“The national effort to curb global warming and oil dependence can simultaneously create good jobs, safer streets and healthier communities. That is the chief moral obligation in the 21st century: to build a green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty.”

So says Van Jones, head of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights and convener of the Oakland Apollo Alliance, in a new joint report sponsored by the Apollo Alliance and Urban Habitat. “Community Jobs in the Green Economy,” a framework for cities, communities and states, argues that not only does a 21^st century, clean, efficient, modern energy system benefit major businesses, but it can also bring jobs and capital back to America’s cities and jobs to low-income communities. (more…)

How did initiatives that benefit sustainable agriculture, family farms and rural communities fare in the 2007 Legislature? Well, it began on a positive note when in February the Agriculture, Rural Economics and Veterans Affairs Committee held two days of hearings focused on sustainable and organic agriculture. The hearings, which were coordinated by Committee Chair Mary Ellen Otremba, involved numerous Land Stewardship Project members and were an important sign that some legislators are taking seriously the growing importance of sustainable and organic agriculture. That positive vibe continued throughout the winter and spring, resulting in some solid legislation. But by the time the final gavel fell, the 2007 Legislature fell short of its full potential to bring about a broad, complete package of positive changes to Minnesota’s food and farm system. Here’s the final skinny: (more…)

It not always easy being green, but it’s getting easier every day – whether you want to don some organic cotton jeans from Levi’s, plant a rain garden or eat locally grown organic foods – the sheer number of options out there are offering more means for people to pursue a greener path. (more…)

by Timothy Rose, media relations director, Fresh Energy

Winnipeg is one of my favorite weekend getaways. Manitoba prairie, Mounties and Moosehead all mean relaxation. I always stay at the Marlborough because it houses the Winnipeg Press Club – the oldest in Canada (1887) where I am a member in good standing. Driving into town, you can’t miss Manitoba Hydro, the largest exporter in the province of electricity to the Upper Midwest, Minnesota in particular.

One of the lessons to be gleaned from the 2007 legislative session in Minnesota is not only that we as a state took a hard look at how we get our electricity – and what we are going to do about that in the future – but also where and from whom we get it. Many environmentalists have long been concerned about environmental justice issues and the undue burdens placed on the poor, disenfranchised and people of color in our society with regard to the environment. Equal numbers see the link between where Minnesota gets its energy and the unfair impacts it has on First Nation people, as they are so called by our neighbors to the North.

Filmmaker Dawn Mickelson follows the source of this ‘green energy’ back to the displacement of indigenous Cree and Metis in Northern Manitoba in her documentary film, Green Green Water (www.greengreenwater.com) Before the session ended, the Minnesota legislature created the strongest monitoring and reporting requirement to date for Manitoba Hydro’s imported electricity (SF 2096.)The provision included in the Environment & Energy Omnibus Bill states:

The Legislative Electric Energy Task Force by January 1, 2008, and each year thereafter, the task force will request from the Manitoba Hydro Electric Board to provide the following information for each community that is a signatory of the Northern Flood Agreement, including South Indian Lake.

“Minnesotans have a right and a responsibility to know what they are buying,” said Pimicikamak Chief John Miswagon. “This law demonstrates that responsibility. I am pleased that Minnesota legislators care about what is happening on the Northern end of the transmission line.”

In other words, Minnesota should not only know where they get their electricity from but also from whom and its impacts. It seems only fair.

It was big news in the province and across Canada – and will continue to be. The arguments pro and con are reminiscent of what happened when Americans started to look at not only where but also how and from whom they get their coffee.

(www.winnipegfreepress/local/story/3963369p-4575689c.html)

It was nice to be interacting with my press club colleagues again – this time professionally instead of over a pint and a game of darts.

The Illinois Legislature has endorsed the Great Lakes Compact (pdf) with Senate approval happening earlier today.  The bill is on its way to the Governor’s desk, who reportedly supports it.  Congratulations Illinois.  Two down, six to go. 

As Dave Dempsey has pointed out, there is much to be proud of from this legislative session.  Most of these victories came with broad, bi-partisan support. 

Here’s a brief summary of the outcomes with the collaborative Protect Minnesota’s Great Outdoors package as well as some additional environmental victories from this session. 

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Increased funding for water, wildlife, and natural areas, as well as increased funding for transit, came close again this year, but failed to make it through. (more…)

What do Gary Botzek (one of the coolist lobbyists in St. Paul), Al Franken, Mr. T and I all have in common?  This year, our birthday falls on the official last day of the 2007 legislation session – today.  And it seems to be shaping up as the best session for the environment in a long time.  A final energy bill was overwhelmingly passed by both bodies and the House passed their dedicated funding bill over the weekend.  Here are some details. (more…)

Word of the day: “cornification.” Cornification, in a nutshell, is the takeover of a diverse landscape by one mighty plant: corn. The “Effects of Cornification” graphic on page 17 of Dan Imhoff’s new book shows the results: the Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone, factory livestock farms, obesity, immigration problems, food deserts (that’s “deserts” not desserts”), the emptying of our rural communities, etc., etc. One look at the “cornification” graphic and a message comes through loud and clear: what the government tells farmers to raise has ramifications far beyond Renville County, Minnesota. Imhoff’s book, Food Fight: The Citizen’s Guide to a Food and Farm Bill, is full of these kinds of eye-opening, mind-expanding graphics. His message isn’t new, but the way he presents it is fresh and important. The phrase “must-read” is much abused (I’ve thought that ever since someone used “must-read” and the book The Bridges of Madison County in the same sentence). But if you are interested in how U.S. farm policy affects our environment, our communities and what we eat, and you want to do something about reforming the system, then Food Fight, is, yes, a must-read. (more…)

This week’s update from lobbyist John Tuma:

Lost “leggins, mockinsons, socks, etc…. no trivial misfortune.”
. . . Lt. Zebulon Pike
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