Screening Carbon Nation on Valentines Day

At our weekly meeting this Tuesday, February 14^th at 7  p.m. on Natural Sciences we will be screening the documentary “Carbon Nation”. This is an excellent opportunity for you to learn what you can do personally, and what we can do on a global scale, to combat climate change. Carbon Nation is a documentary anyone will benefit from because it does not care whether you believe climate change is happening or not – the ideas that it describes to fight climate change would, and already are, benefitting other social issues.

So, invite your friends to movie night! All of us will come away with new ideas and inspiration, and we will also get in some high quality bonding time! Plus, there will be some free snacks . . . you can’t say no!

Additionally we will be wrapping up last week’s Media focus and discussing this week’s focus – Faculty Coalitions.

Come out, eat some food, and get inspired! See you there on Tuesday from 7 to 9 pm in 304 Natural Sciences.

 

We’re Back! Come Join Us!

Welcome Back Spartans!

The MSU Beyond Coal campaign is back on campus and in full force! Just in the time we have been back on campus we have gotten close to 1,800 new petitions signed! THAT’S CRAZY!

Let’s start with some facts:

• Michigan State University hosts’ the nation’s largest on campus coal plant.
• Coal is single-handedly the most destructive industrial process being employed in the US. From mining to burning to disposing of the coal ash, coal is dirty, dangerous, and outdated.
• On average we burn around 250,000 tons of coal every year.
• That means a little more than 600 tons a day.
• To give you a visual, that is about the weight of 125,000 average sized cars.

This is where our campaign comes in! We have been working almost non-stop since we got back on campus to get a commitment from the administration for a 100% clean energy future. Even though the administration did their best to ignore us last year, we are disappointed but far from defeated. Last fall, a committee was formed to flesh out a plan for MSUs’ energy future. Unfortunately, no strong decisions have been made.

This is why we are still fighting, because there is no reason MSU shouldn’t be guaranteed a 100% CLEAN energy future. Not a future that is a 100 years down the road, not 40 years, but a future that starts NOW.

Our campaign is being watched all over the country. Just in the last week, 5 coal fired power plants in the heart of coal country have announced that they will be closing their doors as a direct result of national beyond coal campaigns.

Think about this: If we here at Michigan State can continue the good fight and close the nation’s largest on campus coal plant what excuse would there be for any other hold outs of America’s dirty energy past?

This is why we need you! The administration has shown us already that having 1 out of every 10 student’s signature is not enough to convince them it’s time to make a commitment. Everyone can make a difference, no matter what kind of time you can give. This semester is going to be HUGE and we need your help!

Our Kick Off Meeting is Tuesday September 27th, at 7:00 PM in 105 South Kedzie Hall. Just in case you need even more incentives to come out, and bring everyone you know, we’ll have free chipotle! So get there early, and get ready to be a part of one of our generations’ most important fights.

Want more info RIGHT NOW? Check us out in the main lounge of the union every day at 10, 2:30 or 5:00, or check us out on Facebook and Twitter!

-Mollie VanOrsdal

Come to Our Spring Kick Off Meeting!

Next Tuesday, join the Sierra Student Coalition for the MSU Beyond Coal Spring Kick Off Meeting!

Coal is dirty, dangerous, and outdated.  As a leading academic and research institution, we have a responsibility to be leaders in the transition to a clean energy future by moving Beyond Coal here at MSU.

TUESDAY, January 25^th at 7:00pm in Erickson Hall 224, the Sierra Student Coalition’s MSU Beyond Coal Campaign is having a Kick-Off Meeting for all students, staff, faculty, alumni, and other campus and community members interested in working to make MSU a coal-free campus. We hope to see you there!

What: MSU Beyond Coal Kickoff Meeting

When: Tuesday January 25th

7:00pm-8:30pm

Where: Erickson Hall 224

Arrive early for free veggie and chicken Chipotle burritos!

Special Guest: Dianne Byrum, trustee of Michigan State University

RSVP here!

