Measuring our CO2 emissions

Why aren't we measuring our emissions?  My wife and I recently purchased a used Toyota Prius.  It has a fuel gage that provides instantaneous readings of gas usage, along with a running average of miles per gallon (m.p.g.). It was amazing to see that even in the winter months, with a conservative driving technique, we averaged 42 m.p.g. on our first tank of gas.

This fuel gage has me thinking of emissions, which never get measured.  What if we could each see our CO2 emissions when we're driving, or even at home when our furnace or hot water heater is running? A business friend of mine once commented that we only improve upon those things which we measure. If we're really serious about reducing emissions we should be keenly aware of what we are emitting, and be taxed accordingly, based on our output.

On a personal note, since hearing about the value of measuring progress I've made it a point to annually measure my IQ and height.  Alas, as you might surmise, no improvements.

Poverty on the rise

A disturbing headline in a recent StarTribune, "State poverty hits 10.8%, incomes slide." Additionally, one in four Minnesotans were considered "near poor", with incomes below 200 percent of the poverty line.  The federal poverty threshed is $11,344 for a single person, or $22,113 for a family of four.

There is a coalition of people that has formed Minnesota without Poverty. This group of adovactes is working to stem this disturbing tide.  They currently have a "2020 Enough for All Campaign" which will be hosting events October 22nd and 23rd.  To find out more visit their "Enough for All" Facebook site.

Faith community's role in helping others in times of need

Gary Reierson

I attended the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches' (GMCC) annual meeting earlier in the week.  Gary Reierson, the CEO and President reflected on the fact that they are working to do more with less.  Resources have diminished while the need for services has increased, with greater numbers of people of finding themselves unemployed, homeless and or hungry.  GMCC has a number of programs which engage people of faith to meet human needs.

GMCC's 2010 Annual Report

With the public's inability or opposition to raising taxes to provide a safety net to the vulnerable among us, it seems that the faith community is going to be looked upon to do more to respond to human needs.  One current example of this is the flooding taking place in Memphis, Tennessee.  I've heard that the faith community has taken the lead in sheltering and housing those impacted by the flood.  The American Red Cross, typically the first responder for situations such as this, has welcomed their intervention.

Looking at the role of the church in the future it may be wise to consider redefining its primary function from being a space for worship, to one for feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, nurturing infants and toddlers and providing counseling to people in their times of need.  Who knows, with the continued rise in health care costs, churches might even find themselves needing to serve as clinics for those under/uninsured.

A Minnesota Without Poverty, has a skit "Budget holes and hotdish", which speaks to the folly of trying to plug the serious financial needs of the state with church funding.

Too much STUFF

Bird nest

I enjoyed a lively discussion about poverty at church on Sunday.  Among other things we discussed was what we have too much of, and what might we lack.  The hands down winner of what we have too much of was "stuff".  There appeared to be unanimity that we all had too many things.  Perhaps part of the problem is that our homes are twice as large as they were in 1950, despite having smaller families.  Quoting my favorite philosopher, Ziggy, "Some of the best things in life aren't things."

There was an interesting observation regarding what we lack in our lives... courage.

Perhaps what attracts me to the beauty of a bird nests is their simplicity and lack of clutter.  The nest pictured above was discovered while trimming a red twigged dogwood in our front yard.

Poverty in Minnesota

I'm preparing to make presentations the next couple of Sundays at my church.  The first will be about poverty within the state of Minnesota, and a examination of what we might do to ensure that there is enough for all.  The following Sunday will be about environmental stewardship, utilizing some of the ideas I gleaned from the "Awaking the Dreamer, Changing the Dream". 
In preparing for this coming Sunday's presentation I discovered the following information from A Minnesota Without Poverty website. 

