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Jun262009

Now Is The Time…Clean Energy Act

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Right now, the House of Representatives is moving towards a vote of historic proportions on a piece of legislation that will open the door to a new clean energy economy.

For more than three decades, we’ve talked about our dependence on foreign oil. And for more than three decades, we’ve seen that dependence grow. We’ve seen our reliance on fossil fuels jeopardize our national security. We’ve seen it pollute the air we breathe and endanger our planet. And most of all, we’ve seen that others countries realize a critical truth: The nation that leads in the creation of a clean energy economy will be the nation that leads the 21st century global economy.

Now is the time for the United States of America to realize this, as well. Now is the time for us to lead. The energy bill before the House will finally create a set of incentives that will spark a clean energy transformation of our economy. It will spur the development of low-carbon sources of energy — everything from wind, solar, and geothermal power to safe nuclear energy and cleaner coal. It will spur new energy savings like the efficient windows and other materials that reduce heating costs in the winter and cooling costs in the summer.

And most importantly, it will make possible the creation of millions of new jobs.

To continue reading this article go to Organizing For America.

Apr242009

Celebrate Arbor Day With Free Trees!

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mainHappy Arbor Day, celebrate with 10 free trees! The Arbor Day Foundation will send you 10 trees just by becoming a member.  Memberships are as low as $10.00.  Along with your membership you get discounts on trees, a free bimonthly newsletter and ‘The Tree Book’.  That is a great offer!

What do you know about Arbor Day?  It’s founder is J.Sterling Morton and it began in 1874.  Mr. Morton was a lover of nature and a journalist.  He used the newspaper he worked for to spread his love of trees and agricultural information.  The idea caught on quickly and in January of 1872, Morton went before the State Board of Agriculture to propose a tree planting holiday which would be called Arbor Day.  For a complete history, visit the Arbor Day Foundation websiteDon’t forget to get your membership and free trees!

“Each generation takes the earth as trustees.” - J.Sterling Morton

Apr172009

Carbon Pollution and the Green ‘P’

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tn_windmill“To truly transform our economy, protect our security, and save our planet from the ravages of climate change, we need to ultimately make clean, renewable energy the profitable kind of energy. So I ask this Congress to send me legislation that places a market-based cap on carbon pollution and drives the production of more renewable energy in America.”

– President Barack Obama

In his speech to a joint session of Congress February 25th 2009, President Obama made clear that Congress must act, and act quickly, to overhaul our oil-addicted economy with a cap on carbon pollution.

On the 14th of April 2009, in his speech at Georgetown University, President Obama again spoke about closing the carbon pollution loophole.  (view video)

Today, April 17, the Environmental Protection Agency set forth a proposed ruling that global warming pollution “endangers” Americans’ health and well-being.  This ruling sets the stage for using authority under the Clean Air Act to establish national emission standards for large global warming emitters such as new motor vehicles and coal-fired power plants.

The committee on Energy and Commerce  will begin hearings next week and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she intends to bring the bill to the House floor this year.

To read more about the Clean Air Act go to the Committee on Energy and Commerce website.

These actions make me hopeful and are one step closer to goals set forth by “The Green P“.

To make your voice count, go to We Can Solve It.  There is a lot of information available to keep you informed of future acts.

“The We Campaign is a project of The Alliance for Climate Protection — a nonprofit, nonpartisan effort founded by Nobel laureate and former Vice President Al Gore. The goal of the Alliance is to build a movement that creates the political will to solve the climate crisis.”

Repower America is a project of the We Campaign.  The site lays out ‘the plan’ in language we can easily understand.

Take the time to become informed and together we can change our future.

Apr172009

Ever Use a Skoy?

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skoyAre you looking for a replacement for those expensive paper towels?  I know I am.  Today I discovered a product that just might nearly do it.  It’s called the Skoy Cloth.

The Skoy Cloth is a natural multi-use cloth, it is biodegradable, absorbent and reusable.

The Skoy Cloth is made from a natural cotten and wood- based cellulose pulp making it 100% biodegradable.  If you compost, the cloth will break down completely within 5 weeks.

The Skoy Cloth can last months and is the equivelent of 15 rolls of paper towels!  It has an absorbtion factor of 15x its own weight.