As students, faculty, and staff here at Michigan State we have an incredible opportunity to demand that MSU become a truly healthy and sustainable place to live, work, and study!  So, we will kick the semester off with our guest speaker Dianne Byrum, one of the Michigan State University trustees, free food, and exciting updates this January 25th at 7:00pm in Erickson Hall 224.  This is THE event to attend to hear more about plans for a 100% clean energy MSU, and to find out how you can get involved.

Let’s have a strong showing for a Coal-Free Campus and clean energy here at MSU!   Thanks, and we hope to see you this Tuesday, January 25th at 7:00pm in Erickson 224! Don’t forget to RSVP here!

See you soon,

The MSU Beyond Coal Team
msubeyondcoal@gmail.com

PS join the MSU Beyond Coal Facebook Fan Page online here and then make sure to invite/bring a friend to the Kick off meeting:http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/MSU-Beyond-Coal/181844538509958

Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/MSUBeyondCoal

Don’t know where Erickson is? Check out this map at: http://maps.msu.edu/interactive/

Find Out All About MSU Beyond Coal!

Hey guys!

I hope you all had a great winter break, and that your first week back hasn’t been too painful!

I’m writing to let you guys know about our Information Sessions for the MSU Beyond Coal Campaign this January. We’re starting up the campaign again this semester, and we’ve got some BIG things planned.

The Administration recently announced the formation of a Steering Committee, which will create the energy transition plan for MSU. Not only is this incredible news, but MSU Beyond Coal will actually be a part of this committee! However, the goals of this committee have not yet been established, so this is a critical time for the campaign. This is the perfect opportunity for us to push the Administration and the Committee to create the goals that we, as students, think is the right path for MSU. We want the committee to make a commitment to transition MSU beyond coal and move towards 100% renewable energy, before the committee works through the process. This can happen guys, but the only way we can ensure our clean energy future, is if we can show the Administration and the Steering Committee that students across campus are passionate and committed to this change.

So, in order to ensure this success, we’re having Informational Sessions everyday to talk with you guys about how you can get involved! Check out the details below, and make sure to RSVP when you plan on coming.

Who: MSU Beyond Coal Campaign with the Sierra Student Coalition

What: Info Sessions for Volunteer and Internship Opportunities this Spring!

When: Mon- Fri, Jan 10^th– Jan 25^th 2:30pm and 5:30pm (we will be having both on MLK day: Monday, Jan 17th)

Where: Cyber Café in the main library

**RSVP Here**

We’re holding info sessions Mon- Fri Jan 10^th, 2011 through Tuesday Jan 25^th, 2011 at 2:30pm and 5:30pm about the Beyond Coal campaign.   Hope to see you there if you’re interested in hearing more about the campaign, or are interested in an on-campus internship.  Feel free to respond to me at tavortal8@gmail.com if you have any questions!

RSVP for an information session at https://msubeyondcoal.wordpress.com/get-involved/
Thanks so much guys, and I can’t wait to see you at our upcoming info sessions!
Happy MLK weekend,
Talya

PS- Save the date! Our Kick-Off meeting is going to be on January 25th (time tbd), we’re going to have some incredible speakers, and free Chipotle!

 

Find Out How to Get Involved This Semester!

Hey guys!!

I hope everyone had a spectacularly restful break 🙂

It’s crazy that we’re starting classes again today, but there are so many exciting things that are happening on campus now, that it would be a shame to miss it!

For starters, MSU Beyond Coal has made a new Facebook page…so switch on over to that one! This will probably be the last time I send a message through this group. The URL ishttp://www.facebook.com/pages/MSU-Beyond-Coal/181844538509958

Secondly, today we’re starting to have our informational sessions EVERYDAY at 2:30 and 5:30 in the Cyber Cafe in the Main Library (the area next to Sparty’s). So if you want to come and learn more about the situation going on at State, ways you can get a hold of some great volunteer/leadership opportunities, or even learn about the kick-ass internships that we have, then please fill out this quick form to RSVP https://msubeyondcoal.wordpress.com/get-involved/
….or just show up 🙂

This semester, the Administration is going to be announcing the formation of a steering committee, which is incredible news!!! This committee will eventually form the goals regarding MSU’s energy future. And not only are they asking for students from Beyond Coal to be a part of the actual committee, they want us to help out with all other aspects of moving MSU to 100% clean energy too!

