connie in netherlands

I just found out I'm on the cover of Greenpeace Netherldand's article for the "Green my apple" campaign..it's in Dutch!

reflections on this semester

it's my last night in washington, d.c. holy shit. i don't believe it. sure my bags are packed, my room is empty and there's no food in the kitchen cabinets, but still i feellikei'll wake up in a couple days and head for work at the greenpeace office. a bunch GOTers have left for home.. for good. to me, it's only as if they've left for a short vacation sort of like thanksgiving. michelle just packed her car and is heading back to new hampshire. now it's hit me. no more cruising on our bikes or in her car with the plastic bag-window shield which read "have a nice day." funny story was that someone broke one of her back windows all to take her adapter and dance shoes. they didn't even take the printer/scanner/photo-copier chilling in the trunk! oh well, no more.. no more sightseeing and me takingabajillion photos like a happy go-crazy tourist. no more waiting for each other to get out of work late at night at jaleo or austin grill. no more salsa dancing or getting into clubs with "our" IDs. no more hanging out with our friends, aaron and edgar. no more thrift shopping for one-dollar dresses. no more indulging chili and chocolate shakes. no more lemon grass tofu! what am i going to do with myself? it's a sad and scary thought to think of not hanging out with my sidekick, mitch. there's no doubt we had the time of our lives, and for that i'm so very thankful. she better be reading this while planning for our summer excursion in south america.

so many people and adventures have impacted my life these past several months. ah, amazing. thank you, thank you! the people at GP--especially my coordinators, amy and jon. two of the most patient people who are understanding and insightful in every way. my mentors and friends. my fellow GOTers--acclamations all around. i've learned that when--"damn, that shit's fucked up" to do something. oh, the go-arounds, the travels, the campaigns, the damn petitions and simulations. good times. my friends at jaleo-- always made me smile and really enjoy doing what i do. thanks for welcoming with warm hugs and kisses and good spanish food. friends outside of gp and jaleo --because of you, i was much cooler in the two workplace realms. thanks for good company and conversations and even at the much needed times, clean laundry. thinking about leaving dc is making me nostalgic--i'm sad about it all. at the same time, i couldn't be more happy. living in dc for the semester has brought so much light to my life--the wealth of knowledge and all-around experiences in the travels of just being in our nation's capitol, driving along the coast, topennsylvania, campaigning in florida, more campaigning in amsterdam and much more fun, the trainings and speakers, the last-minute trip and big event in new york city, the interactions with all different people at so many different locations, the established relationships and friendships, the hard work ethics, the extensive online pcc courses, the museums and monuments, the bars and dance clubs, the good food, books and music. everything. my time and enjoyment here has come full circle and i can satisfyingly saythati'm ready to go. i'm excited for home and all that lies ahead.

greenmyapple : i really want a mac, i just wish it came in green

hoi! since this summer i've been thinking about saving money for a ibook. with its chic and simple design and the most innovative media tools heck, who wouldn't want one? but here i am at apple centre in amsterdam's central station thinking otherwise. i don't want to buy something that i'm going to use for several years and then discard to have shipped to china where children and migrant workers work for pennies a day discarding my waste in an environment full of toxins. i'm in limbo.

i love my ipod as well as do all my siblings and friends. we all love apple. a leader in electronics and design, i have faith apple will soon become a leader in green technology. working on the "green my apple" campaign our objective is to get apple to phase out the toxins in its products, mainly poly-vinyl chloride (pvc) and brominated flame-retardant (bfr), and establish a take-back policy for its consumers, that way apple is responsible for the makings of its goods.

so today we're handing out biological (the dutch term for "organic") green apples with leaflets and talking to people about the campaign outside apple stores throughout amsterdam. all the while i'm contemplating the ramifications of getting a mac. i know my choice would be a lot easier if only apple made it green.

spelling it out loud

After all the hard work and outreach in Florida with our global climate change campaign, we celebrated International Day of Action. And the Miami Herlad sums it up nicely.


Greenpeace protest aims to fire up Congress over global warming
A GREENPEACE CAMPAIGN ON GLOBAL WARMING TARGETS THE SHAW-KLEIN RACE
BY DARRAN SIMON
dsimon@MiamiHerald.com

They sat in the sand in the shape of the state of Florida with the southern tip dipping into the ocean. They raised their hands as a helicopter hovered above taking photos.

Below the southern tip of Florida, bodies spelled out, ``Save our State.''

