September Newsletter

SEPTEMBER 24: CLIMATE CHANGE - Heading for Extinction (and what to do about it) - An Extinction Rebellion video and discussion. Ho-Chunk Three Rivers House, 724 Main Street, La Crosse

Our planet is in a state of crisis. Species are going extinct at an incredible rate. The Arctic is melting faster and the permafrost is thawing sooner than scientists predicted. Weather patterns are changing, bringing more violent storms, more floods, wildfires, tornadoes, and droughts, which all threaten our ability to grow food. Many cities, like LA and New York, along wth countries like Scotland, Ireland, Britain, and Switzerland, have declared a climate emergency. It is critical that we act now.

Many groups, old and new, are pushing for immediate drastic action. One of the newest is Extinction Rebellion (XR) in the UK. They use nonviolent direct action to demand that the UK take action. In April 2019, XR hosted a forum in Oxford, facilitated by environmental and business journalist George Monbiot. We will watch an edited version of that program, which includes information and perspectives from adults and students, and then discuss what our Sierra Club and we as individuals, citizens, and environmentalists can do. You need not be a Sierra Club member to attend this event. Please attend, bring a friend, and share the event link: tinyurl.com/CRSCXR-924,


Global Climate Strike, 9/20-9/27  Fridays for Future, La Crosse Chapter  invites every person who cares about our planet to join them and supporting organizations (including Coulee Region Sierra Club) in taking climate action on and around Friday, September 20. La Crosse area actions on September 20 will include visibility events, strikes and vigils, and an all-city demonstration, petition of government, and pledge for personal action at 5:30 p.m. in downtown La Crosse. More events are being added to the schedule. See updates at tinyurl.com/920strike-lax.

“This decade is our last chance to stop the destruction of our people and our planet,” said Vic Barrett, a plaintiff in the Juliana v. United States case, a lawsuit brought by children, teens, and young adults against the United States government for failing to protect their futures from the climate effects of fossil fuel emissions.

“Our future was sold so that a small number of people could make unimaginable amounts of money.”
- Greta Thunberg

Gov. Evers' Clean Energy Action  On August 16, Governor Evers signed Executive Order #38 to address the issue of clean energy in Wiscon-sin. The Order directs the Department of Administra-tion to create an Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy and, in partnership with other state agencies and state utilities, achieve a goal of ensuring all energy consumed within the state is 100% carbon-free by 2050. The new office will promote the development and use of clean, renewable energy; innovate sustainability solutions; and diversify the state’s energy resources.

La Crosse County Action  At its August 22 meeting, the Sustainable La Crosse Commission recommended a resolution pledging county-wide carbon zero and 100% renewable energy to the La Crosse County Board. The resolution will be revised and reviewed by the county and its committees and will, we hope, come for a vote before the end of the year. If you live in La Crosse county, please watch for updates and actions you can take at crsierra.blogspot.com. 

 Rep. Jill Billings' Plastic Bills  Rep. Jill Billings (95th District) is concerned about plastics and fossil fuels used to manufacture them. She notes that China’s 2008 ban on plastic bags saved that country millions of barrels of oil. In an August interview for our newsletter, Rep. Billings talked about two plastics bills she co-authored and is co-sponsoring in the State Assembly.

AB 177 repeals the statute that prohibits local governments from regulating certain single use containers. Plastic bag and bottled water bans are effective but not allowed by individual communities under current Wisconsin law.

AB 226 prohibits food from being served in  foam polystyrene packaging. The ban would exclude packages sealed outside the state and meat/poultry/seafood trays. And it would go into effect slowly allowing time for businesses to find substitutes.

Plastic manufacturers are planning to increase production so we must find ways to encourage plastic alternatives. Rep. Billings thinks things are slowly getting better as more people learn about and understand the issues, including pollution, harm to sea life, and fossil fuel use. 

She suggests that Sierra Club members can be effective supporters and advocates by being aware of legislators’ issues and voting records and candidates’ promises. Support those who push our environmental agenda forward. Communicate with them by emailing or visiting, and be prepared with a broad range of reasons to support our causes. “Legislators come at issues with different priorities and values. It’s smart to have a multi-prong approach when talking with legislators. Some are concerned about how laws will affect our children. Some are more concerned with economic impacts.”

Also, make sure to hold “feet to the fire.” Ask, “Will you support this bill?” If they haven’t yet decided, it’s a chance to provide information that supports your issues.