This is happening guys, and it’s students who are making this happen. This is the most exciting semester to start getting involved, because we could actually achieve our goal by the end of the semester!!

So, I really hope to see you guys at our information sessions everyday starting TODAY at either 2:30 or 5:30 (but I mean, if you’re of the real eager sort, we wouldn’t deny you from coming to both! ;)) in the Cyber Cafe of the Main Library!

Thanks so much guys, I hope you all have an AMAZING semester!
GO GREEN!!!
Talya

ps-don’t forget to switch groups!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/MSU-Beyond-Coal/181844538509958

The Black and Veatch Report

Hey guys!

I hope that finals went well, and that your break is off to a great start already. I just wanted to send you guys a quick message with some exciting news!

MSU has just launched its new website <www.energytransition.msu.edu> which has a report on it called the Black and Veatch Report–an analysis done about MSU’s current and potential future energy sources. This is a HUGE step, and one that, with the right push from us (of course), will lead to the clean energy MSU that we’ve been fighting for!

This all means that next semester will be one of the most important for our campaign. We’ve already talked to the administration, and several other VIP’s across campus, and they all want this transition just as much as us, but they don’t have our power to actually make this happen! They told us that the most important thing we can do right now is increase VISIBILITY across campus. This change is going to happen, but it is up to US to decide how. So get pummmmped because the future of MSU’s energy consumption is in our hands!!

Take a look at the report if you’ve got some time, and definitely put some feedback in their ‘feedback forum’ section. And if you know people who would be interested, tell them about the website too–students at MSU should be aware of this huge change that’s happening on their campus.

Also, we’re changing our weekly meeting time/place for the upcoming semester. We’re now going to be meeting on Tuesdays at 7:00pm (location tbd).

Anyways, I’m sorry this was longer than I expected…I hope you guys have an incredible rest of your break, and I can’t wait to start stepping our campaign up a notch next semester!

If you have any questions about the report or the campaign in general, feel free to message me back or email me at tavortal8@gmail.com

Thanks so much!
Talya

Get the Tools You Need to be an Activist!

Though the semester may be winding down, the campaign has been as busy as ever. We’ve had an incredible amount of VIP meetings within the past two weeks, each being more successful than the last! We’ve gotten support from the top people within the administration, and the alumni association, from faculty members across the board as well as student groups across campus. Transitioning the campus beyond coal to clean energy is very quickly becoming the topic of discussion on campus. And we’re just getting started!!

This week we’re doing an activist training that will give YOU the tools you need to make a real difference to support concrete changes at MSU.This is the event to come to this semester to learn how you can build a stronger group on campus, work effectively with the media, and hear more about National student efforts to move beyond coal to 100% clean energy. This Tuesday and Wednesday the big National Day of Action is happening in D.C., so in addition to the training we’re also going to be talking about the national movement!

Who: You! And anyone interested in learning activist skills from local trainers.

What: Activist Training–Tools for Change Workshop

Where: 114 Berkey Hall

When: 7:00-9:00pm this Thursday, December 2nd

Why: Because everyone deserves the chance to make an impact, and we want to help you learn how!

After the meeting: We’re going to be meeting up after the meeting for some good ‘ol ugly-sweater shenanigans (something you definitely won’t want to miss!) Location to be announced at the meeting 🙂

We hope to see you on Thursday! With local professional organizers and campaign leaders from the Sierra Student Coalition–MSU Beyond Coal campaign, you can expect to learn the tools you’ll need to make the change you wish to see on campus!

For more information contact me at tavortal8@gmail.com

Fight on

and GO GREEN!!

-Talya

Clean Energy Rally a Success!

Hey guys!

I just wanted to send a quick thank you to everyone who came and helped out at today’s rally. It was a HUGE success!! We surpassed every single one of our goals and it definitely showed 🙂 And it’s all thanks to your help and support!

