Northeast Air Quality & World Oceans Day

June 8th is World Oceans Day, and we urge you to check out what is taking place throughout the globe. Here is Blessing for Water from Starhawk.

The orange sky and devastating air quality are the result of climate inaction. For a fact sheet from the NJ Department of Health about poor air quality, click here. There is no denying climate emergency or the linkage from wildfires to the greed of fossil fuel industry profiteers affecting our disproportionately limited water supply. The choices made to finance fossil fuel programs today are unforgivable.

What do we do now? We get educated and act. See Waterspirit’s Calls to Action page and urge Governor Murphy and President Biden to declare a climate emergency. Environmental justice will never be realized until we treat climate crisis seriously, responding with sweeping preventative measures.

New Jersey’s state government agencies closed early yesterday and just declared today, June 8th, and tomorrow, June 9th, Unhealthy category statewide until 11:59 PM. As communities across the country deal with the impacts of wildfire smoke, EPA’s AirNow app can share real-time air quality data to keep you, your family and your neighbors safe. Read this article from Heatmap here for more about how the east coasts wildfires are comparing to the worst days on the west coast.

This afternoon many people are starting a week of action in D.C. to urge the end of the era of fossil fuel and raise awareness about the detrimental Mountain Valley Pipeline that would only harm Appalachia while exacerbating climate crisis.

Waterspirit will continue to share any pertinent information as we receive it and encourage everyone to stay indoors and seek out how to support your local unhoused population. There is a live piece of legislation that would ensure a code red would assist in housing all those in need during extreme heat or weather events.

Particularly when wildfires cause people to stay indoors or suffer health crises, we see a need for eco-anxiety support. Waterspirit offers eco-anxiety support and encourage you and anyone you know who might benefit to share the forthcoming opportunity in September. HERE is a list of emergency health phone numbers, including suicide prevention and crisis intervention.

Why Whales are Dying in NY and NJ

We are re-sharing a recent episode of the Brian Lehrer show via WNYC: Why Whales are Dying in NY and NJ

Scientific evidence demonstrates that vessel strikes, climate change, and fishing gear are among the main culprits for marine mammal deaths. As this radio show echoes, whale deaths remain consistent with recent years since 2016, regardless of wind farm development preparations. Last month, NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Commissioner, Sean LaTourette testified in Trenton to the bad faith actors misleading the public to preemptively blame wind farm development for whale deaths. On this show, Dr. Andy Read who directs the Duke Marine Lab and serves on the Marine Mammal Commission, shares the latest research. Take a listen and then take action.

WHAT CAN YOU DO RIGHT NOW?

  • Sign a petition form our friends at Save Coastal Wildlife: urge NOAA to adopt rules reducing the speed of vessels. Please see this handy field guide to learn more about whales along the Jersey Shore

  • Visit the Marine Mammal Stranding Center for information and to report a stranding.

  • Visit NJ Department of Environmental Protection’s website dedicated to offshore wind for recent proceedings and statements

Reach out if you have any questions: water@waterspirit.org

LAST CHANCE to get your tickets!

CLICK HERE to read this week’s mailer. Don’t forget: today is the last day to get your tickets to Joys of the Sea! Even if you can’t join us for the gala, you can still join in on the fun with limited-edition Waterspirit gear. Learn more about our upcoming summer solstice celebration and support our calls to action by checking out the links in this week’s mailer.

What do Supreme Court Decisions Mean for New Jersey + A Livable Future?

In case you missed it, there have been recent rollbacks of protections for clean air and clean water, (Sackett v. EPA) resulting in a hodgepodge of laws regulating air and water quality state by state. Air and water know no arbitrary bounds; federal policy should be strengthened, not weakened.

Now, it is vital that we come together to protect New Jersey’s laws, and strengthen them too. New Jersey’s latest science (State of the Climate) is out and we know investing in practical solutions is most efficient. The state’s agencies are suing fossil fuel industry and Waterspirit is part of a strong campaign underway to divest from risky fossil fuel for the state pension. Fires and floods are abound, yet there remains a need to outright prioritize investments in renewable energy. When faced with despair, we act toward fostering peace through justice.

“Partnership is giving, taking,
learning, teaching, offering the
greatest possible benefit while doing
the least possible harm.”
― Octavia E. Butler, Parable of the Talents

On Waterspirit’s Calls to Action page, you’ll find opportunities to:

Send a Letter: Ensure voices of faith help 70% of NJ polled parents by calling for the inclusion of all studies as part of New Jersey’s renowned climate change mandate across K-12 curricula, before June 7th.

Make A Call: Call Governor Murphy’s Office of Constituent Services and urge him to use his power to reject the proposed dirty gas in the Keasbey (Pronounced: Kaysbee) section of Woodbridge, New Jersey. This power plant would only bring unnecessary methane gas. Visit Don’t Gas Middlesex + Call 1-877-252-4545

Join Rallies: Join our coalition partners for a week of actions dubbed Our Planet Our Future: New Jersey Call to Action on Climate taking place 31st May-5thJune. Waterspirit is encouraging you assist and amplify in any way possible.

🕊️ Check Waterspirit’s Events Calendar for our annual Joys of the Sea Gala and contemplative programs that help us fill up our cups to continue ever into this vital eco-spiritual work. Remember to care for yourself and those whom you care about. Celebrate Summer Solstice!🕊️

The Golden Rule Peace Sailboat Welcomed by New Jersey's Social Justice Movement🕊️

The Golden Rule peace inspired anti-nuclear boat is a superb example of acting directly to foster peace in a world torn by the violence of war and poverty.

New Jersey’s broad intergenerational social justice movement gathered together in Liberty State Park in the pouring rain to greet the restored boat for its current loop. “The weather may be damp, but our spirits certainly are not!” remarked event organizer on behalf of Pax Christi, Kathy O’Leary. To experience the livestream recording courtesy of Pax Christi, click here.

The New Jersey movement for social justice is growing closer and, on behalf of Waterspirit, Rachel Dawn Davis led a meditation, focusing the movements collective and individual breath. Read the Hudson County View article “Veterans for Peace sails to Jersey City, rally to end wars, protect the environment” by Daniel Ulloa. Stay connected to Waterspirit’s Calls to Action page for ongoing opportunities to connect in love toward peace through justice.