I've blogged before about the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment.
The other college in the state that has done so is Warren Wilson College in Buncombe County. The Asheville Citizen-Times did a story yesterday about their doing so that also touched on the initiatives other colleges in the area have undertaken.
Colleges use up a lot of space and resources- the more that take climate change seriously the better off we'll be.
5.31.2007
Press Release for Tuesday event
Tuesday night the Hillsborough Board of Commissioners spoke favorably about the possibility of hiring a consultant to come in and do an energy audit to help the city increase energy efficiency in its public buildings.
This effort is part of the town’s effort to meet the goals it committed to in March when it signed the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, which involves working toward a 7% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions levels from what they were in 1990 by 2012.
Hillsborough is just one of four local governments that has made this commitment in Orange County, along with the county itself and the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro. UNC-Chapel Hill has signed onto a similar agreement designed for universities, called the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment.
“Orange County is leading the way in fighting global warming in North Carolina at the local level,” said North Carolina Sierra Club Cool Cities Coordinator Tom Jensen. “There is no other place in our state that has the same level of commitment to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions.”
The five entities will be honored by the North Carolina Sierra Club at an event in Hillsborough on Tuesday, June 5th at 10 AM. It will be held on the King Street side of the Old Courthouse.
The Sierra Club will formally present Mayors Mark Chilton of Carrboro and Tom Stevens of Hillsborough with plaques designating their communities as ‘Cool Cities.’ Chapel Hill was previously so honored at an event in 2005.
Additionally Chairman Moses Carey of the Orange County Board of County Commissioners will accept the ‘Cool County’ designation, while a representative of the Chancellor will be on hand for UNC to be recognized as a ‘Cool College.’
Representatives from each of the entities, as well as local Sierra Club leaders, will be on hand to discuss what initiatives they have undertaken to help in reaching their goals as well as what plans they have for the future.
The public is welcome. For more information contact Tom Jensen at 919-833-8467 (work) or 919-260-2990 (cell).
This effort is part of the town’s effort to meet the goals it committed to in March when it signed the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, which involves working toward a 7% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions levels from what they were in 1990 by 2012.
Hillsborough is just one of four local governments that has made this commitment in Orange County, along with the county itself and the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro. UNC-Chapel Hill has signed onto a similar agreement designed for universities, called the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment.
“Orange County is leading the way in fighting global warming in North Carolina at the local level,” said North Carolina Sierra Club Cool Cities Coordinator Tom Jensen. “There is no other place in our state that has the same level of commitment to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions.”
The five entities will be honored by the North Carolina Sierra Club at an event in Hillsborough on Tuesday, June 5th at 10 AM. It will be held on the King Street side of the Old Courthouse.
The Sierra Club will formally present Mayors Mark Chilton of Carrboro and Tom Stevens of Hillsborough with plaques designating their communities as ‘Cool Cities.’ Chapel Hill was previously so honored at an event in 2005.
Additionally Chairman Moses Carey of the Orange County Board of County Commissioners will accept the ‘Cool County’ designation, while a representative of the Chancellor will be on hand for UNC to be recognized as a ‘Cool College.’
Representatives from each of the entities, as well as local Sierra Club leaders, will be on hand to discuss what initiatives they have undertaken to help in reaching their goals as well as what plans they have for the future.
The public is welcome. For more information contact Tom Jensen at 919-833-8467 (work) or 919-260-2990 (cell).
5.30.2007
Good stuff in Hillsborough
I've written before about how pleased I am with Hillsborough's leadership on environmental issues.
This morning I read in the paper that they're likely to hire a consultant to help them figure out how to increase energy efficiency within each of their municipal buildings.
Specifically they said this will help them in reaching the goals they agreed to strive toward in their Cool Cities pledge.
Bravo once again to their staff and elected officials. I'm really happy to see that they are taking their commitment seriously, as well they should.
This is also something other communities should be looking at.
This morning I read in the paper that they're likely to hire a consultant to help them figure out how to increase energy efficiency within each of their municipal buildings.
Specifically they said this will help them in reaching the goals they agreed to strive toward in their Cool Cities pledge.
Bravo once again to their staff and elected officials. I'm really happy to see that they are taking their commitment seriously, as well they should.
This is also something other communities should be looking at.
5.29.2007
Charlotte Cool Cities vote
Charlotte is voting tonight on Cool Cities. Because their staff is unable to do a benchmark of greenhouse gas emissions from 1990, the resolution they are taking up commits to doing an inventory and then reducing their levels 15% by 2012. If other places in North Carolina would like to have this goal as their Cool Cities pledge that's fine.
If you're in Charlotte write your Council members and tell them the time is now to set measurable goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions!
