September/October Action Alert

Connecting Climate Change, Food Security and Poverty

October presents an opportunity to reflect upon the complexity and relatedness of climate change, food insecurity and poverty with the celebrations of the Feast of St. Francis (October 4), World Food Day (October 16) and the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (October 17). Individuals living in poverty are more susceptible to natural disasters due to lack of ability to purchase land in a more secure setting. Often those living in poverty are displaced and forced to live in ways those with money rarely do. A documentary entitled, Climate Refugees, examines the causes of mass global migration and border conflicts.

With little to no access to land, and money that must be prioritized in how it is spent, food security is likely an additional burden. The theme for World Food Day is “Food Prices – From Crisis to Stability.” In an August 2011 report from the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), “21 states and the District of Columbia had at least one in four households with children (25 percent or more) struggling with food hardship.” Kentucky was ranked the 9th most state with food hardship for families having children with Mississippi, Alabama and Florida among those ranking ahead of Kentucky.

Globally, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) include eradicating extreme hunger and poverty by halving the number of people who live on less than $1/day and halving the number of people who suffer from hunger. The 2011 Millennium Development Report states that, “despite real progress in halving poverty, we are failing to meet the most vulnerable.” With focus on the global financial crisis, individuals’ attention to those who are poorest is no doubt, difficult. Yet the report goes on to say that, “despite significant setbacks after the 2008-2009 economic downturn, exacerbated by the food and energy crisis, the world is still on track to reach the poverty-reduction target with the most rapid growth taking place in Eastern Asia, especially China.”

Global hunger has not declined much even amidst the diminished number of those living in poverty. The report speaks of the difficulty in reaching this goal due to rising food prices and drought in some parts of the world. Of course, when one Millennium Development Goal struggles to be fulfilled, it adversely influences the others. The changing climate conditions around our world have not empowered either of these two Millennium Development Goals.

Reflection/Action:

• St. Francis Pledge and resources for use in schools and worship communities are here   
• Who is hungry and/or poor in my community? A map highlighting global food insecurity is located here OR here 
• Where is the nearest place for those hungry to obtain food?
• How committed am I/we to ending hunger and/or poverty? What action(s) demonstrate this?
• Food fasts can be found here AND here  
• What do I know about work on the Millennium Development Goals in my country? What is the current status of these goals?
• In my reading and experiences of ministry, how is the above information verified?
• How do trade agreements, agricultural subsidies, the World Trade Organization, Genetically Modified Organisms, rights to water, and consumerism attitudes influence food security, water privatization and poverty?
• In SCN congregational work to empower women in society, especially those marginalized, what challenges result of failed Millennium Development Goals?

11 Days of Global Unity

"11 Days of Global Unity”, first started by We, The World, is expanding this year to mark the tenth anniversary of the tragic events surrounding September 11, 2001 and the thirtieth anniversary of the UN resolution creating the International Day of Peace, which takes place September 21st. We, The World is encouraging individuals and groups to promote public awareness and action around societal issues such as violence, poverty and ecological damage. We, The World seeks to maximize social change on a global scale. Action ideas for the “11 Days of Global Unity” include, but are not limited to:

• Day 1: Unity – Commemorate the 10thAnniversary of 9/11 with this prayer located here; strengthen interfaith dialogue and understanding; commit to visiting a mosque or attending a lecture to learn more about Islam.
• Day 2: Interdependence – Reflect on the Global Pledge of Interdependence:We, the people of planet Earth, in recognition of the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of the balance of nature, hereby acknowledge our interdependence and affirm our dedication to life-serving environmental stewardship, the fulfillment of universal human needs worldwide, economic and social well-being, and a culture of peace and nonviolence to ensure a sustainable and harmonious world for present and future generations. (Sign the declaration here.) 
• Day 3: Environment –Choose an action to reduce your carbon or ecological footprint.
• Day 4: Economic Justice – Read the Bishops’ Pastoral on Economic Justice
• Day 5: Health – Do something healthy for yourself today; exercise; take a walk.
• Day 6: Children & Youth – Urge President Obama (phone 202.456.1111- not toll free) to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (only the U.S. and Somalia have not ratified it); read to a child today.
• Day 7: Women – Volunteer at a local women’s center or make a donation to a microfinancing project. (Vincentian Family Microfinancing website for Haiti)
• Day 8: Human Rights – Sign the NGO Committee for Social Developments petition for basic social protections for all.
• Day 9: Freedom– Write a letter to the editor about an issue of importance to you.
• Day 10: Disarmament– Contact your President/Prime Minister and urge him to reduce military spending. Reflect upon the SCN corporate statement opposing nuclear proliferation.
• Day 11: The International Day of Peace– Sponsor a prayer service in your local communities, schools, or other places of ministry. A prayer service is located here  

U.S. Debt Deal, Balanced Budget Amendment and Super Committee

The debt deal reached before the August Congressional recess required $1 trillion in cuts from federal budget discretionary programs over ten years. Included in the legislation was a Balanced Budget Amendment that must be voted on by the Senate and House between October 1 and the end of the year. If passed by both, the matter would be given to states for ratification. This amendment would do nothing for current debt problems. Furthermore, it would force cuts to programs that help poor people and not allow future decisions about our economy to be made when necessary.

In addition, a “Super Committee” consisting of twelve legislators from the House and Senate are to identify another $1.5 trillion in deficit reduction by Thanksgiving 2011. Democrats appointed to the committee are believed to oppose cuts in Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. Republicans appointed are believed to oppose new revenues which were noticeably absent from the original debt deal. If a proposed plan cannot be reached, automatic cuts of up to $1.2 trillion will be imposed commencing in January 2013.

• Where was the balance between spending cuts and increases revenues?
• What about tearing apart the safety net for the very rich by closing corporate loopholes as the spending cuts seemed to do on those most vulnerable in America?
• Might sharing in the sacrifice by ALL Americans mean not only the reducing of the deficit but also the reduction of poverty in America?

In Getting What You Pay for: Super Committee’s Super-Close Ties to Banking and Finance, Lynn Parramore highlights the top 10 largest organization contributors to the twelve on the “Super Committee.” Among the list are Goldman Sachs, Citgroup Inc., JP Morgan Chase & Co., Bank of America and the largest contributor, Club for Growth boasting 9,000 members dominated by Wall Street financiers and executives.

• As we wait for their proposed plan, what evidence is there in the plan of their financial ties?
• What features of this plan indicate government of, by, and for the corporation? How about government of, by and for the people?
• How does their proposed plan promote the common good, stimulate shared sacrifice and protect those most vulnerable in our society?

Reflection/ Action:
In the meantime, appropriation bills are being taken up as part of on-going legislation. Attentiveness to these pieces of legislation such that the vulnerable in our society are not harmed is of great importance. Even more essential is speaking out against these injustices.

• As citizens, what does it mean to have a government of, by and for the people, especially individuals that are most vulnerable in our country?
• What action(s) am I willing to take to empower this dream to reality for my sisters and brothers? 
• Watch for legislation appropriating FY 2012 money and contact U.S. legislators (phone 202.224.3121- not toll free) urging them NOT to cut programs for those most vulnerable in America.