Here is an easy way to support bold, sound, and just climate legislation in the Washington state during this year’s session (Jan 13-April 27).
Join the 350 WA Civic Action Team (CAT) who will send you two easy-access emails per week tailored with options for how much time you have (from 5 to 20 minutes per week). The bi-weekly email lists the climate bills with top priority for the week. After the brief explanation of the bill, click on a link to register your Pro or Con position on a bill. You may add a comment, but it is not required.
350WA says: “We recognize that folks don’t always have time to get all the way through our actions, and that is okay! Every little bit helps. We just ask that you get through as many sections as you can and then scroll to the bottom and click the orange “Done” button to submit. This way we can keep an accurate tally of how many actions the CAT campaign takes this session.
Earth and Climate Action Ministry (ECAM) had a banner year. We grew from 6 very active members to 10!! Current members of the Steering Committee are Ann Fletcher, John Chmaj, Mark Norelius, Linda Brown, Marilyn Mayers, Jenny Hall, Richard Gelb, Ron Lovell, and Patricia Paddison.
Starting in 2025 Jenny Hall will be the Contact Person for ECAM.
Following the Climate Justice Revival in September, we created an email list called East Shore Climate Community from attendees who indicated they wanted to be notified of activities and topics of interest regarding environmental issues. Email Jenny Hall if you would like to be added to the email list.
There were three post carding campaigns this year and East Shore family and friends were busy.
I-2117 to Repeal the Climate Commitment Act
The Earth and Climate Action Ministry Team (ECAM) is grateful to the Church members who volunteered to prepare 500 post cards for the NO on I 2117 campaign.
We also held a public witness event on Sunday, October 27. You can check out the video online! Thank you to the Board of Trustees for supporting this important public witness.
Environmental Voter Project
The Environmental Voter Project (EVP) uses postcard messaging to increase the number of voters in critical districts who value the environment. Ron Lovell from ECAM reports 1,000 were sent.
Reclaim Our Vote
Reclaim our Vote is a grassroot campaign that focuses on increasing BIPOC voter turnout through post-carding, texting, and phone banking. Dave Edfeldt reports that East Shore community and friends have amazingly written 15,893!
Some simple stats from Dave:
Number of people who contacted me for addresses: 102
States we wrote to: AL, GA, FL, NC, TX, VA
Number of unique counties: 13
Total number of addresses: 15,893 (not including the local campaigns that some of you wrote to.)
by Kristi Weir, Earth & Climate Action Ministry Team
The Earth and Climate Action Ministry (ECAM), in conjunction with the UUA, hosted a Climate Justice Revival event on Sunday, September 29. The UUA offered materials for this event to all churches, and more than 300 churches participated over the weekend. East Shore offered a Climate Justice church service and after-church Climate Advocacy session.
The church service focused on the principles of Climate Justice and Washington’s Climate Commitment Act, which is under threat of repeal by state initiative 2117. The Climate Commitments Act is state law which provides funds to municipalities to help them implement local climate action plans and projects to help a just transition to clean energy. At least 35% of funds are for overburdened communities including tribes that are in need. John Chmaj, Ann Fletcher, and Mark Norelius were speakers. Jenny Hall selected and read the Time for All Ages story.
The after-church Advocacy Session was organized by Mark Norelius. Milly Mullarky and Karin Elofson from Right Relations also helped facilitate the discussion. More than 30 members shared their concerns and ideas about what’s most important to consider in healing the Earth. Rev. María Cristina collaborated with us on the service and participated in the Advocacy Hour. Amanda Uluhan and LeAnne Struble provided programming for kids during the Advocacy Hour.
ECAM has gathered that feedback and will be using it to help facilitate ESUC Climate Community events, where we can work together to engage in positive action.
In a recent hands-on workshop, children participated in the Climate Justice Revival through a unique TrashLab Art Project. The project blended creativity with environmental stewardship, encouraging participants to reflect on our role in caring for the Earth.
The workshop began with an outdoor exploration around the East Shore campus, where kids collected natural items and litter, learning about the importance of protecting the planet and its beauty. They safely sought out a variety of colors, textures, and shapes. Back in the classroom, the children transformed their findings into a collaborative canvas to represent both the natural environment and human impact. By turning trash into art, they discovered how small actions can lead to positive change, fostering a sense of responsibility and deeper connection to the Earth.
The canvas is now hanging in the upstairs of the Education building. Come check it out and take a look.
by Amanda Alice Uluhan, Director of Religious Education
ECAM has 500 postcards waiting to be written for NO on I 2117. The backers of I 2117 want to repeal Washington State’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA) and forever ban any future price on carbon. The revenues raised through the CCA are important to improve our environment, to reduce pollution, and to fund projects for marginalized communities severely impacted by climate change. We need to defeat I 2117.
Pick up packets of 25 post cards in foyer on Sundays from Kristi Weir or to learn more about the NO on I 2117 campaign. Kristi will also have a post card writing party on Sept 19, 10-noon, at her house. Email her for her address.
Send Postcards
The Earth & Climate Action Ministry Team (ECAM) supports the work of Get out the Vote: The Environmental Voter Project (EVP). This project increases the number of voters who value the environment using postcard messaging.
Ron Lovell from ECAM is supporting this effort and has packets of 10 postcards for you to write and address. Pick a packet in the foyer on Sundays.