“The SKOY cloth is long-lasting because of the wash ability feature.  It dries quickly, so it is not a breeding ground for bacteria.    Have you ever used your sponge, then smelled your hand and it reeked of horrible bacteria? That will never happen again if you microwave your SKOY cloth regularly. It is also dishwasher and washer/dryer safe. Cleaning your SKOY cloth will keep it healthy and germ-free.”

I have ordered my skoy cloths today.  I am anxious to see if they are as good as they say.  I will let you know.  In the meantime, visit the Skoy Cloth website and read all about it.  Be sure to read how Michelle and Karen got started with the cloths.  If you order some, please come back and give us a review.

Feb102009

Global Climate Safeline

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In surfing the world today I came across a video put out by 350.org.  Check it out.

“350 parts per million is what many scientists, climate experts, and progressive national governments are now saying is the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere.

Accelerating arctic warming and other early climate impacts have led scientists to conclude that we are already above the safe zone at our current 387ppm, and that unless we are able to rapidly return to 350 ppm this century, we risk reaching tipping points and irreversible impacts such as the melting of the Greenland ice sheet and major methane releases from increased permafrost melt…”  continued at 350.org

Feb012009

Eco-Teaching Resources

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littlegreenlogoFor those in a home school setting and those who teach in a traditional classroom, here is a great way to get your children  thinking green.   Simon&Schuster.net has Little Green books for purchase.

eco-librislogo1You will also want to take a look at Eco-Libris to see their environmental cause.  For each book you read they would like you to give 5.00 to plant a tree.  Check them out!

kab_kids_kablogo_roKeep America Beautiful has a learning community called Clean Sweep USA.  The site offers down loadable lesson plans that are centered toward environmental issues.

TheEnvironmentSite.org is another resource for eco-teachers K-12.  “The Environment Site offers teachers a number of ways to help introduce students to environmental concepts. The purpose of our teacher resources page is to provide links and content for teachers to integrate into an environmental education program.” You will want to see the resources available.

“On Earth Day, April 22, 2000, half a billion people around the world joined together to put forth new enviroheader1nmental visions for a sustainable future. High school and middle school students and youth groups across California’s San Francisco Bay Area got a head start by participating in the creation of EARTH TEAM, a collaborative network connecting Bay Area teenagers, teachers and youth leaders with numerous environmental, educational, and government organizations.”  I was quite impressed to read of the accomplishments and depth of this group!  Earth Team Environmental Network is a must read!

Green School Supporters is a social network with various resources for teachers.  “Engage K - 12 educators, education stakeholders, parents, environmental businesses, and students in project based learning efforts to capitalize the growing awareness of value in environmental education.”

logoeducrepEducation Reporting is a teachers handbook of all resources green!

I hope these will come in handy!

Jan232009

The Green P’s Inaugural Address

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President Obama had much to say in his inaugural speech on the environment and energy.  I have included a video of his inauguration below.  For the text version, go here.  To read about his agenda on energy and the environment go here.

Jan062009

Yes! We Can!

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I discovered a great site today, actually I knew about the site, I just had not explored it enough.  Change.org is a social establishment dedicated to well, change.  They are an umbrella group that houses a wide variety of causes dedicated to change in the world. Global warming, animal rights, gay and women rights, homelessness, peace and education make up a few of the causes showcased.

With one of my primary concerns being environmental I did a little searching on the site and came across this fantastic video. Read More »

Dec032008

The Green P? Time Will Tell…

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Will he or won’t he be the first Green President?  Many of us are hopeful that our newly elected President will be the one to make significant progress in all things green.  I’m encouraged with the rapidity President elect Obama has shown, not to mention the feeling of somebody actually being in charge.

I’m going to keep informed of our new President’s green initiatives as time progresses.  I will keep you informed as well. To begin that venture, here is an article and a time line to get us started.

Dec. 3, 2008-1 1/2 months prior to inauguration and President elect Barack Obama is moving forward.

The New York Times article reported by MSNBC.com.

Jun202008

Freecycle Network

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spotlightToday’s recycle spotlight is on The Freecycle Network.  If you haven’t tried it out yet, I would encourage you to do.

Freecycle is free and is a great way to recycle those items you no longer want or need but don’t want to throw out.

The Freecycle Network™ is made up of 4,709 groups with 6,565,000 members across the globe. It’s a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It’s all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer (them’s good people). Membership is free.

It’s easy to sign up.  Just input your city and the rest is self explanatory.
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