On-going, Any time

“I am only one, but still I am one.

I cannot do everything, but still I can do something.

I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”

—Helen Keller

 

Many activities are on-going, hopefully not eternal, but with no definite ending date–like, for instance, the Dakota pipeline protests. Other activities are simply things that can be started any time–like recycling. Instead of repeating these for every month on the calendar, here’s a special page for them.

 

ACTIVITIES (like planting, for instance–things you can do on a personal, local level)

 

Recycle (Start Any time)

If you don’t already recycle, please, start now.

 

Buy “green” products whenever possible (Start Any time)

Click on “Resources” on the menu to find a list of sources and brief comments. Check back frequently–I add more resources as I find them and have time. If you know of any you would like to see added to the list, please send the information to me via the Contact Me page. Thank you.

 

Start composting, if you don’t already     (Start Any time)

Check out this post for a whole list of reasons you should compost. and  loads of information about how to do it so you can get started right away. 

Follow Color Us Empowered on Facebook where I share the best articles, videos, and other information about all aspects of gardening (among other things) that I can find.

 

Run for public office   

On any level–local, state, federal. Don’t underestimate the importance of local offices like Board of Education and City Council. The Republicans haven’t; that’s how they’ve taken over everything, including access to voting. If you’re interested, but don’t know how to get started, check out Brand New Congress listed in the organizations below. They’re recruiting people to run for office at all levels, and are committed to backing them. And they know how to do it.

 

 

EVENTS/ORGANIZATIONS (marches, protests, appearances/speeches, seminars, etc, and organizations working for justice, the environment, our rights.)

 

Brennan Center for Justice (at New York University School of Law)

  • Purpose/Mission/Goal:   Working on voting rights, they’re promoting a Voting Referendum Agenda, to modernize the system and assure fairness. 
  • For more information:  Brennan Center for Justice

 

THE DAKOTA PIPELINE PROTESTS 

UPDATE July 14, 2020:

On July 6, 2020, a federal judge ordered the pipeline to be shut down.  (articles: Judge Orders Dakota Access Pipeline to Shut Down  ; Dakota Access Pipeline: Judge suspends use of key oil link ) 

Energy Transfer, claiming the judge exceeded authority, refused to shut the pipeline down. (article: Energy Transfer refuses to shut Dakota Access pipeline  )

Today, July 14, North Dakota’s Solicitor General filed paperwork urging an appeals court to block the shut down order.  (article:  North Dakota urges court to halt Dakota Access Pipeline shut down  )

 

UPDATE Nov 22, 2017: 

The fight against the Keystone Pipeline is asking for volunteers to join the battle. They need everyone’s help. Here’s a brief excerpt from :

“we need everyone’s help to do something hard: sign up today to commit to creative peaceful resistance along the pipeline route when called upon by frontline leaders, likely next spring. When the time to resist comes, you’ll get an invite from leaders along the route–in particular the leaders from the Dakotas. If you can’t come to the upper Midwest to help, we still need you, and there will be other ways to engage from where you live.”

Get more information about the pipeline battle here:   Call to Action    

 

ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) (On-Going)

  • Purpose/Mission/Goal: “The ACLU dares to create a more perfect union — beyond one person, party, or side. Our mission is to realize this promise of the United States Constitution for all and expand the reach of its guarantees.”
    Currently, they’re working on a number of issues. Find out more at their website. 
  • Needs: Donations of time and money
  • Additional Information:

 

EARTHWATCH EXPEDITIONS (Any time)

Want to get more deeply involved, actually DO adventurous and exciting things, participate more fully, be an activist in the field–but you can’t make it a lifestyle? Earthwatch Expeditions will give you a whole different way to answer the questions, “What did you do on your vacation?” or “How was your weekend?” (Yes, I actually saw a weekend expedition.) As you can see in their mission statement, their expeditions are focused on creating a sustainable environment, although I noticed at least one to an archeaological dig! Interesting stuff here, so if you’re up for an adventure of limited duration, check it out.

UPDATE June 23, 2020: Due to the covid epidemic, Earthwatch has issued the following notice: “In March of this year, we began cancelling our volunteer teams on a rolling basis. As of today, we have cancelled all teams fielding through the month of August, and will be making decisions about our September teams in mid- to late-July.” 

  • Where: Around the world
  • Purpose/Mission/Goal: They state their mission to be: “To engage people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment….We bring individuals from all walks of life together with world-class scientists to work for the good of the planet.”
  • Additional Information:

 

BRAND NEW CONGRESS (On-Going)

  • Where: All around the United States
  • Purpose/Mission/Goal:  “To elect regular working people to Congress who put people before party to make government more accountable and responsive to the needs of all Americans.”
  • Additional Information:

 

ARBOR DAY

  • Arbor Day Dates — Arbor Day is observed on different dates from state to state. Find out when your state observes it by clicking here.