This is the latest news, victories, investigations and events happening in your community and around the world for the environment. There are also articles on things some wonderful folks are going to do and have accomplished. You can also find Petitions to sign as well to help protect our natural resources.

Save green in style this spring with these quick fixes

Is this email not displaying correctly?
View it in your browser.

FIX / SHARE / SAVE

This month, we've been taking a hard look at some of the best ways to save money & impact the planet. A new economy is on the rise: one that shares, swaps, borrows, fixes, & conserves more...and we like it!

Feel out of the loop? Get informed & jump on the bandwagon! Jennifer Berry Signature

	Friend on Facebook
	Follow on Twitter
	Follow on StumbleUpon
	Forward to a Friend

GET STARTED

	HOW TO: Share, Swap, Borrow & Get Free Stuff It's a sharing economy - take advantage of it!
	Find and Fix Household Leaks Save 10% on your utility bill & 10,000 gallons of water this year
	Save $1,347 on Gas This Year 6+ simple ways to make a big impact on your gas consumption
	MAKE DO: Could You Go a Year Without New Stuff? An eco-mom realizes she already has everything she needs

Tuesday, March 20, 2012 6:31 PM

Photo by Cher Rydberg. Waldo Lake is a true gem of the Oregon Cascades.

In 2010, after decades of advocacy, Waldo Lake was finally protected from noisy and polluting gas motor use. But now, in response to a lawsuit from those who want to run their gas motors the State of Oregon is reconsidering the rule that keeps Waldo Lake clean and quiet.

Below are our top 5 reasons that Waldo Lake should be protected. After you read them, make sure you write to the Oregon State Marine Board and tell them to keep Waldo Lake wild!

Top 5 reasons to protect Waldo Lake from gas motors:

Waldo Lake is ultraoligotrophic. That’s fancy science-speak that tells us Waldo is one of the purest lakes in the world. Tests have shown that Waldo’s water is so clear you can see over 150 feet into its blue waters.
User surveys have found that 95% of Waldo Lake users don’t need noisy and polluting gas motors to enjoy the lake.
It’s one of the largest natural lakes in Oregon and the second deepest.
The gas motor ban allows the use of electric motors and exempts emergency gas motor use for float planes and other craft.
Waldo Lake is the source of the Wild and Scenic North Fork of the Middle Fork Willamette River.

The Oregon State Marine Board is currently collecting public comment to decide if they will confirm or overturn the 2010 rule prohibiting gas motors. Additionally, the Oregon Aviation Board is weighing in on how the rule affects float plane operations. The Aviation Board meets tomorrow, March 22 and needs to here from you that float planes have other options than Waldo Lake!

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1780/t/0/blastContent.jsp?email_blast_KEY=1241687

Volvo, a company historically known for its focus on safety, has released details about a "pedestrian airbag" feature for its V40. But is this a Good or Bad Idea? See what your fellow TreeHugger readers think.

It's our sister site. Go pull her pony tails

People, Plants, & Phytos

Nutritional "Indiana Jones" creates sustainable farms, provides jobs and income for world's remote communities.

Superfood Hunter Darin Olien Has a Really Fun Job

Seeing is Believing

"60% of train passengers come by bike." "85% of kids ride bikes to school." "Best dollar for dollar transport there is."

Bike-Friendly Cities: How the Dutch Do It (Video)

Potty Paving

City of Bellingham, Washington recently put 400 "past their prime" toilets to good green re-use as a footpath.

City Makes Sidewalk From Hundreds of Old Toilets

The Pizza Box Recycling Mystery

Courtesy of Earth911

Many people assume that pizza boxes are recyclable. In fact, most boxes have recycling symbols on them and are traditionally made from corrugated cardboard. They are, in and of themselves, recyclable.

However, what makes parts of them non-recyclable is the hot, tasty treat that comes inside them, specifically, the grease and cheese from pizza that soil the cardboard.

So there you have it, pizza boxes that are tarnished with food, or any paper product that is stained with grease or food, are not recyclable - unless you remove the tainted portions.

But why is this? And what are the implications for the general, pizza-loving public? Mmm, pizza.

How it Gets Recycled
Food is one of the worst contaminants in the paper recycling process. Grease and oil are not as big of a problem for plastic, metal and glass, as those materials are recycled using a heat process. But when paper products, like cardboard, are recycled, they are mixed with water and turned into a slurry. Since we all know water and oil don't mix, the issue is clear.

Grease from pizza boxes causes oil to form at the top of the slurry, and paper fibers cannot separate from oils during the pulping process. Essentially, this contaminant causes the entire batch to be ruined. This is the reason that other food related items are non-recyclable (used paper plates, used napkins, used paper towels, etc).

"The oil gets in when you're doing your process of making paper," said Terry Gellenbeck, a solid waste administrative analyst for the City of Phoenix. "The oil causes great problems for the quality of the paper, especially the binding of the fibers. It puts in contaminants, so when they do squeeze the water out, it has spots and holes."

But what about other things regularly found on paper products, like ink? "Most inks are not petroleum-based so they break down fast. Food is a big problem," he said.

Also, be mindful of adhesives that may be on the pizza box (coupons, stickers, etc.) as those are contaminants. Known as "pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs)" these can ruin the recycling process just as much as oil or food remains.

Sneaks
Many people admit trying to "sneak" their pizza boxes in with cardboard boxes and such. In reality, this does more harm than good as the contaminated cardboard could ruin the whole recycling batch.

In fact, contamination in the recycling business is a big problem. Some estimates put the costs of irresponsible contamination in the neighborhood of $700 million per year industry-wide. Gellenbeck estimates that for the City of Phoenix, contamination costs them around $1 million annually, because of damage to machinery, disposal costs for the non-recyclable material and wasted time, materials and efficiency. With the City processing 129,000 tons of materials in 2008 (around 7 percent of this is cardboard), money is an important factor as to why residents should know what their municipalities do and do not accept.

So, What Do I Do?
The easiest remedy for this problem is to cut or tear out the soiled portions of your pizza boxes and trash them. For example, you can tear the top of the box off, recycle that and throw away the bottom part containing the grease. If the entire box is grease-free, the whole box can be recycled with a guilt-free conscience.

Another option to recycling cardboard is to compost it, although the grease rule still applies here as well. "Even with oils, you shouldn't compost [greased cardboard]. It causes rotting, you get more bugs and smell and it's just not good for the plants," said Gellenbeck.

Most importantly, being well-versed on what your local recyclers accept, can make the biggest difference. "It all depends on where your processor sends your paper, too," said Gellenbeck, whose authority applies only to the City of Phoenix. "If you can keep a particular thing like the food out, the plastics out, all those things that really shouldn't be there, it would help."

The Pulse: Facts you need from experts you trust

One year ago, we watched as the world's worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl unfolded in Japan. What should have served as an urgent call to action to reduce the risks of nuclear power in our own country has been met with a sluggish response. Despite real risks, the authorities responsible for nuclear power safety and security in the United States aren't acting forcefully enough to implement long-overdue measures to make a nuclear disaster less likely and limit the consequences if one does occur. One year is long enough—we must demand consistent and sustained action to ensure safer, more secure, and better regulated nuclear power. —Karla

This Just In

Fukushimia Daiichi plant

U.S. nuclear power safety one year after Fukushima.
A new Union of Concerned Scientists report assesses how the United States is applying the lessons of Fukushima to our nation’s 104 nuclear reactors. The report offers a critique of the safety enhancements the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has proposed and finds that the agency is missing a key opportunity to significantly improve nuclear safety and security. MORE

Nepalese climbing guide Apa Sherpa has scaled the world's highest peak a record twenty-one times, says Climate Change Could Make Everest Unclimbable

Marylhurst University

Online MBA in Sustainable Business - Offering 4 Concentrations

This online MBA in Sustainable Business prepares you for a greener business future focused on environmentally and socially conscious sustainable business practices. Choose from four specialized concentrations: Renewable Energy, Government Policy & Administration, Green Development or Natural and Organic Resources.

Cool Coolth

The 'Jaali' an old Rajasthani architectural element serves as three filters - hot air (45C or 113 F), light, and privacy.

Architect Uses Ancient Techniques To Cool Modern Building in India

Sneak Peeks

Production of the Emerg-E may not make any enviro difference, but it has engineers learning all about electric propulsion.

Pics of Infiniti's Upcoming Sexy Electric Supercar Have Leaked!

Smell Swell

Commercial perfumes contain between 10 and 250 ingredients, but you can make your own with just three!

DIY Your Own Solid Perfume to Smell Great, Naturally

Colour Grown, Not Painted

Seed Savers Exchange 36 years of preserving and promoting heirloom foods has recorded 24,000 diff varieties.

Why is a Purple Tomato Better than a Big Red Tomato?

Lesser of Two Evils?

630 cyclists were killed in the USA in 2009, but 600,000 Americans died due to heart disease, & 112,000 of obesity.

Two Per Cent of US Road Deaths Are Cyclists

Bee Here Now

Megan Paska has watched urban beekeeping grow from an illegal activity into a part of community sustainability.

Incredible Video Shows the Beauty of Urban Beekeeping

The Other Greenhouse Effect

The Window Frame, Lean-to, and Poly Hoop Greenhouses show how to create your own cosy seed-starter microclimate

3 Easy DIY Greenhouses for Under $300

Cottage Food Laws

In California and elsewhere it is illegal to sell homemade baked goods to a neighbour or even a friend. That might change.

The California Homemade Food Act: The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread, Is Legally Selling Homemade Bread

Building From The Backyard

Architecture Foundation of British Columbia's challenge: Design a home with materials from 100 miles of Vancouver.

Hey Architects, Can You Design a 100-Mile House?

Tired of the grind? Find what you love about green again

Is this email not displaying correctly?
View it in your browser.

WHERE'S THE LOVE?

This time of year can feel a bit...blah. The holidays are over, New Year's resolutions are long-forgotten. Where's the fire we felt only a few months ago? What happened to the passion?

This week, let's reconnect with what we love about green, from inspirational people and projects to creative ideas that will give us that ol' spark again.

Feeding the fire, Jennifer Berry Signature

	Friend on Facebook
	Follow on Twitter
	Follow on StumbleUpon
	Forward to a Friend

GET STARTED

	Get Inspired to Fall Back in Love with Green These 3 green leaders can help you find your passion again, no matter where it is.
	HOW TO: Green Your Romantic Winter Getaway Feel the love...literally!
	7 Tips to Inspire Your Party Guests to Go Green Feel festive with a green fete that puts everyone in the mood - without being pushy
	Corporate Sustainability: Green from the Top The passion this company has is making your favorite foods eco-friendlier every day

New Wind Turbine Design to Generate Power from Low Winds

by TreeHugger February 26, 2012

Written by Derek Markham

The stereotypical wind turbine design demands a lot of clearance around it, a tall tower, and plenty of high winds, but a new design could change all of that. The Wind Harvester is a serious departure from most wind turbine designs, not only because of its horizontal design and the type motion required to generate power, but because it is claimed to be able to produce electricity from both high and low wind speeds.

“The new Wind Harvester is based on a reciprocating motion that uses horizontal aerofoils similar to those used on aeroplanes. It is virtually noise-free and can generate electricity at a low speed, which may result in less opposition to new installations. It will also be operational at higher wind speeds than current wind turbines. – Wind Power Innovations“

The inventor of the Wind Harvester, Heath Evdemon (founder of Wind Power Innovations), has support from Nottingham Trent University’s Future Factory project, and a large-scale working model is expected to be installed in the Derbyshire Peak District.

According to Gizmag, Evdemon said “We’re looking for potential sites within the Peak District National Park at the moment and then we’ll turn our attention to industry, but it’s a product which could one day be rolled out to farms working towards becoming carbon neutral and homeowners looking for a cheap and sustainable source of power.”

The Wind Harvester is said to be able to be manufactured in any size up to 15 meters across, only needs to be about half a meter off the ground, and the device can be broken down into manageable pieces so the installation process will not need to use heavy machinery, which is a boon in environmentally sensitive areas.

5 Reasons Keystone XL Pipeline is a Bad Idea

by Care2 Causes Editors February 24, 2012

NOTE: This is a guest post from Alex Ralston, Online Organizer at the Center for Biological Diversity.

Less than two weeks after President Barack Obama rightly rejected the Keystone XL pipeline, a bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate that would allow Congress to approve the pipeline. There are plenty of good reasons to reject the pipeline; here are five of them:

1. It will spill. The State Department’s review of the project clearly says Keystone XL will spill oil. Not may, but will. The existing Keystone pipeline has already leaked 14 times since it began operating in June 2010, including one leak that dumped 21,000 gallons of tar-sands crude. Keystone XL would carry up to 35 million gallons of oil every day — so any leak has the potential to be massive.

2. It won’t be a major job producer. The State Department estimates that Keystone XL will result in only 20 permanent, operational jobs in the U.S and 2,500 to 4,650 temporary jobs. What’s more, after Keystone XL oil makes it to Texas, much of it will be exported beyond U.S. borders without paying U.S. taxes – never benefitting our economy or slacking our thirst for oil.

Help fight our climate-changing oil addiction by signing the Center for Biological Diversity’s petition.

Tourism to Blame For Rise in Shark Attack Deaths

by TreeHugger February 15, 2012

Written by Stephen Messenger

Sharks have garnered a reputation as mean, cold-blooded aquatic killers, striking fear into the hearts of many would-be ocean goers — but it turns out that in an increasing number of shark attack cases, it may actually be humans that are to blame. Last year, 12 swimmers were killed in shark attacks and 34 more were injured, making it the most deadly period on record since 1993. Researchers say they know what’s behind the uptick, and it’s kind of our fault.

According to a study conducted by the University of Florida, while 2011 shark attack figures decreased in some of the most popular beach destinations in the world, they seem to be occurring more often where they were once rare — and tourist trends may be why. Increasingly popular seaside locales such as Kenya, Costa Rica, and New Caledonia each recorded one swimmer death; the Seychelles and French-administered Indian Ocean island of Réunion each experienced two.

For shark expert George Burgess, the location of these shark attacks signals an shift in tourism. From the National Geographic:

“I think many of these communities aren’t prepared structurally to worry about a shark attack until after it has happened,” Burgess said.

“Once the number of bodies going into the water reaches a sort of critical mass and they have a first attack, then they have to react.

“There’s no shame in having a shark attack,” he added. “It’s sort of a signal that you’ve arrived” as a tourist destination.

But the apparent correlation between tourist trends and shark attacks goes both ways, says Burgess. For the first time in recent years, the United States saw no shark-attack deaths in 2011.

“It seems to me that the declines we’ve seen in the U.S., and particularly in Florida—which is the engine that fires up U.S. shark-attack statistics—have coincided with the economic downturn,” says Burgess. “We may be seeing that some folks are less able to go to the sea for their vacations.”

This post was originally published by TreeHugger

Take a second look at your trash

Is this email not displaying correctly?
View it in your browser.

DAZZLING DIY

What is trash, really? It's not what's in your recycling bin or in your wastebasket - it's what you can't find another use for. In this edition, let's re-examine and re-think our refuse, and turn it into something beautiful.

