RENewsletter | June 14, 2009
The Free environmental newsletter from RochesterEnvironment.com <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/>
“Our Environment is changing: Keep up with the Change.”
[06/07/09– 06/14/09]
* Need to vent? | Go to my blog: Environmental <http://rochesterenvironmentny.blogspot.com/> Thoughts - Rochester, NY
Opening <> Salvo | NewsLinks <> | Daily <> Updates | Events <> | Environmental <> Site of the Month | Take Action <> |
[Hyperlinks work by CTRL + click to follow a link]
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Opening Salvo: “New Environmental News”
Oftentimes the news isn’t ‘new’, though it might seem so because we look at it anew. Or, some refinement to an occurring story comes along, and so it becomes ‘new’—again. Or, something new actually does occur. This is especially sizzling stuff to the media because they love new news. Old news is not only bad, it’s non-profitable. Old news only gets reported when it is repackage, as something new—like some rumored tidbit coming out about Marylyn Monroe. That’s too bad for our environment.
Take this week’s Rochester-area environmental news, for example. White-nose <http://www.mcclatchydc.com/100/story/69470.html?storylink=omni_popular> syndrome, a year-old bat disease that possibly sprung from a bat cave near Albany that the press hasn’t paid much attention to has gotten some new press because we are looking at it anew: it’s spreading like wild-fire out West. A nasty fish disease, Viral <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/vhs_news_links.htm> Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS), which also might have sprung up around these parts (though it arrived here via Europe from ships’ ballast tanks), was new here in 2006. But now, even though it’s ripping through the Great Lakes, it isn’t all that new any more. It hasn’t done anything new lately. It’s just doing the same old thing--devastating fish populations in the Great Lakes. So, you’ll have to wait until something fresh comes up to hear more about it.
Ok, here’s something really new, a refinement of a previously existing news story: the swine flu is now a full <http://www.pandemicflu.gov/> fledged pandemic. That gets headlines, though it has struggled awhile for that placement because even though this flu is spreading human-to-human, it isn’t yet as lethal as the 19-18-19 flu. The pandemic is dangerously losing its press appeal. It’s got to start doing something new or the media will drop it altogether.
Here’s a repackaged news story this week, the second coming of the Digital <http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/materials/ecycling/tv-convert.htm> Signal change. This story was new back in February, until it was learned thousands were not ready for those rerun “I Love Lucy” episodes, or whatever they’re doing on network media nowadays. So June 12th became the new deadline. And that makes news, but the media forgot the news that the old TVs replaced by our new TVs will begin filling up our landfills. That will only become news when new toxins created by this techno-avalanche get leached into our ground water and soil creating a new problem.
And, being a busy week for environmental stuff, there was more new stuff: new transportation <http://www.ny.gov/governor/press/press_0611093.html> stimulus monies coming to our area. Several new news stories on how our area will be affected by Global Warming—an increase poison ivy, shifting Great Lakes fish populations, and (if you can believe it) slower <http://www.detnews.com/article/20090610/LIFESTYLE14/906100400/1361/No...> wind speeds across our area. (Seems that if the poles are not as cold as they used to be because of global warming, there won’t be as much loss in air pressure between continents.) That will mean less wind for wind turbines—that’s new and adds fire to the loony wind turbine debate going on in the media.) ACT Rochedser <http://www.actrochester.org/> , a new web site which includes old environment indicators for our local environment <http://www.actrochester.org/Topics/Default.aspx?id=6> , newly arrived this week. Moreover, oil drillers fracturing their way through the Marcellus Oil Shale among other areas may <http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20090610/NEWS01/90610011/Bill+wo...> have to reveal the chemicals they use to force oil to the surface. So if these chemicals end up in our water, we’ll know who to blame. Now, that sort of disclosure would be very, very new—maybe even some exciting court cases and wild allegations that could generate weeks of news.
