Politically Correct, Environment Style

NFTY-TOR NVN – Greene Family Camp

December 4, 2010

Evan Traylor, NFTY-TOR MVP 2010-2011

Sterling Figueroa, NFTY-TOR SAVP 2010-2011

Touchstone Text

“Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.” ~Richard Armour

Goals

  1. PPs will be empowered to take social action in their own communities.
  2. PPs will effectively be able to understand and take back the political process in making a change in their own community.

Objectives

  1. PPs will learn about a contemporary environment situation.
  2. PPs will enjoy the many different forms of taking action politically in their community.
  3. PPs will be exposed to some environmental morals of Judaism.

Materials

  • URJ Video
  • Plastic vs. Reusable Video
  • Articles for Debate
  • Poster Board (4)
  • Notebook Paper
  • Pens
  • Table
  • Podium
  • Markers
  • Copy Paper
  • Laptops (3 -1 for the projector, 2 for research)
  • Projectors above the stage
  • Microphone (1)

People

  • 1 PL (Evan)
  • City Council (Regional Board)
  • PPs divided into 2 Groups (In each Group – 4 subgroups)
  • 2 Main GLs (advisors)
  • 8 Sub-GLs (advisors)

Space Needed

  • Chadar Ochel.

Time Table

Set Up-15min

00:00-00:02 Introduction

00:02-00:10 URJ Video/Info

00:10-00:15 Educational Video

00:15-00:25 Explain Groups

00:25-00:50 Campaign Activities

00:50-01:10 Share Commercials, Flyers, Outreach Programs

01:10-01:25 Debate

01:25-01:35 Wrap Up/Clean Up

Detailed Procedure

Set-Up

  • Clear out tables in the Chadar
  • Set up table in the front of the stage (like at GA) with podium
  • Set up projectors and make sure that the microphone works
  • Make sure that handouts are made from Appendix C
  • Have videos pulled up and minimized as well as websites

00:00-00:02 – Introduction

Allow all PPs to come into the Chadar Ochel and have a seat on the floor facing the stage and the Program Leader.

Program Leader: “Alright, listen up NFTY-TOR!! Are you guys having fun so far this weekend?? In this program, we are going to take a look at how we can help the environment, but through a more political view. In our generation, our goals to help the environment have increased. Most of you have seen the various ways the government has been trying to help the environment through its policies. Now it is OUR turn to try and understand this process, and hopefully try to use its power to make a change in the world.”

00:02-00:10 URJ Video/Info

Program Leader: “To start off this program, we are going to take a look at a video from the 2009 URJ Biennial talking about the importance of the environment, and the easy ways we can contribute. While watching this video try to focus on how these ideals of caring for the environment tie into our Judaism. We are then going to just take a look at the RAC (Religious Action Center) website to see all the various issues they are working with, and see how easy it is to get involved with this great organization.” The URJ video fromAppendix A is shown and the RAC web pages from Appendix A are shown, giving the PPs time to read over headlines and titles of articles on the main web page.

00:10-00:15 Educational Video

Program Leader:“Alright, now we’re going to watch a video concerning our program directly. This video is about the environmental effects of solar power, as well as wind energy. Pay close attention, because afterwards, we are going to use this information for the debate in our program.” (Appendix B)

00:15-00:25 Explain/Break into Groups

Program Leader: “Alright, I hope you guys learned a little something from that video. Now, for our program!! Everyone is now a citizen in the town of TORopolis. The city is divided into two sides that will debate each other about the best source of energy. One group is fighting for TORopolis to use wind power and the other is fighting for solar power. We are going to divide all of you into these 2 different groups. Each group is going to be given various articles (Appendix C) about their topic, as well as the use of laptops to help research your idea. Try to look for Jewish perspectives, and what Judaism says about the environment as you research. Each group will be working together in order to convince the City Council (the regional board) that their idea serves the city best. So, we are going to read the list of everyone in each group, and once we finish, go to your group leader on either side of the Chadar.”

The PL will then read off the list of PPs in the Solar Power group (Appendix D), and have everyone else go to the Wind Power group. Once all the PPs are in their respective groups, the Main GL in each group should read them the descriptions of all the Sub-Groups.

Main Group Leader: “Alright, so from our group right here, we are going to break up into 4 sub-groups. Each sub-group is going to have a different part in helping to campaign for Wind/Solar Power. The sub-groups are:

Debate – This sub-group will create an argument for their campaign by using various articles given and using their laptop for additional research, and must be able to effectively argue the opposing group in a debate before the city council.

Poster board/Flyers – This group must work together to create flyers to put around the Chadar, a poster board to use along with the debate group, and also a slogan and motto for their group. This group should be able to work with the other sub-groups and help them in utilizing the slogan and motto.

Commercial – This sub-group must work together to create an effective commercial to present to the city-council. The commercial must try to advertise their viewpoint using the slogan created by the Poster board/Flyer sub-group. This group should be ready to perform their commercial in front of the city council and the other group.

Outreach Program – This sub-group must work together to create an outline of a fun, creative, and interactive outreach program to extend their viewpoint to a group of teenagers. This group should outline their program on a sheet of poster board, and be prepared to explain it to the city council.

