Global Warming: Myth or Reality?

The two points of view:

The Nonsense of Global Warming.
http://0-search.ebscohost.com.helin.uri.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=34452669&site=ehost-live

Beyond the Tipping point.
http://0-search.ebscohost.com.helin.uri.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=34375574&site=ehost-live

Access these articles with your library barcode: 25154...

New Report: Green Investment Will Yield Two Million New Jobs in Two Years

See full article here:

http://www.nrdc.org/media/2008/080909.asp

AASHE 2008 Conference

Dear AASHE Supporter,

Register by August 29 for early-bird rates! http://aashe.org/conf2008/register.php

The AASHE 2008 Conference & Sustainable Solutions Expo is rapidly approaching and we're very excited about the truly motivating presentations, exhibitors and sponsors.

AASHE's biennial conference is the largest North American campus sustainability gathering. This year's theme is "Working Together for Sustainability: On Campus and Beyond" and partnerships of all kinds will be highlighted. If you work, study or consult at a college or university and care about sustainability, this event is for you! For more information about the exciting sessions and activities that are planned, visit www.aashe.org/conference

Highlights

Keynotes include the following inspiring and popular speakers:
- Lester R. Brown - Founder, Earth Policy Institute, and author, "Eco-Economy," "Plan B," and "Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization"
- Van Jones - Founder and President, Green for All
- Peter Senge - Senior lecturer, MIT, and chair, Society for Organizational Learning (SoL)
- Vandana Shiva - Physicist, environmental activist, author of "Stolen Harvest," and "Earth Democracy", and winner of the 1993 Right Livelihood Award
- Government Plenary Panel:
+ James Elder (moderator) - Campaign for Environmental Literacy
+ Bracken Hendricks - Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress
+ Kevin Foy - Mayor of Chapel Hill, NC
+ Harvey Ruvin - Miami-Dade County Clerk, FL

Other highlights include:
- Over 400 presentations
- Field trips to local campuses
- Pre-conference workshops for faculty, sustainability officers, administrators, facilities staff and others.
- AASHE Leadership Awards and banquet
- American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment video competition awards.
- Book signings by Lester Brown, Van Jones and others
- Career Fair (sponsored by Environmental Career Center)
- Student Summit (organized by AASHE and National Wildlife Federation, sponsored by ARAMARK Higher Education.

AASHE is proud to offer a unique, 2½ day Sustainable Solutions Expo in partnership with Sustainable North Carolina. With the theme "Green Solutions for Campuses, Businesses and Institutions," the Expo will provide many wonderful opportunities for networking with higher education and business leaders.

This Conference aims to significantly advance sustainability in higher education with a particular emphasis on the need to consider all dimensions of sustainability in decision-making. Complementing this overarching aim are goals of building partnerships and collaborations, promoting new pathways for student leadership, and widening the range of participants in sustainability and higher education.

Green jobs now planning meeting

The first meeting to organize an event for the September 27 Green Jobs Now Day will take place on Wednesday August 27 at 3:30 PM in the Hall of Fame Room at New England Tech 2500 Post Road in Warwick.

We realize that not everyone can make this meeting, and I am sure there will be additional meetings and work to do and ways to participate even if you can not attend any of the planning meetings.

Tentative agenda

-Introductions
-5 minutes to explain why we have convenened.
-Discussion on what kind of event to do
-Who, what, when, where, how. Dividing up the work.
-Next meeting

We only have a month, and all of us have other obligations, so it would be good to keep meetings to a minimum and use the time we meet effectively. I assume each of us has a slightly different take on the Green Jobs agenda, mine tends to be very expansive, but for the purposes
of organizing a Sept 27 event I do not think we need to spend much time on discussing the issue of Green Jobs. My hope is that we shall design a way to make sure that the approach each of us takes is honored and allowed ways to communicate, in other words complement each other rather than compete for air time. I am going to try to move us through the agenda relatively expeditiously. If you have resources to offer, money, staff time, locations for the event, media, please be ready to make the offer.

http://greenjobsnow.com/

Green for All
Green For All is a national organization dedicated to building an inclusive green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty.

1 Sky
1Sky is aggregating a massive nationwide movement to deliver a bold set of national policies that rise to the scale of the climate challenge.

WE
The We Campaign is a project of The Alliance for Climate Protection -- a nonprofit, nonpartisan effort founded by Nobel laureate and former Vice President Al Gore.