That’s the way it is, folks. New news drives our media, drives media competition, and that drives us to want more new news—a wonderful profit model for the media. Sadly this paradigm, this way that our media operates both to get our attention and support itself financially, has absolutely nothing to do with staying ahead of environmental issues before they become problems. Our present media construct that is failing is a mirage, a delusion of our times that we can package information about our environment to the pubic the way we report on politicians shooting themselves in the foot. Because, by the time environmental news stories become ‘new’ and thus get our attention, they’ve often wreak such havoc that we cannot recover from them. By the time pollutions, warmings, extinctions, and diseases percolate up through our present media and make news, they’ve long since metastasized into a permanent disease we have to live with—which can get very old.
FrankRe...@RochesterEnvironment.com <mailto:FrankRe...@RochesterEnvironment.com?subject=I'm%20contacting%20you%20from%20the%20REN ewsletter> (Click on my email for feedback)
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NewsLinks – Environmental <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> NewsLinks – [Highlights of major environmental stories concerning our area from the past week]
* DON'T CURB THAT OLD TV AT <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> DIGITAL TV SIGNAL CHANGE
* Coming: Wind Turbines On <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> Great Lakes
* More Stimulus Monies for <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> Rochester Transportation Infrastructure
* It's Official: World <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> Pandemic
* Bat Disease Spreading FAST <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* UR Study: Dioxins <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* Global Warming - Oceans <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> change
* Global Warming: Great Lakes <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> Wind Change
* Global Warming: Poison Ivy <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> Change
* Water Quality Reservoir <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* New Web site to Monitor Our <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> Area's Environment
* Drilling For Natural Gas <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> & Protecting our Drinking Water
* Buffalo Plants Trees <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* Climate Change <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> & Fish in Great Lakes
* EPA - Renewable Fuels <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> Public Hearing
* NYS Gov Jobs Plan <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* NYS Private Well Standards <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
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Updates – Daily Updates <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/Daily%20Updates.htm> – [Connecting the dots on Rochester’s environment. Find out what’s going on environmentally in our area—and why you should care? Clicking on <http://rochesterenvironmentny.blogspot.com/> -DISCUSSION – will take you to my blog “Environmental Thoughts, NY, where you can add your comments.]
* 6/12/09 - Let us repeat ourselves; Don't Curb that Old TV with the New Digital TV Signal Change. Do good, go here: On Friday, June 12th and Saturday, June 13th, Zeller is partnering with 13WHAM and SunnKing Electronics Recycling to give back to the community and help reduce electronic waste during the digital transition. SunnKing will be providing recycling containers at Zeller, 1000 University Avenue and 13WHAM, W. Henrietta Road for members of the community to properly dispose of their electronic waste free of charge. Both locations will be accepting your electronic waste starting on Friday from 5:00a.m.-5:00p.m. and on Saturday from 9:00a.m.-4:00p.m. Acceptable material for the electronic recycling includes televisions, computer/laptops, printers, cellular telephones, copiers, and more. For a complete list of acceptable materials, log on to SunnKing Recycling and click on the recycle tab. For more information, please contact Jill Galvin at 585-254-8840.
