Report by: Rabbi Jeff Sultar, director
Green Menorah Campaign of The Shalom Center
215/438-2983

In response to The Shalom Center's call for the Environmental Protection Agency to live up to its middle name, Jewish groups brought living trees to regional EPA offices in New York City and Philadelphia on January 21, the trees' Rebirthing Day in Jewish tradition.

(You can use and modify the model letters at the end of this post to join in the protest.)

The protest was well covered by the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent. For article and photoi, see --
http://www.jewishexponent.com/article/15130/

The actions called upon EPA to stop obstructing solutions to the global climate crisis. The action protested the EPA's refusal to allow California's application to set standards for greenhouse gas emissions twice as strict as federal levels.

The federal Clean Air Act of 1970 gives California authority to set its own, more stringent, air pollution regulations if it is granted a waiver by the EPA. Other states are then free to enact the stricter standards as well. California has sought such a waiver 53 times over the past 30 years and was not turned down once --- until now.

In denying the waiver on December 19, 2007, EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson ignored the unanimous recommendations of his own legal and technical staff. And he ignored the law of the United States.

The EPA protests marked the convergence of the beginning of Tu B'Shvat, the Jewish "New Year for Trees," with Martin Luther King Day, interweaving the healing theme of the first with the activist theme of the second..

When asked why trees were brought to the EPA, Rabbi Arthur Waskow, director of The Shalom Center, explained: "Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. They are crucial to our planet's health. Yet many are being wantonly destroyed, and their ability to keep our climate in balance is being overwhelmed by CO2 emissions. The trees were to remind EPA that they should, like trees, be healing the earth - not making it sicker."

Both actions cited the gathering in Bali last month, where the United Nations conference was held to develop a global climate crisis strategy to replace the Kyoto Protocols when they expire. As delegates from around 190 countries looked on, Kevin Conrad, the representative from the tiny nation of Papua New Guinea leaned into his microphone and addressed the American delegation specifically, saying --

"We seek your leadership. But if for some reason you are not willing to lead, leave it to the rest of us. Please get out of the way." The thunder of applause marked a turning point, with the United States delegation then actually changing some of its opposition to measures discussed throughout the Bali conference.

Quotations were read at the actions from the governors of California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Connecticut, as well as from the Attorney General of New York, voicing outrage at the EPA's decision.
Ther states and 14 others are waiting in line to enact similar regulations once California's permission is granted.

Despite frigid temperatures, about 15 people gathered in each location. Each action shared several elements - the reading of a statement, blessings and teachings over three fruits and nuts traditional to Tu B'Shvat, the symbolic planting of a tree (in NYC, a palm; in Philly, an Alberta spruce), and distribution of a letter template for sending to the EPA Adminstrator in Washington, D.C., congressional representatives and newspaper editors.

In Philadelphia, there was also drumming to begin and end the action and, in honor of Tu B'Shvat, Rabbi Shawn Zevit, Director of Outreach and Tikkun Olam for the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, led a rousing rendition of "She is a Tree of Life to Those Who Hold Fast to It/Eitz Hayyim Hi."

The Philadelphia action also included Rabbi Sue Levi Elwell, Director of the Pennsylvania Council of the Union for Reform Judaism, as well as representation from the JCRC Committee on Energy and the Environment

While the actions were planned on short notice, participants felt they were extremely worthwhile. For the participants themselves, the actions served as a wonderful way to usher in Tu B'Shvat and to observe Martin Luther King Day. And public awareness was raised: public officials in NYC and Philadelphia, as well as Pennsylvania Governor Rendell, were invited.

The Philadelphia Jewish Exponent reported on the action at length (including a picture of The Shalom Center's Green Menorah Program Director Rabbi Jeff Sultar) as part of a full-page article on area events marking the convergence of Tu B'Shvat with Martin Luther King Day. Also, a New Jersey Jewish newspaper intends to print the story and pictures. And letters were written by participants and distributed to passersby.

Eleanor Vine, Community Environmental Coordinator for the Montgomery County Health Department, introduced the tree planting ritual by quoting the words of Wangari Maathai of the Green Belt Movement in Kenya, which has planted 30 million indigenous trees, and vows to plant a billion:

"When planting your tree, think about how even small acts can have significant results and how each one of us can help bring peace into our troubled world.... The planet does not belong to those in power. It is a gift to all of us, not only a source of profound beauty but the sustenance for all life. And each one of us can help conserve and protect the Earth."

Congregation Agudath Israel, a Conservative congregation in Caldwell, New Jersey, provided the bulk of the energy, program and attendance at the New York City event (they sent a bus!). They were joined in this effort by The Workmen's Circle/Arbeter Ring, which provided not only attendees, but through the efforts of Martin Schwartz, its Director of the Center for Social Economic Justice, significant publicity, as wells as media and political savvy to get the word out to public officials and the press.