Greg Gerritt 331-0529

Northern Forest Alliance 2008 Climate Change Conference

The Northern Forest Alliance (NFA)

The NFA works to conserve Wildlands in the Northern Forest (upstate New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine) to help protect the forest's
ecological integrity, its recreational opportunities and its timber production, to encourage well managed private forests to support the forest-based
economy, including high-value timber products, recreation tourism, and the jobs these industries support, and to build strong, diverse, local
economies that support vibrant communities throughout the Northern Forest.

Conference

The 2008 Northern Forest Climate Change Conference is designed to engage students from colleges and universities with a "window of interest" in the
Northern Forest to create "on campus" action steps that will help address the challenges of climate change.  On the first day of the conference, student
attendees will explore, with the help of expert speakers, emerging climate change issues and the many "on the ground" strategies/actions/movements
that are making a difference around the country.  On the second day, student attendees will work in plenary sessions and breakout groups to outline
potential "climate change action steps" related to the woods that they determine could be effectively implemented on campus.  Toward the end of the
second day, the student attendees will, as a group, adopt the “Top Ten Practical Action Steps to Address Climate Change in the Northern Forest for
2009.”  Engaged faculty and students will return to their universities and present the "Top Ten" to their institution's Board of Trustees or governing
body for implementation consideration. 

AASHE Bulletin

Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education


http://www.aashe.org/archives/bulletin.php

Renewable Energy, PP&L Home Page

Hi everyone.

I am looking into switching our electricity provider to New England
GreenStart, a program of People's Power & Light, that lets you purchase
your energy usage from producers of renewable energy. So far, the info
I have is that it costs a little more (on avg 30-40 cents more per day),
but is 100% tax deductible. I'm forwarding the following link in case
anyone else is interested in looking into it as well:
http://www.ripower.org/PPL_index.htm

Please forward on to anyone else you think would be interested!

Now I'm going to sit in my very costly air-conditioned room...:)

Cheers!
Nikki

FYI

Dear Patricia ,

Like you and me, the vast majority of Americans want urgent, bold action
on climate change. But as recent political showdowns from Washington,
D.C. to last week's G8 summit have proven, our elected leaders are
simply not ready to step up and do what science demands to beat global
warming.

Right now, Members of Congress are planning trips home to their
districts (including yours!) for August recess. They'll be home for the
entire month of August, and with the fall elections just around the
corner, most will be campaigning hard for our votes.

This recess is our chance to convince every Member of Congress that
America is ready for bold climate solutions. The path to a prosperous
and equitable new energy economy is clear -- we simply need our leaders
to act.

Sign up here to deliver the message in person to your local
Congressional office:

http://action.1sky.org/t/1981/signUp.jsp?key=261

Once you sign up, we'll work with you to figure out the best way to
deliver the message to your particular district office: It could be a
district office visit, a rally, or some other type of action. If you've
never visited your Congressional office or put together a visibility
event, don't worry--we'll provide you with all the information you'll
need.

Thanks to your commitment and passion over the past few months, and your
visits to Congressional offices in all 50 states in March, we've already
made great strides in our quest for bold federal policy. From recent
meetings we've had on Capitol Hill, we know that several Members of
Congress are making proposals that would promote clean, renewable energy
and a healthier environment, revive our economy, and lift millions out
of poverty.

This progress is good--but we're running out of time. The latest science
tells us we have just a few years to start turning things around, or it
will be too late. We must continue to press our leaders to do what the
science requires and take decisive action. Sign up today to visit your
local Congressional office:

http://action.1sky.org/t/1981/signUp.jsp?key=261

Heading into a historic election, the American people are hungry for
leadership and concrete solutions to the climate crisis. Your Members
of Congress will be in "listening mode" while they campaign at home.
Let's be sure they know that the solutions are here and America is
ready!

On behalf of the entire 1Sky team,

Liz Butler
Field and Outreach Director, 1Sky

Post from David

Edible Rhody article about Green Drinks.  I’m going to attend this evening.  Next one is Thursday, August 21st at the City Farm in South Providence.

 

http://www.ediblerhody.com/content/pages/articles/sum2008/pdfs/greenScene.pdf

 

David M. Rocheleau

Community Service Chef Educator

The Feinstein Community Service Center

 

 

 

Clean cities meeting

Monday July 21, 2008
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
………………………………………….
RI State Dept. of Administration
One Capitol Hill, Providence RI
Conference Room A
………………………………………….

The Budget Ecoist - green on a budget

Web site recommendation from Marya:

http://www.thebudgetecoist.com/

Focus the Nation News

Focus News

Nike rejoins Focus for 2009. Nike brings to Focus the Nation over a decade of business commitment to global warming solutions on a global scale. Watch for future info about our partnership to green campus athletics.  