* 6/12/09 - If we got our act together could we successfully battle Climate Change here in the Northeast? The Union of Scientists thinks so: U.S. <http://www.ucsusa.org/news/press_release/us-can-curb-global-warming-0...> Can Curb Global Warming and Lower Energy Costs with Carbon Cap and Smart Energy, Transportation Policies, New Study Finds | Union of Concerned Scientists WASHINGTON (May 19, 2009) – With the right policies in place, the United States could dramatically cut the heat-trapping emissions that cause global warming and, at the same time, lower energy costs in every region of the country, according to the findings of a two-year, peer-reviewed study by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). (May 19, 09) Homepage | Union of <http://www.ucsusa.org/> Concerned Scientists
* 6/12/09 - Are we living at the end of the Age of Coal: Living on Earth: Generating <http://www.loe.org/features/coal.htm> Controversy: The Changing Climate of Coal The world's appetite for energy seems insatiable and coal, cheap and plentiful, is increasingly being used to generate electricity. In the United States almost half of our electricity comes from burning coal and fast developing China already uses more coal than the United States, the European Union and Japan, combined. But in addition to generating energy coal plants spew carbon dioxide, one of the greenhouse gases scientists say is warming the planet. Our series "Generating Controversy: The Changing Climate of Coal" looks at the problems and promise of coal, and the potential of new technologies --from Living on Earth: <http://www.loe.org/> Sound Journalism for the Whole Planet
* 6/11/09 - High Speed Rail—Good for the Environment? You’ve heard of it, the proposed High-Speed Rail from Albany to Buffalo, but have you read it? It’s long and I myself have yet to read it at this point. But this may come our way and have a great influence on our community—even our environment. If more people find high-speed rail public transportation as a viable alternative to various traveling destination as they do in many countries (though, the proposed train will only have a top speed of 110 mph), it could reduce vehicular use. That would reduce global warming gases and transportation costs for the public. In any event, it’s good to have the case before you, instead of railing against a system where you don’t have the facts - State <https://www.nysdot.gov/divisions/policy-and-strategy/planning-bureau/...> Rail Plan "The plan, entitled NEW YORK STATE RAIL PLAN 2009 - Strategies for a New Age, was developed in cooperation with New York’s freight railroads, Amtrak, commuter railroads, transportation planners, and New York residents. The State Rail Plan was prepared based on extensive public comments, including four public information workshops, regarding a draft State Rail Plan report released in June 2008." --from NYSDOT Home <https://www.nysdot.gov/index>
* 6/10/09 - Monitoring our Environment: Though a lot of indicators need to be monitored to assess the healthiness of one community, but arguably one of the most important is our environmental health. Without a sound environment, everything else loses its foundation. This new project, which includes many specific environmental indicators for our region is especially welcome. Take a moment to check out the various environmental indicators like (Prevalence of Pesticides, Air Quality, Clean Water, Population Density, Recycling Rate, Beach Contamination, Toxic Chemical Release, and more…) that suggest whether or not we are living sustainably—here in the Rochester area. Don’t form a critical opinion about the state of our environment without getting the facts. This site works towards that: ActRochester : <http://www.actrochester.org/Topics/Default.aspx?id=6> Environment From the rolling slopes of the Finger Lakes and the broad Genesee Valley to the spectacular Lake Ontario coast, nature has provided a splendid setting. Preserving our great natural resources is the goal of the many people who work to protect our environment. --from ACT Rochester : <http://www.actrochester.org/> The goal of ACT Rochester is to build on community strengths to help solve our critical problems. ACT Rochester will achieve this through community debate, discussion and engagement based on objective, timely and independent data that can reshape our approach to community problem-solving.
* 6/10/09 - More ways to live environmentally friendly: Green Home - Green Home <http://www.sierraclubgreenhome.com/> Living | Sierra Club Green Home Welcome. Sierra Club Green Home is dedicated to helping you create a more sustainable home environment. Browse our site to learn more about all the things you can do. Your health, your wallet and the earth will thank you.