Dr. Gerry Buchoff, the major organizer from Agudas Achim, learned that the head of the NYC EPA regional office, Alan Steinberg, lived not far from him in New Jersey. He called to invite him to the action, and offered the tree as a gift. Remarkably, as the group from Agudas Achim were on the bus back from New Jersey, Mr. Steinberg called Dr. Buchoff back.

Mr. Steinberg was clear that, due to his position, he could not accept a tree offered as part of a protest. He also was clear that he personally supported the official position of the EPA national office. Of course, what else could he say?

We assume that the vast majority of people who have made the EPA their lifework join us in our opposition to the EPA's blocking of states setting stricter greenhouse gas emission standards.

And as you read this report, you too can join in this effort. Here i letter templates, so that you can also write to the EPA Administrator in Washington, D.C., to your congressional representatives, as well as letters to the editor of your local newspapers.
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Sample Letter to Stephen Johnson, Administrator, EPA:

E-mail: johnson.stephen@epa.gov Snail Mail: USEPA Headquarters
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N. W.
Mail Code: 1101A
Washington, DC 20460
Dear Mr. Johnson,
I was shocked to learn that you had denied California’s latest request for a waiver to the Clean Air Act. After granting such waivers 53 times over three decades, your decision could not come at a worse time. The Environmental Protection Agency must stop obstructing solutions to the global climate crisis. Your agency must live up to its middle name, “Protection.”

I write as a citizen of one of the 17 other states that seek to follow California’s lead in enacting stricter standards for greenhouse gas emissions. In total, these 18 states represent roughly half the population of the United States. We join with Governor Schwarzenegger in calling the ruling “unconscionable” and “ignoring the will of millions of people who want their government to take action in the fight against global warming.” And we echo Connecticut Governor Rell, who said, “The EPA has become a roadblock. This is a shame and a disgrace. They are not serving the people.” And we endorse the words of Pennsylvania Governor Rendell: “It is frustrating to see this administration, which has consistently failed to lead on environmental issues, act as an obstructionist to states that are stepping up to protect their citizens and the environment…. If the federal government doesn’t wish to recognize or exhibit real leadership on the issue, it needs to get out of the way and let states like California and Pennsylvania act to protect the health of our people, the environment and our economy…. We will not stand by and accept this short-sighted decision. The technology is already being used in other nations, so it’s time that American consumers benefit from it, as well.”

We respectfully and urgently request that you reconsider this decision, taking bold leadership in your role as the Administrator of the agency whose mandate is to protect our environment.
To Send a Letter to Senators and Representatives:

I was shocked to learn that Stephen Johnson, the EPA Administrator, denied California’s latest request for a waiver to the Clean Air Act. After granting such waivers 53 times over three decades, his decision could not come at a worse time. The Environmental Protection Agency must stop obstructing solutions to the global climate crisis. It must start living up to its middle name, “Protection.”

I write as a citizen of one of the 17 other states that seek to follow California’s lead in enacting stricter standards for greenhouse gas emissions. In total, these 18 states represent roughly half the population of the United States. We join with Governor Schwarzenegger in calling the ruling “unconscionable” and “ignoring the will of millions of people who want their government to take action in the fight against global warming.” And we echo Connecticut Governor Rell, who said, “The EPA has become a roadblock. This is a shame and a disgrace. They are not serving the people.” And we endorse the words of Pennsylvania Governor Rendell: “It is frustrating to see this administration, which has consistently failed to lead on environmental issues, act as an obstructionist to states that are stepping up to protect their citizens and the environment…. If the federal government doesn’t wish to recognize or exhibit real leadership on the issue, it needs to get out of the way and let states like California and Pennsylvania act to protect the health of our people, the environment and our economy…. We will not stand by and accept this short-sighted decision. The technology is already being used in other nations, so it’s time that American consumers benefit from it, as well.”

We respectfully and urgently request that you do everything you can to make sure that this decision is reversed.

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Sample Letter to the Editor for Local Newspapers:

The EPA must stop obstructing solutions to the global climate crisis. California applied to the EPA to set standards for greenhouse gas emissions twice as strict as federal levels. It has sought similar permission 53 times over 30 years and was not turned down once – until now. In doing so, EPA Adminstrator Stephen Johnson ignored the unanimous recommendations of his own legal and technical staff. And he ignored the law of the United States.

We join with Governor Schwarzenegger in calling the ruling “unconscionable” and “ignoring the will of millions of people who want their government to take action in the fight against global warming.” And we echo Connecticut – among 15 states joining California in its appeal – Governor Rell, who says, “The EPA has become a roadblock. This is a shame and a disgrace. They are not serving the people.”

We demand that the EPA obey the law and protect the environment!
Dear _________,