Diggin through my bin,

Jennifer Berry Signature

	Friend on Facebook
	Follow on Twitter
	Follow on StumbleUpon
	Forward to a Friend

GET STARTED

	5 Low-Waste Winter Centerpieces No flowers on-hand? Need fresh decor? Check out these top ideas.
	7 Reuse Ideas for Old Jeans Don't throw out your old duds!
	Weekend Craft Ideas for Kids Valentines, octopi, and cameras - cute crafts with found materials
	10 Reuse Ideas for CDs & DVDs Don't know what to do with your old tunes?
	Museum Exhibit Teaches Kids About Reuse Look at trash through a child's eyes

ECO WARRIOR

Becky Striepe
| Owner / Site Director / Senior Editor

Glue and Glitter / Crafting a Green World / Green Upgrader

"I think the key to green crafting is changing how you look at materials. It's about being a materialist - a real materialist. You want to value your materials, where they come from, and the impact involved in creating and using them. When you change your outlook, you start to see craft supplies in places you never would have expected, like your recycle bin or even your own backyard."

Get Featured Next Week

Next week's edition is all about Valentine's Day. We're looking for lovely crafts, ideas, and gifts! Are you an expert? Email your ideas, tips or photos to greentips@earth911.com for a chance to be the next Eco Warrior.

Who'd have thought it, huh? Research shows that residents of older style, traditional communities with main street shopping, walk nearly three times more often than do residents of neighbourhoods whose nearest shops and services lie along a major arterial roadway.

"Look and listen for the welfare of the whole people and have always in view
not only the present but also the coming generations ..."

Yesterday's News Reused

Ivano Vitali crafts garments from newspapers, tearing paper into strips, sorting it by colour to avoid use of dyes.

Artist Knits Recycled Newspapers into Beautiful Clothing (Photos)

Long Playing (LP) Trees

Thanks to a special 'record player', a tree's biography can now actually be heard as its tree ring discography.

Modified Turntable Reads Tree-Rings as Music (Video)

Bamboo Bookcase

The Tetrad's four modular bamboo shelving units of bamboo can be arranged in umpteen various configs.

Tetris-Like Bamboo Shelving Stacks Up, Just Like The Game

Lose the Bad and the Ugly.

Tell Congress to Improve the State of the Union, and Invest in Clean, Renewable Energy.

Last night's State of the Union address and Republican responses brought us the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

The Good: President Obama doubled down on clean energy like wind and solar -- and on creating incentives for clean energy growth and job creation. We've got our bets on those horses too.

"I will not cede the wind or solar or battery industry to China or Germany because we refuse to make the same commitment here. We've subsidized oil companies for a century. That's long enough."

The Bad: During Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels' Republican response, he did not see eye-to-eye with us on the Keystone XL pipeline. Perhaps he hasn't seen the oil and gas industry's track record on spills from tar sands pipelines and the impacts on water and public health. Despite the Governor's bad feelings, the Obama Administration has already done the right thing and nixed the wrong-headed project. It was a big victory thanks to activists like you.

The Ugly: Speaking of Keystone XL, guess who Speaker of the House John Boehner invited to be his special guests at the State of the Union? The oil executives who would profit from the pipeline¹!

An investigation by Media Matters² found, in addition to taking large contributions from oil companies with states in the pipeline, House Speaker Boehner has hundreds of thousands in personal financial investment in companies that would benefit directly from the building of the pipeline.

We agree with the President -- there is no good reason for continuing century-old tax cuts to wealthy oil companies while stalling a clean energy standard that would create a market for innovation and American jobs. It's out with the bad and ugly and in with the good. Tell Congress that we are going to keep pushing for big victories this year, and they should get on board.

Join us in using the words of the President's State of the Union to inspire real action in Congress. Will you tell Congress it is time to invest in a clean energy future?

Thanks for all that you do,

Michael Brune
Executive Director
Sierra Club

CUT CORNERS NOW

We love shortcuts - when it comes to saving energy. It's amazing what a few small changes at your home, office, and in your daily life can do. Check out our pro tips to minimize your footprint where you live, work, and play.

P.S. Scroll down to see this month's green giveaway!

Looking forward to lower bills,

Jennifer Berry Signature

	Friend on Facebook
	Follow on Twitter
	Follow on StumbleUpon
	Forward to a Friend

GET STARTED

	Energy Efficiency Could Create More Jobs Numbers on how growth in this sector could create 1M new jobs
	Top States for Alternative Energy What states are rocking the energy scene & lowering their carbon footprint?
	How to Ecoize Your Workout Skip power-sucking treadmills & throwaways for low-impact exercise
	Conserve Energy in the Kitchen From cooking to appliances, our best tips for a low-energy kitchen http://earth911.com/news/2011/12/28/top-25-alternative-energy-moves-of-2011/?utm_source=Earth911.com+Weekly+Newsletter&utm_campaign=b3a0cbbaca-_26_Weekly_Guide_Energy_and_Giveaway1_24_2012&utm_medium=email

view this e-mail as a webpage

Waldo Lake (photo by Mark Timby) If you’ve ever been to Waldo Lake in the central Oregon Cascades, you know that the water there is almost unfathomably clear. In fact, Waldo’s water may be more pure than its more famous cousin to the south – Crater Lake.

In 2010, thanks to more than 10 years of work and and support from Oregon Wild activists, gas motors were finally banned from Waldo Lake – protecting its pure waters from pollution and preserving the one-of-a-kind experience of solitude that the lake provides.

Well, the waters of Waldo are clear, but the Oregon State Marine Board may be trying to muddy them once again by reopening the rule that prevents gas motors from operating on the lake.

Please write a quick e-mail to Governor Kitzhaber and tell him and the Marine Board to stand up for clean water and solitude at Waldo Lake.

Action Alert

Victory! Obama rejects permit for Keystone XL pipeline.

But Big Oil and their allies in Congress are already plotting their revenge...

Send a note of thanks to the President for rejecting the Keystone XL pipeline, and let him know he has your support in the firestorm that is sure to come.

Over the past year, hundreds of thousands of activists like you have raised their voices with one strong, clear message: the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline is dangerous, and we do NOT want it.

The president heard you – and listened. Yesterday, standing strong against the bullying tactics of Big Oil and their allies in Congress, the Obama administration denied the permit for the Keystone XL, stopping the pipeline in its tracks.

This isn't just the right call – it's the brave call.

Please thank President Obama right now for standing up to Big Oil and rejecting the Keystone XL pipeline.

The pipeline, which would have transported dirty and dangerous tar sands oil across 1,700 miles of America’s heartland, would have threatened vital water sources, endangered ecosystems, and increased toxic pollution along its route.

While the rejection of the permit is a big win for our environment, this is not the end of our fight. Big Oil has threatened 'huge political consequences' if the pipeline is not approved and Republican leaders have already begun planning their attack against the President with wildly exaggerated claims that the pipeline's rejection would kill thousands of American jobs.

We know Big Oil and their allies in Congress won't give up easily. We need to let the President know that we will stand with him and make it clear that tar sands pipelines are not in our national interest.

Please take a moment to send a letter to the President applauding his decision to reject the dirty Keystone XL Pipeline and stand up against Big Oil and their allies.

And feel free to share this great news!

Thank you again for all that you do – this victory would not have been possible without your help.

Sincerely,

Mike Town
Director, SaveOurEnvironment.org
info@saveourenvironment.org

In 2011, the environmental movement rediscovered its most valuable asset: People like you who refuse to succumb to cynicism and apathy. With the help of your activism, we achieved some major milestones, including stronger fuel-economy and pollution standards for cars and the first-ever standard limiting the amount of toxic mercury emissions from power plants. Thank you for all that you have done.

2012 will be another big year fighting for the environment, and it marks a special milestone for the Sierra Club, too. 120 years ago, John Muir founded the Sierra Club to "to make the mountains glad,” and we continue his mission today.

As a Wilderness Guardian, you'll be joining a special group of members who provide a steady income stream that lets us plan and focus our work. Because your Sierra Club membership will always stay current, we won't need to bother you with renewal mailings. Best of all, you'll know that you're helping the environment every month of the year. Please join us in this movement and help us start 2012 right by becoming a Wilderness Guardian today!

Become a Wilderness Guardian today for only $5 a month or consider joining at $10 a month to help us celebrate our 120th anniversary.

Thank you for everything you do for the environment.

Sincerely,

Michael Brune
Executive Director

Action Alert

Victory for the Grand Canyon!

On Monday, Interior Secretary Salazar announced a 20-year ban on new uranium mining around the Grand Canyon.

Show Secretary Salazar and the President you appreciate their commitment to protecting this national treasure – send a quick note of thanks now.

Woot! Earlier this week, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar finalized plans to protect one million acres surrounding the Grand Canyon from new uranium mining for the next 20 years.

This decision will protect critical wildlife habitats, keep drinking water for millions who live downstream clean and safe, and preserve the region's striking natural beauty, safeguarding tourism-related jobs.

Please join us in saying "Thank You!" to Secretary Salazar and President Obama.

I also want to say a big thank you to YOU and the other 15,874 Save Our Environment supporters who urged the Secretary of the Interior to reject plans to mine for uranium in the Grand Canyon this spring and summer. Your actions made a big difference for this unique place and its inhabitants (and visitors)!

The Grand Canyon is one of America's most beautiful national parks. Each year, millions of people come from around the world to enjoy its natural beauty.

Sometimes I wonder: will we ever have options for cleaner cars that are also affordable and fun to drive? Luckily, the answer from UCS engineers is: Yes, we will—and soon! Two recent events have shifted the future of the automobile into high gear. In November, the Obama administration proposed strengthened fuel efficiency and global warming emissions standards for cars and light trucks. The state of California followed with a suite of policies designed to foster the development of cleaner gasoline vehicles and electric car technology—for California and the nation. These two major steps are critical to putting the automobile industry on a course to develop the next generation of cleaner cars in all shapes, sizes, and price ranges—saving consumers money, curbing global warming emissions, and reducing our dependence on oil. —Karla

This Just In

Electric Vehicle

CA leads the way to a clean car future
As part of a series of policies designed to reduce air pollution and drive technology development, California recently announced its intent to strengthen the Zero Emissions Vehicles (ZEV) program to require battery, fuel cell, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to account for 1.4 million new vehicle sales in the state between 2018 and 2025. Although UCS analysis indicates that the target can and should be set higher, the ZEV proposal is a promising step that will drive innovation in clean vehicle technology and give car buyers in California—and nationwide—cleaner alternatives to gasoline-powered automobiles. MORE

Share:

Great news! Today, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar finalized plans to protect one million acres surrounding the Grand Canyon from new uranium mining for the next 20 years.

Click here to send a message to the Obama administration: “Thank you for standing up to the mining industry.”

Protecting One Million Acres Around the Grand Canyon

Send a message to the Obama administration: “Thank you for standing up to the mining industry.”

TAKE ACTION >>

Great news! Today, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar finalized plans to protect one million acres surrounding the Grand Canyon from new uranium mining for the next 20 years.

This is a big win for all of us who care about protecting the Grand Canyon’s natural splendor. Extending the current moratorium on new uranium mining claims will protect tourism related jobs, drinking water for millions downstream, and critical wildlife habitats.

Click here to send a message to the Obama administration: “Thank you for standing up to the mining industry.”

The Grand Canyon is one of America’s most beautiful national parks. Each year, millions of people come from around the world to enjoy its natural beauty.

Yet fueled by a recent boom in uranium prices, corporate mining interests have been staking out thousands of new mining claims and working to re-open old mines near the Grand Canyon. The damage from uranium mining near the Grand Canyon could be catastrophic -- radiation and toxic waste could leech into the groundwater and the Colorado River, contaminating the drinking water of 26 million people in in the area.

We strongly applaud the Obama administration’s decision to protect one million acres around the iconic Grand Canyon from dirty and dangerous uranium mining for the next twenty years. Click here to send a message to the administration: “Thank you for standing up to the mining industry.”

Thank you for taking action.

Sincerely,

Gene Karpinski
President
League of Conservation Voters

Airlines Fight E.U. Carbon Charge

by Nancy Roberts January 5, 2012

In a move that could result in a trade war and/or some progress on slowing carbon emissions, as of January 1 a European directive requires all airlines operating within the European Union to buy carbon allowances as part of the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). The offsetting is the first mandatory program of its kind for aviation. The U.S. airline industry has been fighting the rule for years, most recently losing an attempt to block the rule’s implementation in a challenge in the EU Court. They argue that the EU does not have the right to make this requirement and that only an international aviation body could impose such a fee. According to the Guardian, this week four Chinese airlines openly refused to pay the charges; under the new law they and others who don’t comply risk being fined and even banned from European airports.

The Flying Public to Pay?

Airlines will either swallow the extra expense, or, more likely, pass it on to customers. The European Union has estimated the charge at between 2 and 12 Euros ($2.55 – 15.35) depending on flight distance and other factors. USA Today notes that this week United-Continental, US Airways and Delta began charging a $3.00 fee on one-way tickets to Europe, though the fees have not yet been directly tied to the EU regulation.

British Airways’ website, while basically supporting the inclusion of aviation in the ETS, states concerns over the implementation, including:

We have concerns about the imposition of this scheme on foreign airlines flying into the EU. We believe it will lead to a negative legal battle at a time when we need a constructive debate on a global solution.

If implemented as it now stands, without a global solution for aviation in place, the scheme will lead to a significant competitive disadvantage for EU airlines, resulting in job losses and a reduction in services as international passengers by-pass European hubs.

It would be far better to implement this scheme initially for intra-EU flights only, and to widen it to intercontinental flights when a global scheme that includes aviation is in place.

It is unknown what effect the mandatory, flight-based fees will have on voluntary individual offset plans, in which individual passengers currently participate. Adoption of these programs has been slow, but nonetheless thousands have paid to offset the carbon cost of their travel. British Airways’ 2010/11 corporate responsibility report states that some 500,000 BA passengers have purchased offsets since 2008. Many airlines are screaming foul, saying that the added cost will dampen the industry’s recovery. Of course, the increased cost of flying is exactly the point of the law: by trying to incorporate some of the “true cost” to the environment of every flight, the intent is that more of us will decide to stay home to help the planet.

Mexico, One of the World’s Largest Landfills Closes

by Treehugger January 4, 2012

Written by Rachel Cernansky

Mexico closed one of the world’s largest landfills this month, but it’s not just going to stop accepting trash: The Mexico City government is looking to build a biogas plant to turn the methane produced by the waste in the dump into energy, as well as open a recycling plant to salvage some of the waste and find it a second life. The Boston Globe reports that construction waste will be recycled into building material, and the BBC reports that a cement company has already agreed to buy 3,000 tons of dry waste a day to burn as fuel. There’s also a composting plant for the organic waste. The city says it is also negotiating with 1,500 pepenadores (“scavengers” or “waste pickers”): informal workers who play a key role, though unofficial, in Mexico’s (and many other developing countries’) waste management system. The 927-acre landfill, Bordo Poniente, was collecting up to 12,000 tons of waste a day. Since its construction in 1985, it had collected a total more than 76 million tons of garbage.

A press release about the closure, which is a project undertaken by Mexico City in collaboration with the Clinton Climate Initiative Cities program and the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group:

Solid waste in landfills is the third largest source of anthropogenic methane emissions – 23 times more potent as a greenhouse gas agent than CO2. Capturing methane from the Bordo Poniente landfill could reduce GHG emissions from Mexico City by 25 million tons of CO2 equivalent over the next 25 years – more than one quarter of the city’s total emissions. Globally, it represents one of the largest reductions of GHGs associated with solid waste management.

It is estimated that capturing methane from the Bordo Poniente Landfill could generate over 250 GWh or enough power for an estimated 35,000 homes in Mexico City during the first years of operation.

This post was originally published by Treehugger.

