Letter from the Executive Director

Arctic Oscillation Diagram

It’s hard not to notice the lack of winter across most of the country, at least in the lower 48 states. Two weeks ago a January heat wave smashed records from North Dakota to California before spreading into the Northeast. At least 1,500 daily record high temperatures were set during the period from January 2-8, including Minnesota. Real winter weather is just around the corner though, thanks to the Arctic Oscillation. The Arctic Oscillation is a pattern of atmospheric pressure that helps steer the jet stream in the Northern Hemisphere and is transitioning into a new phase. When it’s in a “positive phase” as it has been so far this winter, cold air tends to remain bottled up in the Arctic. In fact, the Arctic Oscillation has been extremely positive this winter, with the Arctic Oscillation index reaching its second-highest level on record, dating back to 1950. This is the opposite of how things were in December 2010 and January 2011, when the Arctic Oscillation was extremely negative and several major snowstorms slammed the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Scientists do not fully understand what influences the behavior of the Arctic Oscillation, but some studies show links between it and the loss of Arctic sea ice, which is due in large part to global warming, and other research suggests that solar activity can have an effect on it as well. Our friend and Minnesota weather guru Paul Douglas was on MPR’s Midmorning show recently discussing our weird weather and more. Listen here.

At a recent school visit in Proctor, Minnesota in early January, Will Steger explained the difference between weather and climate and talked about how he navigated his expedition teams without a GPS unit using wind, the sun, and weather as a guide. Students were surprised to learn how skills he learned as a young child enabled him to survive in the Arctic. Learn more about Will's early observations and journals in our online classroom.

Sincerely,

Nicole Rom, Executive Director

Letter from the Executive Director

The Will Steger Foundation blog has a number of great articles by our youth leaders this month. From Midwest Powershift in Cleveland, Ohio to youth led meetings with legislative staff, to preparing to participate in the upcoming United Nations climate conference in Durban, South Africa, a generation is getting to work building their future.

Youth have also been submitting observations to our online classroom for Minnesota’s Changing Climate: "I learned that humans have a huge impact on how fast the climate changes and that everything we do affects the changing climate. I also learned that we can change the world.” "I learned that every living thing has an impact on how the world changes." Check them out in our exciting online classroom!

The Changing Arctic event was a great success last month. Over 80 people joined the Will Steger Foundation and partners for a thought-provoking conversation. The half-day event explored what a changing arctic, mainly an ice-free arctic, means for economics, the environment, diplomacy and security.

We are gearing up for Give to the Max Day this Wednesday November 16th and hope you will join us by supporting our work.

Finally, on December 7 & 8 Will Steger will be talking about his eyewitness experience with climate change and the connection between climate, clean air and human health at two events in Grand Rapids and Princeton, MN. We hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Nicole Rom, Executive Director

Letter from the Executive Director

This month we are turning our attention to the Arctic, which seems fitting given the recent scientific reports that are being released about the summer sea ice conditions and the important discussions that are unfolding regarding mineral rights, infrastructure, political power of indigenous peoples, and waterway access. It should be no surprise that extreme climate conditions are becoming the norm in the Arctic and that with these changes bring additional challenges for Arctic nations, including the United States. Minnesotans are already contributing to U.S., Canadian and broader international efforts to address the challenges and opportunities of the changing Arctic. To build further understanding of these critical issues, the Will Steger Foundation and the Consulate General of Canada in Minneapolis are pleased to partner with the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs and the Institute on the Environment to bring a first-of-its-kind discussion of The Changing Arctic: International Cooperation and Development to the Twin Cities, on October 27. Along with experts from Minnesota, Canada and elsewhere, we will examine diplomacy and international cooperation, economic and social development, as well as education, exploration and science in the Arctic from 1-6 pm at the University of Minnesota Humphrey School.