* 6/10/09 -Don't Curb it! "A preventable environmental problem can be avoided when the new TV signal changes, if you recycle <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/recycling.htm> your new TV. But, you don’t have to buy a new TV, get a digital <https://www.dtv2009.gov/> converter coupon and stay with what you’ve got. June 12 TV signals change to digital and for those still using the antenna, instead of cable and satellites, your going to have to do something. That’s if you still watch TV. But, if you still watch TV, Check this out: The Looming <http://takebackmytv.com/page/speakout/TakeBackMyTV> E-Waste Tsunami - Television Recycling What Should You Do With Your Old TV Sets: Unlike leading computer manufacturers, the television industry has been, with the exception of Sony, very reluctant to take responsibility for their products at the end of their useful life. Televisions present all of the same disposal issues as computer equipment and other e-waste (TVs, computers, monitors, phones, etc.), from leaded glass to brominated fire retardants. However televisions contain much less valuable materials to offset the cost of recycling than most electronics, discouraging e-waste collectors and processors from handling them. " Digital <http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20090610/NEWS01/906100351...> TV age dawns Friday | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle While the analog signals to your television <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/Daily%20Updates.htm##> may end on Friday, at least one Rochester-area television station is keeping a "night light" on for people slow to make the switch to digital. democratandchronicle.com <http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage> | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
* 6/09/09 - New transportation route, New carbon-free transportation route in Rochester. Rochester Greenway <http://rochestergreenway.org/> "a revolutionary all-weather alternative-energy transitway for bikes, e-bikes, joggers, and skaters connecting RIT, U of R, MCC, downtown Rochester. http://tinyurl.com/RochesterGreenPaper A straight-line fair-weather bikeway already connects downtown Rochester with the University of Rochester, and RIT1 <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/Daily%20Updates.htm#sdfootnote1sy...> . <http://docs.google.com/File?id=dd3656vb_16dmj7f4cr_b> By turning this scenic five-mile path into a year-round asset, we can create a revolutionary all-weather alternative energy transitway
for bikes, e-vehicles, joggers, and skaters that will reduce road traffic and parking pressures on our campuses, create a year-round recreational attraction for locals and visitors from around the world, and put us at the forefront of the new energy economy. By merely endeavoring to pursue this vision, we can help revitalize Rochester's reputation for technological and social innovation, stimulate collaboration and synergy between our urban and academic communities, create jobs, and attract funds to the region. As documented at our new website http://RochesterGreenway.org <http://RochesterGreenway.org/> , this is an early-stage vision. But we could begin to act immediately and incrementally.
* 6/08/09 - Food production in our country. You should look under the hood at food production in our country and understand how it affects our health and our environment. I highly recommend this important report by PBS NOW: Food, Inc. - Interview <http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/523/index.html> With Director Robert Kenner . NOW on PBS Americans have a longstanding love affair with food—the modern supermarket has, on average, 47,000 products. But do we really know what goes into making the products we so eagerly consume? NOW on PBS <http://www.pbs.org/now>
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Events – Rochester <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/calendar.htm> Environmental Events Calendar – [The most complete listing of all environmental events around the Rochester, New York area.] If you don’t see your event, or know of a local environmental event, please send me the info: FrankRe...@RochesterEnvironment.com with (EV event) in the subject line.
* Blue Gold: World Water Wars Global Warming is an issue of “how” we live, the water crisis is an issue of “if” we live. Location: Henrietta Public Library Date: Monday June 15, 2009 Time: 6:45 PM to 8:45 PM 90-minute film followed by discussion The film Blue Gold: World Water Wars Will water really be “the oil of the 21st century?” Why do people spend up to 4,000 times more for bottled water when its purity is less regulated than tap water? Who will stop large multi-national corporations from taking over the world’s water supply? As part of our ongoing effort to educate the community about the issue of water privatization, we will be showing the new film Blue Gold: World Water Wars at the Henrietta Library on Monday, June 15th from 6:45 to 8:45 PM. This showing is free and open to the public. Please join us for the 90-minute film followed by a lively discussion, hosted by our Great Lakes committee. This is truly a remarkable, eye-opening film. The Salt <http://www.bluegold-worldwaterwars.com/press_kit/saltLakeCity4_16_09.jpg> Lake Tribune reports: “Unlike many other films that simply drown its audience with hopelessness, Blue Gold actually has some ideas that will work to help the world avoid an epidemic... Blue Gold is excellent.” Please see the film’s website for more information. (www.bluegold-worldwaterwars.com <http://www.bluegold-worldwaterwars.com/> ).
* SUSTAINABLE TABLE Presented by Martha Sullivan of the Rochester Sierra Club Thursday, June 18, 2009, 7:00 – 9:00 PM Gilbert Hall, First Unitarian Church, 220 S. Winton Rd, Rochester FREE and open to the public. Free refreshments. Sustainable Table is a 50-minute documentary film that takes a clear look at the food we eat, where it comes from, and how it affects the environment. Find out what’s REALLY on your plate and how your food choices can radically help or hurt the Earth. This educational video is highly recommended for anyone who is interested in responsible stewardship of the planet.