If you're in Charlotte write your Council members and tell them the time is now to set measurable goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions!
Interesting idea coming out of Morganton
I had a great time last Thursday speaking to the South Mountains group in Morganton. About 20 people came out and there seems to be some enthusiasm about getting Cool Cities there.
One thing I found particularly interesting while there was a proposal that Seth Hawkins, a doctor who is the group's Outings chair, is bringing forward called the 'Green EMS Initiative.'
It fits in really well with Cool Cities. As he points out:
Thus it only makes sense to work to develop a 'high efficiency, low pollution EMS response vehicle' through the use of 'hybrid electrical technology or alternative fuel.'
Seth did a pilot of this for his work with a 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid. He found that while there is certainly a way to go, it had a lot of benefits as well. He is working with a team of folks to look at better ways of doing this to make it possible on a larger scale.
A very worthy project and one that deserves wide use further down the line!
One thing I found particularly interesting while there was a proposal that Seth Hawkins, a doctor who is the group's Outings chair, is bringing forward called the 'Green EMS Initiative.'
It fits in really well with Cool Cities. As he points out:
County and municipal emergency response vehicles represent one of the most significant continual costs for local government.
Thus it only makes sense to work to develop a 'high efficiency, low pollution EMS response vehicle' through the use of 'hybrid electrical technology or alternative fuel.'
Seth did a pilot of this for his work with a 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid. He found that while there is certainly a way to go, it had a lot of benefits as well. He is working with a team of folks to look at better ways of doing this to make it possible on a larger scale.
A very worthy project and one that deserves wide use further down the line!
Sierra Club Praises Decision to Protect Wild Heart of the Great Smoky Mountains
Sierra Club today celebrates the National Park Service’s announcement that it has identified a monetary settlement for Swain County as the Preferred Alternative to the proposed North Shore Road, almost certainly bringing to a close the decades-old dispute. A formal Park Service decision will follow later this year.
“We are elated that the largest unroaded tract of mountain land in the East will be protected,” said Ted Snyder, former national President of the Sierra Club and 35 year Smokies activist. “This has been the longest fought conservation battle over protection of the nation’s most popular national park.” Mr. Snyder has fought the proposed road since the 1960’s and was among the first to propose the cash settlement.
Sierra Club volunteers have campaigned for decades against the road proposal, and more recently in favor of the cash settlement, which would award Swain County fair compensation. The Club urged citizens to submit comments during the public comment period and contributed significantly to the over 76,000 received by the NPS.
The controversy over the 38 mile road to be constructed through the heart of the GSMNP began in 1943 with a promise to replace NC 288, which was flooded to build Tennessee Valley Authority’s Fontana Dam. Seven miles were completed in the1960’s but then abandoned because of environmental and engineering problems, leading to the nickname “the road to nowhere.” In 2000, then US Representative Charles Taylor revived the project with a $16 million appropriation.
Rep. Heath Shuler’s victory last fall over Rep. Taylor for Western NC’s 11th Congressional seat dramatically changed the dynamics surrounding the project. Mr. Shuler, who is from Swain County and an opponent of the project, lead a bi-partisan effort in March of this year calling on Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne to support the cash settlement.
“Why have we been fighting tooth and claw for so many years?" Ted Snyder asks. “It's because we are committed to resisting the heart-breaking, wanton destruction of a world-class natural environment. Now, after more than three decades, we have a solution that protects this vast mountain forest, closed canopy, deep folds and finger ridges, smoothed by a velvet forest, for North Carolinians and the nation.”
“We are elated that the largest unroaded tract of mountain land in the East will be protected,” said Ted Snyder, former national President of the Sierra Club and 35 year Smokies activist. “This has been the longest fought conservation battle over protection of the nation’s most popular national park.” Mr. Snyder has fought the proposed road since the 1960’s and was among the first to propose the cash settlement.
Sierra Club volunteers have campaigned for decades against the road proposal, and more recently in favor of the cash settlement, which would award Swain County fair compensation. The Club urged citizens to submit comments during the public comment period and contributed significantly to the over 76,000 received by the NPS.
The controversy over the 38 mile road to be constructed through the heart of the GSMNP began in 1943 with a promise to replace NC 288, which was flooded to build Tennessee Valley Authority’s Fontana Dam. Seven miles were completed in the1960’s but then abandoned because of environmental and engineering problems, leading to the nickname “the road to nowhere.” In 2000, then US Representative Charles Taylor revived the project with a $16 million appropriation.
Rep. Heath Shuler’s victory last fall over Rep. Taylor for Western NC’s 11th Congressional seat dramatically changed the dynamics surrounding the project. Mr. Shuler, who is from Swain County and an opponent of the project, lead a bi-partisan effort in March of this year calling on Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne to support the cash settlement.