Our Clean Air Act Defense work continues, despite the Obama administration’s delay to set standards to reduce carbon pollution from power plants and continued Congressional attacks. We are organizing a series of meetings for youth climate leaders and health professionals with staff from Senator Franken and Klobuchar’s offices regarding the importance of a strong Clean Air Act this month. Youth are sending the message that they will make up 22% of eligible voters in the 2012 elections in Minnesota and as young people, they want the Clean Air Act to be protected for their future.

Sincerely,

Nicole Rom, Executive Director

Letter from the Executive Director

As the Minnesota Legislature and Governor Dayton continue negotiating a state budget compromise, Minnesota’s nonprofits face financial difficulties from the resulting shutdown. Like many across the state, the government shutdown affects us too. Our Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund project, which supports our Education Program and upcoming Summer Institute, is a major program of the Will Steger Foundation. This means some of our grant funds will be delayed several months, but we believe it is important to not turn a single educator away, especially when our Summer Institute has the highest number of educators enrolled, from communities across Minnesota. Your contribution means even more right to us right now!

For some brighter news, last week the EPA announced the finalized Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, which protects over 240 million Americans from power plant air pollution by reducing emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides that cross state lines and worsen air quality in downwind states.  The rule requires pollution reductions from power plants in 28 states. See more info here and look for a reaction from Will Steger published in the Duluth News Tribune later this week.

A new survey by the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication suggests the urgency of climate change can be communicated if the right people engage local constituencies and explain how human activities are impacting local communities. Our educational project, Minnesota’s Changing Climate, which will launch at our Summer Institute next month, meets this need by taking a local approach to understanding the impacts and solutions to climate change in Minnesota.

In addition to our Summer Institute next month, we are also hosting a free public forum with some of Minnesota’s noteworthy leaders! Join Us!

August 11th: Panel Discussion with Don Shelby, J. Drake Hamilton, and Will Steger, moderated by MPR’s Kerri Miller. The forum, Sense of Place in a Changing Climate takes place at 7:30 pm,  August 11 at the Town and Country Club in St. Paul. The purpose of the free public event is to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change on our state’s natural resources and what we as citizens can do through the personal stories and “testimony” of prominent Minnesotans. RSVP now!

Hope to see you there and thank you for your continued support!

Sincerely,

Nicole Rom, Executive Director

Letter from the Executive Director

Libby Fones, Education Intern

Christy Newell, Policy Intern

As many of you begin your summer vacation, the Will Steger Foundation is preparing for a summer of learning opportunities. Be sure to mark your calendar for some great events!

June marks the first day of summer and we are definitely feeling the effects of a change in season with the onslaught of extreme weather in Minnesota and across the country. You’ve probably noticed a lot of media coverage on this topic and yet there is confusion around the difference between weather and climate. Kristen has written a great blog about the topic.

Our office is full this summer with two new undergraduate interns – Libby Fones who is supporting our Education Program and Summer Institute and Christy Newell who is collaborating with our Youth and Policy Programs to continue our work to defend the Clean Air Act from congressional attack.

We were proud to see that Governor Dayton vetoed a bill in late May that would have allowed more coal pollution in Minnesota, continuing our state’s clean energy path. You can read more about his action and the bill here. As part of our policy efforts, we are going to be focusing on the health implications of dirty air from global warming pollution this summer. We recently collaborated with a health professional and mother of two sons with asthma to participate in a series of education-related events for media and the general public. Coming up next week, Shawna Hedlund, MPH along with Representative Erin Murphy and Assistant Commissioner Aggie Leitheiser will join WSF and Environment Minnesota on June 21st for a Clean Air Green Ideas & Ham breakfast and discussion about the Clean Air Act. Please join us! Read more about the health implications from global warming.

North Pole '86 Reunion Video

Kind Regards,

Nicole Rom, Executive Director

Letter from the Executive Director

We’ve been hard at work this past month defending our key climate and energy laws. We survived attacks on the EPA last week, even though our own Senator Klobuchar voted in favor of two amendments that would weaken the EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gases, none of the amendments passed.