The Fight to Get Styrofoam Banned in California

by Care2 Causes Editors January 6, 2012

This is a guest post from the Surfrider Foundation.

Why would we eat out of an environmentally-harmful and potentially toxic food container? Many communities have already acted to outlaw expanded polystyrene foam (commonly known as Styrofoam^TM) takeout ware in their hometowns, but why shouldn’t this type of action be taken on the statewide level? The sustainable strategy of banning foam takeout ware has proven tried and true in over 50 municipalities in California alone. Now is the time for the state of California to make the switch!

Why the environmental community cares
Our streets, neighborhoods and parks are plagued by plastic pollution. Not only does this litter wreak havoc on our land-based environmental and recreational resources, but they are also entering our stormdrains, streams and rivers running to the ocean and leading to harmful marine pollution. The overwhelming amount of plastic pollution leads to persistent trash in our oceans and contributes the ocean gyres full of trash. Foam particles are always amongst the leading items found at Surfrider Foundation beach clean ups because the foam particles break into small pieces that are easily blown by the wind.

Surfrider Foundation and Clean Water Action have established an environmental coalition to support statewide action in California to protect our environment California statewide Senate Bill 568 was introduced by Senator Lowenthal to protect of fragile marine resources. The bill prohibits food vendors from dispensing cooked food in polystyrene foam or Styrofoam^TM food containers. SB 568 will reduce the amount of polystyrene foam litter in the waste stream and the environment. The coalition has also come up with factsheets and information on how to get involved in the issue.

Why you should care
Foam food containers are harmful to human health. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has classified styrene as a reasonably anticipated human carcinogen. Styrene migrates from the containers into food and beverages when heated or in contact with fatty foods. Scientists have found styrene residues in the fat tissue of 100% of all sampled humans – every American is exposed through food packaging. Workers in polystyrene product manufacturing are also exposed to many harmful chemicals that lead to increased risks for lymphoma, leukemia, lung tumors, pancreatic cancer, as well as neurotoxicological effects.

Join the movement to expand the trend to phase out foam. Many restaurants have recognized their responsibility to act as good stewards of the environment and have voluntarily moved away from foam packaging. However, there are many more that have not switched to sustainable and healthier food packaging alternatives. You can help: sign the pledge to refuse foam take out ware at your local restaurants and ask the California Restaurant Association to support progressive statewide legislation to switch to healthy and sustainable foodware alternatives.

2012 is The Year to Stop Playing Nice, whether it is food policy, environmental regulation, saving transit, bike lanes, architectural preservation or any other issue of significance, or we will lose it all. Lloyd takes inspiration from Michele Simon at Civil Eats.

"Look and listen for the welfare of the whole people and have always in view
not only the present but also the coming generations ..."

Vaulted Strawbale Home

Of any building material, straw may be cheapest and most sustainable with lowest embodied energy.

Engineer Modernizes The Traditional Cruck Frame With Modern Framing and Straw Bale

Three into One Does Go

According to its Uruguayan designer, the conversion of this two seater into both a sofa and two chairs is very easy.

Transformer Sofa with Hidden Chairs Effortlessly Doubles Living Room Seating Space

Beautiful Baum Bicycles

Self taught woodworkers craft functional bicycles so big kids can play again on trees now unsafe on family properties.

Condemned Urban Trees Transformed into Incredible Custom Wooden Bikes (Video

Level Playing Field? Hah!

Fossil fuels have an even more massive advantage over clean energy than is conventionally understood: Subsidies.

There Are Over 250 Different Kinds of Fossil Fuel Subsidies We Need to Kill

A Crate Idea

Israeli designer's very nifty reclaimed milk crate, works both as pillion bike seat and/or a grocery or cargo pannier.

Recycled Milk Crate Becomes Bike Seat and Basket

The Green Housing Seen

Jetson Green's roundup of best projects of the year has many that are urban, small and even some Passivhaus.

The Most Innovative Houses of 2011

A Frightening Spreadsheet

2011: a record-shattering year with floods, drought, and storms killing thousands, and incurring billions in damages.

These 32 Extreme Weather Disasters Each Did Over $1 Billion in Damage in 2011

Marketing Experts Shudder

"No you can't have a slice of tomato on your burger," said the server at a burger brewery, "They're not in season."

The Customer is Not Always Right. (Why the Green Movement Must Manufacture Demand.

Consumption Drains Us

"We've become so secondary. We used to be a primary people. We did things with our own hands." We were creative.

Self Sufficiency Is Good For Mental Health

Check out the ever changing visual feast that is TreeHugger's Gallery of Slideshows

Tell the Obama Administration: “I support the proposed new rules to make our cars go further on a gallon of gas.”

“I support the proposed new rules to make our cars go further on a gallon of gas.”

TAKE ACTION >>

Did you know that if we make our cars go further on a gallon of gas – 54.5 miles per gallon, to be exact – we can reduce U.S. oil consumption by 2.2 million barrels a day?

That’s exactly what the Obama administration is proposing. The administration’s proposed new rules would increase national fuel economy standards to 54.5 miles per gallon by the year 2025. These proposed new rules, combined with other previously announced measures to increase fuel efficiency, will drastically reduce global warming pollution and our dependence on oil while also saving consumers money.

The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation are accepting public comments on the proposed standards until January 30th – and while these standards have been widely supported by automakers, labor unions and environmentalists, we fully expect Big Oil and their congressional allies to try to carve out special loopholes. That’s why we need you to speak out in support of these new rules.

Click here to tell the Obama Administration: “I support the proposed new rules to make our cars go further on a gallon of gas.”

We applaud President Obama for continuing to pursue strong, clean vehicle standards that will reduce our dangerous dependence on oil and cut global warming pollution – especially as the House of Representatives continues waging the largest assault ever on vital environmental safeguards. Strong action by the Obama administration remains one of our best options for advancing policies that reduce harmful global warming pollution.

These standards also remind us of the valuable role that the federal government can play in strengthening the economy and protecting the planet. Click here to tell the Obama Administration: “I support the proposed new rules to make our cars go further on a gallon of gas.”

Thank you for taking action.

Sincerely,

Gene Karpinski
President
League of Conservation Voters

Action Alert

Big Oil wants to drill in the Arctic Ocean – and a new offshore drilling plan may let them do just that.

Speak out to stop a risky and dangerous drilling plan.

Hurry, the deadline is Monday, January 9th!

The BP spill in the Gulf of Mexico was truly devastating – but an oil spill in the Arctic's extreme, icy conditions would be much worse!

So why is the Obama Administration pushing forward a plan that would allow oil drilling in the Arctic Ocean?

They've asked for our input on this risky offshore drilling plan – but we only have until this coming Monday, January 9th, to speak out.

Ask the Obama administration to heed the lesson of the Gulf spill and stop this dangerous plan before tragedy strikes in the Arctic Ocean.

After the BP disaster in the Gulf, President Obama stood before the American people and promised safer, cleaner offshore drilling. But the newly proposed 5-year offshore leasing plan falls short of this promise, allowing potentially risky drilling in America's pristine and fragile Arctic Ocean habitat.

Here are the cold, hard facts – there is no proven way to clean up an oil spill in a region where icecaps cover the ocean waters and with no boats or equipment nearby to help clean up the mess.

An Arctic spill would devastate many species, including polar bears, walruses, bowhead whales, and more. Even the Coast Guard has admitted that it's response capability in the Arctic would be like "starting from zero."

Will you speak out to protect the polar bears and whales? Ask the Obama administration to leave the Arctic out of the final offshore drilling program BEFORE the January 9th deadline.

If this risky offshore Arctic drilling plan is approved as is, we could be facing the next major oil spill disaster and the devastation of a marine ecosystem that is vital to the health of our planet. But, if we speak out together now, we can make sure that the plan does NOT include risky Arctic drilling.

Please submit your comment by January 9th to protect the Arctic from dangerous drilling. Don't delay – we won't get another chance to stop this.

Thank you again for all that you do.

Sincerely,

Mike Town
Director, SaveOurEnvironment.org
info@saveourenvironment.org

Trouble viewing this e-mail? See it as a webpage here.

Big thanks for a wild December
In early December, we shared the first chapter in the story of wild Oregon as told through the eyes of Oregon’s famous dispersing wolf, OR-7. Over the course of the month we took you to the alpine peaks of the Eagle Cap all the way to the rugged backcountry surrounding Crater Lake National Park. With the story of OR-7’s journey as our backdrop, we asked you to support protections for Oregon’s wildlands, wildlife, and waters.

We set an ambitious fundraising goal of $15,000.

With your help, we met our goal and more. Through December – thanks to your generosity – we raised $18,505 from 240 donors to help Oregon Wild keep our state a special place. We simply can’t do the work that we do to protect Wilderness areas, keep ancient forests standing, safeguard clean water, and stand up for wolves without your help. From all of us at Oregon Wild – thank you!

As we begin 2012, your support will help us finalize protections for the Molalla River, the Devil’s Staircase Wilderness and Wild Rogue Wilderness; protect critical wildlife habitat, clean drinking water, and world-class recreation opportunities; and defend Oregon’s public lands from harmful development schemes.

You can read parts one, two, three, and four of our Oregon Journey series in our e-mail archive.

A Journey for the ages
Speaking of that footloose and fancy free wolf known as OR-7, he’s got a new name! After ten days of public voting and nearly 700 online votes, OR-7 has earned a more appropriate and charismatic name: Journey. The name suggestion came from a 7-year-old girl in Mountain Home, ID and an 11-year-old in Dickinson, ND and was the last name standing from over 250 submissions.

Late last month, we learned that OR-7 (ahem…Journey) added another line to his resume. Along with being the first wolf west of the Cascade Mountains in 65 years, he’s now also the first wolf to enter California in nearly a century as confirmed by GPS tracking data. If that weren’t enough, the Medford Mail Tribune reported on Jan. 4th that a hunter has likely produced the first photo image of OR-7 (oops…I mean Journey) from a trail camera.

While we now have photo documentation of the world’s most famous wolf (the paparazzi were bound to catch up with him at some point), that won’t stop Oregon Wild from celebrating the winner of the Connect with the Wild art contest. Enora, an 8-year-old from Portland, submitted the winning depiction of OR-7 (I swear we’ll start calling him Journey now!) howling into a moonlit night sky accompanied by the mate he set out to find.

See all the art submissions on the Oregon Wolves Facebook page.

Shepherding in the New Year

January is set to be filled with fun adventures in the snow as our snowshoe hikes series gets underway this Saturday. If you’ve ever tried to sign up for Oregon Wild hikes, you’ve probably noticed that they fill up mighty fast! Right now, we have only a few spots left on our snowshoe hikes, so check out our hikes page and grab your spot.

If you can’t make this winter’s hikes and want to ensure your spot on the trail in the future, we’ve got just the opportunity for you. We’re always in need of friendly, informative, and CPR-trained hike shepherds and leaders to help us expand our outdoor program and provide enjoyable and safe hikes for supporters. If you’re interested in leading or shepherding hikes, give our outdoor program coordinator Rob Klavins a call at 503.283.6343 ext 210 or shoot him an e-mail at rk@oregonwild.org.

The Wild Rogue flows on
From a nasty old-growth timber sale to a WOPR-sized logging plan and from mining runoff to crumbling roads, the Wild Rogue River has been under serious threat for nearly ten years. In December, Sen. Ron Wyden and Sen. Jeff Merkley took a big step toward permanent protection for the river with the introduction of

the Rogue Wilderness Area Expansion Act of 2011.

The legislation would protect an additional 60,000 acres if Wilderness and 93 miles of Wild & Scenic Rivers in the treasured Rogue watershed. If passed, the bill would safeguard world-class rafting, fishing, and hiking opportunities and preserve a key part of the southern Oregon fishing and tourism economy.

Read more about the Rogue here.

Winter is the perfect time to try a green vacay

Is this email not displaying correctly?
View it in your browser.

GET OUTTA HERE

Even though the holidays are over, chances are you stayed near home on your days off to see family and friends. But the winter travel season is only just kicking off, with another three-day weekend on the horizon. Here's what you need to do to vacation the green way.

Packing my snow gear,

Jennifer Berry Signature

	Friend on Facebook
	Follow on Twitter
	Follow on StumbleUpon
	Forward to a Friend

GET STARTED

	How To: Travel the World on $75 Per Day Collaborative consumption is the latest in green to minimize your footprint and save you cash
	Green Winter Weekend Getaways 7 beautiful and Eco-friendly spots, not too far from the big city
	Pack Lightly: How to Go Further on Your Next Trip Easy ways to lighten your load and your Eco-footprint
	A Greenie's Guide to the Open Road 8 tips to make your trip smoother than ever
	How to Carpool from Anywhere This story may pertain to the holidays - but carpooling is year round!

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here to read this email in your browser.

Subscribe to News Feeds

	Tell President Obama that you support increased fuel efficiency for cars. This fall, President Obama proposed increased fuel efficiency standards of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025 for new cars and light trucks. Adopting these standards will save the average consumer up to $6,600 in fuel costs over the life of a model year 2025 vehicle. A 60-day public comment period opened Dec. 1, 2011, and ends Jan. 30, 2012. The president needs to hear from you. Without your comment, special interests could water down this proposal. Tell President Obama to keep the standards strong so Americans can save money at the pump, our country can import less oil, and our environment can be cleaner. Send your comments to the president now—protect the 54.5 average mpg fuel efficiency standard! Thank you, Phyllis Cuttino Clean Energy Program Director The Pew Charitable Trusts

The most important message in moving towards sustainability is probably that we are all in this together. Like it or not, we're neighbours on this life-giving ball of rock and water. So here's a few posts from the past week in the neighbourhood. Happy New Year!

Online Green MBA Degree.

This online MBA in Sustainable Business prepares you for a greener business future focused on

Austria

Cyclepedia for iPad is an interactive collection of 100 truly classic bikes, travelling through 20th century bicycle history.

100 Iconic Bicycles At Your iPad Fingertips (Video)

Netherlands

Eugenia Morpurgo's shoes are simple yet repairable, the soles are reversible, allowing twice as much wear out of them.

Repair It Yourself Shoes: Simplified & Reversible Design Makes It Easy to Fix

USA

Almost 60% of American CO2 emissions come from buildings and getting to them. 10% more for their concrete and steel.

When It Comes To Our Carbon Footprint, Only Two Things Really Matter: Buildings and Cars

Germany

Two Swiss vintage rail mail cars have been reused as a handcrafted 1660 square foot house in Ruhr. Germany.

Train-loving German Couple Convert Vintage Railway Cars Into House

United Kingdom

London's iconic double-decker bus, the Routemaster is about to be reborn as a hop-on-hop-off diesel-electric hybrid.

Red Double-Decker Buses to Return to the Streets of London as Fuel-Efficient Hybrids

Argentina

Hotel gets doors of recycled wood of oak wine barrels, and bathtubs, carved from keeled-over Calden trees.

Gorgeous Hotel in Buenos Aires Features Stunning Wine-Barrels Doors and Fallen-Trees Bathtubs

Here's what to do with your Christmas tree

Is this email not displaying correctly?
View it in your browser.

TREE + RECYCLE =

Every year, Earth911 builds the nation's largest treecycling database from scratch. This year, we contacted more cities than ever, meaning you've got access to everything you need to help your Christmas tree have a new life as mulch, wildlife habitats and more. It gives new meaning to the idea of "evergreen," yeah?