Main GL: “Our group needs to break into 4 sub-groups with equal numbers in each group. We all have 25 minutes to make all of this happen. Let’s start!!!” The Main GL will then oversee that the group is split evenly into four and that there is a sub GL for every group. The sub GL’s job will be to ensure that the groups maintain focus and to help the PPs if they get stuck or need assistance.

00:25-00:50 Campaign Activities

This time is allotted for the sub-groups to work on all of their individual projects. The PL will give time updates every 5-10 minutes to ensure that each sub-group finishes in time.

Also, the Main GL should have copies of the Standard Fact Sheet (Appendix E) to hand out to all of the sub-groups to use as resources.

00:50-01:10 Share Commercials, Flyers, Outreach Programs

Program Leader: “Alright, NFTY-TOR, listen up!! Now, we are all going to come back to the middle and present all of your campaign parts. We are first going to share flyers, mottos, and slogans for each group, then the outreach programs, and then finally the commercials. After we share all of these, we’re going to have our debate. Make sure whenever you present, that you present to both groups, as well as the city council.”

The teams will alternate between presentations. The solar energy will begin by presenting their posters, followed by the wind group presenting their posters. Each team will have approximately 2 minutes to present the posters. Next the teams will present their outreach programs, once again with the Solar Energy starting. Time allotted for this presentation consists of 4 minutes for each group. Lastly the commercials will be presented and the solar group will once again present first. Each team will have 5 minutes to present their commercials.

01:10-01:25 Debate

Program Leader:“Alright, now it’s time for the debate. During the debate, each group may send up only one representative at a time. We will have one 5 minute session for our debate. Even though during the five minutes only one representative may speak at a time, groups may sub in and out as many times as they’d like. After the 5 minute period, we are going to give each group 2 minutes to work together to come up with a final statement for the city council, and then each team will present their final statements to the city council. Everyone understand? Alright, let’s begin.”

01:25-01:35 Wrap Up/Clean Up

Following the final statements by each group, the City Council will deliberate and choose a campaign that they think represents the best interests of TORopolis. If there is a tie between the City Council, Mary will be the tie breaker. Liza will announce the winner at the podium.

Program Leader: “And the winner is (insert winning group here)!Alright, congratulations to the winner!! Both groups did a fantastic job of using their campaigning skills to help advocate for their cause. I hope that all of you have seen how easy it is to make a difference in your community through the political system. Did you also notice how not just our community stresses these environmental improvements, but also our Judaism. You guys saw this both from the speaker at the beginning and through your research. I hope that you guys enjoyed learning about these changes that we can make in our daily lives to positively affect our environment. Think about what you can do as an individual, what we can do as NFTY and as a Jewish community to better our environment.

We need to make sure that we get all of the materials back to the front of the stage. Thanks everyone!!!”

Appendix A – URJ Video/RAC Website

This video is representative of the all the support that the URJ and the RAC give towards the environment through political action.

  • URJ 2009 Biennial Green Initiatives

This speech was given at the 2009 URJ Biennial in Toronto in November. The URJ Biennial is held during years where there is not NFTY Convention.

  • Religious Action Center

Appendix B – Solar/Wind Energy Video

  • Solar and Wind Power - Renewable Energy Systems

Video clip: 00:00-04:35

Appendix C – Articles for Groups

All resources for the various sub-groups to use can be found in the Resource Packet.
Appendix D-Names of PPs in Groups

Solar Power Group

Sarah / Bates
Elizabeth / Gross
Shelby / Friedman
Shelby / Guskin
Sarah / Orsak
Darah / Lueck
Hannah / Zeevi
Michelle / Rosenthal
Shira / Stevenson
Danielle / Gosdin
Nicole / Cohen
Harrison / Bornstein
Richard / Freling
Nathan / Pisik
Daniel / Matyas
Sean / Schicker
Jonathan / Frish
Joey / Silver
Ted / Dayton

Wind Power Group

Jacqueline / Schicker
Alyson / Shniderson
Jordan / Palefsky
Lindsey / Weiss
Sammi / Donchin
Rachael / Pearson
Alexa / Disraeli
Rebecca / Galor
Michaela / Rollins
Emily / Satinsky
Paige / Seifert
Andrew / Braswell
Zachary / Beldon
Ryan / Hance
Jeffrey / Lewis
Justin / Garfield
Jordan / Redwood
Zach / Remer
Daniel / Wolfe

Appendix E – Standard Fact Sheet

  • Wind Energy stands as one of the most expensive Energy resources to set up, but one of, if not the cheapest to maintain, which is a better investment in the long term.
  • Wind energy is pollution free.
  • Wind energy is the fastest growing segment of renewable energy. (Popular)
  • Wind energy can be used in 50% of the United States .
  • Wind energy does not need a fuel supply, but does depend on the wind, which cannot always be dependable.
  • Works in all most all types of weather.
  • Can not work in freezes or snow.
  • Solar energy is almost complete sustainable (low maintained)
  • Solar energy is one of the worlds smallest in popularity for renewable energy.
  • Solar energy is very reliable.
  • Solar energy is very expensive and underfunded by governments.
  • Solar energy is not in the popular vote, but should be for its reduction of fossil fuels.
  • Works in areas that there is no wind, such as low flat areas like a dessert.
  • Solar energy does not produce pollution and is clean for the Earth.