From above people also formed a head and hand engulfed by the water holding an umbrella. The words: ''Stop Global Warming'' is etched in the sand. The pieces of ''human art'' crafted Saturday at John U. Lloyd Beach State Park in Hollywood was an attempt to call attention to global warming.

Environmental activists also hope to encourage the local candidates running for Congress to tackle the issue if they get elected on Tuesday. Saturday's event was focused on the 22nd Congressional District, where incumbent Republican Clay Shaw faces challenges from state Sen. Ron Klein, a Boca Raton Democrat, and Libertarian Neil Evangelista.

''We are at a very critical time for addressing the problem of global warming,'' said Scott Cardiff, an organizer with Project Hot Seat, a Greenpeace campaign. ``We need congressional action on the issue immediately.''

Project Hot Seat organized Saturday's gathering on the beach, drawing more than 300 people. It was one of several environmental events scheduled to take place Saturday in five other congressional districts in Pennsylvania, Washington state, Michigan and Vermont.

People also turned out in Australia, London and elsewhere on the International Day of Action. Events were held days before the Nairobi Climate Talks this week in Kenya.

Project Hot Seat and volunteers plan to deliver the enlarged photos of the aerial art from John U. Lloyd Beach to the campaign offices of the three local candidates on Monday.

Global warming is the increase in the average global temperature caused by the emission of greenhouse gases, which are produced through the burning of fossil fuel such as oil and coal. Activists want lawmakers to increase energy efficiency and car mileage standards; increase the use of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, and limit the quantity of greenhouse gases that the country produces, Cardiff said.

They are also seeking support for the federal Safe Climate Act, which would set standards for reducing greenhouse emissions.

''If we do not take effective action, we could be facing drastic consequences,'' he said.

Saturday's event drew college students, families and others.

''The politicians should hear us. They need to focus on this,'' said Oliver Lobo, a junior at Nova Southeastern University majoring in business administration. Lobo learned more about global warming after taking an environmental science class. He was so drawn to the issue that he chose it as the topic for his speech class presentation.

''It really opened my eyes,'' he said standing on the beach.

Meanwhile, Brian K. Lewis had been in tune with the environment for more than 25 years. Lewis, who lives in Plantation, is an elected supervisor for the Broward Soil and Water Conservation District.

''This issue stands as the single largest threat to human civilization,'' he said.

it's gettin' hot in here

For the past two weeks I have been campaigning with Greenpeace, the world’s largest international environmental organization that is both non-profit and nonpartisan. For this upcoming election, we have been working on Project Hot Seat, a global warming campaign centered in six congressional districts where there’s no telling who will win and where one key issue has the power to determine the election’s outcome. While Greenpeace campaigners are in Washington, Colorado, Michigan, Vermont, and Pennsylvania, I’m in Florida targeting the 22nd District which includes prominent cities like Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. What makes Florida unique in this campaign is that it has experienced severe first-hand impacts of global warming with supercharging hurricanes, rising tides, and depleting coral reefs. Not to mention, eight of the past ten years have been the hottest on record.

Scientists have concluded that global warming is significantly attributed to human activity with the release of fossil fuels from coal-fired power plants, and not to mention, cars, trucks and SUVs. But there’s hope in change if our government acts now. The goal of Project Hot Seat is to put pressure on the congressional candidates to take a firm stance on global warming and by election, send a champion who will combat global warming in Congress. A firm stance includes signing onto legislation that entails a cap and trade system for industries to reduce their global warming pollution, a national renewable energy standard of at least 20% by 2020, and an increase in average fuel economy to 40 mpg.

So here I am in South Florida with nineteen other student activists. We’ve been on four different college campuses, and have collected over 2,000 signed petitions. It’s essential to interest and involve students because we’re young, energetic and passionate. History tells all of student activists fighting the world’s most important social and political battles. And it’s amazing to know that I’m part of that fervent battle giving countless others, who would otherwise be a silent bystander, a chance to contribute. Through class announcements, petitioning, tabling, phone-banking, and bird-dogging, we’ve made significant impacts in the community, gathering a large number of enthusiastic volunteers and campus leaders. And more.

Candidates Ron Klein (D) and Clay Shaw (R) have seen us at so many of their campaign events, and have gotten so many calls from their constituents expressing concern because of current climate changes, that they have requested to meet with Greenpeace staff to discuss solutions. And so we’re seeing changes! Just this past week Klein publicly agreed to sign onto the Waxman (D-CA) Safe Climate Act of 2006, a bill that serves to limiting global warming pollution. South Florida’s popular paper, The Sun-Sentinel, recently wrote an article about the importance of the environment in this congressional race, as neck-and-neck it is.

