Good News for Now on LNG
And some surprising news about coffee, chocolate and wine
LNG Terminals—On Pause, But Not Stopped
The good news: President Biden put a pause on licensing new Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals in order to analyze climate impacts. In a sense, climate activists won! And yes, we should celebrate—at least for the moment. Bill McKibben wrote, “This is the biggest thing a U.S. president has ever done to stand up to the fossil fuel industry.” The final decision on licensing is many months away, but there is no question that the pause—and the reason for the pause—is momentous. Third Act Mainers were set to go to Washington, D.C. for a massive, multi-organization protest—but most were able to cancel their train tickets and Airbnb reservations.
The not-so-good news: Following President Biden’s announcement, exultation was tempered by the realization that even without new LNG terminals, the U.S. is on track to double its export of this fossil fuel by 2028, just four years hence. Yes, let’s celebrate victories… but realize that we are not turning off the tap on LNG. Rather, there are twice as many faucets set to open up.
Feel the need to keep the pressure on? Petition Citi to stop financing LNG projects here.
Standouts Continue in Greater Portland
Protests continue at Chase Bank locations and at L.L. Bean this month. Bundle up, meet some other climate activists, and grab a cup of cocoa or tea afterwards. We are protesting Chase Bank’s enormous investments in fossil fuel projects. Chase Bank has the dubious distinction of being the #1 “dirtiest” bank on the planet for its funding of fossil fuel projects. We are also protesting L.L. Bean's partnership with the Citibank credit card, as Citi is the #2 dirtiest bank.
Thursday, Feb. 15, 1 pm: Chase Bank in Portland (Monument Square)
Thursday, Feb. 22, 1 pm: Chase Bank in Falmouth (241 US Rt. 1, Falmouth)
Thursday, Feb. 29, 1 pm: Chase Bank in Portland (Monument Square)
Many weekdays in Feb., 1 pm, Chase Bank in Yarmouth (770 US Rt 1, Yarmouth)
Saturdays: February 17, 24, and March 2 at 1 pm at L.L. Bean flagship store on Main Street
To double-check about standouts in Portland and Falmouth, confirm with Chuck Spanger, charlesspanger@gmail.com, 207-232-3135. To double-check about Freeport and Yarmouth standouts, email Bill Rixon, rixonw9@gmail.com.
Coastal Inundation
Coastal communities in Maine and up and down our coasts are increasingly battered by storms and challenged by the effects of sea level rise. A timely and provocative film about Boston Seaport’s “Innovation District” is being screened—for free—at UNE-Biddeford next week. A panel discussion will follow the screening.
Inundation District (film)
Tuesday, February 13. 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Harold Alfond Forum, Room 283, UNE-Biddeford (map)
Cost: Free
Of Coffee, Chocolate and Wine
Some of our very favorite things are in peril. This article might widen eyes and make jaws drop. Former White House chef Sam Kass prepared a meal that featured these foods—and others at risk due to climate change. Reporter Rachel Leingang writes, “All three pleasures could suffer from major crop loss with only slight warming, affecting livelihoods and ways of life.” Chef Kass remarks, “It’s foods that we consume every single day and bring us a lot of joy, and for some, it’s a deep expression of their very core identity. Our ability to pass down the quality of life that we have enjoyed is at severe risk.” Read the whole article—and share with others. Enjoy that coffee, chocolate and wine while you can!
Leaving Bank of America
When Corliss Davis heard through Third Act Maine about the idea of divesting from “dirty banks” (“dirty” because they fund new fossil fuel projects) from Third Act Maine, she went to a Third Act Maine standout at the Bank of America call center in Belfast.
She and her husband Rick talked over their options. They recalled that they used to have a Working Assets credit card which asked members to vote on organizations that would receive charitable contributions. And then things changed. Bank of America bought Working Assets. Instead of giving charitable contributions, Bank of America offered points and discounts to big name brands.
They decided to sever the cord with Bank of America and find another, greener bank. The Davises had their mortgage and checking account with Bangor Savings Bank. Could Bangor Savings Bank be the answer for all of their banking needs? Bangor Savings Bank had recently issued an “Ever Blue” credit card. Corliss asked a bank representative if this card had investments in fossil fuels. The bank representative assured her that the bank would only be investing in Maine businesses. They decided to apply for this new, local, green credit card.
It was time for action. Corliss explains: “Proactively, we took stock of some of our subscription services and changed the renewal options to the new credit card. Then, every time we saw a charge hit the Bank of America credit card, we switched payment options to the Ever Blue card. It took a couple of months to change.”
To completely close out their account, they spent half an hour on hold with Bank of America before connecting with a representative. “Why are you canceling your account?” the representative asked. “I told her that we were unhappy knowing that [Bank of America] invests heavily in fossil fuels. I told her that we had opened another credit card that does not invest in fossil fuels,” Corliss recounts.
After taking this action, how do the Davises feel? Rick reflects, “I know I am only one customer out of millions… [T]hough my action is largely symbolic, I am doing what I can to separate myself from fossil fuels that are strangling our planet and jeopardizing the lives of my children and grandchildren. Corliss says, “I feel pretty good. It feels good to take this small but direct action to sever our connection with a company that has provided billions in financing to fossil fuel companies. I’m also feeling much better about investing in a Maine bank.”
A footnote: Given Bank of America’s recent backsliding into being “open for business” in funding new coal and Arctic oil exploration ventures (see Bill McKibben’s latest newsletter here), perhaps the Davises story will inspire readers to take similar action.
The Peace of Wild Things
Experience the poem, read by Berry, made into a beautiful short film here.
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
Another thought-provoking newsletter, thank you!. Shout out to Corliss: well done, you! May your courage be contagious. As a "holic" of coffee and chocolate, I remind us all that the Farm Bill is (of course) overdue to be reauthorized, and the IRA has assigned 19.5 billion dollars to support climate smart agricultural practices. Third Act and Climate Reality are keen to see that those funds are not scooped up by Big Ag for the wrong-kind-of-crops subsidies. So, call King, Collins, and Golden and urge them to do everything possible to ensure that those funds remain in their designated programs. 1st district folks can call Pingree's office and thank her for her great work on the Agricultural Committee. Elect more organic farmers to Congress! And I love the poetry selections! Just say these phrases aloud: "do not tax their lives with forethought of grief" and "day-blind stars waiting with their light". Brilliant! Cletis