Join Climate-Ride 2008!  Focus is partnering with this four day, NYC-DC cycle event next September. Join the Focus the Nation team.

The Focus the Nation Wind Turbine! Thanks to Native Energy, Focus the Nation teams can offset their projects and help build a wind turbine on a family farm in Minnesota .

What Did You Teach at Focus the Nation? Help us collect educational material on global warming solutions; find out what others are up to at ClimateChangeEducation.org.

Donate to Focus—Stop Your Junk Mail! Sign up with 41 Pounds, and a portion of the income is donated directly to us here at Focus the Nation.

Forty Percent of Car Trips are within two miles of your home: Take Clif Bar’s Two-Mile Challenge and ride or walk instead! Check it out. 

The President’s Climate Commitment: Has your University or College President signed on?

Eban Goodstein
Project Director
Focus the Nation
info@focusthenation.org
www.focusthenation.org

 

 

 

Warner-Lieberman Gone -- What's Next?

Last week, legislation requiring cuts in global warming pollution, the Warner-Lieberman act, made it to the floor of the Senate-- only to see debate blocked when supporters fell 6 votes short of the 60 needed to end a filibuster. Also last week, Congressman Ed Markey introduced a new, much stronger climate bill in the House.

Ten years after the signing of the Kyoto treaty, and thanks to all of our hard work, the grassroots movement demanding global warming solutions has forced the battle to begin. How now do we win?

1.Work Like a Dog: Over the next five months, help change the future. To find a candidate in your region who supports your views on global warming solutions, contact the League of Conservation Voters.

2. Join The First 100 Days National Teach-in:  February 5^th,  2009 will be the second Focus the Nation Teach-in. With the failure of Warner-Lieberman, the hard fight over a clean energy future will be after the fall election, with a new President and a new Congress. Be there!

 From thousands of schools and other institutions, we will engage Congress, state and local decision-makers, and leaders from business, the faith community and the media. Can Congress cut carbon 30% by 2020?

3. Climate Ride 2008: Make the First 100 Days Teach-in possible by joining our 5-day bicycle ride from NYC to DC.  Only 50 spots left! Next September Focus the Nation will help carry the message to . Combining cycling with evening talks by climate scientists and other experts, this is a unique event—a fundraiser and climate conference on wheels. Please spread the word to cyclists who want to pedal for the planet. Proceeds benefit both Focus and Clean Air- Cool Planet.

Eban Goodstein, Project Director

Chungin Chung, Communications Director

 

ECRI Calendar

FYI. Lots of good things going on.

Also, Please note the "green jobs" section in the naturalnews link
below.

Natural News Network - http://www.naturalnews.net/wordpress/

What Grows On - http://www.whatgrowsonri.com/new_calendar.html

Why to avoid AAA

Folks -- Please read this article about the negative environmental 
impact of AAA. I've been a member of the Better World Club for several 
years and their services are comparable to AAA's, while their values 
are far better. Please spread the word. This is the way "voting with 
your pocketbook" can make a difference.

http://www.alternet.org/environment/88361/?ses=655021ecc28135f11cc28a806547e200

Rachel

Dr. Rachel May
Director, Office of Environment and Society
Syracuse University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
431 Crouse-Hinds (CEPA)
Syracuse, NY 13244
315-443-9726
enspire@syr.edu
http://enspire.syr.edu

Here's Katie!

 

 

 

Great Site for Green Events in RI

Little Rhody's Comprehensive "Green" Events and Activities Listing Service

http://www.whatgrowsonri.com/

Thanks, Marya!

Marya composting!

Ann Marie and friend!

Photo Contest Continues!

Here's Ann eco bag and bus pass in hand.

Public transportation is the way to GO GREEN! Kudos to Ann.

David Rocheleau Loves Recycling!

Looks like Dave could win the "SHOW ME YOUR GREEN" photo competition.

Get your pictures in soon!

Living Off-the-Grid

Thu, Apr 24, 11:30am – 1:00pm

Library, Yena Center

The DownCity Library and the Focus On Green committee are co-sponsoring an evocative art display of wilderness themes by painter Jacqueline Mercenier. The Library will house the display and on Thursday April 24th at 11:30am will host an open discussion session with the artist and her husband, David Murnion who have lived off-the-grid for many years in a hand-hewn cabin in Montana.

Go Green! Earth Week 2008

Starting Monday, April 21, through Sunday, April 27, there are tons of exciting events on campus celebrating Earth Week 2008.