Ironic story in regard to religion and the student environmental movement: Yesterday two students that I work with went to a Bible study meeting as a friendly exchange for the Christian Club’s president agreement to come out to our International Day of Action this Saturday. After Cheryl and Tori came back to tell us about how outwardly nice and friendly the students in the club were and how they often referred to passages in the Bible. Briskly, one guy in the club said something in the lines of, “You know, your environmental work and our work to converting young Christians are a lot alike. We both have to make what we’re doing sound cool to get others to join.” I couldn’t help but laugh at such genuine truth.

Tomorrow, Greenpeace is hosting a huge event to celebrate International Day of Action with free refreshments, music and transportation. We’re gathering at the beach and expecting nearly 500 participants from all over Florida to form an aerial image illustrating the impact of global warming, and a photographer will capture the image overhead from a helicopter, which will then be released to media nationwide to give people a clearer idea of the “bigger picture.” I’m pumped!

Victory is awaiting!

Following is an excellent article that was featured in Vermont's Sunday paper. It tells all of the global warming campaign I'm working on with Greenpeace called Project Hot Seat and its aims and successes. Please read and enjoy.

Energy-PHS-(2) (N)
Global Warming a Hot State Issue
By KEVIN O'CONNOR
Times Argus, Rutland Herald
October 22, 2006/

When Martha Rainville, the Republican candidate for Vermont's lone U.S. House seat, was asked three months ago for her stance on global warming, she seemed cold to the cause when it came to an answer.

"The overarching question is, what is global warming?" the Republican replied at the time. "What is the extent of it? How much of it is influenced by man and the decisions that we make? And what ought we to be doing?"

Rainville soon made up her mind. Last month, at a Burlington rally of more than 1,000 environmentalists, she joined Democratic challenger Peter Welch in pledging to fight the problem. This month she announced if elected, she'd become the seventh Republican to co-sponsor the Safe Climate Act, the companion House bill to the Senate's Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act introduced by retiring Vermont independent James Jeffords.

The cause of Rainville's newfound conviction? The candidate found herself in the Hot Seat — specifically, Project Hot Seat, an election-year initiative by the nonprofit, nonpartisan environmental group Greenpeace to encourage congressional hopefuls to fight global warming.

Greenpeace is known worldwide for floating its message on a big green boat, the Rainbow Warrior. But this fall, members are anchoring themselves in six U.S. House districts — in Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Washington — with the aim of educating candidates of all political colors.

"This is an issue that most people recognize, but there's a certain sense of impatience in terms of political action," says Rebecca Sobel, Project Hot Seat's Vermont organizer. "We want to do more than preach to the choir. We want to be a bridge to harness the energy for action."

So how do you get elected officials to pass effective laws? Most activist groups campaign for a person who supports their position. Project Hot Seat instead is working with all candidates in a targeted House district, offering everyone information about the problem and potential solutions.

"Addressing global warming is a bipartisan effort," Sobel says. "It doesn't matter to us who wins, it matters to us that whoever wins is a leader on global warming. We're here to cultivate champions on the issue."

The heat already is hitting home. Just ask ski-area workers who must make more snow because of a 15 percent decrease in natural flakes this past half century. Or maple sugar makers who fear warm mud season days won't be followed by enough freezing nights to encourage sap to run.

Global warming seems to be a gargantuan challenge, but Sobel boils it down simply: The United States is the world's top producer of pollution that leads to climate change, in part through coal-fired power plants and cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles. Scientists agree the country needs to reduce such emissions significantly within the next 10 years. Her group believes the best way to do that is through federal legislation.

Sobel, a young Philadelphia native who shies away from giving her age, became Project Hot Seat's sole paid Vermont staffer in the middle of July, just as Rainville was spouting questions about global warming.

Sobel moved into donated office space at the Burlington headquarters of household-products maker Seventh Generation (company president Jeffrey Hollender is a member of the Greenpeace board). She then met with Rainville and Welch, giving both candidates information about global warming and how government can fight it.

For Welch, a lawyer and outgoing state Senate president pro tem, the tutorial was more of a refresher course — he announced his plan to fight climate change at the time of Project Hot Seat's arrival, prompting the group to stand outside his campaign office with thank-you signs.

