#noKXL – for real!

The U.S. State Department has ordered an environmental assessment for a new Keystone XL pipeline route, allowing U.S. President Barack Obama to shelve the controversial issue until after the 2012 elections. More….

As Tarsands Action says: We won. You won. Sending the pipeline back for re-review, adding climate change to the list of criteria to assess, and making sure the environmental assessment will be truly independent – all these will, in effect, kill the pipeline. (And if it doesn’t, we’ll come back and fight it again – www.tarsandsaction.org/pledge.)

For those concerned about people not having jobs as a result, I say: let’s put money into creating jobs that don’t continue to destroy the planet, let’s build our local economies and support each other, and let’s continue to think about what we can do now to create a better future for everyone. Blessed Be!

Protesting, Virtual-Style

Tar Sands Action is returning to the White House on Sunday (November 6) to ask President Obama to reject the Keystone XL Pipeline. While they encourage people to join them in person, those of us who can’t can still help: Be a Link in the Virtual Chain.

You can also make your own protest sign online. Here’s mine:

(And for all you “ethical oil” types, I have bad news: Keystone XL will not Reduce Oil Imports from the Middle East.)

Pipeline Days of Action – Day One

Today is the first day of actions against the Keystone XL Pipeline (which would transport oil from Alberta to Texas). It’s expected that 1,500-2,000 will gather at the White House over the next weeks (August 20 – September 3); they’re asking that President Obama refuse to approve the deal. (Read more about what they’re asking for at 24 Hours From Jail by Bill McKibbon.)

Yes, it’s a long shot. (I can’t believe I’m still protesting this stuff.) Yes, it impacts me. (I live, work and breathe in Alberta.) Yes, we need to develop better alternatives to oil and be willing to use them. (Not all of us want to be martyrs for the cause.) es, I think that standing up and saying “not in my name” is one of the most empowering things a person can do. (How else does change happen?)

There’s a lot of great information about the pipeline and its impact – try Yes! Magazine’s continuing coverage, for example, or this article from TruthOut – and pictures from the protests are being posted at the flickr stream. Also, you can vote in today’s CBC’s poll – Are you in favour of the oilsands pipeline?.