climate leaders from across the state, and work directly with Climate Generation staff to organize a community-wide public forum on climate change. This program is an opportunity for students in greater Minnesota communities to lead a convening on climate change and solutions and connect with YEA! MN students in the Twin Cities metro area to create a broader network of climate leaders.
Welcoming GreenCorps Member
We’re thrilled to welcome Kira Liu to our team through the 2017–18 MN GreenCorps program. She has a bachelor’s degree from Macalester College in Environmental Studies and has worked in environmental education at the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and Mississippi Park Connection. Over the year, Kira will be working with our staff to foster youth climate leadership at the local and state level. She will support the expansion of our long standing and robust YEA! MN program in the Twin Cities metro, while also helping to coordinate our new innovative project, Youth Convening Minnesota, to host several youth-led public forums in greater Minnesota communities.
#ActOnClimate
Join Us: Brewing a Better Climate
Interested in where the malt for local craft brews comes from? Wondering how beer and climate change connect? RSVP for a night at Rahr Malting Co. featuring beer samples from local breweries, delicious food, and raffle prizes from Peace Coffee, Valley Natural Foods, and more—all while raising money for our climate change education programs. Climate Generation staff will be on hand to share information about our work to advance climate change education and youth leadership. Featuring donated beer samples from Dangerous Man Brewing Co, Tanzenwald Brewing Company, and Summit Brewing Company.
Support our State Leaders on the Renewable Energy Standard
The Trump administration took its first steps to repeal the Clean Power Plan (CPP) which limits carbon pollution. But our state leaders – Gov. Mark Dayton and Lt. Gov. Tina Smith – know Minnesota must continue to lead on clean power. In response to the repeal, they released a statement which called on our legislators to support a stronger Renewable Energy Standard in Minnesota. Show your support for a stronger Renewable Energy Standard and say thanks! Use our template language below and contact Governor Dayton and Lt. Gov. Smith.
Dear ___. Thank you for supporting clean energy in Minnesota! The Trump Administration’s decision to repeal the Clean Power Plan threatens the health of Minnesota’s children and seniors, the cleanliness of our lakes and rivers, and our growing clean energy economy. Thank you for making sure Minnesota doesn’t take a step backward. I support your push for a 50% Renewable Energy Standard to provide cleaner, more affordable and more reliable energy. I’m grateful for your leadership!
In the News
No news this month.
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