"They have done a great job of raising the issue and getting our opposition in this race up to speed," Welch spokesman Andrew Savage says of the Greenpeace effort.

Welch says his first action upon election would be to cosponsor the Safe Climate Act, a bill by U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., to cut the nation's carbon dioxide emissions by at least 80 percent in the next half century. Welch also wants the government to sign the international Kyoto treaty that seeks worldwide cuts in pollution.

"Global warming threatens the Vermont way of life, from the existence of our ski areas and our maple syrup production to our ability to hunt in native forests," Welch is quoted on Project Hot Seat's Web site. "The question is not should we curb our greenhouse gas emissions, but how can we begin to do so immediately, efficiently and aggressively."

Rainville, for her part, also wants to cosponsor the Safe Climate Act and found Project Hot Seat's information on the issue to be "a great resource," candidate spokesman Brendan McKenna says. Rainville announced her position this month at a press conference, where she stood beside Sobel (who also attended a global warming forum with Welch the next day).

"The issues of global warming impact the economy, future job creation, agriculture and tourism," Rainville is quoted on Project Hot Seat's Web site. "We need a comprehensive approach across America: education, efficiency, investment in renewable fuel and the economic opportunities of being on the forefront of the energy revolution."

Project Hot Seat is posting updates on the candidates' positions on its Web site — www.vermonthotseat.org — as well as offering suggestions for improvement. The group doesn't have any specific tips for Welch, but says of Rainville: "She still supports nuclear power and offshore oil drilling, which are distractions from efforts to solve global warming."

Sobel and volunteers also are popping up at candidate debates statewide in red "stop global warming" T-shirts and maple tree costumes. There, they tell Vermonters that fighting climate change not only can save the environment, but also reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil and create a market for cleaner energy projects.

"Solutions to global warming are good for everyone — we're talking about energy independence, creating jobs," Sobel says. "I really look at global warming as one issue that everyone in this world needs to rally behind."

Each grass-roots action, she adds, seeds another. The Burlington rally that drew more than 1,000 people this past Labor Day capped a five-day walk that called for government action on global warming. The big crowd, in turn, drew all the major congressional candidates, who are now talking up the issue with the electorate.

"We were taken more seriously once the candidates saw how much public support there was for this issue," Sobel says. "We'll be working with the winners to make sure they follow through with their campaign promises. But what's really important is that people know they have power, both in their votes and in their ability to mobilize. It's the Vermont community that has made this successful."

Hip hip Hoorah! Now it's Florida, baby!

another latin rock and indie folk jam

This week has swept by so fast I can't believe tomorrow is Monday and the start of a whole new week. Some catch up on the events of this past week: Friday we had an anti-oppression training session at the office which was an awakening and life-altering experience. We had an educator speak to us and facilitate a number of activities. The talk I found most intriguing was the idea of internalized oppression, when one holds him orherself back in fear of being judged by others. I know I care a lot about what others think about me. And I know a lot of times that holds me back from doing what I want to do, and even what I love to do. But what's worse about internalized oppression is that it is based on assumption. For example, I wouldn't go parading during my metro ride to work because I wouldn't want people to think that I was crazy. I'm making a judgement about people I don't even know, and that judgement dictates my actions. What if the people on the metro applauded me for my boldness to have fun. OK, so I might be going overboard with this example but my point is that our assumptions of others shouldn't be the motivation of our actions.

Saturday was an eventful day. Woke up early and did laundry, something I look forward to every other week or so. The thought of clean good-smelling clothes puts me on a high. Then Michelle and I did some grocery shopping at the market nearby. I got oreos, bananas, soy milk and boxed rice. I think I'm set for the week to come. Don't worry, my house is loaded with food. Every Sundays we restock on produce brought back from a few housemates who work at the Dupont Circle Farmers Market. They have the best eggplant! After grocery shopping we crossed the street to check out this thrift store and luckily, I found a classy tweed skirt for three bucks. Michelle scored a Gap coat for twenty something dollars. We're always making good finds. Cleaned the kitchen, ate a home-cooked burrito and left for work atJaleo, then danced the night away to Latin rock. Mark, one of my coworkers at Jaleo, dropped by and danced along too. Fun, fun!

Today woke up and watched the recently released Thank You for Smoking. Wow, I was more startled by the lead character, Nick Naylor's speaking abilities than the harms of smoking cigarettes. It's absurd to think of all the money big industries like tobacco companies put into damn persuasive lobbyists who talk their ways out of everything. It's a smart tactic and an exceptionally well paying job. I just don't know how anyone could have the conscience to take on such a high-risk job. We all know it's not just for the mortgage.

