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The LEAP Summit

Collective | Collaborative | Accountable

...But the ultimate kind of leap we’re after, today and in the weeks, months and quickly unfolding years ahead, may be more like David Allan Evans’ pole vaulter. A practiced leaping, well-tested of poles, steps and markers. And strategies. We’d like to be sure, no matter how many times we’ve failed, that this time we’re ready to clear the bar. Yes, there is that eventual and necessary letting go of control, knowing there’s a pad below, that others are there to pick up the path, if we only reach so high. Just this: we’re after a leap commensurate to the task at hand. Risky, bold, stretching us to our limits. Asking of us more than we’ve ever been ready—or able—to give before. Knowing in many ways, as Naomi Klein and others have made clear, we have no other choice.

— Terry Hermsen (for the whole ROAR team)

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What Would Be Enough?

Some Further Layering of the Climate Crisis That Affect Any Concerted Action

Premises:


That the earth is facing a climate emergency more threatening than we’d imagined even five years ago. That this crisis is more deeply rooted than in the scientific realities alone, but is deeply affected by political and cultural patterns as well. Any “way out” will need to address all three of those complications. Increased energy efficiency, expanding renewables, better composting, lower car emissions, etc., important as they are, may not result in the kind of cultural and political transformation required.

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THE 15 DEMANDS: THE LEAP MANIFESTO

From the creators of THE LEAP MANIFESTO (Canada)

  1. The leap must begin by respecting the inherent rights and title of the original caretakers of this land, starting by fully implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

  2. The latest research shows we could get 100% of our electricity from renewable resources within two decades; by 2050 we could have a 100% clean economy. We demand that this shift begin now.

  3. No new infrastructure projects that lock us into increased extraction decades into the future. The new iron law of energy development must be: if you wouldn’t want it in your backyard, then it doesn’t belong in anyone’s backyard.

  4. The time for energy democracy has come: wherever possible, communities should collectively control new clean energy systems. Indigenous Peoples and others on the frontlines of polluting industrial activity should be first to receive public support for their own clean energy projects.

  5. We want a universal program to build and retrofit energy efficient housing, ensuring that the lowest income communities will benefit first.

  6. We want high-speed rail powered by just renewables and affordable public transit to unite every community in this country – in place of more cars, pipelines and exploding trains that endanger and divide us.

  7. We want training and resources for workers in carbon-intensive jobs, ensuring they are fully able to participate in the clean energy economy.

  8. We need to invest in our decaying public infrastructure so that it can withstand increasingly frequent extreme weather events.

  9. We must develop a more localized and ecologically-based agricultural system to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, absorb shocks in the global supply – and produce healthier and more affordable food for everyone.

  10. We call for an end to all trade deals that interfere with our attempts to rebuild local economies, regulate corporations and stop damaging extractive projects.

  11. We demand immigration status and full protection for all workers. Canadians can begin to rebalance the scales of climate justice by welcoming refugees and migrants seeking safety and a better life.

  12. We must expand those sectors that are already low-carbon: caregiving, teaching, social work, the arts and publicinterest media. A national childcare program is long past due.

  13. Since so much of the labour of caretaking – whether of people or the planet – is currently unpaid and often performed by women, we call for a vigorous debate about the introduction of a universal basic annual income.

  14. We declare that “austerity” is a fossilized form of thinking that has become a threat to life on earth. The money we need to pay for this great transformation is available — we just need the right policies to release it. An end to fossil fuel subsidies. Financial transaction taxes. Increased resource royalties. Higher income taxes on corporations and wealthy people. A progressive carbon tax. Cuts to military spending.

  15. We must work swiftly towards a system in which every vote counts and corporate money is removed from political campaigns.

The Stratford Ecological Center

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Who We Are

 

The Stratford Ecological Center is a non-profit educational organic farm and nature preserve on 236 acres in Delaware County, Ohio. Visitors are welcome to explore the land, hike the 4 miles of nature trails, visit the livestock, tour the gardens and greenhouses or explore the creek, pond, prairie, swamps or State Nature Preserve. Farm products are available for sale seasonally, based on availability. Stratford offers workshops and classes for children and adults, annual festivals, farm tours, school tours, farm camp and family programs.

What We Do

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Provides hands-on experiential education for individuals to learn ecological concepts, understand human ecology and gain a reverence for the diversity, complexity and beauty of the natural world. Manages a diversified working “family farm,” which demonstrates the lifestyle, techniques and principles of sustainable agriculture, horticulture and forestry as well as promotes agroecological research. Strives to preserve the natural ecosystems of existing
woods, stream sides, meadows and swamps located on its 236-acre property.

Stratford Ecological Center •
3083 Liberty Road • Delaware, Ohio • 43015

740-363-2548 • info@stratfordecologicalcenter.org

Visit our website at www.stratfordecologicalcenter.org

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Stratford is open to public: Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm
Closed: Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays

CLIMATE ACTION VETTING GUIDELINES

ROAR is aiming to support Projects of Significance that are real, additional, permanent, verifiable and enforceable. The projects that ROAR intends to vet will help fulfill or realize ROAR’s Vision: “ROAR envisions a decarbonized Upper-Scioto Watershed that is ecologically, economically, socially and bio-regionally just and healthy” as well as mission (execution):

 

  • “ROAR fosters collaboration between organizations, agencies and individuals, catalyzes action through existing and new programming, develops innovative funding mechanisms and reports using transparent measurement systems.”

  • To measure IMPACT, we want to develop vetting guidelines that are able to measure (some quantitative, some

  • qualitative) whether we fulfill our vision and mission. In other words, is/does this project:

    • have a climate impact, if possible a quantitative (carbon, GHG) and qualitative?

    • ecologically just (not only in the sense of what the project accomplishes, but also how it addresses issues of justice that the project intersects)

    • improve human and ecological health (qualitative & quantitative)

    • economically just (qualitative and quantitative):​

    • socially just (qualitative)

    • collaborative (qualitative)

 

To create a framework for SUCCESS, the following guidelines are to be taken into consideration (and further developed):

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© 2023 Terry Hermsen

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