September 29, 2014
An Open Letter to Rotary Club of Madison and District 6250 Members,
Working to stop the global warming humanitarian crisis by enacting a revenue-neutral carbon tax (RNCT) will help the most people and will resonate with the next generation of Rotarians. This crisis threatens to undo much of Rotary’s good work. ‘Service Above Self’ dictates that we work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and inform others. The Going Green Fellowship Group (GGFG) of the Rotary Club of Madison asks fellow Rotarians to take the time to read this letter. We do this for our children, grandchildren and future generations.
The GGFG proposes that between January 2015 and April 2016 Rotarians worldwide learn about a RNCT as a solution to the global warming humanitarian crisis. We are asking the clubs of District 6250 to approve
Proposed Enactment B which supports a RNCT, by December 15, 2014. District approval will set the stage for this critical information sharing and dialogue to occur worldwide – 1.2 million Rotarians in 34,500 clubs in over 200 countries.
CLICK To read the full Going Green Fellowship Open Letter.
Proposed Enactment B Citations
Proposed Enactment A
Rotary International Council on Legislation – Overview of Process
Two-page Summary of Going Green Fellowship Open Letter
Video
Rotary Club of Madison, Wisconsin 
I am proud to be a member of Rotary Club of Madison when it takes a leadership role in increasingly important global issues such as the eradication of polio and now climate change. Championing initiatives such as the revenue neutral carbon tax by this and many other Rotary clubs, along with other service organizations, will go a long way to ensure a healthier and sustainable future for our children and generations to come.
Bob Miller
President & Executive Director
Aldo Leopold Nature Center
I am excited about this fellowship group. I think that raising awareness of the climate change and the revenue-neutral carbon tax we will move discussion in a positive way. With the power of the world wide Rotary movement and the action of local Rotarians we will make a difference. Think globally and act locally is appropriate.
Rotary has always been a world leader on tough issues with doorways to solving problems through acquaintance and friendship. The world is speaking loudly about climate change and Rotary has an opportunity to lead action now more than ever. I am proud of Madison Rotary for being at the forefront of bringing this to RI!.
When one Reflects Upon Rotarian Service (see Chapter 24 History of Rotary); the “Rotary Going Green Fellowship Committed is another example of our Down Town Madison Rotary Club being an International Leader in so many ways.
I’m honored and proud to be a returning member of our 101 Year Young Rotary Club – and I am professionally excited by the Fellowship and Bi-partisanship support, which is emerging for this “Going Green Public Heath Initiative.”
Gratefully yours, A.J. Nino Amato
Congratulations to Madison Rotarians for tackling the problem of global warming. A revenue neutral carbon tax has great potential to slow carbon emissions and boost renewable energy. I am encouraged to see Rotary beginning to lead around this issue.
Kathleen Falk,
Former Dane County Executive
October 6, 2014
Karen and I are happy to report that today the Club’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the following motion:
In order to advance Proposed Enactments A & B for consideration at the 2016 Council on Legislation, the Board of Directors supports and forwards both to the club membership with a recommendation for adoption.
Readings of the proposal will occur at Club meetings on October 8 and 22 with a vote on October 22.
According to the CDC more than 17 million Americans in 2006 suffered from asthma. In 2012, this number was 60 million with 1/3 being children. Although the exact cause of asthma is unknown hospital visits are far less on the days that air is cleaner. Burning fossil fuels releases these pollutants that trigger asthma attacks – particulate matter, ground level ozone, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide – and otherwise compromise the health of humans, animals, and even plants.
Worst Cities for Asthma:
1 – Scranton, PA
2 – Richmond, VA
3 – Philadelphia, PA
4 – Atlanta, GA
5 – Milwaukee, WI
88 – Madison, WI
Every DAY in America (2012):
44,000 people have an asthma attack
36,000 kids miss school due to asthma
27,000 adults miss work due to asthma
4,700 visit the emergency room due to asthma
1,200 admitted to the hospital due to asthma
I support any meaningful action toward the reduction of air pollution and greenhouse gases. If we are concerned about the cost of carbon tax, we must remember the positive quantifiable co-benefits of air pollution reduction. HEALTH CARE COSTS MONEY and reducing air pollution will improve quality of life for millions!
Best, Majid
Unanimous Board approval is phenomenal news. It makes me so proud to be a Rotarian and a member of GGFG!!
