–submitted by Paul Riehemann
The Good
We are happy to report that the Rotary International Constitution and Bylaws (C & B) Committee approved our Proposed Enactment after we amended it according to their suggestions. RI legal staff has assured us it is unlikely that the RI Board would change any of the C & B’s recommendations at this point and it will be forwarded to the RI Council on Legislation in April 2016 for discussion and a vote. Amended document HERE.
TRICON was terrific! 30 more Rotarians, many from Districts 6220 and 6270, signed on to Going Green (see new logo above). Also, several Rotarians from The Sustainability Trust have signed on so now it’s an international fellowship group!
Paul will be representing the Going Green Fellowship at the Rotary International Convention in Sao Paulo, Brazil, this month, in support of the formation of a proposed Environmental Sustainability Rotarian Action Group. His presence there is also important because it is the last RI Convention before the April 2016 Council on Legislation vote. Job #1 will be sharing our Proposed Enactment and working to gain support.
The journey toward creating the Environmental Sustainability Rotarian Action Group (ESRAG) has begun. What is a Rotarian Action Group?
Rotarian Action Groups help Rotary clubs and districts plan and carry out community development and humanitarian service projects in their area of expertise.
A main purpose of ESRAG:
Building awareness and generating action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate disruption.
Karen has been working with RI staff and met with them earlier this month in Evanston, Illinois. Many thanks to member Jim Walsh with Insty-Prints for creating this smokin’ 32″ x 67″ display banner for Sao Paulo for a fraction of the regular cost. And, a ESRAG.ORG webpage is being created! Will be ready next week. Purpose:
- share information on the GG initiative and Proposed Enactment
- provide a way for Rotarians to sign up for ESRAG online – even with their phones!
The Bad
[We really wish there were not so many strong signals that developed countries need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions yesterday.]
It’s official: 2014 was the hottest year in recorded history, Washington Post, January 16, 2015
The Ugly
Climate Change: March Temperatures Break Records; 2015 Hottest Year To Date, International Business Times, April 18, 2015
Indians Urged to Stay Indoors as Sweltering Heat Kills More Than 1,300, New York Times, May 27, 2015
“Temperatures surpassed 116 degrees in some places in recent days, and were higher than normal even in coastal districts that are typically cooled by easterly winds.”
in service,
Paul and Karen
Co-chairs Going Green Fellowship Group
Rotary Club of Madison, Wisconsin 