“Why have we been fighting tooth and claw for so many years?" Ted Snyder asks. “It's because we are committed to resisting the heart-breaking, wanton destruction of a world-class natural environment. Now, after more than three decades, we have a solution that protects this vast mountain forest, closed canopy, deep folds and finger ridges, smoothed by a velvet forest, for North Carolinians and the nation.”
5.25.2007
Black Mountain Public Transportation
It drives me nuts when someone tells me their community is too small to necessitate public transportation.
I may be particularly partial to it because I rely on it to get to work every day, but there are two reasons I think just about any area should have the infrastructure to support it at least in some form:
1) The obvious environmental benefits: giving folks the chance to shy away from the single occupancy vehicle if they so desire.
2) Affordability: like it or not, some folks just can't afford cars. They still deserve to be able to get around to where they work, shop, etc.
I was nonetheless somewhat surprised when I saw someone getting off the bus to go to work in downtown Black Mountain Friday morning.
I was curious so I just went up and asked her about it. She told me that she lives in Asheville and works as a waitress in Black Mountain. She said she doesn't make much money, but that she enjoys where she works so she keeps with it. She doesn't own a car.
The bus doesn't run very often, but often enough for her to use it get to work and then back home.
It's part of a larger Buncombe County public transportation system so Black Mountain isn't doing this in a vacuum, but still, I am sure there are several places across the state that would have enough demand to support a small transit infrastructure that aren't doing it now.
I may be particularly partial to it because I rely on it to get to work every day, but there are two reasons I think just about any area should have the infrastructure to support it at least in some form:
1) The obvious environmental benefits: giving folks the chance to shy away from the single occupancy vehicle if they so desire.
2) Affordability: like it or not, some folks just can't afford cars. They still deserve to be able to get around to where they work, shop, etc.
I was nonetheless somewhat surprised when I saw someone getting off the bus to go to work in downtown Black Mountain Friday morning.
I was curious so I just went up and asked her about it. She told me that she lives in Asheville and works as a waitress in Black Mountain. She said she doesn't make much money, but that she enjoys where she works so she keeps with it. She doesn't own a car.
The bus doesn't run very often, but often enough for her to use it get to work and then back home.
It's part of a larger Buncombe County public transportation system so Black Mountain isn't doing this in a vacuum, but still, I am sure there are several places across the state that would have enough demand to support a small transit infrastructure that aren't doing it now.
Flat Rock Cool Cities event
Bill and Donna Fisk presented Mayor Ray Shaw Jr.with a 'Cool Cities' plaque.
Today I ventured to Flat Rock to honor it for becoming a Cool City.
When I got there Mayor Ray Shaw Jr. was very apologetic. He explained to me that his community could not do all the items suggested in the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.
I told him that they were just a list of suggestions and they should do what they could, but asked if he would like to elaborate.
He said, 'well, we can't get more fuel efficient cars, because we don't own any cars!'
My response to that was that the most fuel efficient fleet was to have no fleet!
He was a very charming man and I am much appreciative for his leadership.
Many thanks to Bill and Donna Fisk for coming out to the ceremony.
5.24.2007
Tidbits from the week
Apologies for the slow posting this week- while it's been a frenetic one for Molly and Christa down at the legislature, it's been a pretty slow one for me.
So tying up some loose ends:
-The Winston-Salem City Council unanimously gave its blessing to the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement at its meeting Monday night. Mayor Allen Joines had already signed it but wanted the rest of his Council to show support for it as well. Winston-Salem is taking this seriously- they've already joined ICLEI to get their inventory done. We are planning to formally honor them as a Cool City sometime in June.
-Charlotte has the opportunity to be next on the Cool Cities list at its City Council meeting Tuesday night. If you live there, please contact your elected officials and tell them this is the right thing to do. If you have questions contact Chatham in our Charlotte office at chatham.olive 'at' sierraclub.org
-A really nice article about Robbie Cox in today's Daily Tar Heel.
-I'm headed out later today to do some work in the mountains today and tomorrow before Meagan and Schorr's wedding on Sunday.
So tying up some loose ends:
-The Winston-Salem City Council unanimously gave its blessing to the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement at its meeting Monday night. Mayor Allen Joines had already signed it but wanted the rest of his Council to show support for it as well. Winston-Salem is taking this seriously- they've already joined ICLEI to get their inventory done. We are planning to formally honor them as a Cool City sometime in June.
-Charlotte has the opportunity to be next on the Cool Cities list at its City Council meeting Tuesday night. If you live there, please contact your elected officials and tell them this is the right thing to do. If you have questions contact Chatham in our Charlotte office at chatham.olive 'at' sierraclub.org
-A really nice article about Robbie Cox in today's Daily Tar Heel.
