RENewsletter | May 17, 2009
The Free environmental newsletter from RochesterEnvironment.com
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/>
"Our Environment is changing: Keep up with the Change."
[05/10/09- 05/17/09]
* 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: "Not like Sports News"
Unlike sports news coverage, where the lead unwinds quickly delivering a
slow ball or a fast ball down the base line towards an awaiting teammate to
complete a play that either mesmerizes or infuriates a crowd of enthusiasts,
environmental news coverage is by comparison often droll and leaves the
reader with the haunting sense that they'd been complicit in a world-wide
conspiracy they did not desire or even contemplate beforehand.
However in both, sports and environmental coverage facts are not enough. In
both, facts are critical; their accuracy should not be in dispute. But,
facts alone don't tell the whole story. In sports coverage there's the daily
drama, the bad boys beating the impossible odds and their wicked opponents
into such a sublime pitch of fervor that those opposed and fans enthralled
near swoon. There are clear winners and losers. The winners must be goateed
to gloat and the loser must retain enough dignity to come back and fight
another day. Makes for exciting reading. Makes you want to follow up and
tune in the next time these warriors get together. Makes for good media
sales.
Environmental news coverage treats facts differently. Yes, the facts must be
there, accurate and testable, but their intent must be to get the reader to
see the importance of the big picture. Often not that fun. It's not a game
of winners and losers (or shouldn't be); it's important feedback about
whether or not our way of life is working. And while environmental news
coverage may never get the vast readership sports coverage does, with little
of the drama and heaps of those dire consequences, here are some tips that
might make environmental coverage, which some editors insist on inserting
into an otherwise palatable chunk of daily reporting, more interesting:
Ask yourself, is the environmental news new? (Both sports and environment
news share the burden of teasing something new out of the same old field of
play.) Does it indicate a growing trend or an ebbing one-a condition where
we are striving towards a solution or one threatening to come back and bite
us? Does the news come from a credible source? (Even so, you should cross
check it with other sources, maybe even data sources at a university or a
reputable institution.) Does the story provide sufficient background to
understand its import, its relevance to the overall health of the planet?
(In sports, a come-back kid is bit more tantalizing that the same ole
competent outfielder catching the same ole fly ball.) Does it have enough
facts or so many facts that you cannot see the forest for the trees-the
trees being the larger picture of our planetary environmental health? Is
the story objective or biased by ideology, political, or economic zealotry?
I should mention one big difference between sports and environmental news
coverage that may not be immediately obvious those wondering how the media
will look after the Recession. If our local media failed altogether, someone
would probably pick up the ball and deliver a blow by blow account of any
game large enough to attract a crowd-by radio or podcast if necessary. If
the bottom drops out of local coverage of environmental news, no one might
pick up the ball at all. If you haven't taken your eye off the ball of the
media's plight in this Recession, then you know that this is almost the
case.
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]
* Bottle Bill Delay <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* $475M for Great Lakes
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* Gov on Hudson River <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
Clean-up
* Wildlife Care <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* Natural Gas Efficiency
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* Gas Drilling Leases <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* Local Researching Influenza
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* Wind Power - Business
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* Endangered Species <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
Challenges
* Pharmaceuticals in NYS
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> Waters
* Recession Affects Parks
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* Renewable Energy Conference
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> @ Buffalo
* EPA Budget Live Online
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> Today
* Bikes in Monroe County
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> Parks
* Great Lakes Contaminated
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> Sediment
* Dredging Rochester Harbor
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> "Smart Energy
Corridor"
* Pandemic Not Over - CDC
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* Off-Trail Bikes in Parks?
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* Monies for Great Lakes
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> Water Infrastructure - EPA
* Ethanol Concern <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* $200,00 for Rochester
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> Brownfield Grants
* Naples's Wind Towers
<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.]
