Given the political, economic, and environmental state of the world, grassroots action is desperately needed that tackles the issues of stopping further destruction of people and planet and builds a better way to do things aligned with justice and sustainability. As activists we need a dual strategy of Fight the Bad and Build the New. We must stop the expansion and operation of the fossil fuel economy while we also build democratic institutions around renewable energy and regenerative agriculture. This is the mission of Northfielders for Climate Justice.

Fight the bad
Enbridge, the largest oil pipeline company in North America is attempting to build a brand new tar sands oil pipeline through Northern MN and other midwestern states. As Minnesotans, we have a unique role in being to fight the construction of this pipeline through indigenous land just as we were able to do by coming together at Standing Rock against DAPL. As Northfielders for Climate Justice, we will do everything we can to stop this pipeline in the legal system as well as through protest camps.

Build the new
We are dedicated to building a new renewable energy system that is democratically controlled by us, the people, and not by private corporations. As Northfielders, we have an incredible opportunity to concretely make that vision a reality in Rice County by working with Cooperative Energy Futures. CEF is a consumer (us) owned and controlled solar garden cooperative that is building a community solar garden in Faribault MN which anyone in Rice County or an adjacent county can subscribe to. CEF is also using unique financing mechanisms so that low income people can have access to renewable energy with a solar subscription that pays for itself and starts energy bill savings. This is our concrete opportunity to help advance true energy democracy in our town.

Co-hosted by Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light and members of Young Peoples Action Coalition