-I'm headed out later today to do some work in the mountains today and tomorrow before Meagan and Schorr's wedding on Sunday.
5.22.2007
Congratulations Robbie Cox
I wrote yesterday about Robbie Cox becoming national President for the third time.
Well, a little closer to home, he was honored today by WCHL-AM in Chapel Hill as its 'Village Pride Award' winner. This goes to folks who make us proud to be a part of the community, and he certainly fits the bill as far as I'm concerned.
I can't find an online link to that distinction, but here's one to the news story WCHL ran about his election.
In other Chapel Hill news, Mayor Kevin Foy declared next Monday Rachel Carson Day in town!
Well, a little closer to home, he was honored today by WCHL-AM in Chapel Hill as its 'Village Pride Award' winner. This goes to folks who make us proud to be a part of the community, and he certainly fits the bill as far as I'm concerned.
I can't find an online link to that distinction, but here's one to the news story WCHL ran about his election.
In other Chapel Hill news, Mayor Kevin Foy declared next Monday Rachel Carson Day in town!
This Week's Travels
I'm going to be headed out on the road Thursday and Friday, if I'm coming your way I hope you'll come to visit!
The first day I'm headed to Morganton to speak to the South Mountains group about Cool Cities.
As long as I'm in the area I'll be headed to a place I've wanted to go for a long time, the Sam Ervin Library and Museum.
Friday morning I head down to Flat Rock to honor it as our first 'Cool Village!' I'll be meeting Mayor Ray Shaw Jr. at the Village Hall at 11 AM.
The first day I'm headed to Morganton to speak to the South Mountains group about Cool Cities.
As long as I'm in the area I'll be headed to a place I've wanted to go for a long time, the Sam Ervin Library and Museum.
Friday morning I head down to Flat Rock to honor it as our first 'Cool Village!' I'll be meeting Mayor Ray Shaw Jr. at the Village Hall at 11 AM.
5.21.2007
North Carolinian elected national president
The Sierra Club today elected a North Carolinian its 52rd President. Dr. J. Robert Cox of Chapel Hill was elected for his third stint in the organization’s highest office. Dr. Cox previously served from 1994-1996 and 2000-2001. He replaces Lisa Renstrom of Charlotte who has been the President since 2005 and will remain as a member of the national Board of Directors.
Dr. Cox, a professor of Communications Studies at UNC, was elected as President by a vote of the Sierra Club’s 15 member Board of Directors. That body is popularly elected by the club’s more than 1.3 million members.
“We are thrilled that North Carolina will continue to be represented in the President’s chair,” said Pat Carstensen, the chair of the North Carolina chapter of the Sierra Club. “Given the challenges and opportunities we are currently facing toward crafting a new energy future, it is imperative that we have a strong leader like Robbie.”
“Robbie is as an inspirational leader who brings people together to accomplish important conservation work,” said Bernadette Pelissier, head of the Sierra Club’s Orange-Chatham group, based in Chapel Hill.
North Carolinians have served as President of the Sierra Club 7 out of the last 13 years. In addition to Renstrom and Cox’s terms as President, Chuck McGrady of Henderson County served in that role from 1998-2000.
Even as these leaders have taken on positions of national importance, they have remained engaged with important environmental issues in North Carolina. Incoming President Cox spoke out against Duke Energy’s proposal for new coal-fired power plants west of Charlotte in a Raleigh public hearing this January. Coal plants are a major source of global warming emissions. Renstrom expressed the Sierra Club’s opposition to the Navy’s proposed OLF near Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in Washington County last month.
Dr. Cox, a professor of Communications Studies at UNC, was elected as President by a vote of the Sierra Club’s 15 member Board of Directors. That body is popularly elected by the club’s more than 1.3 million members.
“We are thrilled that North Carolina will continue to be represented in the President’s chair,” said Pat Carstensen, the chair of the North Carolina chapter of the Sierra Club. “Given the challenges and opportunities we are currently facing toward crafting a new energy future, it is imperative that we have a strong leader like Robbie.”
“Robbie is as an inspirational leader who brings people together to accomplish important conservation work,” said Bernadette Pelissier, head of the Sierra Club’s Orange-Chatham group, based in Chapel Hill.
North Carolinians have served as President of the Sierra Club 7 out of the last 13 years. In addition to Renstrom and Cox’s terms as President, Chuck McGrady of Henderson County served in that role from 1998-2000.
Even as these leaders have taken on positions of national importance, they have remained engaged with important environmental issues in North Carolina. Incoming President Cox spoke out against Duke Energy’s proposal for new coal-fired power plants west of Charlotte in a Raleigh public hearing this January. Coal plants are a major source of global warming emissions. Renstrom expressed the Sierra Club’s opposition to the Navy’s proposed OLF near Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in Washington County last month.