* Bird of the Month Series Please visit our Bird of the <http://www.friendsofmontezuma.org/birdofthemonth.html> Month page for information on this on-going program. Photographic Adventures with the Black Tern - A Presentation by Marie Read Saturday, June 20, 2 pm. Montezuma NWR Visitor Center. Wildlife photographer and nature writer Marie Read is renowned for her exquisite bird photos that often tell a story as well as being beautiful.
* Want to Save $$ on Solar Panels? NOW is the best time to find out more about Solar Energy for your home or business! SOlar Energy Systems Workshop Saturday June 20th - 10am - 1 pm Hosted by the PeaceWeavers at Thunder Mountain Retreat Sanctuary, 8125 Crouse Road, Bath Cost: $20 To Register, please call: 607-776-4060 Our primary presenter will be Nathan Rizzo from Solar Liberty, a solar installation company located in Buffalo. Mr. Rizzo will demonstrate how a solar energy system works and instruct how to apply for support through NYSERDA. Solar Liberty recently installed a solar system at the PeaceWeavers' Retreat Center. Those interested in installing solar panels at their home or business will be able to examine the system first hand and learn how to save thousands of dollars through subsidies.
* Program on Marcellus Shale Gas Drilling and Water, Mon., June 22, 7 PM, Bath A public forum on the effects of Marcellus Shale gas drilling on local water sources will be held Monday, June 22 at the Bath Fire Hall, 50 East Morris St., in Bath from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. The forum is for community members, landowners and local government officials, and is sponsored by the Steuben County Environmental Management Council, the Finger Lakes Group of the Sierra Club, the League of Women Voters of Steuben County, the League of Women Voters of Chemung County and the Bath Peace and Justice Group. The speakers at the forum will be Steve Penningroth, executive director of the state-certified water testing laboratory at the Community Science Institute in Ithaca, Ron Bishop, lecturer in chemistry and biochemistry at SUNY Oneonta, and Andrew Byers, a farmer/botanist from Newfield who has been studying gas drilling issues. Ron Bishop will give an overview of natural gas extraction technology and explain how water contamination can occur during the gas drilling process. Steve Penningroth will describe how to test private and municipal water wells so that landowners and municipal officials can discover problems and have solid scientific baseline water data that will stand up in court should contamination occur. Andrew Byers will describe how community members who are knowledgeable about these issues can take action. The forum is free and open to the public. For more information, call 607-569-2114. WHAT: Program on Marcellus Shale Gas Drilling and Water WHEN: Monday, June 22, 2009, 7:00 to 9:00 pm WHERE: Bath Fire Hall, 50 East Morris St., Bath, NY
* Cornell Cooperative Extension And New York Energy $martSM Programs Present Green Jobs Forum Via Cornell Universities Distance Learning Network - The Green Jobs Forum will provide basic information to Forum participants on such issues as: • What is meant by the term "green jobs" • Where and in what sectors of the economy do they exist • Information on available training programs • What does the future look like for the "green jobs sector" Information on starting a home performance business will also be presented - When: June 25, 2009 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon - Where: CCE, Monroe County 249 Highland Avenue, Rochester 14620 To reserve a seat phone: 585.461.1000 - Who should attend? Building Contractors, Entrepreneurs, Community Educators, Students, anyone interested in learning about new opportunities in the Green Jobs Sector. Presenters: Representatives from the Workforce Development Institute Representatives from New York Energy $martSM Programs Dr. Joe Laquatra, a professor in the Department of Design and Environmental Analysis at Cornell University, will facilitate this event Get the Flyer: http://www.mycce.org/monroe/green-jobs-poster.pdf --from http://www.mycce.org/monroe
* THE UPS AND DOWNS OF CAYUGA LAKE Thursday June 25 at 7 pm At the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge 3395 Route 5/20 East Seneca Falls, NY 13148 315-568-5987 Why does the level of Cayuga Lake waters fluctuate throughout the year? What and who controls the changes in lake level and why? Bill Kappel, a hydrogeologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, will answer questions about the seasonal variations in the level of Cayuga Lake. Bill includes a historical water-level perspective on Cayuga Lake -- its ups and downs, natural and man-made. Come learn about the hydrology, geology, and history of Cayuga Lake. This program is jointly sponsored by the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge http://www.fws.gov/r5mnwr , the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network http://www.cayugalake.org , and the Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization http://www.cayugawatershed.org <http://www.cayugawatershed.org/>