In Minnesota, the Next Generation Energy Act of 2007, which established Minnesota as national leader in statewide climate solutions, is being challenged at the state legislature. Legislators in both the Minnesota House and Senate are working to repeal the part of the Next Generation Energy Act that requires companies investing in new dirty energy from coal to compensate for the accompanied increase in carbon pollution. We organized a meeting with Governor Dayton and Will Steger, WSF Youth Programs Director Abby Fenton and nine youth leaders (representing WSF’s high school program, YEA! MN and several campus groups). The purpose of the meeting was for the youth and Will to share their concerns for our economy and environment and desire to move Minnesota towards a cleaner energy economy. The Governor was clearly moved by their passion and insistence that Minnesota cannot backslide on its transition away from coal.

We were also added to the National Geographic Global Action Atlas giving platform to increase the opportunities where people can learn and support our work. Additionally, after a year-long process, we finally meet the Charity Review Council’s accountability standards for transparent and accountable practices. You can view our profile here.

Earth Day and the one-year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill are just around the corner. The National Environmental Education Foundation sponsors Earth Week every year, and this year the focus is on the world’s oceans, with unique resources on our oceans and the deepwater oil spill. We encourage you to get outside and do something for the planet this month! Check out many of the events we have in the coming weeks.

Kind Regards,

Nicole Rom, Executive Director

Letter from the Executive Director

I was lucky enough to spend four weeks traveling across New Zealand in February and early March. While it was a personal trip, I could not help but notice the impacts of climate change and incredible solutions that are underway across the country. The huts for independent trampers I used while hiking on some of the Great Walks of New Zealand were powered by energy from the sun, and across several of the rural areas I learned about wind and hydroelectric power being employed to serve this small island nation. While visiting the infamous Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers on the west coast of the South Island, I was struck by how much the glaciers have receded in just the last ten years. When I filled my small automobile with gasoline, I did a double take at the cash register; the cost was double or triple what we pay in the U.S., and yet while I gulped each time I knew that I was actually paying the true cost of oil to fuel my trip. I was often asked what I do for work and it always resulted in intriguing conversations with local Kiwis, Canadians and Europeans I met along the way. People either wanted to know more about the issue – which allowed me to emphasize the education and outreach work we do, while others had their own personal eyewitness to climate change story to share, which further emphasized this important aspect of our own organizational story.

Like you, we were saddened and worried when the earthquake hit Christchurch, NZ in February (luckily I only felt the aftershock when I was there), and now again, we are deeply saddened by the terrible tragedy of last week's earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and our hearts go out to the many victims. For those of you interested in learning more about the nuclear reactor disaster in Japan, we recommend this resource. For more information about what it means for U.S. nuclear power, here is an opinion piece from Climate Progress, Joseph Romm.

Meanwhile, with spring around the corner, we are gearing up for a very busy spring and summer. Learn more about our upcoming events online and take a moment to read our blog – updated weekly with features from youth leaders and our staff!

Kind Regards,

Nicole Rom, Executive Director

Give to the Max Day

Special Opportunity!

As someone who supports reducing our global warming pollution and educating and empowering a new generation of climate leaders, we know you’ll want to mark your calendar for this special day where your donations are eligible for a $1,000 match! Help us create a clean energy future by making a gift on Nov 16 or any day.

Letter from the Executive Director

Will Steger's Trans-Antarctica Expedition 20th Anniversary

We have some very important milestones in Will’s history and ours to celebrate! Will was the featured speaker at Hamline University’s Center for Global Environmental Education 20th anniversary on November 4th, which he helped to establish in 1990.

In early December, Will Steger's Trans-Antarctica Expedition, the historic seven month, 3,741-mile International Trans-Antarctica Expedition in 1989–90 is celebrating its 20th Anniversary in Minnesota!

We’ll be sharing updates about these events and ways you can be involved in the coming weeks!

Just as we are excited about these celebrations, it is important that we also take a step back and understand the recent political shift and what it means for our work.

