Climate Change Hurts Women, You Can Help

Oxfam America has released a new documentary called "Sisters on the Planet" and we would like to have it screened as widely as possible. Through the stories of four inspirational women, "Sisters" introduces viewers to the connection between gender, poverty, and environment and calls on each of us to take action for climate jusitce. You can order a copy at www.oxfamamerica.org/sisters

You can see "Sisters on the Planet" at our next meeting at the Ingersoll Caribou Coffee this Tuesday, September 16th at 7:30pm. After the movie, we'll have a short discussion and plan some additional screenings around Des Moines. Please join us on September 16th and add your voice to those of women around the world who are demanding equity and justice in the face of climate change.

Oxfam: Coming to a Farmers' Market Near You

Part of building a movement for climate justice is connecting with curious and concerned people and inviting them to learn and to act. Members of the Iowa Oxfam Action Corps are actively reaching out at a variety of venues, from concerts to conferences to the Iowa State Fair. Many of our best connections have been made at Central Iowa farmers' markets.

Basically, we set up a table of information alongside local farmers and craftspeople at the market. As market patrons pass by, we invite them to learn more about Oxfam and our work solving poverty and climate change. If they are interested, we invite them to sign our climate petition or join our listserv to hear about upcoming actions. The response is usually positive; as we exchange stories and information with passers-by. Not everyone wants to sign up right away, but most people appreciate the chance to learn about our work and to lend us their persepctives on our issues.

To help further our mission of empowering Iowans to make a difference for those facing poverty and social injustice, we are planning to be at the Downtown Des Moines Farmers' Market on August 30th and again on September 29th. Come and visit us!

Actions Needed Now, Things you can do here in Iowa

Thursday is World Environment Day

How might you celebrate in Ames?

Iowa Oxfam Action Corps is having an informal meeting discussing Climate change and how it hurts the poor.

Taking place June 7 at 5pm at Cafe Diem on Main St. In Ames

We will:
- Learn about the campaign
- Discuss how we will engage Iowan on Climate Justice
- Plan up coming actions
- Meet others who are interested in climate change

No RSVP is necessary, just come if you can and pass the word on.

To learn more about Iowa Action Corps please visit our blog at: http://oxfamaction-iowa.blogspot.com/


Also, we have established a secure listserv that I will be using in future correspondence (it avoids my needing to bcc everyone via gmail). You can subscribe yourself at iowa.actioncorps-subscribe@lists.riseup.net

Finally, right now, the Senate is debating a climate change bill that could have a huge impact on communities around the world. We need you to make sure that they’re not leaving poor people behind. Climate change is already affecting the world’s most impoverished people, who are facing droughts, floods, and increased disease—and are least equipped to deal with these disasters.

Tell the Senate to we must ramp up our efforts to help vulnerable communities impacted by our changing climate. http://act.oxfamamerica.org//campaign/LW

Walking for Climate Justice

On Sunday, April 20th the Oxfam Action Corps made a splash with their first walk for climate justice. Carrying signs and buckets, they paraded through the Earthday festival at Valley Junction bringing awareness of the connections between poverty and climate change. The walk served as a visual representation of the increasing distances that women and children in many countries must travel for water- a trek made longer by erratic climate.

Stephen, Action Corps Co-leader and organizer of the march, was quoted in the Des Moines Register saying: "When people think of climate change, they think of polar bears, but we need to think of people too." Another walker said: "Every time someone sees a message, even for just a minute, it's one more time they think about it". Read the article to see what else was said.

Coffee, Climate, and Conversation

On Thursday, the Iowa Oxfam Action Corps had its first meeting of the new season in Des Moines. Stephen, an action corps coleader, was joined by three highly enthusiastic women at Caribou Coffee for an informal get-together. They talked about the challenges of starting a movement and about how to reach out to more people and other organizations on the issue of climate justice. Want to know what was talked about? Join them on the third Thursday of May for their next meeting. The small and mighty Action Corps wants YOU to show up at Caribou Coffee (3220 Ingersoll Avenue, Des Moines 50312) on May 15!