Loading up my tree,

Jennifer Berry Signature

	Friend on Facebook
	Follow on Twitter
	Follow on StumbleUpon
	Forward to a Friend

GET STARTED

	What's the Big Deal About Treecycling? A quick rundown on why treecycling rocks
	5 Step Guide to Treecycling Be a pro before you go
	What Happens to the Rockefeller Tree After Christmas? This NYC icon gets treecycled in unique ways
	Reuse Ideas for Holiday Cards and Gift Wrap 5 ideas you haven't considered yet
	Your Guide to Holiday Gadget Recycling Got new tech? Here's what to do with your older gear

10 Victories For Nature In 2011 – Slideshow

by Judy Molland December 23, 2011

1. In October, the Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the permanent protection of 49 million acres of land.The decision clears the way for the country’s remaining undeveloped national forests to be safeguarded from most commercial logging and road-building.

2. The Environmental Protection Agency announced new protections from mercury pollution from power plants in December.

3. In October, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law Assembly Bill 376, meaning the sale, possession or distribution of shark fins is banned in California.

4. In Alabama, volunteers worked to restore an oyster reef, bringing back coastal habitat along the Gulf of Mexico, including coastal marsh seagrass, and numerous species of birds and fish.

5. The protection of more than 189,000 acres of Minnesota’s national forests, largely located in the watershed of the Upper Mississippi River, means that drinking water for millions of people will be safe.

6. The Marshall Islands became home to the world’s largest shark sanctuary, an area of the Pacific Ocean four times the size of California.

7. In Costa Rica, two million acres were added to Cocos Island National Park, creating Costa Rica’s largest marine protected area.

8. In Kenya, the Nature Conservancy joined with local partners to create a traditional elephant migration route that had been obstructed by agricultural fences and roads.

9. Australia’s Queensland government took steps to protect one of the world’s last great natural wetlands. Under the Wild Rivers Act, the Cooper’s Creek, Georgina, and Diamantina rivers, whose irregular flooding transforms thousands of square miles of dry outback, will be permanently safeguarded.

10. ICCAT, the international body that manages the $1 billion bluefin tuna fishery in the Atlantic Ocean, established an electronic system to better track where the fish are caught and traded.

It's going to be a busy week. Christmas is Sunday and there is still wrapping to do. So here's the week's Vegetarian Meal Plan, December 19th to 25th

Marylhurst University.

Online Green MBA Degree.

This online MBA in Sustainable Business prepares you for a greener business future focused on environmentally and socially conscious sustainable business practices. Choose from four specialized concentrations: Renewable Energy, Government Policy & Administration, Green Development or Natural and Organic Resources.

Shockproof Shelter

Green living has often been about technology. But it is also about simplicity and low tech, About resilience.

Building Green Is No Longer Enough, It is Time To Build Resilient

The Resilience Thing

Yes, We're Up Shit Creek. Environmentalism Hasn't Failed. It Just Didn't Win Yet. Moving Beyond the Right Thing

Save Us From Ourselves: Is Resilience the Key to Making Sustainability Mainstream?

A Car Over Your Head

Green architect builds stunning home in California using old car panels for siding and windows. It's just a beginning.

Beautiful Home Built from Salvaged Car Parts (Video)

End of the Washing Machine?

60 years after the movie about the self cleaning suit, science fiction is almost fact, well, so say some scientists.

Self-Cleaning Clothes May Make Your Washing Machine History

Veggie Vrroom Vehicle

University students get their rebuilt vegetable oil truck to easily toast the existing speed record of 109 mph.

Veggie-Fueled Pickup Truck Sets New Land Speed Record at 155 MPH

Participation not Presents

Many of us feel pressured to exchange the kinds of gifts that add clutter our homes. Rather than experiences which enrich.

Give an Experience: 10 Green Gifts From Mesh, No Gift Wrap Required

Real Watts For Digital Friends

Facebook agrees to power its operations using "clean and renewable energy" through its Open Compute Project.

Facebook and Greenpeace collaborate on green energy data centres

Hero Tim Yet Villains Go Free

"Where there's conflict between the law and higher moral code, my loyalty is to that higher moral code."

Tim DeChristopher is TreeHugger Person of the Year

Smallsville Does It Big

Gainesville, Florida's solar-power adoption rate outshines that of France, Japan, and the rest of the US.

How One City Achieved a Solar Surge

Thank you, President Obama, for setting strong standards to limit mercury and other toxic air pollution.

I just left Children's Hospital in Washington, D.C., where I watched EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson make one of the most important public health announcements in the history of EPA.

Click here to send a message to President Obama thanking him for setting the first-ever limits on mercury and other toxic air pollution from power plants.

The Obama administration has set the first-ever national standards for mercury and other toxic air pollution for power plants. These historic new health standards will save lives, prevent illnesses like asthma and bronchitis, avoid hospitalizations and missed days at work, and create jobs in pollution control technology.

Our children have waited long enough to breathe clean air without the threat of inhaling toxic air pollution from coal-fired power plants. The Obama administration’s new standards will help protect us from many airborne toxins, including mercury, arsenic, lead, dioxins, acid gases and other harmful pollutants.

LCV members submitted more than 50,000 public comments, attended public hearings and rallied in support of these new standards when they were first proposed earlier this year. In fact, more than 900,000 Americans submitted comments to the EPA – the most comments ever received on an EPA rule. And the overwhelmingly majority of those comments were in support of the rule. This massive display grassroots support demonstrates that together we can affect meaningful change.

The significance of these new standards cannot be understated. The negative health impacts of toxic air pollution are well-known and documented – and the EPA is estimating that these new standards will save thousands of lives, prevent up to 120,000 cases of childhood asthma and avert 11,000 cases of acute childhood bronchitis every year starting in 2015.With the support of LCV members like you, we will continue working with the Obama administration in the new year to take meaningful steps to reduce harmful air pollution, protect our waterways and advance cleaner energy sources.

Thank you for fighting for a safer, healthier environment.

Sincerely,

Gene Karpinski
President
League of Conservation Voters

These trees grow in the forest near Gryfino, Poland. The cause of the curvature is unknown

6 Reasons America Needs to Say “No” to the Reckless Keystone XL Pipeline

by NRDC
December 20, 2011
4:00 pm

by Susan Casey-Lefkowitz
Director, International Program, NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council)

Legislation headed to the House this week gives President Obama 60 days to decide whether to approve construction of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, which would carry the dirtiest oil on the planet mined and drilled from under the forests of Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. That’s ridiculous. The Obama administration is on the case and has said it will take another year to conduct a thorough review of the economic, national security and environmental facets of this project. It’s irresponsible for Congress to insist that review be eliminated as a gift to Big Oil. It leaves the administration no choice but to bury this boondoggle for good — and we don’t need 60 days to figure out why.

Take 60 seconds to read six reasons why it’s time to say “No” to the risky and reckless Keystone XL tar sands pipeline now.

1. It would transport the dirtiest oil on the planet.

It takes two tons of tar sands — strip-mined or drilled from the forest floor — to produce a single barrel of bitumen, a low-grade, high-sulfur crude oil that must be extensively refined to be turned into fuel. Producing bitumen generates three times the carbon pollution of producing conventional North American crude oil. And the additional refining required to turn this crud into fuel only makes matters worse.

2. It would kill more jobs than it would create.

House Republicans claim the pipeline will create tens of thousands of jobs. It won’t. The pipeline would create, at most, 6,500 temporary construction jobs, very few of which would be local hires, according to the U.S. State Department. After that, it would leave only “hundreds” of permanent jobs, according to TransCanada, the Canadian company that wants to build the pipeline. A Cornell University study concludes the pipeline would actually kill more jobs than it would create by reducing investment in the clean energy economy that already employs 2.7 million Americans.

3. It would make us more oil-dependent, not more secure.

The pipeline would terminate at Texas refineries and ports along the Gulf of Mexico. From there, tar sands crude could be exported anywhere in the world. Indeed, that’s part of the business plan for some of the companies that have promised to buy the oil. Military experts advise that the Keystone XL pipeline would perpetuate our deadly oil dependence and will not make us more secure.

4. It would require Americans to take on a risk to benefit oil companies that Canadians themselves are not willing to take.

Even Canada has put the brakes on their new proposed tar sands pipelines (the Northern Gateway tar sands pipeline to the West coast and the Trailbreaker tar sands pipeline to the East) due to the need to take more time to listen to public concerns about water and safety. Why should Americans carry a risk that Canadians themselves are not willing to take?

5. It would threaten America’s breadbasket and U.S. waterways.

The pipeline would cut through the heart of the Great Plains, land of more than 250,000 ranches and farms, putting our croplands and food producers at risk of oil spills across the American heartland. Republican leaders want an approval of the pipeline despite the fact that Nebraska has not even settled on a route to avoid the precious Ogallala Aquifer, where millions of Americans get their drinking water. Further, Keystone XL would cross more than 1,500 waterways, from the Yellowstone River in Montana to Pine Island Bayou in Texas, threatening them with the kind of accident that dumped 42,000 gallons of oil in the Yellowstone River last summer and put 20 times that much tar sands oil in Michigan’s Kalamazoo River in 2010 — a spill that still has yet to be cleaned up.

6. It would lay waste to Canada’s Boreal forest, home of our backyard birds.

Tar sands producers have already destroyed an area of Canada’s Boreal forest the size of Chicago, creating an industrial wasteland of toxic sludge dams in the heart of the Boreal. The forest is a critical nesting region for America’s backyard birds and one of the last truly wild places on Earth. If the destruction continues, the total sacrifice area will be as large as the state of Florida.

The pipeline is a conduit to the past. Rather than deepening our addiction to fossil fuels, it’s time we did what presidents reaching back to Richard Nixon have called on us to do and reduce our dangerous dependence on oil.

Congress Blocks Light Bulb Efficiency Standards with Spending Bill

by Jennifer Mueller December 18, 2011

Under a 2007 energy law signed by President George W. Bush, the United States. was poised to cut energy use and climate pollution equivalent to 17 million cars by retiring the incandescent light bulb. Last week, Congress blocked those regulations from going into effect as planned next month by inserting language into the spending bill that averted a federal government shutdown on Friday.

While Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) referred to the rider as “another poke in the eye” and Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) credited the postponement of efficiency standards to “…the power of Michele Bachmann and the presidential campaign,” the rider only preserves the 100-watt incandescent temporarily, until October 2012.

According to The Wilderness Society, the irony of defending the 135-year-old incandescent technology is that light bulb manufacturers supported the new regulations. Consumers could have saved $15.8 billion in energy costs annually by full adoption of the new, more efficient, but still incandescent, bulbs the industry has introduced.

“In the real world, outside talk radio’s echo chamber, lighting manufacturers such as GE, Philips and Sylvania have tooled up to produce new incandescent light bulbs that look and operate exactly the same as old incandescent bulbs, and give off just as much warm light,” Republicans for Environmental Protection Policy Director Jim DiPeso told Politico. “The only difference is they produce less excess heat and are therefore 30 percent more efficient. Same light, lower energy bills. What’s not to like?”

Whatever the presidential campaign about the light bulb uprising out there, most American’s actually support efficiency standards, with 61% regarding them favorably according to a USA TODAY/Gallup poll. “Of those surveyed, 71%, said they have replaced standard light bulbs in their home with more efficient options, and 84% said they are “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the alternatives,” the paper reported.

Ordinary Citizens Fight Big Coal

Free-Range Hens Less Carbon Friendly

A headline out of Australia announces free-range hens produce more greenhouse gas than birds kept in cages. According to The Age, hens allowed to wander freely require more feed to produce a kilogram of eggs than their confined cousins. The result is a 20% increase in carbon footprint.

The Australian Egg Corporation partnered with government to produce the “Environmental Assessment of an Egg Production Supply Chain using Life Cycle Assessment.” The report looks at the whole “production supply chain” in order to tally the carbon footprint of eggs that find their way to Australian tables.

After all the inputs (feed, water, energy, housing) were examined in terms of cost and environmental impact, Australian eggs emerged as “a highly efficient form of protein production with respect to the environmental impacts and resource use issues addressed in this study.” When compared with other protein foods (i.e., meat), eggs came out ahead.

The results prompted the Australian Egg Corporation’s managing director, James Kelloway, to say,

The egg industry would be very happy to consider adding the environmental footprint or greenhouse gas emission status on egg labels.

However, it would be meaningless without other food products having to do it, or providing a reference point so consumers can compare food types or food categories.

The report is coolly abstract, but the patina of objectivity and the rosy comparison with other countries’ egg/carbon numbers avoids some of the more serious issues in egg production. Take, for instance, the impact on watersheds and the dead zones downstream of Big Chicken operations. Consider the increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria in supermarket meats. Think of the implications of eating eggs from hens subjected to horrendous cruelty. Contemplate the fate of male chicks.

While all of these issues reported in Care2 are from the U.S. and Canada, Australia’s hands are also stained in terms of its animal welfare record. In all fairness, Australia has made strides in the treatment of its egg layers, and 26% of its eggs come from free-range hens; its environmental standards for waste from poultry farms are tougher. However, no matter how high the environmental standards or how humane the handling, battery hens are still confined in conditions to which no animal should be subjected.

It is not enough to consider the carbon footprint of our choices. Our eggnog, poached eggs, and quiches are the end product of a system that treats chickens as if their suffering does not count in comparison with our convenience. Consumers who learn that free-range hens are harder on the environment than caged birds may accept that as an excuse to continue confining them. Chickens deserve better than this.

Action Alert

URGENT: Stop Senators From Caving On Keystone XL!

Reports indicate that the Senate is thinking about cutting a deal that would include expediting the controversial 2,000+ mile Keystone XL Pipeline in the hopes of getting home for the holidays this weekend.

Tell your Senators "Absolutely NOT!" before it's too late.

Senate Democrats could be on the verge of caving on the Keystone XL Pipeline as early as today.

17,400 Save Our Environment activists have already urged their members of Congress to stand strong on this issue earlier this week.

We need to remind Congress AGAIN that they cannot give in to Republican-led attempts to sneak polluter giveaways into these last-minute funding bills. Not when our environment and public health are on the line!

Remind your Senators what their priorities should be and urge them to say NO to including the Keystone XL Pipeline in the payroll tax bill.

Although Democratic Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid was quoted earlier this week as saying that the Republicans' bill including language to force a decision on the Keystone XL Pipeline was "dead before it got to the Senate," there are now troubling reports to the contrary as Senators try to cut a deal in the hopes of returning home for the holidays by this weekend.¹

The upcoming holidays are no excuse to cave to Republican-led attempts to jam through approval of a project that will be destructive to our climate, our environment and the many communities the Keystone XL Pipeline would pass through in America's heartland.

The Senate MUST reject this sneak attack. Please urge your Senators to reject the Keystone Pipeline today!

According to The Hill, Sen. Max Baucaus said that language expediting the Keystone XL oil sands pipeline, included in the payroll-tax bill the Republican-led House passed earlier this week, is still in the mix.

If it goes through, this would circumvent the State Department's authority and expose America's heartland to the risk of spills and contamination from the 2,000+ mile pipeline.

Now is the moment to remind your Senators what your priorities should be. Click here to send an urgent message asking your Senators not to cave on the Keystone XL Pipeline.

Then help us spread the word about this extremely time-sensitive effort.

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here to read this email in your browser.

December 15, 2011

Fish Eco-labels Put to the Test

Many consumers believe that eco-labeled fish have a “seal of approval” for promoting better stewardship of the marine environment. However, a new study found that the majority of eco-labels do not meet standards that minimize ocean impacts. Find out more.

