RENewsletter | June 7, 2009
The Free environmental newsletter from RochesterEnvironment.com
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/>
"Our Environment is changing: Keep up with the Change."
[05/31/09- 06/07/09]
* 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]
__________________________________________
Opening Salvo: "The Bottle Bill Ban Battle"
This heralding by the media of environmentalists unhappy with the latest ban
on the deposit law just passed strikes me as an odd way to look at the halt
in the NYS bottle bill that was supposed to go into effect on June 1st, and
an odd way to see environmental issues in general by the media. Because, of
course, shouldn't everyone be miffed that the battle to remove discarded
bottles from our streets, urban forests, our roadways (you-name-it, bottles
are everywhere) via a popular measure (most New Yorkers are for this bottle
bill) has been squelched by a judge, bottling companies, some politicians,
grocery and convenience stores? [Note, local recycling newslinks:
http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/recycling.htm]
The media sees a battle, not an environmental problem where an incredible
amount of waste is piling up around us. For, the press cannot see the forest
because of the trees: the forest--our environmental issues that jeopardize
the sustainability of our way of life; the trees--the myopic way mainstream
media frames environmental issues. Mainstream media see environmental
issues as a series of battles, oftentimes only with those opponents willing
to step up to the microphone. Allegedly, the rest of us are dozing on the
sidelines. It is as if while their train is plummeting off a cliff,
passengers watching a fight in the aisle between the brakeman and the
engineer believe they have no stake in the events about to unfold.
In this story about the ban on this bill, what is missing is the incredible
amount of trash littering our world, the loss of natural resources, and the
needless use of energy making our stuff that is polluting our planet. It's
not about squabbles going on by groups of angry people remote from our
existence: It's about how we (every one of us) conduct our business
(economics) and whether or not we can keep doing that-without depriving our
children of a future.
At present, our environment is failing, pollution is building, our energy
sources are warming the planet:, and the list goes on and on. The tragedy of
this bottle bill ban is that solving the larger problem of the trash
build-up in our environment is on hold because the media cannot conceive of
a way to report on it other than framing it as a long battle interspersed
with a few good verbal whacks on each side.
Here's some recycling matters our media could be reporting on until April of
2010 if they weren't so dysfunctional: instances of volunteers taking the
initiative and cleaning up our parks and trails in this Recession; seeing
that our county enforces existing laws on haulers land-filling recyclables;
making sure that televisions taken to the curbside because of the signal
change on July 12th do not go into landfills; finding out if we in Rochester
have recycling audits like Buffalo to see how many of us are actually
recycling; finding out why our county doesn't recycling beyond #2 plastics
like Ontario County does; finding out how the recycling market affects
recycling locally; find out where recycled products get recycled properly;
finding out about programs to develop community composting programs that
might remove some 10% of our food waste from landfills and sell as compost;
finding out what local entrepreneurs are doing to create jobs in this area
to keep trash from landfills; and maybe even compile a list of local
recycling places for our residents to recycling properly-like this list:
Donate, Recycle & Reuse
[http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/Donate_Recycle_%20Reuse.html]
FrankRe...@RochesterEnvironment.com
<mailto:FrankRe...@RochesterEnvironment.com?subject=I'm%20contacting%20you%2
0from%20the%20RENewsletter> (Click on my email for feedback)
__________________________________________
NewsLinks - Environmental <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
NewsLinks - [Highlights of major environmental stories concerning our area
from the past week]
* Gas Drilling Update <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* Update on Bat Disease
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* DEC on Emerald Ash Borer
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* Govt Monies on Water
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> Infrastructure
* Clean Energy Green Jobs
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* Green Homes <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* Using Computer to Get Green
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* Tire Recycling - Buffalo
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* More Bears in NYS <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* Invasive Species in Great
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> Lakes - new Book
* New Great Lakes Overseer
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* Selling Park to Developer
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* See-Through Garbage Bags A
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> Must
* City Planning Includes
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> Global Warming
* Big Wind in Indiana <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* Chili <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> & Open Space
Issue
* Killing Trees <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* New Tech Might Save Bulbs
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* Death of Swine Flu <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* Ruling on Ballast Discharge
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> Upheld
* Executive Order #1 Lead
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> Poisoning
* Gov Est. Task Force To
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> Prevent Lead Poisoning
* Bat Disease To Great Lakes
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* More on Bottle Bill Ban
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* Local Food To Local Schools
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* Fuel Cell Research in our
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> Area Goes On
* Bridgehampton's Tree
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> Planting Program
* Best Practices for Great
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> Lakes Wind Power
* Green Lab in Syracuse
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* New Invasive Species in
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> Great Lakes
* New Light Bulb <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
___________________________________________
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.]