Appendix D-Names of PPs in Solar Energy Group

Wind Energy Resources

  • - NRG Systems
  • - American Wind Energy Association
  • - Mountain Communities for Responsible Energy
  • - Clean Energy Ideas (Scroll Down)
  • – Religious Action Center

Wind Energy Articles

  • (NaturalNews) The race to develop alternative energy sources to offset traditional ones has been intensifying as states look to take advantage of federal incentives. Wind energy in particular is quickly becoming a hot new market and none other than Texas is ahead of the game in this particular sector.
    Texas tops Iowa, Washington and California in wind energy generation, harboring a capacity of nearly 10,000 megawatts in 2009. According to data, roughly five percent of Texas energy is now produced by wind, an impressive statistic considering that it has been achieved in less than a decade.
    When Texas first deregulated electricity in 1999, it established a requirement that 2,000 megawatts of power be derived from wind by 2009. It was the first state to make such a move. Texas achieved – and exceeded – this goal by 2005, and is set to reach production of 10,000 megawatts of renewable energy by 2025.
    Texas' Public Utility Commission is currently working on constructing a matrix of new transmission lines across the state that will accommodate the full capacity of the state's wind power potential. Since the grid can only handle a certain amount of wind energy in its current format, the system has to be expanded in order to handle the load.
    The network is expected to be finished sometime between 2013 and 2015, and by the time it reaches completion, it will be able to handle up to 18,000 megawatts of wind power at its peak output.
    But because wind energy can be fickle, literally "changing with the wind," it is difficult to rely solely on it for energy production. But Texas is forging the way in developing technologies that help to forecast the weather and control the storage of wind energy to accommodate changing weather patterns.
    Interestingly, Texas is having considerable success with wind because it cut itself off from the rest of the nation during the New Deal of the 1930s. While other states were partnering to share energy and transmission lines with one another, Texas exempted itself from partnerships and remained independent.
    Other energy providers in Texas are not so pleased with the success of wind power, particularly because it is heavily subsidized by federal grants that keep it artificially inexpensive. Many of them, including natural gas providers, are having a tough time competing and think that wind energy should have to survive on its own without the need for subsidies.
    They also believe that wind energy providers should help pay for the cost of meeting reserve requirements when the wind is not blowing. Basically, the consensus is that the wind industry should have to abide by the same standards as everyone else in the energy sector.
    The good news is that legislators are working with the industry to establish fair guidelines that will keep everyone happy and allow for the continued growth of clean, renewable energy.

Benefits of Wind Energy

Wind energy is clean. Electricity generated by wind turbines won’t dirty the air we breathe or emit pollutants like other energy sources—that means less smog, less acid rain and fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Power plants are the largest stationary source of air pollution in the United States, emitting millions of tons of sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxides and carbon dioxide each year. These pollutants are believed to be the cause of global warming. Running a single 1-MW wind turbine can displace 2,000 tons of carbon dioxide in one year (equivalent to planting one square mile of forest).
Wind energy is cost competitive to other fuel sources (like natural gas) and it is the least expensive of all renewable energy sources. Because the fuel (wind) is free, wind energy can provide a stable long-term price for power production. Today's wind farms can generate electricity for less than 5 cents per kilowatt hour in many parts of the U.S., a price that is competitive with new coal- or gas-fired power plants. The cost is expected to continue to decline as the technology improves and the market for this source develops.
Wind energy is growing fast. It has been the world’s fastest growing renewable energy source for more than a decade with an average annual growth rate of over 20%. In 2008, the United States had a record breaking year by increasing generating capacity by 50%. With more than 25,170 MW of wind energy capacity installed in the U.S. today, wind power can generateenough to power more than 7 million average U.S.households (a fraction of what it could be providing). According to the American Wind Energy Association, wind energy in the United States could provide as much as 10,777 billion kWh annually—more than twice the electricity generated in the U.S.today.
Wind energy is renewable. As one of Mother Nature’s gifts, the wind is available and plentiful and won’t deplete our world’s natural resources.
Wind energy benefits society. Because it is a clean energy source, wind energy reduces costs associated with air pollution—both healthcare and environmental costs. And, its low operating costs and short construction lead times mean it can provide low cost, clean energy quicker and more conveniently than traditional power plants.
Wind energy is local. Wind projects keep more energy dollars in the communities where projects are located and provide a steady income through lease payments to the landowners. Wind projects also pay significant property taxes and state taxes each year and create local jobs. Unlike oil, the wind is not affected by international conflicts or embargoes, making it immune to supply problems or price shocks.
Wind energy is reliable and efficient. Unlike other power plants, wind energy systems require minimal maintenance and have low operating expenses. Wind turbines are very reliable and are available to generate electricity 99% of the time (on par with other generating sources).