Highlight of the night: singing and dancing along to Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins at the 9:30 Club. I had been waiting for this show for so long and finally the night came to see Jenny Lewis perform live, and it was spectacular. Jenny's voice is so smoothe, so divine it speaks to your soul. Listen to Melt Your Heart or Rise Up with Fists and you'll understand.

G'night.

sitting in on a saturday

Mornin' folks. These past couple days have been rainy. Considering my past with seasonal mood disorder where I feel really down with gloomy weather, I'm trying to counter that and appreciate the rain, wind and cold. It's tough I tell ya. I'm just a sunny southern California girl at heart. Maybe that's why we have so many happy people in LA. Ha! Anyway I'm looking forward to the clear skies and smoke-free air tomorrow. Weather report says it's going to be a beautiful day.

Currently listening to the Counting Crows and lounging in the living room of my messy 10 person-occuppied house, I'm attempting to inspire myself to start on the ton of reading, homework, late-test and college apps. But it's Saturday and I'm exhaused from this past overwhelming week. Thursday and Friday I had my non-violent direct action trainings with Greenpeace. It was amazing even though I think I left the workshop with more questions than answers. Watching the civil rights documentaries and past Greenpeace actions gone-wrong videos made me reflect on a lot of personal issues. Part of it was depressing. Like the Greenpeace gone-wrong actions. Some were so pointless and unorganized that it made sense to me why people dislike Greenpeace. Sure a lot of it outrageous. And it's unfortunate that one bad act can hinder the greater scheme of things. What I liked about the workshop was discussing how far we'd go as an activist in terms of property destruction, self-defense, symbolism, etc. I, myself, would never make an attempt to destruct property or put any living being in harm's way. It's just not in my nature. I don't see it as being effective but rather isolating and antagonistic, even hypocrtical. I don't believe in countering violence with violence, rather compassion and communication. Others may disagree, even those within Greenpeace. And that's OK. I learned that you don't have to be in line 100% with one particular organization or ideology or anything.

I adamantly believe that one person can make a difference. It's the type of difference I'm trying to grasp. I'd like to see something revolutionary like world peace. Is that too much to ask for? Possibley. But I think it's important for each person to take personal responsibility and maybe not expect to see something grand in the moment but understand that their good actions as part of the grand solution.

I believe in goodness and having hope. I'm an optimist and gladly so. So I'm going to be continue doing good and having hope.

On a side note, I've realized I'm a work-a-holic. I feel like time is too precious to wste and so I'm always doing something. I think it's kind of good that it's raining outside because it's almost forcing me to sit at home and just relax, and more importantly, breathe. Sometimes I forget to do that and so cramps ache up in my stomach. I love to work and I love to work well. In addition to my Greenpeace Organizing Term, a semester-long program dedicated to training student environmental activists, which I really don't even consider work but more like school because of how much I'm learning from it, I work as a hostess at Jaleo, known famously for its classical and contemporary Spanish cuisine serving traditional small and savory dishes of Spain, known as tapas. Jaleo's one of the best in DC. It's hilarious how much pride I take in my work but I enjoy it so much. I love Jaleo and it's because of the people I work with. They're the most beautiful, loving and kind-hearted people I've met in DC. I hope every job that holds in my future is with an amazing team like the one at Jaleo. Ah, I'm so sentimental.

And I'm really excited because tonight I'm going to celebrate the sweet 26th birthday of my co-host, Gaston. That means lots of good music, company and dancing!

I love life. Good day, friends. Good day.

it's about time

I'm counting down the days until I leave to DC. 5 more days. It almost seems like an eternity til next Wednesday, at the same time it seems too soon. Before I Know it I'll be flying out from LAX and riding the metro along the east coast. I can't wait! I'm all about the new and unexpected, and it's about time I envelop a new surrounding. For some reason I'm more anxious than I am nervous. It's probably because everyone who I've talked to about DC says it's absolutely amazing. Ah, that just gets me more hyped! It's riveting to think of being independent in a happening city where so much takes place. And to think that I'm going to be part of that action while working with Greenpeace! I love new environments. I love being active. I love knowing that I'm going to be making my own dinner and setting my own curfew for the next four months. It's kind of weird to say but I'm excited to "grow up." Hopefully, I'll be loving that as well.