By Borderjumpers.org, a blog by Danielle Nierenberg and Bernard Pollack

We’ve taken some long bus rides in Africa. We spent eight bumpy hours on a bus from Nairobi to Arusha and another eight from Arusha to Dar Es Salaam. The longest so far, though, has been from Kampala, Uganda to Kigali, Rwanda.

Once we finally arrived, we quickly realized, that we’ve never traveled anywhere quite like Rwanda.

Fifteen years ago one of the largest modern genocides occurred here.

Our visit to the genocide memorial museum in Kigali, was a painful reminder to us that, as Jews, our shared global commitment of “never again” was just words. More than 1 million men, women, and children were senselessly murdered, not by strangers, but by their own government, their own neighbors, and in some cases, their own family members.

Today in Rwanda, it’s clear that the country and communities are creating spaces for healing. Radio, print, and TV are filled with multi-ethnic dialogues about renewing and rebuilding Rwanda. Communities are holding public forums, counseling is offered, and dialogue is growing everywhere.

We also found a country bustling with energy as it rebuilds. Traveling in the countryside we saw many success stories, including the work of Heifer International Rwanda which is training farmers and increasing food security. “Heifer is helping a recovery process,” explained Dr. Dennis Karamuzi, a veterinarian and the Programs Manager for Heifer.

Heifer began working in Rwanda in 2000, but their start was a little rocky. At first the community was suspicious of the group-because they were giving farmers “very expensive cows,” says Holimdintwoli Cyprien, one of the farmers trained by Heifer to raise dairy cows; they didn’t understand how the group could just give them away. But as people began seeing the results of Heifer’s training, they become less suspicious and more interested in working with the group.

We were very inspired as we met with several farmers all over the countryside, who were lifting themselves out of poverty using help provided to them by Heifer. Several of the farmers became teachers in their own communities, helping their neighbors learn new skills and techniques that they were benefiting from, and working with them to implement them.

Rwanda may be our most interesting and beautiful visit in Africa but the country also feels lost, still struggling to find itself, still deciding what direction it will go. Its wounds may never completely heal-especially when “never again” happened here such a short time ago.

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How else to read this new poll (PDF) from Christopher Newport University?

First, let’s establish one thing: Virginia’s government is doing nothing to address global warming. That’s not me talking — that’s what a Virginia Department of Environmental Quality spokesman told the Newport News Daily Press. No, wait — that’s not quite right. Virginia is actively trying to obstruct action on global warming thanks to the war on science led by Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli & supported by Gov. Bob McDonnell & Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling.

Meanwhile, last month was the hottest March on record globally & broke a record for lack of cold locally. That’s after 2009 was the 2nd-hottest year on record & the 2000s were the hottest decade on record. Oh, and remember the “oil crisis” in the 1970s? We import twice as much oil today as we did then.

The poll shows Virginians explicitly reject the McDonnell/Bolling/Cuccinelli clean energy & climate obstruction in three key areas:

• Virginians want state government to act, not obstruct. 78% agree “Virginia’s government has to create policies that could address the issue of climate change and improve the state’s environment.”
• It doesn’t matter if they don’t buy the science. 91% agree “regardless of whether there is or isn’t climate change, it is still in Virginia’s best interest to develop new sources of energy that are cleaner, reliable, affordable, and safer.”
• Virginians are willing to pay a little more for clean energy. 81% agree “slightly higher energy costs today are worth the investment if they lead to energy that is cleaner, reliable, affordable, and safer down the road.”

Oh, and the winter snowstorms that the Virginia GOP & Ken Cuccinelli said were proof global warming isn’t happening? Only 5% of Virginia voters agree. Instead, 28% say the freakishly strong storms made them more concerned about climate change.

Overall? Only 38% give Virginia’s environment an A or a B. That’s down sharply from 45% just last year.

I’d say there was a huge opportunity for Virginia Democrats to go after McDonnell/Bolling/Cuccinelli & establish clear contrast in the eyes of voters. But from state-level candidates like Tim Kaine, Creigh Deeds & Jody Wagner to Senators Mark Warner & Jim Webb, Virginia Democrats seem to prefer instead to listen to Republican positions promoting polluting fuels & say “me, too!”

To get clear contrast, you have to go to the regional level —  House members like Tom Perriello, Jim Moran & Gerry Connolly, State Senators like Chap Peterson &  Donald McEachin, or Delegates like Albert Pollard, Scott Surovell, Adam Ebbin & David Englin.

As Virginia Democrats plot strategy for 2010, 2011 & beyond, can they develop a statewide strategy for taking advantage of this opening — the gaping canyon between voters’ support for a new direction on clean energy & climate action and GOP candidates’ obstruction to progress & shilling for polluting fuels?  

Last month was the hottest March on record globally. Here in the mid-Atlantic, a winter that was slightly cooler than normal was followed by a March that broke a record for lack of cold.

http://cpp.cnu.edu/pdf/FinalTo…

38% give it A or B, down from 45% last year.

Only 5% say less 28% say more

81% agree “Slightly higher energy costs today are worth the investment if they lead to energy that is cleaner, reliable, affordable, and safer down the road.”

91% agree “Regardless of whether there is or isn’t climate change, it is still in Virginia’s best interest to develop new sources of energy that are cleaner, reliable, affordable, and safer.”

78% agree “Virginia’s government has to create policies that could address the issue of climate change and improve the state’s environment?”