5.19.2007
Green Schools Buses
School districts and public transportation systems are two of the primary governmental agencies that can really change the way they do things to help out in the fight against global warming.
As part of a pilot program, Raleigh and Charlotte are trying out hybrid school buses. It's prohibitively expensive to do on a broad scale for now, but hopefully that will change with time.
I'm just glad to see the districts open minded enough to experiment. Kudos also to Advanced Energy for helping to pick up the cost.
As part of a pilot program, Raleigh and Charlotte are trying out hybrid school buses. It's prohibitively expensive to do on a broad scale for now, but hopefully that will change with time.
I'm just glad to see the districts open minded enough to experiment. Kudos also to Advanced Energy for helping to pick up the cost.
Billboards in the paper
The North Carolina Sierra Club has worked to protect our roadways from the proliferation of ugly billboards for years.
Those billboard folks are sure persistent so our lobbyist Christa Wagner and director Molly Diggins are fighting the good fight once again this session.
There was a good story about the issues we're facing in today's N&O.
Those billboard folks are sure persistent so our lobbyist Christa Wagner and director Molly Diggins are fighting the good fight once again this session.
There was a good story about the issues we're facing in today's N&O.
5.17.2007
Recycling in North Carolina
A new report says North Carolina's not recycling enough, and it's not from any 'left wing' environmental groups but from DENR, a pretty establishment leaning force.
Check it out here.
I am constantly disappointed by how little recycling there is in this state. What could we do to improve the problem?
Check it out here.
I am constantly disappointed by how little recycling there is in this state. What could we do to improve the problem?
5.15.2007
Wrapping up Sierra Fest
On Saturday night, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of the chapter office of the North Carolina Sierra Club.
We heard a great speech from out going national Sierra Club President Lisa Renstrom (her last in office.)
Then awards were presented to folks who have gone above and beyond in their service to the chapter over the years. Honorees included former Chapter chairs Elyse Jung and Rod Hunter, Sierra Fest chair Bernadette Pelissier, and Administrative Coordinator Meagan Honnold.
The real star of the night though was our Director Molly Diggins. Numerous speakers got up to applaud her service to our chapter through the years, culminating in the presentation to her of the gift of a bird bath!
It was a nice conclusion to the weekend's festivities.
We heard a great speech from out going national Sierra Club President Lisa Renstrom (her last in office.)
Then awards were presented to folks who have gone above and beyond in their service to the chapter over the years. Honorees included former Chapter chairs Elyse Jung and Rod Hunter, Sierra Fest chair Bernadette Pelissier, and Administrative Coordinator Meagan Honnold.
The real star of the night though was our Director Molly Diggins. Numerous speakers got up to applaud her service to our chapter through the years, culminating in the presentation to her of the gift of a bird bath!
It was a nice conclusion to the weekend's festivities.
I need to get a life...
Last night I went and presented the Chapel Hill Town Council with the recommendations of the Planning Board about a new town tree ordinance.
Then I went home and watched the Charlotte City Council meeting online, where they were discussing the possibility of joining Cool Cities.
They deferred action until a later date.
I have many times gone to a baseball game and then come back and watched some more on tv, but this was a first for going to a Council meeting and then coming back and watching another one on tv!
And honestly one I could probably live without repeating!
Then I went home and watched the Charlotte City Council meeting online, where they were discussing the possibility of joining Cool Cities.
They deferred action until a later date.
I have many times gone to a baseball game and then come back and watched some more on tv, but this was a first for going to a Council meeting and then coming back and watching another one on tv!
And honestly one I could probably live without repeating!
The good news just keeps coming from Greensboro
Kim Yarbray wrote to point out that the city of Greensboro has a new page on its website devoted to global warming.
I really respect how the city is treating this as a real problem and public acknowledging it as such.
Hopefully they'll back up their good work with a formal commitment next month through the Cool Cities program.
Kudos to Greensboro's leadership!
I really respect how the city is treating this as a real problem and public acknowledging it as such.
Hopefully they'll back up their good work with a formal commitment next month through the Cool Cities program.
Kudos to Greensboro's leadership!
Join the Revolution!
Speaking of Revolutions.....if you don't think you can join the Veggie Revolution, try the Slow Food one....
The NC Sierra Club is part of a partnership program led by the Carolina Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) at NC State called NC Choices. This program works to encourage sustainable-food production systems that are profitable to farmers, protect the environment and create a variety of healthy food choices for consumers.
