This week in Iowa organizing…
Our hearts go out to the Maui community following the incredibly devastating wildfires of last week.
A true and just recovery will take time. And to merely go back to the way things were should not be the overarching goal.
To that end, our allies Evan Weber (Sunrise co-founder) and Kaniela Ing (People's Action Climate Justice Director) created a Maui Recovery Fund to provide direct relief with an eye towards community power building and a just recovery for the long-run.
As our comrade Kaniela says, "it's whirlwind moments like these where power is most movable. No matter how hot the water - as the wave crests, you must paddle hardest."
For the people and places we love,
Matthew Covington (he/him)
Strategic Operations Director
Take action
Thursday - August 17 in Ottumwa: say no to coal teach-in
We are visiting communities with coal plants across Iowa to grow our movement demanding an end to fossil fuels and a just transition to a 100% clean energy system. Our next stop is in Ottumwa which is just south of a coal plant co-owned by MidAmerican and Alliant Energy on the Des Moines River.
negative impacts of local coal plants,
benefits of transitioning to clean energy, and
ways we can take action to reverse the climate crisis while uplifting our communities.
Everyone deserves clean air, clean water, and a habitable environment. Coal-burning power plants endanger those rights for all of us. Especially in communities where they're located. While local residents are suffering the consequences of coal-burning, MidAmerican Energy is making record profits. Enough is enough.
August 23 in Dubuque - let's create renter-driven housing policy
It's been over 10 months since CCI started organizing around housing in Dubuque. We've stopped evictions, gotten landlords to commit to repairing their buildings, pushed the city to work with tenants on inspections and disputes, and more. Now we're in the final stretch of establishing our renter-driven policy platform.
Join us Wednesday, August 23rd from 6-7:30pm in Monks' (373 Bluff St. in Dubuque) basement to establish this platform. We're going to establish renter-driven policy at a city and county level to address:
Unresponsive landlords
Stolen security deposits
Application/background/credit check fees
Pest control costs
Development of affordable housing and more
The people closest to the problems are closest to the solutions. Join us to craft these solutions on August 23 by registering here!
August 24 in Scott County - films for a livable future
It's time to go to the movies! CCI presents: Films for a Livable Future. This month we'll be watching 'The Biggest Little Farm' at West Lake Park in Davenport on August 24th from 7-9PM.
All Iowans are raised hearing the phrase ‘we feed the world’, but the reality is we can’t even feed ourselves—- Did you know that Iowa imports up to 90% of the food we eat?
What if we could do farming differently?
The Biggest Little Farm captures how a couple left their city life behind and set out on a mission to grow food for their community while creating a farm that doubles as a functional ecosystem for both people and planet.
Together, we'll learn more about what Iowa agriculture is and could be, meet neighbors, build community, and plug into ways to take action here in Iowa.
Our screenings are for everyone, so come hang out at the park for this inspiring doc and some CCI-style fun! We'll have good snacks and refreshments waiting for you. RSVP to join us here!
It's time for Pres. Biden to declare a CO2 pipeline moratorium!
Iowans across political party have been fighting to protect our communities and land from the proposed CO2 pipelines. Now, we need elected officials to do the same.
Rep Omar (D-MN) and Rep Garcia (D-IL) created a sign on letter urging President Biden to enact a moratorium on CO2 pipelines.
Will you contact your representative to ask them to add their name to the letter?
Here are three reason we need a moratorium on CO2 pipelines:
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is on the record saying it will take at least a year to create safety regulations and that current standards aren't adequate;
Summit Carbon Solutions, Navigator, and Wolf/ADM cannot prematurely promise safety before standards are created. We should not consider any permits for CO2 pipelines until they are in place; and
A moratorium on CO2 pipelines could delay these projects for years, which is an important part of our strategy to stall and stop CO2 pipelines for good.
We won't be guinea pigs so Summit, Navigator and Wolf executives, like Bruce Rastetter, can make billions of dollars on these dangerous projects. Contact your Representative here!
Updates
Registration closed - August 19 Summer Member Meeting
We've reached capacity for our Summer Membership Meeting this Saturday. We're sorry to miss those who can't make it, and also getting very excited to be with all of you who will be joining us on August 19 in Windsor Heights.
We'll reconnect with friends and CCI members from across the state for a day of information, inspiration, and action. In addition to celebrating the victories we've achieved together, we'll make plans for the future of CCI and the state we love so dearly.
Stay tuned to our emails and social channels following the event for ways to continue plugging into the work ahead!
August Clean Water Book Club - ways to plug in
For those of you that were interested in having a book club discussion but are not connected to a group yet - we've got a few options for you!
This month we're reading WATER, a novel from award-winning author Jennifer Wilson.
Here's how you can participate:
In person - Wednesday, August 16, 6:30-7:30 pm
Confluence Brewery Barrel Room, 1235 Thomas Beck Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315 RSVP hereOn Zoom! - Thursday, August 24, 6:00-7:00 pm
RSVP here
Don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions. Thanks again for being a part of our first #CCIBookClub!