I know for a fact that we’re one step closer to achieving clean energy on campus!! We just need to keep up the AMAZING work, and soon it will fully pay off!

We’re going to have a special meeting tomorrow, to follow up on today’s event and start working on the really big meetings we have coming up, so we hope we can see you all there! It’s at 7:30 in 114 Berkey.

Thanks again for all of your support, you guys are amazing!!!
Talya

Come to Our Clean Energy Rally Tomorrow!

So it’s finally here! Our Clean Energy Rally is this Wednesday, Nov 17th at 2pm in the courtyard behind Wells Hall and the International Center!

This event is part of a National Day of Action–so we’re not just working with other student organizations across campus, but with campuses across the nation as well, to unite under clean energy leadership. At each campus, one of the main visuals is going to be featuring pinwheels that represent clean energy. At MSU, we’ve got well over 600 of them! After all of our events, we’re sending our pinwheels to D.C. to have a HUGE display of clean energy support there. There are going to be thousands of pinwheels, it’s going to be such an incredible movement!

In MSU Beyond Coal, our main goal is to get the administration to make a public commitment to move beyond coal as soon as possible. One of the best ways we’ve found in helping them along in that decision making, is by ensuring their awareness of the mass support around campus for this transition. MSU has done some things to ensure we have a clean energy future, but they have not done nearly enough! It’s up to us then to protect our health, the environment, and Michigan’s economy by making this transition a reality!

The fight for clean energy is the challenge of our generation, and at this rally, we have the opportunity to make our voices heard! We are the ones who can make MSUtruly green, and we are the ones who can make MSU a clean energy leader for the rest of the nation!

So help transition MSU out of the dirty, outdated past into the clean, innovative future by showing your support on Wednesday at 2pm! We’re also going to have some incredible speakers, free coffee, and some kick-ass cheers and more!

Then, after the rally, we’re going to be having our weekly meeting on Thursday at 7:30-8:30pm in 114 Berkey. This is going to be a really big meeting–so we hope to see you there!

GO GREEN!!!!

Help Us Get Ready for Our Nation Day of Action!

Hey guys!

It’s time to show both our campus and national leaders that we must move beyond coal to clean energy solutions starting immediately. With so many recent disasters, accidents and spills in the dirty energy industry, we simply can’t wait. Communities are at risk from our addiction to these outdated fuels, but there is hope for exciting and innovative solutions available right now!

Therefore, this is a really exciting time for the MSU Beyond Coal Campaign–we’re gearing up for our biggest event of the year: a clean energy rally!!

It’s next week on November 17th at 2pm in the courtyard behind Wells Hall and the International Center. This event is part of a National Day of Action, so campuses across the nation are all going to be uniting in clean energy leadership. We’re all going to be featuring pinwheels at our events which represent clean energy, so come to the rally on Wednesday November 17th to make a pinwheel that will be delivered to Congress in D.C. after Thanksgiving break to show them you’re ready for clean energy.

In the meantime, in order to continue building up visibility for the campaign as well as for the Clean Energy Rally, we’re having:
-Wednesday table petitioning in Phillips Hall from 12-3pm and we’re also going to be making pinwheels there too 🙂
-Friday Dorm Storm for Pinwheels 3:30-5:30pm–we’re meeting in front of Brody caf
-Sunday Visuals Making Party 4-6pm in the main lounge of the union

And, as always–we’re having our Thursday weekly meeting at 7:30pm in 114 Berkey
This week, we’re having another speaker, Josh Buswell-Charkow, who is the Campaigns Director for Green Corps. He’s going to be doing a training at the meeting, so this is a great opportunity to learn from someone who knows the field, and knows how to make a successful campaign! Also, we’re going to be talking about some of the VIP meetings we’ve had the past two weeks. It’s going to be an especially interesting meeting, so we hope you can make it!

If you have any questions about the campaign or the upcoming events we’re planning, then don’t hesitate to ask!
RSVP for any and all events that you are attending to Talya at tavortal8@gmail.com

Thanks so much!
Talya

GO GREEN!!!