CEFS and NC Choices is hosting a series of events next week which feature Carlo Petrini founder of the international Slow Food movement. The Slow Food philosophy is one that promotes the idea that the food we eat should taste good, should be produced in a clean way that does as little damage as possible to the environment, should uphold animal welfare, human health and ensures that those involved in the production of this food receive fair compensation for their work. There will be a picnic Tuesday, May 22 to honor Carlo Petrini called "Farm-to-Fork". It will pair some of the Triangle Area's most acclaimed chefs with local farmers to whip up a variety of yummy, sustainable and "slow food" around! Check here for more information on these events.
The NC Sierra Club is part of a partnership program led by the Carolina Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) at NC State called NC Choices. This program works to encourage sustainable-food production systems that are profitable to farmers, protect the environment and create a variety of healthy food choices for consumers.
CEFS and NC Choices is hosting a series of events next week which feature Carlo Petrini founder of the international Slow Food movement. The Slow Food philosophy is one that promotes the idea that the food we eat should taste good, should be produced in a clean way that does as little damage as possible to the environment, should uphold animal welfare, human health and ensures that those involved in the production of this food receive fair compensation for their work. There will be a picnic Tuesday, May 22 to honor Carlo Petrini called "Farm-to-Fork". It will pair some of the Triangle Area's most acclaimed chefs with local farmers to whip up a variety of yummy, sustainable and "slow food" around! Check here for more information on these events.
5.12.2007
Outings Summary
Bill Kloepfer, one of the Sierra Club's long time leaders, led a group of us on a tour of Eastern North Carolina hotspots this afternoon.
His choices were great. I particularly enjoyed the Scuppernong River Boardwalk in Columbia. Meagan Honnold and I saw all sorts of wildlife walking around on it- nice things like lizards, salamanders, and turtles and not so nice (at least as far as we were concerned!) snakes! We saw three different sets of snakes, some of which were very big and very close to us. I'm sure they were perfectly innocuous but if we wanted to let ourselves get all stressed out about it I suppose that's our perogative.
Thanks Bill for a great tour of some of eastern North Carolina's most beautiful spots.
This was one of just six outings over the weekend, all of which I heard were very good. Eight people from the Cypress Group helped in planning and leading them and folks from the Neuse River Foundation, Pettigrew State Park, the Palmetto Peartree Preserve, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service all went out of their way to be helpful as well. Thank you to everyone who worked on the outings!
His choices were great. I particularly enjoyed the Scuppernong River Boardwalk in Columbia. Meagan Honnold and I saw all sorts of wildlife walking around on it- nice things like lizards, salamanders, and turtles and not so nice (at least as far as we were concerned!) snakes! We saw three different sets of snakes, some of which were very big and very close to us. I'm sure they were perfectly innocuous but if we wanted to let ourselves get all stressed out about it I suppose that's our perogative.
Thanks Bill for a great tour of some of eastern North Carolina's most beautiful spots.
This was one of just six outings over the weekend, all of which I heard were very good. Eight people from the Cypress Group helped in planning and leading them and folks from the Neuse River Foundation, Pettigrew State Park, the Palmetto Peartree Preserve, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service all went out of their way to be helpful as well. Thank you to everyone who worked on the outings!
Afternoon Updates
Well it was an, um, interesting afternoon.
The most notable event being about a dozen people pushing my car out of a deep muddy hole it got stuck in.
When I parked my car at the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, nothing seemed amiss. We went on a nice walk for about an hour. When we got back to the car it lurched slightly forward and then just sunk. Nothing could make it move.
But in the North Carolina Sierra Club we stick together. So chapter lobbyist Christa Wagner got behind the wheel, about a dozen people pushed, and we got the car out of the ditch.
I'll be going to the carwash tomorrow.
I'll talk more about the wildlife we saw on our outings later.
The most notable event being about a dozen people pushing my car out of a deep muddy hole it got stuck in.
When I parked my car at the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, nothing seemed amiss. We went on a nice walk for about an hour. When we got back to the car it lurched slightly forward and then just sunk. Nothing could make it move.
But in the North Carolina Sierra Club we stick together. So chapter lobbyist Christa Wagner got behind the wheel, about a dozen people pushed, and we got the car out of the ditch.
I'll be going to the carwash tomorrow.
I'll talk more about the wildlife we saw on our outings later.
Keynote Speech: The solution to the problem
Sally and Sara Kate Kneidel are now going to move on to discussing the solutions to the problem of environmental degradation caused by the production of animal products.
They say the solution is a 'local food system.' When food travels an average of 45 minutes, carbon dioxide emissions are 5 to 17 times lower. These small farms are happening in North Carolina at places like Warren Wilson and Cane Creek farms.
On these small farms animals are free to ramble and run, socialize, build nests, forage and roll in the mud- it was like the idyllic 'Old McDonald's' farm.
