Save the date Oct 24th for INTERNATIONAL DAY OF CLIMATE ACTION leading up to Copenhagen!

Rajendra Pachauri is the U.N.'s top climate scientist. He leads the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which every five years produces the authoritative assessment of climate science. Their last report, in 2007, helped set the target of 450 ppm (parts per million of CO2) that many environmental groups and national governments have adopted as their goal for Copenhagen.

As you all know, that number is out of date. When Jim Hansen and other scientists looked at phenomenon like the Arctic ice melt of the last two summers, they produced new data demonstrating that 350 is the bottom line for the planet.

But it's been hard to get that news out to the powers that be. So today it comes as enormous and welcome news that Dr. Pachauri, from his New Delhi office, said that 350 was the number.

"As chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) I cannot take a position because we do not make recommendations," said Rajendra Pachauri when asked if he supported calls to keep atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations below 350 parts per million (ppm).

"But as a human being I am fully supportive of that goal. What is happening, and what is likely to happen, convinces me that the world must be really ambitious and very determined at moving toward a 350 target," he told Agence France Presse in an interview."

This news makes it much easier for all of us to push hard leading up to the International Day of Climate Action on the 24th of October, and the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen this December. Chicago Oxfam Action Corps is planning an event for 350, more info to come... Let us know your ideas or that you'll be there! chicago@oxfamactioncorps.org SAVE THE DATE! :)

Ice Cream Social Tomorrow (08/26)!!

Come to the ice cream social at the hostel downtown tomorrow, look for us to turn in signed Durbin postcards and stay for the international festival! Free open house-- 24 E Congress Pkwy @ 4-7pm!!

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Letter/petition to Senator Durbin

Thank you so much for all your hard work! The next few weeks are even more crucial to our campaign for comprehensive climate change legislation; we have to get Congress to include aid for people in developing countries to adapt to climate change! The poorest people, especially those in impoverished countries, have the least capacity to cope with increasingly devastating impacts of climate change, including extreme weather events, sea-level rise, drought, disruption of water and food supplies, and impacts on health. Climate change is quickly becoming a major driver of poverty around the world, while it undermines global stability and security, economic development and gender equity on a wide scale. The ACES bill is now approaching vote in the Senate. Chicago Oxfam Action Corps is committed to making sure that international adaptation is funded adequately in upcoming legislation, and that clean energy technology is transferred to developing countries as well.

Our country needs legislation to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the United States that are contributing to these impacts on impoverished countries. Yet even with substantial emissions cuts, we also need to put in place substantial assistance for poor countries to adapt to the widespread and serious consequences of climate change.

As we prepare to visit Senator Durbin during August recess, we want to present him with as many signed letters of support as possible! Lets make sure Senator Durbin knows his constituents need him to support adequate funding of international adaptation within climate change legislation. We expect a vote on ACES in the Senate in September. With the current version passed by the House only calling for 1% of the permits auctioned to go towards adaptation, we know we can get the Senate to increase that number!
Lets get as many signatures as possible to help the worlds poorest adapt to climate change!
Be sure to sign below and pass it on to everyone you can! :)



**Oxfam Action Corps is also circulating a special sign-on letter for faith leaders and grassroots organization leaders... if you know someone we should ask to sign our letter to Senator Durbin please let us know!**

Activists Meet-up and Summer Potluck!

So far, this has been a great summer! And now, with the victory of ACES passing in the House, we invite you to celebrate at the next Activists Meet-up with a summer potluck! This Thursday, July 23rd from 6-9pm in the backyard of 2047 W.19th Street come meet with us to discuss Oxfam's Senate strategy, chat with other volunteers, sign-up for future events, learn more about the Action Corps, work on our Sisters on the Planet collective art project, bring your favorite snack to share and enjoy each others company! Some food and drinks will be provided, feel free to bring stuff as well! RSVP at chicago@oxfamactioncorps.org and feel free to bring friends/family! This is our time to thank you for all your hard work with the Chicago Oxfam Action Corps so far!

We have some upcoming volunteer opportunities... let us know if you are interested in hosting a Sisters on the Planet screening or working at a Chicago summer festival; such as the Randolph St. Market Festival 7/25-26, where we will be collecting signatures and raising awareness about ACES and the human face of climate change. Looking forward to more fun with all of you, and continuing to fight for international adaptation and environmental justice!