Photo Gallery: Arizona Belmont Mountains

A broad coalition of Arizonans has developed a proposal to more fully protect the stark-yet-fragile landscapes of the Sonoran Desert south and west of Phoenix. Their Sonoran Desert Heritage Proposal envisions a network of public lands that will be protected from the rapid expansion of Greater Phoenix. View a photo gallery.

Iconic Australian Rivers Protected

In a momentous decision, the Queensland government announced permanent protection of the Cooper’s Creek, Georgina, and Diamantina rivers, which were declared wild rivers. Their irregular flooding transforms thousands of miles of dry Outback, creating lush conditions for birds, wildlife, and fish to thrive. View photos of these wild rivers.

Fisheries Jobs: A Quarter-Billion Worldwide

A new study finds 260 million marine fisheries jobs worldwide, a number 1.75 times higher than previously estimated. The research accounted for artisanal and subsistence fishers, not traditionally included in estimates, along with fishing-related jobs, such as those involving canning, processing, and equipment repair. Learn more.

BUNDLE UP

It's hard to know what the best solutions are for your house when it comes to fighting winter heating costs, especially if you're a renter. No matter if you've got a home in the country or an apartment downtown, we've got easy ways to save some cash during the colder months.
Caulk gun locked and loaded,

GET STARTED

	Weatherizing Tips for Renters Don't own? You can still save energy this winter
	Weatherizing Tips for Home Owners Update your diggs for big savings this season
	7 Surprising Ways to Save Energy Easy ideas you haven't thought of before
	Can a Space Heater Save You Money? The formula to determine what will really make an impact

Apublication of Working Assets

Save Bryce Canyon from a giant coal mine

Bryce Canyon National Park is a unique, secluded park known for its expansive views, clear air and dark night skies.

But the Bureau of Land Management is on the verge of approving a massive 3,500 acre strip coal mine right next to the park¹ that would operate 24 hours a day, 6 days a week, polluting Bryce's air, water and quiet seclusion.

Despite these significant concerns shown in BLM's own analysis,² BLM has just proposed that the mine be approved. BLM is currently accepting public comments on its proposal and strong public opposition is needed to convince the BLM to reverse course and reject this dirty coal mine.

Tell the Bureau of Land Management: Don't allow coal mining next to Bryce Canyon National Park.

This surface mine would produce two million tons of coal a year, and The Bureau of Land Management's review identified more than a dozen negative impacts this proposed mine is likely to have.

These include air pollution, water pollution, loss of wildlife habitat, increased coal truck traffic and noise levels, adverse effects to recreation resources and an increased risk of fuel spills, solid waste spills and wildfires.

In addition to the problems the BLM identified, burning coal from the proposed mine would also be a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, which experts say are now growing faster than previously anticipated worst case scenarios.³

National Parks and federal lands belong to all of us, and BLM needs to hear from people who don't want these special recreation areas and wildlife habitats --- especially not Bryce Canyon -- to be endangered in order to mine for dirty coal.

Tell the Bureau of Land Management: Don't allow coal mining next to Bryce Canyon National Park.

1. Dirty Coal Should Stay in the Ground, Natural Resources Defense Council, November 3, 11
2. Alton Coal Tract Lease by Application Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Bureau of Land Management
3. Biggest Jump Ever Seen in Global Warming Gases, Associated Press, November 4, 2011

Tis’ The Season For Taking Action With Your Wallet To -

Protect and Restore Our Oceans and Waterways

We need your support as the year comes to a close. Through your giving, we have had many successses. With your help we are:

Fighting to protect Indian River Lagoon dolphins and seagrasses from toxic slime by working with 5 Lagoon Counties;
Cleaning up the green slime in Nantucket Sound for hypoxia free, clean waters;
Acting to better protect and restore forage fish populations, which feed all the fish we love to eat and wildlife we love to watch;
Battling in court to save precious mangroves and salt ponds in the British Virgin Islands;
Working with the government, divers, fisherman, and youth to set up an Ecosystem Research Area in Stellwagen Bank; and
Educating individuals and groups with Moir's Environmental Dialogues, Ocean River Shields of Achilles' Internet Talk Radio.

Join with us for another year of fighting to save critical habitats and wildlife. We can win these battles, but we need your support for these vital efforts. Please donate now.

Tell the Bureau of Land Management not to allow coal mining near Bryce Canyon National Park.

Tell the Bureau of Land Management: Protect Bryce Canyon National Park from a new coal mine.

Bryce Canyon National Park is a unique, secluded park known for its expansive views, clear air and dark night skies.

But the Bureau of Land Management is on the verge of approving a massive 3,500 acre strip coal mine right next to the park¹ that would operate 24 hours a day, 6 days a week, polluting Bryce’s air, water and quiet seclusion.

Despite these significant concerns shown in BLM’s own analysis,² BLM has just proposed that the mine be approved. BLM is currently accepting public comments on its proposal and strong public opposition is needed to convince the BLM to reverse course and reject this dirty coal mine.

Tell the Bureau of Land Management: Don’t allow coal mining next to Bryce Canyon National Park. Click here to submit a comment.

This surface mine would produce two million tons of coal a year, and The Bureau of Land Management's review identified more than a dozen negative impacts this proposed mine is likely to have.


		This holiday season, we want to thank you for your critical support of the Union of Concerned Scientists. Just this year: YOU helped eliminate the annual global warming emissions of 41 million cars. Your support helped develop tough standards for new cars and trucks that will require automakers to produce vehicles that emit roughly half of the global warming emissions of a new automobile today. That will keep more than 300 million tons of carbon dioxide from being released into our atmosphere in 2030 alone—and that's equivalent to taking 41 million of today's cars and trucks off the road for a full year. YOU helped win international protections for rainforests that will keep at least 300 million tons of global warming emissions from the atmosphere each year. That's equivalent to shutting down more than 60 dirty, coal-fired power plants. YOU helped ensure renewable energy powers our future. Your support helped win a precedent-setting renewable energy victory in California, convincing the state to require that at least one third of its electricity is produced from clean, renewable sources like the wind and the sun by 2020. As a supporter of UCS, you are part of a team of more than 350,000 people from all walks of life—scientists, teachers, business people, healthcare workers, engineers, and many other actively engaged citizens—working together to build a healthier environment and a safer world. Happy holidays and thank you for your support, —the board and staff of the Union of Concerned Scientists
	The Union of Concerned Scientists is the leading science-based nonprofit working for a healthy environment and a safer world. 2 Brattle Square Cambridge, MA 02138-3780 phone: 800-666-8276 \| Fax: 617-864-9405 \| ucsaction@ucsusa.org \| www.ucsusa.org

New 7 Wonders of Nature

Written by Stephen Messenger, Treehugger

After two years of vote-casting by millions of people from across the globe, a new list of the “New 7 Wonders of Nature” has been revealed. Reducing a planet full of incredible, breathtaking, and awe-inspiring sites to a mere handfull was no easy task — but while it is arguably inappropriate to pit nature’s most beautiful places in such a competition, the organization behind the list hopes it will help the top spots “in becoming part of global memory for humankind forever.” In the end, however, the list is a bit more remarkable for the countless wonders it lacks than the ones it contains.

The campaign was launched by the group’s founder Bernard Weber who hoped to revive the listing convention originated by Ancient Greeks in naming the 7 Wonders of the World more than two thousand years ago. “So many breathtakingly beautiful, natural places are still quite unknown to many. From waterfalls to fjords, rainforests to mountain peaks, freshwater lakes to volcanoes, we are discovering together the incredible beauty and variety of our planet,” says Webber.

According to New7Wonders, the group that organized the international competition, from an original list composed of around 440 nominated locales, seven ‘provisional’ top wonders have been selected with the input of over a million international voters. An official announcement of the winning sites is expected some time early next year. But in lieu of any changes, the list of the final seven is as follows (in alphabetical order):

branto/flickr

The Amazon

“The Amazon Rainforest, also known as Amazonia, the Amazon jungle or the Amazon Basin, encompasses seven million square kilometers (1.7 billion acres), though the forest itself occupies some 5.5 million square kilometers (1.4 billion acres), located within nine nations. The Amazon represents over half of the planet’s remaining rainforests and comprises the largest and most species-rich tract of tropical rainforest in the world. The Amazon River is the largest river in the world by volume, with a total flow greater than the top ten rivers worldwide combined. It accounts for approximately one-fifth of the total world river flow and has the biggest drainage basin on the planet. Not a single bridge crosses the Amazon.”

*All descriptions are from the New7Wonders website.

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

Golden Marches

Fast food giant McDonald's has 192 outlets in Argentina, 480 in Brazil, but closed their 8 in Bolivia after 5 years. Why?

Why Did Mc Donald's Shut Down in Bolivia? Film Explores the Country's Fierce Local Food Culture (Interview)

Sustainable Mobility?

"I'm buying a new car. There are some very fuel efficient diesel models. Should I consider diesel over hybrid?"

Ask Pablo: Diesel vs. Hybrid, Which Is Better?

The House Bottles Built

Bottles filled with dry soil are laid like bricks, bound with mud, making walls resistant to bullets and earthquakes.

Recycled Plastic Bottle House Built in Nigeria

Room to Spin A Cat?

Karen MacEwan, who was able to get 80 yards of yarn from her cat, has created an 'Instructable' for others to try.

Spin Yarn From Cat Hair

Insulate or Perish

Every highly insulated building is an energy miser forever. Every building weaned from fossil fuels is weaned forever.

The BuildingGreen Guide to Insulation Products and Practices Should Be On Every Designer's Virtual Bookshelf. (Book Review).

Will They Like Airline Food?

An airport in North Carolina is launching a $1.1m recycling center that includes very large-scale worm composting.

International Airport Building Huge Worm Composting Facility

Recycled Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids

by Mary Mazzoni
Published on November 16th, 2011

We’ve all made the handprint turkey. But if your little ones are in search of a slightly more challenging project this year, why not try using your recyclables to adorn the Thanksgiving table? An added bonus to these five recycled crafts: You won’t have to hide them behind the centerpiece when company comes over.

Thanksgiving, craft, crafts, kids crafts, pinecone, turkey, feathers

Craft #2: Turn pinecones from your yard into adorable turkeys for the Thanksgiving table (and keep the kids busy while you cook). Photo: Crystal, apumpkinandaprincess.blogspot.com/

1. Thankful tree

Every year, Vanessa Coppola’s family takes turns saying what they’re thankful for at the Thanksgiving table. The tradition inspired the Craftzine.com contributor to create this cute (and surprisingly chic) centerpiece – a “tree” sprouting gratitude leaves.

Use Coppola’s detailed tutorial to turn a pumpkin, fallen tree branches and an old cereal box into a tree-like focal point. Once your tree is assembled, have the kids write things they are thankful for – like family, friends or the great outdoors – on homemade leaves for a friendly reminder of everyday blessings.

2. Pinecone turkeys

As you’re dumping yard trimmings into the compost pile, set a few pinecones aside for use in a cute Thanksgiving craft. Craft maven, foodie and A Pumpkin and a Princess blogger Crystal dreamed up this idea to keep the kids busy while waiting for the big meal.

In a few easy steps, Crystal turns those homely pinecones into adorable turkeys that are bound to put a smile on any guest’s face. Don’t want to use real feathers? Use junk mail, food boxes and other paper waste to create recycled “faux feathers” instead.

3. Mayflower napkin clip

This quick and easy craft from Better Homes and Gardens reminds the kids of their latest history lesson and adds a touch of fun to any Thanksgiving spread.

Use a tutorial and pattern to assemble the Mayflower out of recycled paper, mount it on an ice-pop stick and adhere a clothespin to transform the paper craft into a festive napkin holder. Clip your mini-ship to a blue cloth napkin to resemble the rolling seas.

4. Waste-not pilgrim

Our founding fathers touted the premise of “waste not, want not.” Now you can bring the idea to life with this cute pilgrim craft made from an empty condiment bottle. Familycorner.com contributor Amanda Formaro just added a film canister lid and some paint to create this fun and functional focal point. To make good use of your craft on the dinner table, pour in a homemade vinaigrette for your Thanksgiving salads or turn it into an entertaining alternative to the gravy boat.

5. Turkey place cards

Place cards are a great way to add a personal touch to each guest’s seat. To up the “aww” factor at your dinner party this year, why not have the kids make place cards by hand? These cute turkey cards fit the season perfectly, and you’d never guess they’re made from trash.

Alphamom.com contributor Ellen Luckett Baker uses junk mail and old cereal boxes to create eye-catching 3D place cards. If you really want to get the family smiling, have your little darlings write messages to each guest inside.

READ: 8 Easy Green Thanksgiving Tips http://earth911.com/news/2011/11/16/recycled-thanksgiving-crafts-for-kids/?utm_source=Earth911.com+Weekly+Newsletter&utm_campaign=6574dc2923-Weekly_Guide_Thanksgiving_11_16_2011&utm_medium=email

Read the fall issue of
Endangered Earth.

The fall issue of Endangered Earth, the Center for Biological Diversity's print newsletter for members, is now available to you online. The cover story is the Center's groundbreaking 7 Billion and Counting campaign, whose flagship media project, our Endangered Species Condoms, jump-started a national conversation about overpopulation this October just as the world's human numbers hit the 7 billion mark -- including a lengthy, prominent feature in The New York Times.

The Times article said the Center is "virtually alone” in breaking the taboo against talking about the overpopulation crisis "by directly tying population growth to environmental problems through efforts like giving away condoms in colorful packages depicting endangered animals." This year, our path-breaking campaign distributed 100,000 free Endangered Species Condoms through 1,200 eager volunteers, who handed them out in all 50 states.

Also in this issue, read about:

The fight to save wolves: a Center petition to protect Alaska's rare, black Alexander Archipelago wolf; our appeal to stop the killing of Oregon's first wolf family in decades; and our fending off of more assaults on wolves by Congress.
How our landmark 757-species agreement, reached this summer, is rapidly pushing hundreds of animals and plants toward Endangered Species Act protection, including Florida sandhill cranes, Ozark hellbenders, Miami blue butterflies and Alabama map turtles.
The "extinction rider” we and our allies defeated in Congress and our ongoing work to defend the Endangered Species Act against ill-informed political attacks.

The controversy over the damaging, 1,700-mile Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, which has sparked large, high-profile peaceful protests outside the White House and a suit by the Center to stop construction on the pipeline.

Click here to download a PDF of the fall 2011 issue. The Center regularly produces these dynamic, informative print Endangered Earth newsletters for our dedicated members. If you'd like to receive them by postal mail, please become a member of the Center by calling us toll-free at 1-866-357-3349 x 311 or visiting our membership Web page.

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here to read this email in your browser.

Subscribe to News Feeds

Thanks to the support of ocean champions like you, in 2009 Oregon created two marine reserves that protect ecologically important areas in state coastal waters.

Now we need your help to make sure the state designates three more reserves at Cape Falcon, Cascade Head, and Cape Perpetua.

In 2009, the Governor and Legislators passed HB 3013, which asked regional and scientific experts to participate in the evaluation of proposed marine reserve sites. Over 25,000 volunteer hours have been spent by conservationists, community residents, fishermen, scientists, and local leaders to craft a plan that protects these special places in a way that allows all stakeholders to move forward together. However, the state has yet to designate the sites.

Let Governor Kitzhaber know that you want him to honor the work of citizen volunteers and designate these new marine reserves.