This is better for the animals and for the land.
Small and local farms are greener- no waste management problems, no airborne ammonia, fewer greenhouse gases.
Animal products are then healthier for the consumer.
This model can be profitable- Carolina Farm Stewardship Association and Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project prove it.
They say the solution is a 'local food system.' When food travels an average of 45 minutes, carbon dioxide emissions are 5 to 17 times lower. These small farms are happening in North Carolina at places like Warren Wilson and Cane Creek farms.
On these small farms animals are free to ramble and run, socialize, build nests, forage and roll in the mud- it was like the idyllic 'Old McDonald's' farm.
This is better for the animals and for the land.
Small and local farms are greener- no waste management problems, no airborne ammonia, fewer greenhouse gases.
Animal products are then healthier for the consumer.
This model can be profitable- Carolina Farm Stewardship Association and Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project prove it.
Keynote Speech: The environmental implications of animal products
The keynote speech is being delivered by Sally and Sara Kate Kneidel, a mother/daughter team that authored Veggie Revolution.
They are talking about how animal products make carbon dioxide. Things like the clearing of forests to raise feed for livestock and the clearing of forests to make room to graze for livestock are primary culprits.
There are also a lot of emissions related to the transportation of animal products.
Methane is also created, from fermentation in livestocks rumens and from livestock waste.
Chemical fertilizers and leguminous feedstocks result in the production of nitrous oxide.
There are major land use implications as well. 90% of agriculture land is used for things related to the raising of livestock. We are running out of land.
The amount of land that sustains 10 meat eaters could sustain 100 plant eaters.
Cattle grazing is allowed on many public lands.
They are talking about how animal products make carbon dioxide. Things like the clearing of forests to raise feed for livestock and the clearing of forests to make room to graze for livestock are primary culprits.
There are also a lot of emissions related to the transportation of animal products.
Methane is also created, from fermentation in livestocks rumens and from livestock waste.
Chemical fertilizers and leguminous feedstocks result in the production of nitrous oxide.
There are major land use implications as well. 90% of agriculture land is used for things related to the raising of livestock. We are running out of land.
The amount of land that sustains 10 meat eaters could sustain 100 plant eaters.
Cattle grazing is allowed on many public lands.
Good morning from Sierra Fest
I'm coming to you live this morning from Sierra Fest in Columbia, NC!
I'm going to do my best to live blog the festivities all weekend.
Most folks got in last night and we had a nice opening reception expertly planned by Bernadette Pelissier.
If the wireless works, I will keep you posted!
I'm going to do my best to live blog the festivities all weekend.
Most folks got in last night and we had a nice opening reception expertly planned by Bernadette Pelissier.
If the wireless works, I will keep you posted!
5.10.2007
Ironic License Plate
I'm sure this was just a coincidence but last night I saw a car with a Virginia license plate that ended with '4OLF.'
Some folks though, might find it pretty telling.
Either way, things are looking better and better by the day.
Some folks though, might find it pretty telling.
Either way, things are looking better and better by the day.
5.09.2007
Fun times in Elon
Last night I drove out to Elon University for some very important Sierra Club business.
I had to pass a tractor driving on the road into campus from I-85 and that made me develop some preconceived notions of what the place would be like.
Well I was wrong.
It was the biggest crowd in Elon baseball history, so I had to park a good distance away from the stadium in a parking lot that they were running a shuttle from.
The buses? Run by biodiesel from a grant the University got a couple years ago. I was mighty impressed.
Seems like our colleges and universities in North Carolina are doing a lot of good, innovative things.
I had to pass a tractor driving on the road into campus from I-85 and that made me develop some preconceived notions of what the place would be like.
Well I was wrong.
It was the biggest crowd in Elon baseball history, so I had to park a good distance away from the stadium in a parking lot that they were running a shuttle from.
The buses? Run by biodiesel from a grant the University got a couple years ago. I was mighty impressed.
Seems like our colleges and universities in North Carolina are doing a lot of good, innovative things.
5.07.2007
A pair of great editorials
The News&Record tells the Greensboro City Council to sign on.
The Observer chastises Pat McCrory for not bringing Charlotte along.
The Observer chastises Pat McCrory for not bringing Charlotte along.
5.04.2007
Great things at Guilford!
Many of you may know Kim Yarbray best as a long time leader in the Piedmont Plateau Group.
She also does a great job leading the sustainability program at Guilford College, which got some well deserved positive media coverage in the Yes Weekly recently!
Here's an excerpt from the article:
Check out the whole story here. Great work Kim!
She also does a great job leading the sustainability program at Guilford College, which got some well deserved positive media coverage in the Yes Weekly recently!
