April 7, 2009
Dear ,Friend,
It's that time of year again: Earth Month! I know everyone is trying to figure out what to do for their Earth Day plans. The Sierra Club Rhode Island Chapter is planning to participate in the annual Earth Day Lobby Day at the Rhode Island State House on Tuesday, April 21st at 3:00 pm. This is a great opportunity for everyday folks to meet their state legislators and tell them to support new laws that protect our environment, create green jobs, and rduce our dependence on oil.
That reminds me: One of the best ways to get our message of energy independence and climate protection across to a very large audience is to write a letter to the editor. That's this week's action to take. Will you write a letter to the editor of your paper for Earth Day? Read more below:
1) NEEDED: Your Letters to the Editor |
When you write a letter to the editor, thousands of people read it, including you local decision-makers. In fact, the editorial pages of the newspaper are the most widely-read pages of the newspaper. People like to digest their news with other people's opinions. This is sort of like a media megaphone.
Let's get transit in the editorial dialogue again. The more our legislators see letters by their constituents demanding cleaner air, transportation choices and a green economy, the more likely they are to pass the kinds of laws we need to move our state forward with mass transit in the new energy economy. Write a letter to the editor today!>>> |
2) VIDEO: Bus Rapid Transit and Bicycles Share Routes |
I sent this to you last week. It is a really neat video that our Chapter Transportation Chair found about how the city of Los Angeles creatively incorporated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) into its overall transportation plan. I really like the creative way the got the bicycle trail and the BRT using the same space. It makes me think about the potentials along East Bay. The reason I'm posting it again is because if you did not get a chance to check it out last week, it could really inform your letter to the editor this week. Check it out>>> |
3) What are Cool CATs? |
Cool CATs are the Sierra Club's Cool Cities Community Action Teams. Cool Cities or Cool Communities are those local governments that sign on to the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Sierra Club Community Action Teams are teams of volunteer activists who work together to build environmental communities by hosting house parties, going door to door with our message, or participating in phone banks.
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Thank you for signing up for Cool CATs Weekly. Sierra Club volunteers are working in Newport, North Kingstown and Barrington to make one of those communities the next Cool City or Town. Feel free to contact us if you would like to make your city Cool.
Sincerely,
Chris Wilhite Sierra Club Rhode Island Chapter |
The editorial pages of the newspaper are often the most widely-read pages of the paper, giving it a huge public audience. Decision-makers often read letters to the editor to get a sense of their constituencies' concerns.
You can help spread the Sierra Club's message of green transportation for the 21st Century by writing a letter to the editor.
10 Minutes for Change Every Wednesday 6:00 - 8:00 pm Sierra Club Chapter Office 17 Gordon Ave. Providence 02905
Earth Day Lobby Day Tuesday, April 21 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm Rhode Island State House Smith Street Providence 02903
Sierra Club RI Chapter Meeting Tuesday, May 5 6:30 - 8:30 pm Sierra Club Chapter Office 17 Gordon Ave. 2nd Floor Providence
Spring for Transportation Choices Thursday, May 14 Firehouse 13 Time: TBD 41 Central Street Providence, 02907 RSVP |