Rep. Billings says the best way to contact legislators is by email. Often, staff will respond, but that’s good because they are the ones who do the research and help legislators understand details. Personal visits to legislators’ Madison offices are also effective. Take a one-page summary about each bill and why you support it. Highlight reasons, resources ,and sources and include contact information.

Read more about AB 177 and AB 226 at the State Legislature’s web page.

Black River Canoe Camping  Twenty-two of us, including nine kids, found the Black River to be the perfect place to beat the heat over the July 13-14 weekend. The weather and water levels were perfect. We hiked up Lost Falls on Roaring Creek, swam, played, rolled canoes, slept overnight on a sandbar, shared a camp fire, roasted marshmallows, sang, and played some more. The group also paddled about 23 miles! Special thanks to Pat and Bobbie Wilson, co-leaders! The last Coulee Region area trip of the year will be a September 15 day on the Kickapoo. See tinyurl.com/jmcwatertrips. 

Environmental Education Grants  Only one  program  received an environmental education grant in January 2019. Here is a report from Teresa Lakowske, a teacher at Innovations STEM Academy in Sparta about what was accomplished. Applications for 2020 grants will be available in November.

Water Stories and Experiments Project: Students from Sparta’s Innovations STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Academy, grades six through eight, do monthly water testing throughout the school year. Students wanted to share some of their water-related topics with elementary students to introduce and engage them in some STEM learning and thinking. STEM students taught elementary students lessons in water density, the water cycle, watershed, and buoyancy. The elementary students got to experience hands-on learning and were able to ask the older students questions as they went. All the students enjoyed the experience!

Selling Our Soul  (Follow link to read)  A CRSC member brought a magazine article to our June potluck and asked if we could share it in the newsletter. We received permission to reprint from the magazine, Traditional Bowhunter, and from the author, Sterling Holbrook, who wrote, “We aren’t rolling over up here on the issue nor do we all support drilling. Thank you for keeping up the pressure on them to protect the area.” Read the article online at tradbow.com/campfire-philosopher-selling-our-soul.

Fall Highway Cleanup - Tuesday, October 1  Tuesday, October 1 is the date of our River Valley Drive highway cleanup. Meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Gillette Street pumping station. Gloves, bags, and vests provided. Many hands make light work! Join us!

Sept. 4 - CAFO Siting Hearing   The Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) will hold a public hearing September 4 on ATCP-51 CAFO/livestock siting rule updates. The rules have not been revised since 2006. The hearing will be at Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center, 3060 South Kinney Coulee Road, Onalaska, from 1 to 4 and 5 to 8 p.m. You may also comment online, by email, and by mail.
Read more about the hearing at tinyurl.com/CAFOSiting

September 4 Climate Forums  On September 4, the La Crosse Area League of Women Voters will host a live broadcast of the first program of a four-part 2019-2020 Climate Crisis Series developed by the LWV of Dane County. The La Crosse Area League is hosting a viewing in the basement auditorium of the La Crosse County Administration Building, 212 6th St. N. The free program starts at 6:30 p.m Doors open at 6:00 p.m. For details visit https://tinyurl.com/daneLWVClimate1.

Also on September 4, ten Democratic presidential candidates will participate in a CNN climate forum. A second climate forum, hosted by MSNBC, is set for September 19 and 20. Democratic National Committee leaders recently voted against holding an official  Democratic candidate climate debate. 

September 11 EV Workshop   Electric Vehicles: trends, planning considerations, and funding resources is the title of a workshop for sustainability managers, fleet managers, EV enthusiasts, and those wishing to learn more about local, state, and regional EV initiatives. On Wednesday, September 11 at the Radisson Hotel in La Crosse from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., industry experts from Argonne National Laboratory, Wisconsin Clean Cities, and RENEW Wisconsin will discuss EV trends, resources, policy issues, and more. Continental breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon EV ride and drive event are included in the $39 registration fee. Find info and registration details at tinyurl.com/EVChargingDay. 

Sept. 26 - Well Water Quality Update   Mark Borchardt, Ph.D., Research Microbiologist, USDA - Agricultural Research Service, will present results and analysis from testing done as part of the Southwest Wisconsin Geology and Groundwater Study (SWIGG) on Thursday, September 26 at 6:00 p.m. at the Platteville Public Library. The most recent test identified fecal sources from 35 private homeowners’ wells. These wells were randomly selected from those previously found during the study to be contaminated with coliform bacteria or high nitrate. The study is being conducted in Grant, Iowa, and Lafayette counties. The presentation is sponsored by Grant County Rural Stewardship and is free and open to the public. More information and details about the meeting: https://facebook.com/events/671883016619870.