* The RAMP Garden Teach-In 2009, a fundraiser for Rochesterians Against the Misuse of Pesticides, is Saturday, June 27, from 10 to 2, and is dedicated to the memory of Nancy Watson Dean, a RAMP board member who died May 1. The Teach-In differs from a garden tour in that visitors can absorb the gardening wisdom of their hosts in a more leisurely way. The event features two spectacular gardens with quite different styles, although both approaches make use of native organic plants. The Henrietta garden of Roz Bliss is well known in the greater Rochester area for its artistry and variety. Tricia Wright's garden in the city's Cobbs Hill area is a National Wildlife Federation certified habitat that emits a sense of peacefulness amid a proliferation of plants and wildlife. Travel between the two gardens is direct, from Winton Road South in the city to near where it ends in the Calkins Rd.section of Henrietta. Tickets are available at Abundance Co-op and Parkleigh in the city, and at Lori’s Natural Foods in Henrietta. They are $10. and include a map guide and a raffle ticket to win quality prizes. For more information, contact Audrey Newcomb 585-381-6489.
* New York Green Fest 2009 <http://nygreenfest.org/> Share ideas and skills for sustainable living and Green politics, August 7-9, in Alfred, NY. Learn how to build your own wind turbine, produce videos for the internet, make tofu, make poetry, grow nut trees, and build an earth oven. Discuss economics as a cultural system, sustainable cities, the rights of nature, local sovereignty, the reality of renewable energy and liberation ecology. Listen to our plenary speakers: Virginia Rasmussen and Cyril Mychelako on the Politics of Sustainability, Art Weaver and Dan Miner on Sustainable Energy, Joel Kovel and Tony Gronowicz on Politics and Nature, Bill Kauffman and Lyn Gerry on Regionalism and Sustainability, and Steve Welzer and Jason Nabewaniec on Visioning a Green Future. Green Fest 2009 will be held on the campus of Alfred University <http://alfred.edu/> in Alfred <http://alfredny.org/> , NY. Alfred is in rural Allegany <http://www.discoveralleganycounty.com/> County, 80 miles south of Rochester. The Short Line <http://www.coachusa.com/shortline/ss.tickets.asp> Bus runs several buses daily between Alfred, Westchester, New York City and Long Island. Green Fest will arrange buses from Rochester for attendees.
* <http://www.hb2009.org/home> Healthy Buildings 2009 (http://www.hb2009.org), an international conference and exhibition showcasing innovations in indoor environmental quality and healthy and sustainable environmental technology, will be held in US for the first time in 12 years, September 13-17, 2009. Hosted by the Syracuse Center of Excellence and Syracuse University, ISIAQ's signature conference will draw more than 1,000 researchers and professionals from the disciplines of architecture, building products and services, engineering, indoor environmental quality, public health, urban planning, and workplace performance from more than 42 different countries. HB2009 includes remarkable plenary speakers such as Rick Fedrizzi, Founder of USGBC, as well as Dr. Eduardo de Oliveira Fernandes of the University of Porto in Portugal, Dr. Yuguo Li of the University of Hong Kong, and Dr. Shin-ichi Tanabe of Waseda University in Japan; who have each made immense contributions to the body of research in indoor air quality and related fields. The exhibition (http://hb2009.org/exhibition), featuring the latest advancements in green and clean technologies and innovation, will also showcase "OppEx," an Opportunity Exchange (http://hb2009.org/opportunity_exchange) that will include industry-leader keynote speakers; healthy buildings and clean and green technology product and service demonstrations; technology transfer ideas from world-class research universities; and many more opportunities for intellectual collisions among attendees. In today's uncertain economic climate, the benefit of international exchange and engagement is critical. HB2009 offers researchers, professionals, and community planners a unique opportunity to think strategically about the direction of industry and technology through academic and industry collaboration in a world going green. For more information about the conference and exhibition please visit our website at www.hb2009.org, or contact clmat...@syr.edu. Also, in addition to the rates currently listed on the web site, there is also a $25 one-day exhibition pass for those wishing to be a part of HB2009 on a limited budget.