We’ve spent the past two weeks interpreting the midterm elections and what the results mean for our state, regional and national efforts to advance climate and clean energy policies. The scoop:

Nationally: Despite the national shift towards more conservatives in Congress, this did not stop California from defeating Proposition 23 and saving its landmark climate legislation, one of the first policies to price carbon and promote clean energy in the U.S. The legislation supports more than 12,000 clean tech companies, over 500,000 clean tech employees, and encourages $10 billion in private clean tech investment. It has been a huge success and an example of how climate policy can encourage economic growth. The top three election issues seemed to be the economy, healthcare, and the size of the government. While the party in power usually loses seats in the midterms, these losses were pretty significant (60-70 in the House, 6-8 in the Senate). Among Democrats in close races,who voted for Waxman-Markey (the climate bill that passed in the House), 61% lost the election (Source: E&E). Interestingly though, among Democrats in close races, 79 % of those who voted against Waxman-Markey lost – faring even worse. Also interesting is that 7 of the 8 Republicans who voted for Waxman-Markey were re-elected. So it looks like being a Democrat, rather than supporting climate policy, was the real fatal flaw in this election.

Midwest: Most of the newly elected Midwest Governors should be reasonably pragmatic and open-minded when it comes to clean energy, environmental protection, conservation and high-speed rail.  However, the results do not bode well for support of federal climate change actions or for early movement on the Midwest Governors' Association's climate initiative.

Minnesota: While Democrats lost control of the state legislature and the governor’s race is still in recount mode, we do have an opportunity to shape Minnesota’s role in growing a clean energy economy and continuing to follow California’s lead.

If all the news has got you down, we really loved this piece by The Onion.

Sincerely,

Nicole Rom, Executive Director

Letter from the Executive Director

As we move into fall and the beginning of school, our education and emerging leaders programs are taking off! With the support of our staff – Kristen who manages our K-12 Education Program, Abby who directs our Youth/Emerging Leaders Program, and Richmond Appleton who is coordinating our high school program, YEA! Minnesota, we are expanding our reach among youth and educators across the Minnesota and the Midwest this fall - join us at one of these many events and please spread the word about our resources!

Sincerely,

Nicole Rom, Executive Director

Letter from the Executive Director

In early July, climate science was vindicated by several British commissions and in the United States from the dubious "Climate Gate" scandal. As Jim Lenfestey eloquently captured in a recent op-ed in the Minneapolis-based Star Tribune, "most importantly, all review panels affirmed the underlying science and thereby the established scientific consensus that human activity is warming the planet." Thus, the rigor of climate science is no longer in doubt.

This was the theme of many of our summer events this month. Dr. Naomi Oreskes, climate historian and author of Merchants of Doubt joined us for a reception and public forum where she spoke to over 250 people about the tactics used by corporations to confuse and misinform the public of the validity of climate science. She also captured the attention of educators at our 5th annual Summer Institute for Climate Change Education, who were most interested in understanding climate change basics and tools to address the topic in the classroom.

In more unfortunate news, the U.S. Senate did not proceed with a comprehensive climate bill this summer. It truly is a failure of leadership in this country. Billions of dollars in private investment is waiting for a price on carbon, a signal that will provide the necessary innovation in the new clean energy economy. We need our Senators to act on behalf of all Americans and not just the oil and coal industries. In open letter to those working on climate change, 1sky eloquently captured what must happen next:

"We must redouble our efforts to unite American society across all divides in an unyielding call for action on the scope and scale of the enormous challenge and opportunity we are confronting. We are galvanized by the understanding that the political, human-rights, and economic repercussions of climate change transcend the "environmental issue" label, and present a nationwide challenge requiring a unified response. As United States citizens, we understand our moral and ethical responsibility to act with resolve -- both as members of a global community, and as the leading per-capita emitters of global-warming pollution. We must succeed in building a nationwide movement that changes the politics of what is possible to deliver what is necessary; our very lives depend on it."

August 31 marks the end of our fiscal year. We would appreciate any last minute support of our programming!

Kind regards,

Nicole Rom
Executive Director