What is the Extinction Rebellion?

The Earth, including its mantle of atmosphere, 
is suffering.

With entire ecosystems dissembling before changing climates, 
life on Earth as we know it is at stake.

From Monday 15 April, Extinction Rebellion is taking action on the streets of cities all over the world - from Auckland to Accra, Mexico City to Vancouver - over multiple days to demand that governments take necessary action on the global Climate and Ecological Emergency.

Extinction Rebellion will peacefully block traffic around the clock. This will be a full-scale festival of creative resistance, with people's assemblies, art actions, stage performances, talks, workshops, food and family spaces.

Why in the US?  Because our institutions have proven themselves incapable of addressing the climate crisis.  Therefore, we must do more in addition to lobbying and protesting congress, more in addition to using nonviolent direct action to stop fossil fuel infrastructure . . .  
Rebellion is collectively our last best chance.

ORI Spring Interns Isobel Rounovski and Hunter Lambert are making lawns healthier while stopping fertilizer pollution. 

Help Your Lawn Combat Climate Change
 
Do you know where your lawn fertilizer mostly goes? Hint: It's not going to grow grass.

It's April; before you commence spreading fertilizer consider letting your lawn combat climate change with more roots, more foliage, more carbon capture.

Green lawns can coexist with clean waters when you don't use quick-release fertilizer.


Spring semester interns Hunter Lambert and Isobel Rounovski talk with Rob about our ongoing work with towns to modify their wetland permitting language and have educational outreach materials that stop lawns from polluting. Hunter talks of the benefits of slow-release fertilizer for lawns. Isobel talks about the harms of Roundup and safer alternatives.

Our biggest challenge is simply connecting with someone in the Conservation Department.  Then the dialogues begin.  We hope to be invited to speak to the Commissioners.

Hunter and Isobel share some of the more interesting conversations with Acton, Cambridge, Lynnfield, and Weston.  We learned about sustainability committees and task forces.  Now we are reaching out to them to identify the best slow-release fertilizer to be sold in their communities. 

We met with the Dover Conservation Commission and learned about some of the challenges they faced managing fertilizer pollution.  They were most interested and had many questions. As a result we followed up with an information packet stuffed with resources and references.    Click here to hear the broadcast.


 


Jem Bendell

Oskar's Quest

As climate change wreaks havoc on our wildlife and agriculture, what do you tell a 13 year-old boy about his future?

The story of Oskar's quest, delving into deeply adaptive actions that include recognizing, letting go, and cherishing. These conversations between his classmates may help parents and teachers consider whether and how to discuss our climate predicament with children and young adults.


Endorsers of ScientistsWarning.org and subscribers of the Ocean River Institute rallied to raise in short order the initial funds requested to make Jem's short film, Oskram's Quest.  To those who gave, Thank You.

The film is in production. Jem hopes to release it before June. Of course, expenses are more than what was initially expected. Having met the first deadline, the campaign is still open. 

If you have not yet made a gift, it's not too late, and will be gratefully received to further Oskram's Quest. Donors will be acknowledged in the film credits (unless requested to be anonymous).


It's April; before you commence spreading fertilizer consider letting your lawn combat climate change with more roots, more foliage, more carbon capture.