Grandparents for a Safe Earth
“The old, having the benefit of life experience, the time to get things done and the least to lose by sticking their necks out, are in a perfect position to serve as advocates for the larger public good … we must act as the elders of the tribe looking out for the best interests of the future and preserving the precious compact between the generations.”
–Maggie Kuhn, who launched Gray Panthers
We are a network of grandparents and elders who care deeply about the world our descendants will inherit. We have learned that the current plans of energy companies and governments will, if not radically changed, put our grandchildren’s future at risk.
We seek to co-operate and enter into dialogue with others. Where other actions fail, we are prepared to take direct action, in a spirit of non-violence and respect.
Environmental Justice Award
This award recognises people and groups campaigning on issues such as climate change, renewable energy, carbon reduction, recycling, energy efficiency, and much more, either locally or globally.
Phil Kingston a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Patchway, has recently been a runner up in the Shelia McKechnie Foundation Awards - Powering Campaign People, Environmental Justice Award. Viewable above and in available in full
here, he had this to say about it:
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I was surprised to receive news of this award from the Sheila McKechnie Foundation. So many people are plugging away at Environmental Justice that a little group like Grandparents for a Safe Earth seems insignificant. I am pleased because it acknowledges the work of many special people, present and past, in the group. I am also appreciating that the judges specifically note the relevance of nonviolent direct action and civil disobedience in campaigning; and assuming that they have sifted through the GfaSE website
network23.org/gfase they are acknowledging the importance of critiquing the current economy and the ways in which many social and environmental problems are caused by corporate power - supported by politicians.
I often think that we elders are in a privileged position in that we can speak out when others in society are more constrained. At the moment GfaSE are stating the fact that fossil fuel emissions in the UK are at least a part of the cause of the extreme famines which are happening across Africa. To quote the UN Secretary -General when responding to questions about the current African Famines he said ''climate change works as a key enhancer of other factors -- desertification, food insecurity, water scarcity. And so we risk to have more and more (famines) and with more devastating consequences.’’
The Aid Agencies which are seeking urgently needed donations are, I imagine, much more concerned of making such a direct statement about fossil fuel emissions and famines in case some of the media and/or political and economic interests accuse them of stepping out of line, even though the prevention of future famines is clearly just as vital as responding to the present ones.
Every blessing
Phil
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