These common sense protections are needed now. The marine reserves will allow plants and animals to flourish and reproduce—creating “ecological savings accounts.” Habitat destruction, increased demand for fresh seafood, climate change, and other pressures are growing by the year, and ocean systems need a lifeline in order to survive and thrive into the future.

We are close, but it’s imperative that we keep the momentum going. To have a chance at a healthy ocean future, we have to get this right.

Send your letter now! Ask Governor Kitzhaber to designate these new marine reserve sites.

Thank you for your continued support of this process.

Susan Allen
Pew Environment Group
Our Ocean Campaign

Climate Change Irreversible by 2017, Warns IEA

by Cathryn Wellner
November 2011

“The sky is falling! The sky is falling!”

In Chicken Little’s case, the sky turned out to be an acorn whacking the chick on his head. In Planet Earth’s case, the spaceship we are riding really is in danger, and a new report warns that the window of opportunity for shifting directions is about to slam shut. In the interests of full disclosure, I have not read World Energy Outlook 2011. At 660 pages and €120 for the PDF version, it requires more time and money resources than I can give it. So I have to rely on the press release and summary from its publisher, the International Energy Agency (IEA), and on other news reports. IEA, an intergovernmental agency, is not the darling of the environmental movement. They have been accused of underplaying the potential of renewable energies, soft pedaling issues like peak oil, being overly optimistic about fossil fuels and playing politics with our energy future. So when they say it will be too late if we do not take action by 2017, pundits take notice. After that date, IEA says keeping a safe lid on climate change will no longer be possible. Their press release quotes the agency’s Chief Economist:

“As each year passes without clear signals to drive investment in clean energy, the ‘lock-in’ of high-carbon infrastructure is making it harder and more expensive to meet our energy security and climate goals,” said Fatih Birol, IEA Chief Economist. The WEO presents a 450 Scenario, which traces an energy path consistent with meeting the globally agreed goal of limiting the temperature rise to 2°C. Four-fifths of the total energy-related CO2 emissions permitted to 2035 in the 450 Scenario are already locked-in by existing capital stock, including power stations, buildings and factories. Without further action by 2017, the energy-related infrastructure then in place would generate all the CO2 emissions allowed in the 450 Scenario up to 2035. Delaying action is a false economy: for every $1 of investment in cleaner technology that is avoided in the power sector before 2020, an additional $4.30 would need to be spent after 2020 to compensate for the increased emissions.

A carbon dioxide level of 450 parts per million is considerably higher than 350.org’s target. The latter points out that climatologists warned of human and natural disasters if the CO2 level remained above 350 parts per million. A sampling of headlines confirms their worries:

As a species, we humans are behaving like a reverse Chicken Little. Some very informed scientists have been telling us for a long time we had better pay attention to what we are doing to the environment. Two kinds of critics have shouted them down. The first kind thinks they have a lot to lose because they make a lot of money destroying the planet. The Koch brothers are a good example. The second kind treats climate change as a religion, and they are not among the faithful. GOP presidential candidates are among them. The time for public disinterest, corporate food dragging and political timidity is long past. We have a planet to save.

Trouble viewing this e-mail? See it as a webpage here.

Roadless Rule ruling rules

Over ten years ago, the federal government adopted one of the most popular environmental policies of all time. Hundreds of thousands of citizens spoke out in favor of the Roadless Rule in the summer of 2000. In Oregon, more people per capita commented on the plan than in any other state – and 90% were in favor of providing additional protections for our nation’s last pristine National Forest lands. Then came the Bush administration and a decade of attacks on backcountry roadless areas and the rule that safeguarded them.

That era of uncertainty is over. On October 21st, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals determined that the Roadless Rule is the law of the land, overturning a lower court decision that had incorrectly deemed the rule illegal. The court decision marked the final chapter in an ongoing struggle that has seen conservationists, businesses, hunters, anglers, elected leaders at the state and federal level, and grassroots activists fight to ensure our last wild forests are not turned over to harmful development. While threats to our National Forest heritage still loom in Congress, Oregon Wild is taking this chance to celebrate our roadless lands and thank those who have worked so hard to protect them.

These wolves were made for walking
Photo by ODFW

While lawyers from the state of Oregon argue in court that to protect wolves we need to kill them, Oregon’s wolves continue to defy the odds. After the confirmed population in the state dipped down to only 14 wolves just last month, recent tracking by biologists at ODFW has led to a couple of exciting new developments. In the far northeast corner of the state, a new pack appears to have formed near the Snake River in Hells Canyon. Clear on the other side of the state, OR-7 (a disperser from the Imnaha Pack) has wandered all the way into western Oregon! The significance of a wolf making its way to the Cascades was highlighted in the Oregon Wild press statement:

"OR-7’s arrival in the upper Umpqua is another major milestone in one of Oregon’s, and America’s, greatest wildlife conservation success stories. Gray wolves were hunted to extinction in Oregon under a misguided policy of extermination that was driven by irrational fear and misinformation. The last bounty paid for the killing of a wild wolf in Oregon was in 1947, for a wolf shot and killed in the Rogue-Umpqua Divide. Ironically, OR7’s latest known location is very near the Divide."

To keep up to date on all things wolf related, check out our Bringing Wolves Back Home to Oregon webpage.

The Devil wears a crown
Here’s a list of bills that the U.S. House of Representatives has considered in the past few months (warning, some of the names can sound rather Orwellian):

Wilderness and Roadless Area Release Act of 2011 (dumping protections for millions of acres of pristine lands)
National Security and Federal Lands Protection Act (eliminating border and coastal protected lands under the guise of homeland security)
Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act (underhanded attempt to allow motorized recreation in pristine areas)
Action Plan for Public Lands and Education Act of 2011 (selling off public lands to local counties)
Disposal of Excess Federal Lands Act (self explanatory – yikes!)
Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2011 (aka: reducing controls of pesticides seeping into waterways)

Amid the series of attacks on the environment, there was one bright spot last month. Rep. Peter DeFazio’s bill aimed at protecting 30,000 acres of Wilderness in the Devil’s Staircase area west of Eugene was the subject of a subcommittee hearing. It’s the first step in this incarnation of the U.S. House for an Oregon Wilderness bill and hopefully puts it on the path to becoming law.

The Devil’s Staircase (along with the Wild Rogue, and eastern Oregon Wilderness bills like Cathedral Rock and Horse Heaven) also got a boost last month when Governor John Kitzhaber sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar expressing his desire to protect the areas as the Crown Jewels of Oregon BLM lands. Read more from the Medford Mail Tribune and Portland Tribune.

Fungus and flight
Photo by Shawn Linehan

Each year, our Wildlands Interpreter (and resident walking encyclopedia) Wendell Wood leads a series of mushroom trips into Oregon’s wild forests to discover the miracles of mycology (that’s the study of mushrooms for those not in the know). And every fall, hikers get to enjoy the elegance of the coral mushroom, the oddity of the velvet pax, and the size of the king bolete. A description from Wendell’s Larch Mountain hike tells the story:

"We missed the rain, and per usual found a wide variety of fleshy fungi, with winter chanterelles and hedge hogs topping the edibles list, along with some shrimp Russulas. Thanks to all that kept such keen eyes open for every little thing along the trail, including the non-edible velvet pax and tiny slime molds that we don't always see that often."

You can check out some photos of our mushroom explorations in our hikes photo gallery. Still, not to be outdone by fungus, the flying creatures of the

Klamath Basin provided the visual stimulus for Wendell’s next stop, as a group of Oregon Wild supporters ventured to the wetlands of south central Oregon. There, amidst the National Wildlife Refuges (that are sadly starved of water despite a wet year), trip participants spotted a golden eagle, a pygmy owl, and a flock of snow geese putting on a late evening show. Thanks to everyone who got out and explored our beautiful state with Oregon Wild this fall. Keep your eyes out for a winter snowshoe trip announcement!

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here to read this email in your browser.

November 2011

Major Victory for Our National Forests

In a long-awaited victory, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, a policy that protects nearly 60 million acres of America’s last pristine national forests. View photos and learn more.

Infographic: Menhaden Matter

Little fish such as menhaden play a big role in balancing marine ecosystems and are a critical part of the ocean food chain. Get the full story on our infographic.

Interactive Timeline: International Commitments to Protect Our Oceans

In June 2012, governments will meet to secure renewed political commitment for sustainable resources at the Rio+20 conference in Brazil. With 70 percent of the Earth's surface covered by oceans, it is time to focus on their conservation. Learn more.

Photo Gallery: Six Proposed Wilderness Areas

More than 124,000 acres of public land in California, Michigan, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington state could be permanently protected as wilderness if new bipartisan legislation is passed. View a photo gallery of these six places.

view this e-mail as a webpage

Oregonians who care about the environment are used to seeing Rep. Peter DeFazio stand up for our state’s wildlands.

Last week was a prime example. Oregon Wild celebrated the good news that the 30,000-acre Devil’s Staircase Wilderness proposal (that Rep. DeFazio sponsored) bucked the recent trend of anti-environment activity in the U.S. House of Representatives when it received a subcommittee hearing. The hearing moves this natural gem one step closer to protection.

Unfortunately, that isn’t all Rep. DeFazio has been up to.

For months, Rep. DeFazio has been promoting a scheme to liquidate Bureau of Land Management (BLM) forests in western Oregon in order to raise money for some county governments. The plan revolves around selling, leasing, or otherwise privatizing huge tracts of publicly-owned forest land – forests that belong to all Americans – to private investment firms to be clear-cut and managed like industrial logging lands.

If you think forests should serve as more than piggy banks, write to Rep. DeFazio and Congress today and tell them not to sell off our public lands to Wall Street financiers.

Rep. DeFazio’s proposal is just the latest in a string of schemes aimed at clear-cutting BLM forests in western Oregon to raise money for some county governments. Just last month, a judge ruled that the Bush-era WOPR plan to ramp up old-growth clear-cutting on these forests was illegal. The court’s decision stemmed from the fact that the BLM failed to consider impacts to threatened salmon and wildlife when they designed the plan and thus violated the federal Endangered Species Act.

The DeFazio proposal would be worse than the WOPR. It would exempt hundreds of thousands of acres of publicly-owned forest from the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act. With private industry in control, management of these public lands would maximize profit for Wall Street investors at the expense of salmon, clean water, and wildlife.

Tell Rep. DeFazio and other elected officials that our western Oregon forests should provide clean water, carbon storage, and recreation opportunities – not profits for big investment banks.

There is another way forward. We can protect and restore these forests and at the same time create jobs in rural Oregon. Collaborative efforts to move forward with ecologically-based thinning are ongoing across Oregon – most notably in the Siuslaw National Forest. Proposals to liquidate public land for short term profit miss out on the great opportunity for long term restoration projects that can lead to sustainable jobs, and sustainable forests.

Help us pursue a path towards restored and protected forests in western Oregon. Let Congressman DeFazio know that there is a better way. Take action here.

For ancient forests,
Steve Pedery
Conservation Director
Oregon Wild

PS: Oregon’s national forests and BLM lands have been in public ownership for decades. But in one fell swoop we could lose them to private investment banks only concerned with the bottom line. Take action today to ensure that public forests serve the public good.

After a decade of hard work, careful study and strong community engagement, Oregon's ocean protection efforts are at a tipping point.

Safeguard the bounty and beauty of Oregon's coast for generations »

We now have a historic opportunity to create Oregon's first system of marine reserves and protected areas.

Volunteer community teams invested 25,000 volunteer hours to produce plans that drew boundaries around ecologically important areas and propose management measures to protect these critical places.

Because they are developed with the best available science, the new reserves at Cape Falcon, Cascade Head and Cape Perpetua will allow plants and animals to flourish.

Urge Gov. Kitzhaber to implement the recommendations to these designate marine reserve sites »

Thanks for taking action!

Samer
ThePetitionSite

Protect Oregon's Coast

Take action link: http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AgVNf/zLk8/AnmCy

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

Dome on The Range

Domes intended as roofs for circular grain silos converted into a super insulated, modern ecohome. 30 years ago!

Michael Jantzen's Amazing 1981 Modular Steel Dome House (Slideshow)

Renewables On Track

Deutsche Bahn, the train company that uses 2% of Germany's electricity wants to be 100% renewable by 2050.

German Trains To Run on 100% Renewables

Biting the Mosquito

Final stage clinical trial data on Mosquirix, showed it halved the risk of African children getting malaria.

Malaria Vaccine Breakthrough Could Save Millions of Lives!

Oscillating Energy

Torque generator converts the kinetic energy of 55m swaying poles (like giant blades of grass) into electrical energy.

Windstalk Concept Removes Blades from Wind Power!

Out Damn Bikes

US town may require biking, running or walking groups to register travel plans or be banned from using roads.
.

City in Wisconsin Seeks to Outlaw Bicyclists & Pedestrians

Head in the Clouds

More whimsy than real world: huge inflatable clouds as transport, with "no fixed time of arrival or place for arrival."

Forget Airplanes, Travel Via Cloud: Floating Zeppelin Network by Tiago Barros

Wine, Sultanas and Jam

Grapes may be one of nature's most versatile fruits: With our guide, growing them at home isn't as hard as it sounds.

How to Grow Grapes, Plus Recipes for Your Harvest (Slideshow)

Exxon Milks US Taxpayer

The absurdity of continuing to subsidise highly profitable Big Oil highlights everything that's wrong with US politics.

35 Congressmen Move to Kill $122 Billion in Subsidies to Big Oil

Pays of Sunshine

Solar power companies anticipate expanding workforces by 24% next year. Employed 100,000 this year.

Solar Power Jobs Grew Nearly 7% In Past Year, As Fossil Fuel Jobs Declined 2%

Check out the ever changing visual feast that is TreeHugger's Gallery of Slideshows

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here to read this email in your browser.

Subscribe to News Feeds

Dear J

After a decade of hard work, careful study, and strong community engagement, Oregon’s ocean protection efforts are at a tipping point. We now have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to build a system of marine reserves and protected areas that will safeguard the bounty and beauty of Oregon’s coast for generations to come.

Please urge Governor Kitzhaber to implement the Ocean Policy Advisory Committee’s December 2010 unanimous recommendation to designate marine reserve sites at Cape Falcon, Cascade Head, and Cape Perpetua. Ask that he honor the decisions made by coastal volunteers and marine scientists who last year invested 25,000 volunteer hours in public meetings to come to these recommendations.

Volunteer community teams produced plans that drew boundaries around ecologically important areas and proposed management measures to protect these critical places. The new reserves will allow plants and animals to flourish and reproduce—creating “ecological savings accounts."

These common sense recommendations are needed now more than ever. Population increases, habitat destruction, climate change, increased demand for fresh seafood, and other pressures are growing by the year, and ocean systems need a lifeline in order to survive and thrive into the future.

We all share responsibility for conserving and restoring Oregon’s marine habitats and resources. They are a key part of our natural and cultural heritage, and together we can ensure their long-term sustainability and a healthy ocean legacy for our kids and grandkids.

Send your letter now! Ask Governor Kitzhaber to honor Oregon’s Marine Reserve Community Teams’ work and designate these new marine reserve sites.

Thank you for your ongoing support!

Susan Allen

Pew Environment Group

Our Ocean Campaign

Oregon’s 10 most endangered places – Congress attacks!

If you’ve been following our e-mails over the past few weeks you’ve already seen numbers 10 through 2 on the 2011 list of Oregon’s most endangered places. Now, you can find out which place topped this year’s list by seeing the full 10 Most Endangered Places report here.