Check out what you can do: http://www.jwu.edu/prov/pcu/earthweek.htm

Green Collaborative Meeting - 4/28 at Tyson

The Green Collaborative is a campuswide student driven organization to improve the quality of life on campus and in the city of Providence by means of sustainability.
Meeting on Monday, April 28, 8pm, Tyson Amphitheatre, HAC.

Earth Day Lecture

Legislators plan Earth Day lecture with international expert on oil depletion

STATE HOUSE – Rhode Islanders will have a chance to examine “Cheap Oil - Going, Going, GONE!” on Monday, April 21, at 3 p.m. The lecture, presented by the Progressive Legislators Group and the Environment Council of RI, will be in Room 313 of the State House, is free and open to the public.

Click here for complete article: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/News

The Green Collaborative Earth Flyer

"SHOW ME YOUR GREEN" photo competition

The gauntlet has been thrown. The picture marks the official opening of the "SHOW ME YOUR GREEN" photo competition for all members and supporters of the Focus on Green committee. A prize that exceed your wildest dreams will be awarded to the winner (or winners) at the A&S Faculty Awards celebration in May. I must receive your entry before May 1st.
Green is fun! Fondly.Pat

Climate Change Survey

Sample survey to assess the interest or disinterest people have in learning more about climate change:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=skjK3oSGcQFdqXVstxDcMA_3d_3d


What do you think?

Meeting Minutes - March, 25, 2008

Focus on Green Committee
March 25, 2008
Minutes
Attendance:
Tanya McGinn; Dorothy Abram; Michele Forand; Ryan Tainsh; David Rocheleau; Ann Ethier; Brian Lanoie; Rosie Hopper; Mark Hengen; Susan Connery; Marya Cardoza; Pat Overdeep; Nick Zande (student guest; Campus Herald reporter)

Proposal for FOGC – year two
The proposal for the Focus on Green Committee (FOGC) has been sent to Veera Gaul and Patricia McLaughlin. We are waiting for an answer. P. Overdeep will work on grant proposals once the committee has been OK’d. We hope to eventually secure funding for a “Center for Environmental Stewardship” which would centralize all ‘green’ initiatives on campus.

Earth Day 2008
FOGC will be showing the movie The 11th Hour in the Tyson Amphitheater on April 24 at 8pm. M. Forand and M. Hengen will work on promoting the film (poster, ebriefs, PCU,,,)

R. Hopper would like to have a display of artwork in the library and give students, faculty and staff the opportunity to meet the artist. The artist, Jacqueline S. Mercenier, and her husband live off the grid. M. Hengen has agreed to bring his SCI3010 class to the library on 4/24 at 11:30am for a talk by the couple. Rosie will contact Lisa Pelosi regarding publicity for the event.

Green Collaborative schedule of events for Earth Day week:
Monday, April 21, 4-6pm, sheet painting in Gaebe Commons, to be displayed at the Earth Day Fair on Saturday, April 26
Tuesday, April 22, tree planting (donated) TBD
Wednesday, April 23, 7-9pm, open mic night in Xavier Courtyard
Friday, April 25, 8am, cleanup at Gaebe Commons

Recycling
Ryan, Ann and Pat met with Akhil Gupta. Akhil wants to know the potential for revenue generation and savings from campus-wide recycling as well as the costs. He needs a cost/benefit analysis and the break-even point to be determined. A recycling pilot program is currently underway in some of the dorms. A $100,000 budget has been proposed to expand recycling to include more dormitories. See if we can have Anice partner with someone in the College of Business. Recycling sub-committee: Ann (chair), Ryan, Mark, Sue, Dorothy, Brian

Speakers
Gary Hirshberg gave a presentation at Bryant University with no bells and whistles (and no power) and was very engaging. He should not be part of a panel. Gary should give his own presentation. Marya will contact him for availability.
Todd Murphy: Farmer’s Diner (Pat to contact)
Michael Pollan: author The Omnivore’s Dilemma (big ticket speaker. Ryan suggest him to
Cultural Life committee)
Schartner Farms – importance of keeping farming local (Brian to contact)
Jonathan Greenblatt: Founder, Ethos Water (Susan Connery)
Green Tech (Pat)
Communications
Akhil would like to see a Green Page in the Campus Herald. This is a student-run newspaper and they receive several requests for space. Maybe we could do something every month or every two months. Communications sub-committee: Marya (chair), Michele, Rosie, David

Next meeting: Thursday, April 10, 2-3:15pm. White 5th floor; conference room A