Seventh Area of Focus - Protecting the Environment

Seventh Area of Focus - Protecting the Environment
Rotary International has recognized the threats to our environment, which impact the other 6 focus areas, and has, in June 2020, officially added the 7th area of focus – Protecting the Environment! This area of focus is directed at supporting activities that strengthen the conservation and protection of natural resources, advance ecological sustainability, and foster harmony between communities and the environment. Protecting the Environment helps empower communities to access grants and other resources, embrace local solutions, and spur innovation in an effort to address the causes and reduce the effects of climate change and environmental degradation. This page is to help inform Eden Prairie AM Rotary Members about the environment and organizations that are currently working on projects for the environment.
Rotary Environmental Information
Events

April 24th:  FLYING CLOUD FIELD CLEAN UP DAY -  Club members can Register here

April 28th:  Webinar titled “Protecting the Environment – Opportunities for Rotary and the Planet” with Ian Riseley.  Register here.

Join this webinar featuring Ian Riseley, Past Rotary International President in 2017-18, and chair of The Rotary Foundation (TRF) Environmental Issues Task Force. He will share some of the backgrounds behind the decision for the Environment to become Rotary’s new area of focus. Ian will inspire us with ideas for impactful and sustainable projects to protect the environment.

Karen Kendrick-Hands, co-founder, past-chair, and projects director for the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG), will discuss how Rotary’s newest cause, the Environment, creates opportunities for Rotary and the planet. She will review the eight action themes of Rotary’s TRF Policy Statement for Protecting the Environment, including which activities are fundable with Global Grants, and which are NOT. This is the practical information that YOU will need to plan successful environmental projects
 

Rotary Links
  • Rotary Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG):  Environmental Sustainability Rotarian Action Group (ESRAG) projects promote environmental sustainability, awareness of climate change, and actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate disruption. ESRAG’s focus on environmental sustainability offers Rotary the opportunity to provide long-term benefits for people all over the world. All of this work advances the Object of Rotary through positive impacts in all six Areas of Focus. Explore ESRAG more at ESRAG link. 
  • Rotary ESRAG Project Drawdown Task Force:  This task force is partnering with the Project Drawdown <https://www.drawdown.org/>.  The Project Drawdown provides a Framework that identifies Climate Solutions that can help reduce GHG emissions as quickly, safely, and equitably as possible. Explore more at the Project Drawdown Link <https://esragdrawdown.org/>.
  • Rotary Climate Action Team (RCAT):  Rotary Climate Action Team (RCAT) The network recognizes that climate change is an unprecedented challenge to humankind. The more CO2 in the atmosphere, the hotter our planet will become. The impacts of the climate crisis will affect the world’s most vulnerable first and hardest, putting Rotary’s good work in the world at risk. We know ACTION must be taken now to prevent further damage. Rotary Climate Action Teams (RCAT) believe that Rotary is well suited to take on this effort because it has the format and structure to be able to work at a local and global level. In June 2020, Rotary International officially added the 7th area of focus – Supporting our Environment! This new area of focus supports the work of ESRAG (Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group) as it addresses the broad topic of environmental protection, while RCAT works to support climate action at the club level – both in harmony to impact Rotarians and the climate crisis.  The Rotary Climate Action Team (RCAT) The network offers Rotary clubs a resource to 1) Foster Action Teams; 2)Educate Rotarians about the crisis; 3) Share projects and contacts; 4)Link to multiple resources across Rotary and with Rotary partners. Explore RCAT more at RCAT Link.
  • Rotary Climate Action Team (RCATRETF): The Renewable Energy Task Force (RETF) was created to foster clean energy in Rotary Projects and support the anticipated new Rotary Area of Focus ‘Ensuring Environmental Sustainability’.  Their goal is to provide access to renewable energy and provide a significant improvement in overall health, provide jobs, and economic status but can also address existing systems that may be harmful and expensive.  Examples include kerosene lamps, wood, and coal-fired cooking, and diesel generators.  Explore more RETF at RETF Link.
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Reference Items
  • Considering an Electric Vehicle?  There is a lot of information on the following sites