A little background on this year’s report may be helpful. In April 2011, conservationists managed to beat back a slew of anti-environment riders emanating from the halls of Congress, but we weren’t able to stop the rollbacks on two critical policy fronts – endangered species protections for wolves and administrative protections for wilderness-quality BLM lands. Unfortunately, ss you’ll see in the report, some members of Congress aren’t done.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Green Starts at Home.

Every day, we create 4.4 pounds of trash, and a lot of that starts with the garbage we make at home. Try our top ways to get your family's routine in ship-shape & save on waste.

Gearing up,

Jennifer Berry

Master the Basics

Role Models: Meet the Zero Waste Family
Clean: The Dish on Concentrates
Time Savers: 20 Green Things in 20 Minutes
How to Recycle: Everyday Household Items
The Guide: How to Reduce Your Household Waste

To read more: http://us.mg6.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.rand=algp2s3j75k1l

Save Our Environment

Obama Caves To Industry Pressure

Pres. Obama has told the EPA to stop work on an ozone standard that would save up to 12,000 lives a year!

We need your help to protect the EPA and hold Congress and the White House accountable.

Help us fight back - make a tax-deductible gift today.

The Republicans' new strategy of calling the EPA and its life-saving regulations, "job killers" is already bearing some big fruit.

President Obama just caved to pressure from corporate polluters and Republicans, telling the EPA to drop its work on a new national ozone standard that would save up to 12,000 lives a year!

No matter what the Republicans say or how often they say it, letting big polluters off the hook won't create jobs or fuel innovation. But it will cost lives and endanger the health of children and seniors.

That's why we must double our efforts to fend off the upcoming attacks on the EPA via budget cuts, delaying urgent standards and rules, and more. And we must hold the White House and Congress accountable for their actions.

Save Our Environment

Obama Caves To Industry Pressure

Pres. Obama has told the EPA to stop work on an ozone standard that would save up to 12,000 lives a year!

We need your help to protect the EPA and hold Congress and the White House accountable.

Help us fight back - make a tax-deductible gift today.

The Republicans' new strategy of calling the EPA and its life-saving regulations, "job killers" is already bearing some big fruit.

President Obama just caved to pressure from corporate polluters and Republicans, telling the EPA to drop its work on a new national ozone standard that would save up to 12,000 lives a year!

No matter what the Republicans say or how often they say it, letting big polluters off the hook won't create jobs or fuel innovation. But it will cost lives and endanger the health of children and seniors.

That's why we must double our efforts to fend off the upcoming attacks on the EPA via budget cuts, delaying urgent standards and rules, and more. And we must hold the White House and Congress accountable for their actions.

And what's next? The EPA is currently crafting science-based rules to combat toxic mercury and global warming emissions and other health threats. Will they be the next casualties of this political game?

We simply must protect the EPA from further attacks and hold Congress and the White House accountable for their actions.

Plastic bag ban takes effect in Santa Monica, Calif.

By Ashley Archibald

September 01, 2011

CITYWIDE — It's official. The long-awaited — or dreaded — plastic bag ban passed by the City Council in January takes effect today, whether you're ready or not.

According to city officials, 26 million plastic bags get used each year in Santa Monica alone, contributing not only to the city's carbon footprint, but to the bags that foul up local beaches and devastate marine life.

The ban will significantly cut down on that by cutting them out of grocery stores, and restricting them in other places, including the various Farmers' Markets.

Josephine Miller, an employee of the Office of Sustainability and the Environment and colloquially known as the "bag lady," is pretty confident that the last six months' reprieve from the ban, which was supposed to take effect in March, has given retailers and their customers time to prepare themselves for enforcement.

The OSE has produced guides for owners and employees on what to say and how to deal with customers. If there's no reusable bag available, customers will buy a 10-cent paper bag comprised of 40 percent post-consumer recycled paper with handles.

Tell President Obama:
I am extremely disappointed in your decision to delay vital clean air standards.

Last Friday, the Obama administration announced that it would be withdrawing the proposed updated national ozone standards, delaying until at least 2013 a safeguard that would protect our families from dangerous smog pollution.

In making this decision, the Obama administration has caved to big polluters at the expense of protecting the air we breathe. It is a huge win for corporate polluters and a huge loss for public health.

Click here to send a message to President Obama. Tell him that you are extremely disappointed in his decision to delay clear air standards that will save lives.

I’ve worked on environmental issues in Washington, D.C. for more than 30 years – and I’ve worked with Democratic administrations for nearly 15 of those years. As I reflect on this extremely dissapointing decision, there’s no doubt in my mind that this is the worst environmental decision ever made by a Democratic president in that window of time.

Letting the polluters off the hook won’t create jobs and won’t fuel innovation. But it will cost lives and endanger the health of children and seniors. It is terrible policy and terrible politics.

Click here to send a message to President Obama. Tell him that you are extremely disappointed in his decision to delay vital clear air standards.

A new standard for smog would prevent up to 12,000 premature deaths, 5,300 heart attacks and tens of thousands of cases of asthma and other serious respiratory illnesses each year. This is the true cost of the ozone smog standard – doing nothing puts our lives and health at risk.

Yet the White House decision is a severe disappointment for the millions of Americans who had hoped for something better than the usual special interest control and influence over federal policies. It runs counter to the important work the Obama administration has already done to improve public health safeguards and protect vital clean air standards. And that’s why President Obama needs to hear from you today.

Click here to send a message to President Obama. Tell him that you are extremely disappointed in his decision to delay vital clear air standards.

Thank you for taking action and making your voice heard.

Driving 2.0

What's the best way to get from Point A to B? Hybrids? EVs? What about their batteries after they're spent? While mainstream, hybrids & EVs are rapidly changing - and so is how we use them. Let's explore.

Hittin' the road,

Jennifer Berry

Get Started

Learn: Hybrid or EV? Depends on How You Live
Decide: Hybrid Scorecard: Which Cars Came Out on Top?
See: Does the First LEAF Owner Like His New Ride?
Predictions: What EV/Hybrid Batteries May Become Next

Do the [Eco] Math

School can be a drain not only on environmental resources but on your wallet, too. But a few, quick changes like buying used & wasting less can move your green studies to the top of the class. And, get extra credit by checking out the cool programs & competitions our experts are working on (below).

From Study Hall,

Jennifer Berry

Get Started

Prep: 10 Back-to-School Items to Buy Used
Organize: 5 De-Cluttering Craft Projects for Your Dorm
Eat: 4 Back-to-School Vegetarian Recipes & 5 Ways to Pack a Zero-Waste Lunch

Are you enlightened?

Old habits die hard. It's easy to look at the bulb that just burned out & opt for a cheap replacement. But short-term savings lead to long-term costs in lifespan, carbon emissions & dollars in your pocket. Improvements in CFL tech are on the rise, like this hybrid from GE that combines halogen for a faster startup while using less mercury. Let's get to the bottom of phase outs, recycling queries & the like for a smarter way to turn on the lights.

Brightly,

Jennifer Berry

Get Started

CFLs aren't the only option out there for more energy-efficient lighting, but they are typically the most cost-effective once you ditch your old bulbs. Here are my fave primers for all the issues + easy ways to tackle them:

Find: Where to Recycle Your CFLs
The Power of Small Changes: Small Community Saves $6.5M

Why Recycle: Oops! Eco Intentions Gone Wrong [#4!]
Op-Ed: 6 Reasons Why Repealing the 'Light Bulb Ban' is a Bad Idea

It’s Easy Being Green: Five Simple Ways to Start Your Green Home Renovation

SOURCE: AP/Paul Sakuma

Energy Star is a joint program of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy aiming to help Americans save money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices.

August 17, 2011

For many homeowners the idea of renovating a house, especially in an energy-efficient manner, can be somewhat daunting. But don’t despair. Your home can be comfortable, livable, and green. Here are five simple tips to help you start your green home renovation.

1. Get a green contractor. Consider hiring a contractor with a broad depth of knowledge about green home renovations. A green contractor is trained to make sure that your home will be “energy-, water-, and resource-efficient.” In the best-case scenario, find yourself a green contractor guru. Two such masters exist: One is a contractor designated a Master Builder by the Energy and Environmental Building Association, and the other is a Certified Remodeler, certified as such by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. To find a green contractor near you check out the Green Buildings Professional Search from Sustainable Sources, this list of the top 100 green contractors by Engineering News Record, or this page of homebuilder resources from the U.S. Green Building Council. (Bonus: Take a look at this video put together by the USGBC on the benefits of having a LEED-certified home.)

2. Assess the heating and cooling needs of your home. In most homes in America, about two-thirds of a home’s annual energy use goes toward water and space heating, and about half of all the energy used in the home is wasted. Try using the Home Energy Saver modeling tool created for the U.S. Department of Energy to do a home energy audit and figure out the best upgrades for your home. Upgrades could include wrapping your hot water heater, insulating your attic, or better sealing leaks from windows and doorways in the house, which could prevent the 20 percent air leakage that most homes experience.

3. Update to greener appliances (not to be confused with green appliances) and lighting. Look into replacing appliances you’ve had for more than 10 years with Energy Star appliances. Energy Star is a joint program of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy aiming to help Americans save money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices. Last year Energy Star helped Americans save enough energy to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 33 million cars, concurrently saving them $18 million on utility bills. Try updating your refrigerator, washer and dryer, and dishwasher first. (Fun fact: Updating a refrigerator bought before 1991 will pay for itself within one year.) And be sure to unplug appliances when not in use; you don’t want vampire energy sucking up all of your progress.

As for lighting, look into using LED lights and installing motion detectors in rooms to further prevent energy waste. Check out Treehugger’s “How to Go Green: Electricity” guide for more helpful tips.

4. Invest in reclaimed materials. Newer isn’t always better. Consider buying reclaimed materials, such as flooring, doors, and cabinets, for home renovations. Salvaged materials not only save you money, but also save the energy, resources, and materials it would take to make a new product. Check out your local antique stores and garage sales for new finds. You can also check out this salvaging guide from Planet Green, as well as browse the website for PlanetReuse, a nonprofit devoted to saving the planet by promoting the use of reclaimed building materials.

5. Watch your water usage. Water waste and conservation is another issue to tackle in home renovations. You should aim to minimize water use and maximize efficient distribution. Consider cutting consumption by installing a greywater recovery system; this keeps you from flushing fresh drinking water down the toilet by using water from the dishwasher, washing machine, or shower instead. Another good move is to invest in water-efficient appliances such as low-flow showerheads and water-efficient dishwasher and washing machines. Also take a look at the Water-Use It Wisely campaign’s list of 100 ways to conserve water for more ways that better suit your lifestyle. (You can even calculate your own water footprint with this nifty calculator!)

Keep these tips in mind during your home renovation and you’ll be helping out the planet in a big way. Home, green home, here you come!

Go beyond the bin.

Recycling is about a lot more than just tossing your newspaper in your curbside bin. It's about re-thinking the idea of "trash" & seeing value in everything around you. From corks to keys to crayons to surfboards, everything can have a new life - like this snack bag turned organizer by S. Lou Leelyn (below). This week, let's look at some of the best ways to turn these "weird" items into amazing resources. Saving up my candy wrappers, Jennifer Berry

Get Started

This story started our love of oddities way back when, & we saw that from easy mail-back programs & retail drop-offs to "brigades" that can earn your fave non-profit extra cash, finding a new life in odds & ends is easier than you think:

10 Things You Never Knew Were Recyclable [e.g.: hair, jeans, crayons]
Best Reuse Projects for Old Board Games [e.g.: Scrabble letters, Monopoly houses]
5 Odd Recyclable Plastics [e.g.: golf balls, LEGOs]

This Week's Eco Warrior 'Outsmarts Waste' & Supports Non-Profits

In this week's top photo, we get inspired from a chandelier made with recycled film strips featured in the Terracycle

Thanks to their design gurus, try your hand at some Terracycle creativity with this easy DIY guide to creating a nifty, collapsable bowl from an old chip bag. Delish! office, where over 2 million items sent in via "recycling brigades" have been upcycled to send almost $3 million to charity.

It's all in the bag.

There's no denying that plastic bags are a hotly debated topic in the eco-scene. But solving this problem doesn't have to be a stressful endeavor - indeed, the bags blowing in the wind & floating in the sea can be prevented through simple actions & creative ideas. It's imperative that we reduce our use, reuse what we have & recycle every bag that crosses our path.

Getting out my glue gun,

Get Started

We use 89B plastic bags, sacks & wraps every year in the U.S., but recycling only hovers around 9%. Here's why you can't ignore plastics recycling & some amazing items that recycled bags can become. Even changing their color could make a huge difference.

This Week's Eco Warrior Takes Bags from Blah to Tada!

In this week's top photo, Eco Warrior Claire Obias shares a picture of the beautiful plastic flower she uses for gift wrap, which she made from an old plastic bag for her crafty recycling blog, blah to TADA! Her plastic bag projects include making a festive lei, a functional padded mailing envelope and other gift embellishments.

Check out her blog for other amazing recycled crafts! Thanks for your great work, Claire!

Diving into the heap

We talk about composting pretty regularly on Earth911, but what does it really mean to purposefully decompose your trash and turn it into new food or a beautiful garden? This week, let’s dive into the compost heap and find out what it really takes to be successful.

Warmly (at about 140 Farenheit),

Jennifer Berry

Get Started

A task like this can be daunting. We wrote up a fantastic how-to guide to get you going: Cheat Sheet: Composting.

Also, try some of my favorites:
8 Things You Can Compost Today
Composting for City Dwellers
Cooking for Compost: Dinner
Guide to Composting in the Summer

"My secret to speeding up the composting process is to blend up your food scraps. It may be a bit messy, but it's worth it!"
- Mike Lieberman, Founder
The Urban Organic Gardener
Composting and Gardening Expert

"For success in composting, Kulture Klub Collaborative suggests tapping into your local community to get tips; building strong relationships is the best way to sustain your composting experience!"
- Kelly Brazil, Artist-in-Residence, Kulture Klub Collaborative's art garden

	Friend on Facebook
	Follow on Twitter
	Forward to a Friend

» How to Recycle Your Old Computer
» More Recycling Options for Food, Drink Pouches?
» 3 More Bag Bans Hit the West Coast
» VIDEO: Can you Recycle This New Pizza Box?
» Ford Asks What an EV Should Sound Like
» 5 Reuse Ideas for Old Sports Jerseys
» Couples Travel the World Without Planes, Cars
» Seattle Reports Huge Jump in Recycling Rates
» Innovators in Plastic Recycling Awarded
» Enrollment High at 'Recycled' School in India

Americans toss out 1.3 lbs of food waste every day. To see how much waste you could save by composting, start tossing your coffee grounds, eggshells, tea bags, old fruits and veggies into a separate trash bin.

Now (mentally) add in your yard trimmings. Is it more than you thought? Maybe composting is right for you!

Follow @CanarsieBK @MulchMaven & @GreenSoil for some cool compost & gardening ideas.

You can also find out where to buy compost & hear the latest news via the U.S. Composting Council.

And of course, we have a whole section on compost on

Clean water needs a hero

Photo by Pacific Watershed Associates What does the logging industry in Oregon have going for it?

Paper thin environmental protections from the Oregon State Forest Practices Act
Millions of acres of private land on short, clear-cut-every-40-years rotations
A vast network of logging roads where the costs of sediment and polluted runoff get footed by the taxpayer
And U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, and Reps. Kurt Schrader and Greg Walden going to bat to protect their ability to stomp all over the Clean Water Act

That’s right, some Oregon politicians want to allow logging companies and other industrial polluters the right to degrade clean water in Oregon’s rivers and streams. But they have to get the rest of Congress to go along.

