by Mark Thieroff

Yes, the climate-related news out of Washington is discouraging. Beyond the headlines, however, there's some progress: the growth of the House's bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus, founded last year to explore policy options to address climate change. One such option: a carbon fee and dividend program that would use economic incentives to reduce emissions. Now with 58 members, the caucus has an unusual rule: it maintains an equal number of Democrats and Republicans. Any potential member must either find a member of the other party to do so as well, or else sign up and wait until a counterpart steps forward to join. 

	The overflow crowd at last winter's Town Hall on Climate

At a town hall forum on climate last February, Betty McCollum was asked about the Climate Solutions Caucus, and she told the packed room she was ready to join. But later she added a condition: a Minnesota Republican had to join with her. Since the Republicans in question - Erik Paulsen, Tom Emmer, and Jason Lewis - all doubt or deny that human activities contribute to climate change, it looked like Betty wouldn't be joining anytime soon. Betty's condition was surprising given that there is no "same-state" requirement. Rick Nolan - the only Minnesotan so far - recently joined with an Ohioan.  

Fortunately, Betty recently dropped her condition, and she is now on the Caucus waiting list. Let's hope she's actively seeking a Republican to join with her.

All of us in Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District can let Betty know that this is a priority for us. The evolution in her position to date was likely a result of hearing from constituents. So now is the time to contact Betty, thank her for her efforts, and urge her to approach potential Republicans. We need her to show leadership beyond simply waiting on the list for others to step up.

by Pat Thompson 

Imagine you're without access to a car as a St. Anthony Park resident. Or maybe you already live here without one. How walkable is the neighborhood, south to north? What can you reach on foot? What's too far, or not safely accessible?  

A few weeks ago, National Walk Summit visitors took a half-day stroll in "the Park" from the Green Line to the public library, hosted by our Community Council. Along the way, they found improvements on Raymond and Como and heard how neighbors helped shape them. But they also saw areas with access problems, some temporary (construction), others more permanent (streets lacking sidewalks; sidewalks lacking curb cuts).  

What do you like about our neighborhood's walkability? What needs work? Give input to the Council's 10-year plan, which includes the transportation topic, by  emailing us. We'll forward your comments.

	Ober's Mallard Island home

by Mike Blandford

Mallard Island is a "thin place," a place where the separation between the physical and the spiritual shrinks. On Rainy Lake just shy of the Canadian border, this rocky island was, for fifty years, the home of Ernest Oberholtzer. From here, "Ober" led the fight against a timber tycoon's plan to dam the Rainy Lake Watershed and hydro-power his vast lumber and paper mills. In 1930, Ober managed the passage of the Shipstead-Nolan Act, which prohibited logging and altering lake levels on federal lands in the area. Similar legislation in Minnesota and Ontario helped preserve the pristine beauty of the Quetico-Superior Boundary Waters.

Thus, Mallard Island seemed an idyllic spot for a group of nine to meet for five days in August, discussing how to build community engagement with climate change. Hosted by Barb Draper, a grandmother, poet, and citizen "trying to leave our earth in as good a shape as it was handed to me," we used three books for background:

What were some recurring themes? Clearly, bludgeoning people with still more facts is not effective. Taking a page from Ober's approach, we know that most people are in favor of clean air and water, and environment can be a bridge to climate conversations. Active hope is "planting seeds in a garden you never get to see," to quote Lin Manuel Miranda. Again and again, we spoke of the need to show up: Attend hearings and town halls. Join protests and demonstrations. If that's not your cup of tea, you can contact elected officials: local, state, and federal. If the only people at Selma had been Martin Luther King Jr,, Joan Baez, and Ralph Abernathy, not much would have happened  there. Each of us has to show up however we can.

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Logo by Pat Thompson. Transition "t" and Bee by Regula Russelle.