It’s Getting Hot In Here

All of us concerned with global warming, human rights, and the impacts of oil on health and the economy should be watching the progress of Hurricane Gustav very closely.

Currently the predictions for the storm are truly alarming.

Although it’s five days away from landfall – and a lot can change in five days – the current track has the hurricane passing directly over just west of New Orleans at hurricane strength. (For those of you not from hurricane country or who aren’t weather geeks, the eastern wing of a hurricane is significantly stronger for northward moving tropical systems.)

While any hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico is frightening, the situation here is of course more grave as three years ago this very week most, if not all of us, stood by watching helplessly as a racist, man-made climate tragedy of epic proportions unfolded in the gulf.

Although the last thing I want to do is invite alarm, we need to be prepared: we can not be silent if the worst happens again.

I urge all of you too watch this situation closely. The group I work with, Rising Tide, will be taking more over the next 48 hours should the situation continue to look as grim as it does about appropriate, *immediate* responses of solidarity and action.

I urge all of you to join us or to do the same in your communities.

For those of you in the gulf, my thoughts are with you constantly. Please stay safe and strong.

Please post your ideas for action or thoughts on this below.