* Help Clean Up the World and put your activity on the global environmental map! Held in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Clean Up the World is one of the world’s largest community-based environmental campaigns with an estimated 35 million volunteers from 120 countries participating annually in environmental activities. Join the campaign and put your group and its activity on the global environmental map by visiting activities.cleanuptheworld.org <http://activities.cleanuptheworld.org/index.html?lang_id=en> . Activities can be conducted year round, however the campaign’s flagship event, Clean Up the World Weekend (18-20 September 2009) is a global celebration of the environmental actions and achievements of participants. Joining Clean Up the World is simple: ■ Register online: http//:activities.cleanuptheworld.org <http://activities.cleanuptheworld.org/index.html?lang_id=en> ■ Email: i...@cleanuptheworld.org ■ Visit: www.cleanuptheworld.org <http://www.cleanuptheworld.org/> ■ Call: +61 2 9692 0700 ■ Post: 18 Bridge Road, Glebe NSW 2037, Australia. Clean Up <http://www.cleanuptheworld.org/en> Clean Up the World partners with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to inspire and assist communities to "clean up, fix up and conserve their local environment" through carrying out initiatives ranging from waste removal and tree planting to water and energy conservation projects. Clean Up the World and its participating organisations mobilise an estimated 35 million volunteers from more than 120 countries annually.
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Action – Take <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/action.htm> Action - Often, I receive request to pass on alerts, petitions, Public Comments on local developments, and environmental items needing action by the Rochester Community and around the world. I’ll keep Actions posted until their due date.
* I’m passing on this interesting proposal: Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Bond Act. For those of us [the public] who helped the banks who almost failed save our bailout monies, now it’s time for us to consider a bill that would protect our environment and help create green jobs. So, on the face of it, this bill seems especially timely: the proposed <http://www.gbcnys.agc.org/public/GBCnews/09/09.03.19BondAct.pdf> Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Bond Act - A writer suggests: "The $5 Billion Clean Water, Clean Air & Green Jobs Bond Act of 2009 as it is proposed would vastly expand opportunities for conservation beyond state and federally funded programs and initiatives. Voter-approved bond proceeds would be utilized for state environmental projects that protect our water, land and air and create jobs. Funding created through this initiative would make long-term improvements to our environmental infrastructure and natural resources, energy efficiency, transit, building weatherization, public health protection and economic development. The Bond Act would build upon the federal stimulus and provide a significant investment to further New York’s economic recovery through environmentally friendly capital investments. It was our intent in the development of this proposal to have the largest economic benefit as possible and in areas where their were natural fits - seek to elevate some of the burdens put on local municipalities - such as wastewater and drinking water infrastructure, energy efficiency program, brownfields cleanup and environmental remediation program funding, as well as traditional conservation efforts like the protection of open space, habitat restoration and parks. As you will see from the attached draft case statement, there are areas that could have a significant benefit regions across the state - including the Rochester area." Here's more Working <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/images/2009.3.19%20WORKING%20DRAF...> Daft NYS 2009 Environmental Bond Case Statement | ASSEMBLY <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/images/ASSEMBLY%20STANDING%20COMM...> STANDING COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
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Award – Environmental <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/Environmental%20Site%20Award.htm> Site of the Month Award – [On the last Sunday of each month, we present an environmental award for the Rochester-area environmental web site or blog that best promotes the need to protect and offers solutions for our area's environmental issues.]
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