Becky Steinhoff
Executive Director
Goodman Community Center
I am thrilled to see the leadership position proposed by you and your Going Green Fellowship at Madison.
I have read your Open Letter and support all aspects. I am working to gather support within our Club and District. It would be wonderful if Rotary globally could finally take a lead in this, with so much evidence demonstrating the urgency but governments wary to commit effort – all seeking short-term re-election rather than long-term survival of humanity and biodiversity.
We will keep in touch. Thanks again for your important and insightful initiative.
Kind regards
Peter Buchanan
Rotary District 9920 – northern New Zealand, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Samoa, Tonga
I applaud your fellowship group’s leadership on this critical humanitarian problem. Because of your work, I am much more informed on global warming which is the whole point. Bravo!
It is my hope that Enactment B is advanced to the 2016 Council on Legislation so Rotarians worldwide learn about this leading solution and can decide.
Mary Beth Growney Selene
Rotary International Director 2013-15
Rotary Club of Madison West Towne-Middleton, Wisconsin
Paul and I are happy to report that today our Club approved both Proposed Enactments A & B by a clear majority.
We will now continue our outreach to all District 6250 clubs in preparation for the Ballot by Mail process from mid-November to mid-December. We look forward to District endorsement so that these proposals can be considered by the 2016 Council on Legislation.
Karen D. Kendrick-Hands
Paul G. Riehemann
Co-Chairs
Going Green Fellowship Group
Fantastic news!! So grateful for your leadership, and the insightfulness of your members to endorse both Enactments. This will assist us to publicise at our Club (St Johns Rotary, New Zealand) in District 9920.
Kind regards
Peter Buchanan
Rotary Club of St Johns, Auckland, New Zealand
You go Peter! (and thank you for your kind words) It is our hope that several Districts from around the Rotary World endorse Proposed Enactment B for the 2016 Council on Legislation – but time is tight. Districts have until December 31, 2014 to do so.
If we can be of assistance to any Clubs/Districts, please let us know. Karen’s email is listed in the blog post.
in service,
Paul Riehemann
As some may be aware from recent media coverage, the City of South Miami Commission passed a Resolution on October 7, 2014 advocating the legal separation of Florida into two separate states, creating the 51st state in the Union. “South Florida” would be comprised of 39% of the area of the current state of Florida and would have a population of approximately 13,375,000 people which is 67% of the total population of the current state of Florida.
We are doing this because climate change is a scientific reality resulting in global warming and rising sea level. It is estimated that there will be a 3 to 6 foot sea level rise by the end of this century. In addition, South Florida has very porous rock and, as the level of the sea rises, the pressure will cause water to rise up through the ground and flood the inland areas.
The average elevation of the present state of Florida is approximately 100 feet above sea level. North Florida is approximately 120 feet above sea level while the average elevation of South Florida is less than 50 feet with a very large portion of South Florida averaging less than 15 feet above sea level. Many sections of South Florida are 5 feet or less above sea level. This area includes the Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, Biscayne National Park and the Turkey Point nuclear reactors. These reactors are 42 years old with in excess of 2.5 million pounds of nuclear waste buried on the grounds of the nuclear plant.
South Florida’s situation is very precarious and in need of immediate attention. Many of the issues facing South Florida are not political, but are now significant safety issues. Presently, in order to address the concerns of South Florida, it is necessary to travel to Tallahassee in North Florida. Often South Florida issues do not receive the support of Tallahassee. This is despite the fact that South Florida generates more than 69% of the state’s revenue and contains 67% of the state’s population. The creation of the 51st state, South Florida, is a necessity for the very survival of the entire southern region of the current state of Florida.
We applaud the work that Rotary is doing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions including your very meaningful promotion of a revenue-neutral carbon tax. Thank you.
Regards,
Walter Harris
Vice Mayor, South Miami
This is a laudable initiative and ESFR – fellowship of rotarians for sustainability will contribute in the exchange of ideas and projects
We appreciate your supportive comment – thanks.
What is ESFR?
I commend GGFG for your leadership on this important global humanitarian problem.
It represents a way to extend well beyond fellowship into an action-oriented approach within Rotary and it strikes me as one of the special things that can be accomplished within a large club. The best ‘Service Above Self’ is partnership that brings about positive change.