That’s why urgently contacting Sen. Jeff Merkley is so important. Contact Sen. Merkley now and tell him to stand up for clean water and reject the Dirty Logging Roads Act (S 1369).

One of the goals of the Clean Water Act is to ensure that polluting industries limit the discharge of harmful runoff into waterways that people and wildlife rely on. So, if a big chemical plant wanted to dump toxic wastewater into a nearby river, the Clean Water Act permitting process would have something to say about it.

The discharge permitting process was meant to cover any point source pollution. A recent court decision confirmed that the pipes, culverts, and ditches that send mud and sediment into rivers in places like the Oregon Coast Range should be handled under this same Clean Water Act permitting process. Basically, the roads that logging corporations use to haul equipment and trees don’t get a free pass for the water degradation they create.

Under pressure from the logging industry, some politicians have introduced legislation that would make it easier to pollute Oregon’s precious waterways.

We need to let Sen. Merkley know that Oregonians don’t want runoff from logging roads in their drinking water. Tell him to stand up to the Dirty Logging Roads Act.

For clean water,
Steve Pedery
Conservation Director
Oregon Wild

Big Chicken: Pollution and Industrial Poultry Production in America

Broiler chickens (raised for their meat) are produced by the millions in industrial facilities concentrated in just a handful of states, and much of the waste they produce ends up polluting the nation’s waterways. These are just two issues highlighted in Pew’s new report “Big Chicken: Pollution and Industrial Poultry Production in America” (PDF).

“In just over 50 years, the broiler industry has been transformed from more than one million small farms spread across the country to a limited number of massive factory-style operations concentrated in 15 states,” said Karen Steuer, who directs Pew’s efforts to reform industrial animal agriculture. “This growth has harmed the environment, particularly water, because management programs for chicken waste have not kept pace with output.”

The report compiles and analyzes 50 years of federal and state government data to describe a business that has been remade by industrialization. Key findings include:

In less than 60 years, the number of broiler chickens raised yearly has skyrocketed 1,400 percent, from 580 million in the 1950s to nearly nine billion today.
Over the same period, the number of producers has plummeted by 98 percent, from 1.6 million to just over 27,000 and concentrated in just 15 states.
The size of individual operations has grown dramatically. Today, the typical broiler chicken comes from a facility that raises more than 600,000 birds a year.

“Big Chicken” describes the emergence of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and the environmental impact of this industrial-scale production. The process creates massive amounts of broiler litter, the mix of manure and bedding taken out of the CAFO. Growers typically dispose of litter by spreading it on open fields or cropland, but when it is over-applied or poorly managed, rain washes it into streams and rivers, causing significant water-quality problems.

A case in point is the Chesapeake Bay, which is infused with excess nutrients generated by broiler litter from the adjacent Delmarva Peninsula. Maryland and Delaware alone produce roughly 523 million chickens a year, along with an estimated 42 million cubic feet of litter—enough to fill the U.S. Capitol dome nearly 50 times annually, or almost once a week.

“The environmental consequences of the broiler business’s explosive growth are especially profound in the Chesapeake Bay, one of the nation’s most important, scenic and threatened bodies of water,” said Robert Martin, an expert on industrial animal agriculture reform at the Pew Environment Group. “Instead of working to limit the effects of all this chicken waste, the industry has fought to avoid responsibility for cleaning up one of our national treasures.”

How Much Coal Is In Your Life?
Take the Quiz and Pass It On!

I wanted you to be the first to see our powerful new online quiz called 'Coal In Your Life'.

With just a few quick pieces of information -- such as where you live, the fish you eat, and your health and lifestyle - we can tell you the impact of coal pollution on your personal health.

Check out our 'Coal In Your Life' Quiz to find out if coal is a threat to your health and pass it on to 5 of your friends.

By compiling data from government agencies, scientists and non-profit organizations, this simple three question quiz can give you a snapshot of how coal pollution is impacting you and your community.

Hundreds of thousands of people have already taken action to ensure stronger pollution safeguards are put in place by the EPA and we have had meaningful victories along the way! But with the big fights still ahead, it will take more of us to win.

This quiz is a powerful new way to invite new people to our efforts to shutdown dirty coal once and for all and replace it with a clean energy future.

Three quick questions to find out your coal pollution risk -- then pass it on to 5 of your friends! Take the quiz today!

Thanks for all you do to protect the environment!

Sincerely,

Mary Anne Hitt
Beyond Coal Campaign Director
Sierra Club

P.S. After you take action, please pass it on to 5 of your friends! You can take the quiz at www.coalinyourlife.org

The WCFP

Our Story
The Williams Community Forest Project (WCFP) was started in the spring of 2007 to raise awareness and promote stewardship of the Williams valley forest lands located in Southern Oregon. The Williams community Forest Project, was created to aid in the restoration and ecological maintenance of the watershed’s forests and to support the Williams community economically, aesthetically, and socially.

Where We Work
Williams, Oregon is a small community nestled in the ecologically diverse Siskiyou mountains and surrounded by 30,000 acres of forest lands. Once a logging and mining town it now is the home to certified organic farms growing vegetables, seeds and herbs for national and international markets.

Objectives :

Assist in the purchase of forests for the Williams community that are to be ecologically managed for the benefit of the community
Provide educational venues to the Williams community on ecological forest management
Locate and develop markets for timber and forest products
Create and support economic sector ventures to utilize small diameter timber
Help to make possible the acquisition of grants and assistance monies for forest management and small diameter utilization
Develop woodland management plans that provide for ecological wood certification
Collaborate with forest restoration entities and landowners
Provide ecological forest management for WCFP owned properties

If you’re anything like us, you love our National Forests. From Mount Hood to the Wallowas, there are special places that take your breath away and set the stage for unforgettable outdoor adventures.

It turns out we aren’t the only ones that rely on National Forests for fun times (and a whole lot more). Watch the video to find out why Bear loves public forests and what he’s going to do about it.

See, Bear likes to do a lot of the same things we do in our National Forests. He explores. He goes fishing. He takes naps. But, while we usually head back home after our forest outings, Bear and his wildlife friends live in the forest around the clock. Just to survive, they need minimum protections for their forest home. Let’s just say they need the “bear” essentials.
Of course, lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service aren’t only important for rare wildlife – they also are vital in providing clean water and in helping us to mitigate the effects of climate change.
With all that our National Forests provide, it’s important that we take care of these lands now and in the future. This year the Obama administration is changing the rules for management of all 193 million acres of our National Forests. The Forest Service has issued a draft rule and it could use some improvements.

That’s where you and Bear come in. He’s already submitted his comment on the new draft rule but he needs your help to send the message loud and clear that our National Forests need the “bear” essentials.

Take action to support Bear and protect what you love about our National Forests.

For our forests,
Rob Klavins
Wildlands Advocate
Oregon Wild

PS: Does a Bear hike and fish in the woods? Watch our video to find out what Bear is up to. Then make your voice heard in protecting the forests that you and Bear both love.

This is of great concern for Oregon
Here’s the scenario: There’s a big forest planning process and the feds need to hear from as many citizens as possible. From Mount Hood to the Rogue and Willamette, the Obama administration is changing the rules for management of our National Forests. We need to make sure they don’t mess it up (which they just might do). Unfortunately, the Forest Service is making it incredibly for Americans to have a say in this process and hasn’t supplied an e-mail address to send comments to! The good news for Oregonians is that Senator Ron Wyden is chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests, which oversees the Forest Service. If you are concerned about things like clean water, wildlife, and quiet recreation on Forest Service lands, Senator Wyden needs to hear from you!

Click here to take action to protect your favorite National Forest from a weak forest planning rule.

National Forest Management Act (NFMA) planning rules are the overarching guide for local forest managers. It’s like the Forest Service playbook. Each local National Forest has to

Take a hike to the Portland Sheraton

If you love hiking, camping, and fishing in Oregon’s National Forests, take a trek to the Portland Sheraton for Oregon’s only public meeting on the new draft planning rule. This is your chance to let the top Forest Service brass know in person how you want your forests protected.

When: Friday, March 25 (morning session 8:30 am, afternoon session 1:30 pm)
Where: Sheraton Airport Hotel, Portland (8235 NE Airport Way)

design its own recreation plan, its own timber sales, and its own restoration projects but the overarching rules provide a basic framework to which forest supervisors must comply. Back in 1982, the Reagan administration drew up the first national forest planning rules. They weren’t perfect, but they included measures to protect clean water, wildlife diversity, and balanced multiple use. Last month, the Obama administration issued a new draft rule. While they have noble goals (climate resilience, clean drinking water, etc), the nitty gritty details leave a lot to be desired. Case in point: instead of the 1982 mandate to maintain the viability of all native vertebrate species, the new draft rule allows local managers to pick and choose which animals are worthy of saving, and where.

Submit your comment now on the draft forest planning rule to ensure all at-risk wildlife are protected.

One of the best critiques we’ve heard of the new draft plan is this: “Too many ‘shoulds,’ not enough ‘shalls.’” Basically, the top brass at the Forest Service are content to trust local managers when left to their own devices. Time and again over the last four decades we’ve seen that “trust us” doesn’t work for forests, watersheds, and wildlife. “Trust us” can destroy our favorite places to hike, camp, and fish. “Trust us” has led to far too many clear-cuts and landslides.

Rather than “trust us,” we need a clear, strong forest planning rule to ensure basic standards of protection are applied across our valuable public forests. Send in your official comment now for Sen. Ron Wyden to pass along and speak up for a defensible forest planning rule that protects what you love about our National Forests.

PS: The draft forest planning rule can sound pretty bureaucratic, but this is the federal rulemaking process that determines if your backyard National Forest will prioritize traditional recreation, clean drinking water, and towering old-growth OR if it will instead be in the business of clear-cutting, and allowing development that pushes wildlife to the brink. Take action and speak up for what you love about National Forests.

Government suspends forest sale

Sales of 15 per cent of England's publicly-owned forests are to be put on hold while the criteria for selling them off are re-examined, the Government said today.

Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire Photo: CORBIS

11:51AM GMT 11 Feb 2011

The sale of 15% of the forest estate - the maximum the Government can sell under current legislation - aimed to raise £100 million towards the Environment Department's budget. But Ms Spelman said the Government was committed to increasing protection for access and public benefit in public woodlands, and that the "inadequate measures" applied to sales under the previous administration would be reviewed. She said the review would not affect the commitment to sell 15% of the forest estate over the next four years, and had no impact on the continuing consultation into the remaining 85% of the public forests. The Government's consultation, which provoked a storm of protest when it was published last month, outlines plans to offload England's 258,000-hectare public forest estate, currently managed by the Forestry Commission, over the next 10 years. The proposals include a £250 million sale of leaseholds for commercially valuable forests to timber companies, measures to allow communities, charities and even local authorities to buy or lease woods, and plans to transfer well-known "heritage" woods such as the New Forest into the hands of charities.

In earth

A waste-to-energy power plant in Denmark that blows smoke rings and has a ski slope

Skiing on a power plant

Malaysia destroying its forests three times faster than all Asia combined

Rainforest destruction

An adult male fossa (Crytoprocta ferox) prowls on the deciduous forest floor of the Kirindy Forest, western Madagascar

The wildlife of Madagascar

A greedy chipmunk crams a peanut into its mouth. The ravenous rodent has become a regular sight after plucking up the courage to be fed by hand at the house where she has set up home. Christian Stepien took thise hilarious picture in his mother's backyard in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Funny and odd animals

This is the moment an osprey swooped down and snatched a trout straight out of the water. Wildlife photographer Mark Hancox waited for seven hours in a cramped hide on the shores of Loch Garten, Scotland, before the bird caught its prey

Feeding and

The World is Running Dry: What You Can Do

by Chris Chuang

Did you know that the world is running dry? That a water crisis, linked to global warming, is aruguably the largest environmental challenge facing the United States and the world today? After reading Water Consciousness you’ll be in no doubt.

Designed to be both practical and beautiful, Water Consciousness presents readers with a welter of information, alternately fascinating and alarming, about our water — where it comes from, where it goes, how we use — and waste — it, how much — and how little — there is, how we can conserve and protect it, and much more. The book, which features contributions by Bill McKibben, Maude Barlow, Vandana Shiva, and other top environmental writers, is a model of accessibility and includes colorful images, charts, and other visuals, as well as a stunning photo essay. It’s a book that will change how you think about and use water every day.

Here, drawn from the book, are 14 steps you can take to protect our water.

1. FIND OUT HOW MUCH WATER YOU USE. Visit the Water Calculator to see what you can do to cut back (www.h2oconserve.org).

2. STOP DRINKING BOTTLED WATER. Choose tap water over bottled water whenever possible. Create a bottled water free zone in your classroom, campus, workplace, union, community center, city hall, environmental organization, or faith-based group. (www.polarinstitute.org/water, www.thinkoutsidethebottle.org)

3. HELP CREATE A CLEAN WATER TRUST FUND. Support public control of water resources and increased funding for public drinking water by signing a petition urging Congress to create a Clean Water Trust Fund. (www.foodandwaterwatch.org/water/trust-fund)

4. CONSERVE WATER INSIDE. Retrofit with efficient appliances and fixtures, take shorter showers, check faucets for leaks and drips. (www.awwa.org/waterwiser)

5. CONSERVE WATER OUTSIDE. Reduce lawn size and choose drought-tolerant xeriscapes. You can also recycle municipal water and on-site graywater, or harvest rainwater to use in the garden. (www.bewaterwise.com, www.rainwaterharvesting.net)

6. DON’T POLLUTE YOUR WATERSHED. Stop using toxic cleaners, pesticides, and herbicides. Properly dispose of pharmaceuticals and personal care products. (www.watoxics.org/homes-and-gardens, www.newdream.org/marketplace/recycle.php)

7. LEARN ABOUT YOUR WATERSHED. Form a watershed group. River keeper organizations, Friends of Creeks groups, and watershed councils are springing up all over the country. (www.4sos.org/wssupport/group-support/form_run.asp)

8. HELP KEEP YOUR WATERSHED HEALTHY. Support or start water-quality monitoring programs. Citizen-based water-quality monitoring is an accessible and meaningful way to understand the health of our waterways. (www.healthywater.org)

9. CLEAN UP AGRICULTURE. Buy local and organic food. Help with the implementation of on-farm water conservation and protection programs. (www.polarinstitute.org/water, www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs)

10. PROTECT GROUNDWATER FROM DEPLETION AND DEGRADATION. Help ensure legislation to manage and protect all groundwater. Unlike our system of surface-water rights, the extraction of unlimited quantities of groundwater is largely unregulated. (www.groundwater.org)

11. LEARN ABOUT DAMS IN YOUR AREA. Oppose construction of new dams and always ask if any planned dams are really necessary, or if there are better, less destructive ways of conserving water, preventing floors, or generating power. (www.internationalrivers.org)

12. REDUCE YOUR ENERGY USE. Producing electricity uses lots of water. You can figure out how much energy you use at Low Carbon Diet. (www.empowermentinstitute.net/lcd/)

13. SUPPORT THE RIGHT TO WATER FOR EVERYONE. Learn more about grassroots movements for water democracy and support for the United Nations covenant on the right to water. (www.blueplanetproject.net)

14. HELP SPREAD THE WORD. Visit WaterConsciousness.org for more information.

To read more from " The Progressive Reader" : http://www.progressivereader.com/?p=21612