April 2013 Coffee News

-Apocalypse Now
-Finding Hope in a Time of Crisis
-Connecting Locally

Attending a movie last week, we noted that all the previews were for dystopian movies -- stories where the planet or the human race is threatened with annihilation and a few brave heroes are charged with saving the day. On TV (and in books) it isn't much better -- what with zombies on "The Walking Dead," or the militia taking over a darkened planet on "Revolution," etc. What's behind all this doom and gloom and might we dare to imagine a more positive future for our planet? Since Earth Day is coming up in a few weeks, we thought we'd use our April Coffee newsletter to explore these questions a bit.

Apocalypse Now
So, what's with the apocalypse showing up everywhere these days? Maybe it's just a hangover from the 2012 Mayan calendar thing. But then again, maybe you saw the movie Chasing Ice about disappearing polar ice? Or perhaps you listen to MPR's Climate Cast each Thursday morning where they give the "the latest research on our changing climate and the consequences we're seeing here in Minnesota and worldwide." Maybe you read the Rolling Stones Article by Bill McKibbon, "Global Warming's Terrifying New Math-Three simple numbers that add up to global catastrophe." Or perhaps heard that scientists are blaming this colder spring on arctic ice melt. Coming back from Honduras last month, we were discouraged ourselves, having heard first hand about violent societal disintegration in many communities there and witnessing the destruction of forests and coffee plantations due to coffee rust. Many believe climate change is one of the causes of coffee rust and scientists working with climate change models are even predicting the extinction of indigenous Arabica coffee.

Truth be told, based on the climate science that is out there, we will be very lucky if the worst thing that happens due to climate change is the extinction of coffee. If you aren't convinced that the future is grim, read "Stand Still for the Apocalypse" in which Chris Hedges reports on a Climate Impact report written for the World Bank. (Really -- if you aren't worried about Climate Change you should be. Stop and read his article now!) With scientists saying we have about 20 years to turn this around and viewing little change at the upper levels of government and society, is it any wonder we find ourselves "escaping" into dystopian entertainment?

Finding Hope in a Time of Crisis
We spent Spring Break in the Chicago area where Cathy's brother is teaching a class at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary called "Ethics of Hope in a Time of Crisis" and as usual our conversations were rich and transformative. From a book on his class reading list, Jurgen Moltmann writes, "We become active in so far as we hope. We hope in so far as we can see into the sphere of future possibilities. We undertake what we think is possible." So perhaps, we need to turn away from the zombies and look for a more positive vision of what could be possible. Here are a few places you might find that vision.

-Victory at Hand for the Climate Movement by Paul Gilding - a recent blog post on the Post Carbon Institute website that highlights the urgency and growing possibility of removing oil, coal and gas industries from the economy.
-America the Possible by James Gustave Speth - His award winning book and somewhat shorter essays in Orion Magazine, give a vision of political, social and economic life in a renewed America.
-Transition Network.org - a growing global network that supports community-led responses to climate change.
-Resilience.org - an information clearinghouse and network started by the Post Carbon Institute to build a world of resilient communities. 
-The New Economics Institute - working to build a new economy that prioritizes the well-being of people and the planet.

Actually, once you start looking, you'll find an abundance of transformations happening all over the planet. People near and far are transforming our food, energy, and money systems making them more resilient, more sustainable, more local. But since this is so urgent, the question to ask yourself becomes, "What can I do, here and now." We all need to get to work locally and we need to add our voices to the growing global grassroots movement to transition our planet. (Check out 350.org and the Citizens Climate Lobby to take action today).

Paul Gilding in his article "Victory at Hand for the Climate Movement" writes, "this is no longer about the future, it’s about now. We don’t have 20 years to decide to act; we have 20 years to complete the task. If we follow the science, then in 20 years we must have removed the coal, oil and gas industries from the economy and replaced them.  It’s simple, it’s urgent and perhaps most importantly, it’s now achievable." 

May that be the glimmer of hope we need to take action just in time.

Connecting Locally
Here in Minnesota, there are lots of fun ways a new economy is emerging. Here a a few we're pleased to be connected with.

-Sweet Science Ice Cream is a small business recently started in our neighborhood in St. Paul by Ashlee Olds who crafts her fabulous ice cream with natural, organic and local ingredients. In March, we were excited to have Velasquez Family Coffee included in her extremely yummy "Coffee Toffee" ice cream. To get a chance to try the delicious flavors she comes up with next, stop by on Sunday, April 14th for her free monthly tasting event.

-The Neighborhood Development Center is holding it's 2013 Entrepreneur Awards on April 20th and we were asked to provide coffee for their social hour (and honored to be among the nominees last year.) Check out the great local businesses being honored this year and the important local development work of the NDC.

-The World Jubilee is holding its Spring Fair Trade fair on Saturday, April 20th at Gloria Dei Luthern Church in St. Paul, a great opportunity to support economic independence of artisans worldwide.

-Smude's Sunflower Oil has created a School Fundraiser Catalog filled entirely with Minnesota Made Products (including -- Velasquez Family Coffee!) If you'd like a local alternative for your group's fundraising projects, contact Tom Smude at tom@smudeoil.com or 320-468-6925.

-We were saddened to learn that after 11 years the MN Living Green Expo is not happening this year. But check their website for a number of other great sustainability events coming up in the area in the next several months.

-Spring of Sustainability - No matter where you live, you can get connected and inspired from the comfort of your home with an exciting series of free online discussions happening between April 2nd and June 13th with 32 of the world's leaders in sustainability including folks like Francis Moore Lappe, Dennis Kucinisch, Vandana Shiva and Bill McKibbon and representing groups like Green America, Bioneers, LOHAS, Post Carbon Institute, Sierra Club, Rainforest Action Network, the United Nations, and more. Although the sessions have already started, you can hear replays of past discussions and see the schedule for upcoming events here.