* 6/05/09 - Learn about what one of our area colleges is doing about
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/recycling.htm> Recycling: RIT Green |
Recycling <http://www.rit.edu/fa/ritgreen/recycling.html> "RIT currently
recycles approximately 2,000 tons of waste each year. In 2007, 38.5% of all
waste produced on campus was recycled. The Recycling Department has set a
goal of recycling over 50% of the waste that leaves the campus. When met,
this goal will place RIT's recycling program among the top schools
nationwide. In order to meet the goal, the Recycling Department at RIT is
working continuously to raise awareness of the benefits of recycling and to
make recycling more convenient for everyone."
* 6/05/09 - Help monitor our environment: Frog watches, like bird
watches, are important because these creatures are important indicators of
our environment's health. That frog populations and other wildlife are
shrinking to causes other than urban sprawl (loss of their habitats)
indicates that perhaps global warming or manmade pollution may be
contributing causes to their demise. In any case, we shouldn't just be
mulling this over in our minds, real data needs to be gathered and this is
an activity where ordinary people can contribute. [more on
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/helping_out.htm> Living Green in
Rochester] FrogwatchUSA Homepage - USGS/National
<http://www.nwf.org/frogwatchusa> Wildlife Federation - FrogwatchUSA -
National Wildlife Federation FrogWatch USA is a Citizen Science Monitoring
Program that gives YOU the opportunity to help scientists conserve
amphibians! Being a FrogWatch volunteer gives you the opportunity to gather
information that will help increase awareness of nationwide amphibian
declines that can ultimately lead to practical and workable ways to help
conserve these important species - all while helping you learn more about
the wetlands in your community and the calls of frogs and toads in your
community!
_________________________________________________
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.
* <http://www.colorbrightongreen.org/site/index.php?page=energy-fair>
Green Energy Fair - Color Brighton Green Sunday, June 7, 2009, 9am to 1pm,
at Brighton High School Parking Lot. This year, the fair will take place
together with the Brighton Farmers Market. The fair will feature the
following and more: A wide variety of businesses offering energy saving and
green products and services. Tables with information and resources about
energy- and resource-saving technologies and lifestyle choices. Displays of
current alternative technologies. Student projects related to alternative
energy and energy conservation. Brighton Farmers Market. --Home Page - Color
<http://www.colorbrightongreen.org/site/index.php> Brighton Green (For the
Love of Water) Monday, June 15th at 6:45 PM to 9:00 PM at the Henrietta
Public Library, Henrietta, NY
* <http://gvc-adk.org/events/expo/expo2009.php> 12th ANNUAL ADK
OUTDOOR EXPO Saturday, June 13, 2009 9 am - 4 pm Mendon Ponds Park Beach
Area <http://gvc-adk.org/events/expo/mendonpondsmap.php> Have you ever
wanted to just try a canoe or kayak but didn't know where to go? Have you
ever wondered if there was a club with your outdoor interests? Here's your
chance! The Genesee Valley Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club is
hosting the 12th Annual Outdoor Expo on Saturday June 13th from 9:00 - 4:00
on the beach <http://gvc-adk.org/events/expo/mendonpondsmap.php> at Mendon
Ponds Park. The Genesee Valley Chapter has organized this event with YOU in
mind! Just come see what you can do in the Rochester area! Demonstrations,
discussions and activities will be offered all day on a wide variety of
outdoor related topics. This is the perfect opportunity to connect with
people that share the same interests as you all in one location! The annual
Expo attracts hundreds of people who attend more than twenty workshops on
various aspects of outdoor activities. Attendees also view and inspect
outdoor gear and try out canoes and kayaks on the Hundred Acre Pond. ADK,
other local outdoor clubs, and local outdoor retailers present all of the
events. With music provided by the Golden Link <http://www.goldenlink.org>
Folk Singing Society
* 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/> ).
* 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.
* 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.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.
_________________________________________________
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...
S%202009%20Environmental%20Bond%20CASE%20STATEMENT.doc> Daft NYS 2009
Environmental Bond Case Statement | ASSEMBLY
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/images/ASSEMBLY%20STANDING%20COMM...
20ON%20ENVIRONMENTAL%20CONSERVATION.doc> STANDING COMMITTEE ON
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
__________________________________________________
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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