Co-op Accepting Donations for Flood Relief/Standing Together in Climate Disasters

[David MacLeod]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:

Community Food Co-op, 360-734-8158

Kevin Murphy, [e-mail], ext. 220

Community Food Co-op collecting donations for Pakistan flood relief

Co-op will match up to $1,000 total of donations made at their stores

Bellingham, Washington | Aug. 18, 2010 –

The Community Food Co-op is collecting register donations at both stores to aid flood relief efforts in Pakistan by Doctors Without Borders. Additionally, the Co-op will match up to $1,000 total in donations for the aid agency.

Education Coordinator Kevin Murphy said, "We were overwhelmed by the community’s generosity when we collected $22,500 for earthquake relief in Haiti. Sadly, the situation in Pakistan is equally devastating and the Co-op wants to provide the same opportunity for the community to donate to flood relief."

Anyone can make a donation at the register at either Co-op location. No purchase is necessary to donate and membership is not required.

 

 

And a messge from Bill McKibben:

 

Dear Friends,

Sometimes 'climate change' can seem like an abstraction. That is, until you see it in action, as we have this summer in Pakistan, in the mountains of China, in Ladakh, and in the overheated peat bogs of central Russia.

This is all part of the reality we face in our current world of 392 ppm CO2. Our main work is to try and slow down the climate crisis before it gets worse--by getting to work on climate solutions that can get us back to 350.  

But working to create a safe climate future doesn't mean we don't need to try and help the victims of the climate crisis along the way. When our comrades and colleagues issue a call for assistance, we do everything we can to respond.

The recent floods in Pakistan have displaced 20 million people, and nearly a fifth of the country is literally underwater.  The scale of the suffering is difficult to fathom--and though relief efforts are underway, reports from the ground indicate that the response has been far too small and slow to provide the level of relief needed. 

That's why we hope you'll take a moment to send some money off to the relief agencies and local groups dealing with the recent climate disasters:

www.350.org/disasters

All of the countries recently devastated by the floods, mudslides, and heatwaves were hugely active in the International Day of Climate Action last October 24 (check out the photos below) and they're all planning events for 10/10/10: the Global Work Party.  It's both tragic and inspiring to see the pictures of a fifth of Pakistan underwater--and in those same areas see amazing events registered 10/10/10.

In the face of a changing climate, we hope you'll send some money to the victims of climate disasters--and that you'll keep working in your community to build this movement.

Many thanks,

Bill McKibben for the 350.org Team