The Pope’s Encyclical book group met November 12 to talk about the last chapter of the encyclical, “Ecological Education and Spirituality.” The group reflected on Francis’ call for ecological citizenship and ecological education, as well as his closing thoughts about spiritual transformation or “ecological conversion”  in the context of the Catholic tradition.

The group plans one additional session, November 19, to reflect on the Encyclical as a whole and to consider how best to implement its message personally, in the community, and in the wider world.

If you haven’t yet read the Encyclical, you can download it here.

From David Herron

A bit over three years ago William Mutch (shown below) began a conversation group associated with Transition Palo Alto and associated with the whole idea of transitioning modern society into the society we really want. In the three years since I took this picture, the group has grown and held a wonderful series of eclectic conversations. It’s been quite a journey having these conversations with that group, and in large part the journey is because of the wisdom William brings to the table. 

In the October newsletter, we profiled Transitioner David Herron, who has been doing extensive writing on energy and transportation. David’s got a new article on his Long Tailpipe blog, with all you need to know about installing home solar power systems. Click to check out the article.

Join us for a free screening of the film “Open Sesame-The Story of Seeds” at the Sunnyvale Public Library, 665 West Olive, Sunnyvale, CA, on Monday evening 11/23/15 from 6 – 9p. 

Synopsis: One of the world’s most precious resources is at risk. This timely and emotionally moving documentary illuminates what is at stake and what can be done to protect the source of nearly all our food: SEEDS. Seeds provide the basis for everything from fabric, to food to fuels. Seeds are as essential to life as the air we breathe or water we drink…but given far less attention. 

According to the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN), approximately 90 percent of the fruit and vegetable varieties that existed 100 years ago no longer exist today. Heritage grain is near extinction. Seeds that were lovingly nurtured over decades or even hundreds of years have been lost forever. Maintaining seed biodiversity allows us to breed new varieties that are resistant to pests or thrive in temperature extremes. This is essential in a changing climate. 

Brought to you by Charles Street Gardens, Full Circle Farm Sunnyvale and Transition Silicon Valley. Click here to see the trailer.
Monday Oct 12,  6-9 PM. Sunnyvale Public Library

The Essential Knowledge for Transition (EK4T) series with Marco Vangelisti ended October 25 with ideas and inspiration about to start making personal changes that promote the values of a more sustainable, regenerative, and humane economy.

If you missed the series, you’re in luck! Videos of the first sessions are now available, and we’ll have videos of the last session soon. Click here for videos of the full sessions plus short clips.

And there’s more! Start learning more and getting involved with these upcoming events.

• November 15, 2-3:30pm: Attend “Divesting Fossil Fuels from Your Portfolio: A Free Forum for Individual Investors” – Considering eliminating fossil fuels from your portfolio? Since burning any more than 20 percent of known reserves will destroy Earth’s habitable climate, carbon fuels will soon be seen as “stranded assets” — and wise investors are moving out of such risky investments. (Both Stanford and now the State of CA are removing coal from their portfolios.) First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto, 1140 Cowper St., Palo Alto

• December 6, 2pm: Attend the EK4T follow up meeting. You’ll learn about New Economy Transition, our new project for learning and action about how to change the economy, personally and beyond. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Redwood City, 214 Brewster, Redwood City.

A packed Fourth Friday crowd gathered October 23 for the Palo Alto premiere of “This Change Everything.” Based on the Naomi Klein book of the same name, this beautifully filmed and compelling film profiles people on the front lines of the climate change struggle and shows how many are recognizing that the fight against climate change is a fight for fundamental change in a system that too easily exploits poor and marginalized communities in the service of profit and greed.

The Essential Knowledge for Transition series continued October 18 with an eye-opening look at what’s been happening to our economy over the past 40 years, plus thought-provoking and inspiring ideas about how to restructure the economy to make it much more responsive to the needs of people and the planet.

If you missed either or both of the first two sessions, check this link. We’ll be posting videos of the sessions as soon as they’re ready.

Many of you who weren’t available for the first two sessions of Essential Knowledge for Transition Sept 13 and Oct 18 requested that we share a videos so you could catch up on the material you missed.

Don’t miss the last two session Oct 25. Scroll down for details.

Here are the links for session one. We’ll post the links for session 2 as soon as they are available.

Session 1 links

You can stream the program in its entirety here: http://bit.ly/EK4TSessionOne

If you don’t have time to watch the entire session, we’ve extracted four shorter clips of around three minutes in length. To treat yourself to a taste of what we learned, check out these pithy excerpts:

Why we all need to understand how the banking system works (2:56)
http://bit.ly/UnderstandBanking

The effects of creating money as debt (3:28)
http://bit.ly/MoneyCreation

Re-balance private and public ownership of banks (3:15)
http://bit.ly/PubPrivOwnership

Why housing is unaffordable, in three minutes (2:47)
http://bit.ly/UnaffordableHousing

Please register here, and bring your friends! This is information that all informed citizens need to know.

The Pope’s Encyclical book group continued October 8 with a thoughtful discussion about Chapter 2,”The Gospel of Creation.” In the words of one participant, the session provided a “safe container” to express personal feelings about the Pope’s message in the context of each person’s religious, ethical, and cultural perspective.

Everyone learned from each other and deepened their understanding to pope’s central message: that we need to turn away from a theology of dominion over nature to one of stewardship, where we recognize the value and interdependence of all life on earth and embrace a shared responsibility for making things better.

The book group will continue October 15, with a discussion of Chapter 3, “The Human Roots of the Ecological Crisis.” Newcomers to the group are welcome. All that’s required is an interest in learning from the document and from others, and a commitment to try to complete the reading assignments. If you’re interested, please send email to barbaraweinstein2@gmail.com.

You can download the Encyclical here.

An epic attempt to re-imagine the vast challenge of climate change.

Inspired by Naomi Klein’s international non-fiction bestseller This Changes Everything, this film presents powerful portraits of communities on the front lines, from Montana’s Powder River Basin to the Alberta Tar Sands, from the coast of South India to Beijing and beyond.

In the film, Klein builds to her most controversial and exciting idea: that we can seize the existential crisis of climate change to transform our failed economic system into something radically better. Click for film trailer. 

Friday October 23
7:15-9:30 pm (7:15 meet and greet, film starts promptly at 7:30), conversation follows the film
Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto Fireside Room
505 E Charleston Rd, Palo Alto, CA