•    There were over 2 million visits to MN food shelves in 2008
•    The 2009 Federal Poverty Guideline for a family of four is $22,050
•     491,000 individuals are experiencing poverty in Minnesota.(2008 US Census bureau)
•     Poverty rate among African Americans in Minnesota is the 3rd highest in the nation
•     15% of the children 18 and under are experiencing poverty in Minnesota.
•     Each night approximately 9,000 individuals are homeless in Minnesota
•    Minnesota minimum wage is $5.25 an hour and a standard one bedroom apartment is $700 a     month
•  45% of homeless women reported they stayed in an abusive relationship because they had nowhere else to live
•      1 in 4 women over 16 years of age is experiencing poverty in Minnesota

The state and federal governments are now working to establish budgets. It is important to voice concern about the potential slashing of support to the most vulnerable in our society.  Low income folks don't have anywhere near the resources or influence our multinational corporations and defense industry have to influence legislation.  They don't make large contributions to support candidates, who have becoming increasingly dependent upon vast amounts of fund raising to win campaigns.  
It is frightening to think that the current president might be raising one billion dollars for his next presidential campaign. It is implausible that the  amount of money involved with American politics doesn't significantly influence future legislation.

2020 ENOUGH FOR ALL



Mexico Lindo, Mexican Folkloric Dance Group



Governor-Elect Mark Dayton

Can you imagine Minnesota without poverty by the year 2020?  That is just what a statewide movement, A Minnesota without Poverty, is working to create. The kickoff for an "Enough for All" campaign was held December 9th at the the University of Minnesota's McNamera Center. Five additional Minnesota locations also participated, being linked by satellite, including Duluth, Hibbing, Willmar, Rochester and Fergus Falls.

For Minnesota to reduce its poverty rates some significant trends are needing reversing.  With the current tax and economic situation 40% of the jobs created in Minnesota can not support a family.   Also consider in Minnesota:

• One in four women over the age 16 is experiencing poverty
• The poverty rate grew by 4% between 1999 and 2009, the fourth highest rate in nation

Tragically, over 20% of the children in our wealthy nation are living in poverty.  A single female-headed household with children living under the age of five is 12 times more likely to be experiencing poverty.

Art work by Grace Lutheran Church confirmation class

So, what to do?  The following Legislative recommendations were made:

• Restore work as a way out of poverty
• Refocus public assistance to streamline services and support everyone's capacity and potential
• Help Minnesotans build and maintain financial assets
• Revitalize our communities though infrastructure and person-to-person support
• Modernize our system of education  to build the best workforce in the nation
• Develop an ongoing structure to monitor Minnesota's effort to end poverty

The executive director of A Minnesota Without Poverty, Nancy Maeker, recommended the Minnesota legislative bodies use "bifocals" in their approach to budgeting; looking both at the short-term immediate needs, but also the long-term solutions.  She encouraged a measurement of success by a reduction in the number of people in poverty by 2012 and the number of new jobs that can support families.  She encouraged all to write their legislators on this issue.

Gary Cunningham, NW Area Foundation

Governor elect Mark Dayton presented and also stuck around to listen.  He's facing a daunting 6.2 billion dollar deficit, which is 19% of what the state is expected to spend.  So while he's recommending initiatives to provide early childhood education, optional full day kindergarten, and jobs with living wages.  It is a very difficult time to add expenses to the budget. Related to taxes, he noted that during governor Rudy Perpich's administration the top tax rate was 17.6%, more than two times what it is today. 

Gary Cunningham, Vice President of Programs with the Northwest Area Foundation, provided a glimmer of hope, noting that "in the darkest days we can see the light."  He also presented a matching challenge of $50,000 from the Northwest Area Foundation to help support A Minnesota without Poverty. 

Nancy Maeker

John Hottinger noted that during the last economic recovery the poverty rate actually went up.  The gap between the haves and those without is growing.  A Minnesota Without Poverty is working to reverse this trend.  Following is contact information:

Nancy Maeker, Executive Director
nancymaeker@mnwiithoutpoverty.org
PH: 612-310-9560

Facebook:  "A Minnesota Without Poverty"

Half in Ten is also working to reduce the United State's level of poverty in half, within the next ten years.