Here's an excerpt from the article:
At Guilford College, the quest for sustainability starts in the bathroom.
Several old urinals have been replaced with waterless versions. Dispensers issue paper towels and toilet paper made out of 100 and 70 percent recycled material, respectively. Noxious cleaning supplies have been replaced with ecologically sensitive disinfectants.
And on April 25 the college's Sustainability Council unveiled 12 solar panels recently installed on the roof of Shore Hall that will supply hot water to its 60 female residents. So far, Environmental Sustainability Coordinator Kim Yarbray said, there have been no complaints about the hot water supplied by the new system.
Check out the whole story here. Great work Kim!
5.03.2007
Gearing up in Hendersonville!
Our new Sierra Club activity center in Hendersonville is having a program on Green Schools this Saturday! Speakers will include Henderson County Commissioner and former national Sierra Club President Chuck McGrady, as well as James Wilhide of Moseley Architects in Charlotte.
Check out the full details here in the Hendersonville Times-News, and if you're in the mountains try to make it to Hendersonville on Saturday!
Check out the full details here in the Hendersonville Times-News, and if you're in the mountains try to make it to Hendersonville on Saturday!
5.02.2007
Regional Differences
So yesterday when I arrived at East Millbrook Magnet Middle School to give my talk about Cool Cities, the secretary told me that the class I was visiting was out in the 'trailers.'
Now where I come from in Michigan, those are called portables. We wouldn't call anything that we send children to class in a 'trailer.'
And this was one nice 'trailer' too, clearly the designs for these have evolved well over the years. Of course Wake County has so many of them as its population explodes that you would expect them to be on the cutting edge of purchasing nice ones.
It's always said that southern folks cut to the point a lot quicker than us northerners. I guess the trailers v. portables difference is just one example of that.
Anyway, it was a good time and I am incredibly impressed with these young people.
Now where I come from in Michigan, those are called portables. We wouldn't call anything that we send children to class in a 'trailer.'
And this was one nice 'trailer' too, clearly the designs for these have evolved well over the years. Of course Wake County has so many of them as its population explodes that you would expect them to be on the cutting edge of purchasing nice ones.
It's always said that southern folks cut to the point a lot quicker than us northerners. I guess the trailers v. portables difference is just one example of that.
Anyway, it was a good time and I am incredibly impressed with these young people.
5.01.2007
John Locke Foundation really doesn't like Cool Cities
As I've said before, the John Locke Foundation is not a big fan of Cool Cities, and for a progressive movement that's a badge of honor.
Well after this week's large media hit on the success of the program in North Carolina, featuring articles in Greensboro, Fayetteville, Charlotte, and Raleigh among other places, it's become clear that JLF really does not like Cool Cities.
And we couldn't be more honored!
Well after this week's large media hit on the success of the program in North Carolina, featuring articles in Greensboro, Fayetteville, Charlotte, and Raleigh among other places, it's become clear that JLF really does not like Cool Cities.
And we couldn't be more honored!
Council of State expresses unanimous opposition to OLF
State Treasurer Richard Moore put out this statement in the morning:
And at the Council of State meeting later in the day, our statewide elected officials voted unanimously to draft a resolution in opposition, to be passed at a future meeting.
Thank you to all of them for their leadership on this important issue.
MOORE CALLS ON COUNCIL OF STATE TO TAKE A STAND ON OLF
With the Navy Still Fixated on Controversial Site, Moore Calls for United Stand
RALEIGH – With the Navy asserting its continued preference for a controversial site in Washington County for an outlying landing field (OLF), State Treasurer Richard Moore today called on the Council of State to oppose the site. At today’s Council of State meeting, Moore proposed a resolution opposing the so-called “Site C.”
“With the Navy continuing to focus on an OLF in Washington County, I think it is imperative that the Council of State say clearly, and with one voice, that this is the wrong decision,” Moore said. “Here in North Carolina, we are fiercely supportive of our military, but we must ensure that any decision made on the OLF is done in a comprehensive and careful fashion. The Beaufort-Washington County site is not the right site for our State or for the Navy.”
The Navy’s preferred site, or “Site C,” has been the subject of concern because of its proximity to the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, a feeding ground and flyway for tens of thousands of migratory birds. Military bird-strike experts have determined that there is a high possibility for collisions. Scientific experts, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have determined that this project would be in direct conflict with the mission of a wildlife sanctuary.
At last month’s public hearing on the OLF in Charlotte, Moore issued a letter to the Navy saying that the site “has the potential to be an environmental disaster.”
And at the Council of State meeting later in the day, our statewide elected officials voted unanimously to draft a resolution in opposition, to be passed at a future meeting.
Thank you to all of them for their leadership on this important issue.
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