* 5/12/09 - Will it ever get cleaned up? Sadly, it is not hard to
believe that the clean-up of the Hudson River due to PCB pollution is still
choked by delays. Here's how these big pollution events seem to go. A
corporation for one reason or another pollutes a body of water. Maybe it was
an accident, maybe it was OK to pollute years ago, whatever, there's always
an excuse. Then, there has to be a sufficient cry of outrage to get our
waters cleaned up, or it just doesn't get to the court's radar. Then, it
goes to court and really smart people in law (but not very bright on our
environment) wrangle over the merits of the case. And, maybe once in a
great while the people win and the waters have to be cleaned up. But,
sometimes the company has gone bankrupt. Then, there are delays. There are
delays because no one is ever satisfied that the courts have made them clean
up their mess. Then, once is a very great while the case will go through all
the appeals, all the nigglings at the law, everything-but there still will
be delays. The poison's sit because removing the poisons is complicated,
expensive, and disruptive to people's lives. In a way this all sounds
sensible as this is the way corporations and our laws work-you just have to
wait for the wheel of the law to turn wherever they are going to turn.
Trouble is Nature and the laws of physics are not so democratic. If you put
a lot of poisons in the water, stuff happens. Check this out: Barrier
<http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=798404&categor...
ON> drops to PCB dredge -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY ALBANY -
Saratoga County officials have dropped part of a lawsuit seeking to halt the
Hudson River PCB dredging project in a dispute with the federal government
over a safe supply of outside drinking water from Troy. (May 9, 09) Albany
NY News - Times <http://www.timesunion.com/> Union - Serving Albany,
Saratoga, Schenectady, Troy
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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.
* <http://townofpittsford.org/node/1642> Household hazardous waste
collection | Sat, 5/16 | Town of Pittsford Start your spring-cleaning by
properly recycling household hazardous waste. Most HHW (paint, flammables
and other chemicals from home-use) is safe when used and stored properly.
When they become unwanted and are disposed of improperly, these household
wastes can become environmental hazards. The towns of Pittsford and Perinton
and the villages of East Rochester, Fairport and Pittsford and the Monroe
County Department of Environmental Services (DES) have joined forces to hold
an appointment-only Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection Saturday,
5/16, 8AM - 12N at the Perinton Highway Garage, 100 Cobb's Lane. --from Home
Page <http://townofpittsford.org/> | Town of Pittsford
* <http://www.rochesterroots.org/> Rochester Roots "Let's Dig In!"
video will premier in the High Falls Film Festival "Children's Shorts From
Around the World" on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 11:00 AM; Little Theatre -
Little 1. Introduction and book reading by LESLEY STAHL. This 9 minute
documentary about Rochester Roots takes you on a playful romp through the
community gardens of Rochester Roots as told and animated by students. It's
an exciting look at one of Rochester's finest educational programs for kids.
Directors/Writers: Dave Puls and Jan McDonald Producer: Rochester Roots,
Inc. For more information visit www.rochestersmoviefest.com
* <http://www.ceinfo.org/events.php> Embracing Solar Power Seminar:
'Essential Information about buying a photovoltaic system and having it
installed'. When: May 19, 2009 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM Where: Downtown
Rochester at 55 St. Paul Street. Fee: $10 for UGBN members, $25 for
non-members. --from CEI: Center for Environmental
<http://www.ceinfo.org/index.php> Information
*
<http://newyork.sierraclub.org/rochester/Transportation/Bike_Course.html>
Bike Course Save money and lower your carbon footprint - park the car and
bike to work-safely. Free and open to the public - but please register as
the Class size limit: 30 A bicycle class on using your bicycle to commute to
work and other utilitarian uses. When: Thursday, May 21st, 7PM - 9PM Where:
Genesee Waterways Center <http://www.geneseewaterways.org/> , 149 Elmwood
Avenue, Rochester, NY 14611 (585) 328-3960 Please fill in the application
(Click on "Registration link"), and send to Richard DeSarra by May 17, 2009.
Registration link:
http://newyork.sierraclub.org/rochester/Transportation/Bike_Course.html .
Sponsored by: Rochester <http://www.rochesterbicyclingclub.com/> Bicycling
Club & Rochester <http://newyork.sierraclub.org/rochester/> Regional Group
of the Sierra Club.
* NYSERDA Hosts Mini-seminar Aimed at Home Improvement and HVAC
Contractors. Wednesday, May 27 9 - 10:30 AM at Cornell Cooperative
Extension (Highland Room) 249 Highland Avenue, Rochester NY. This seminar,
aimed at contractors, will provide information on program requirements and
cash incentive opportunities available through the Home Performance with
ENERGY STAR program. The event is FREE however registration is required.
NYCharities.org
<http://www.nycharities.org/event/c_event.asp?CharityCode=2490> --from CEI:
Center for Environmental <http://www.ceinfo.org/> Information
* <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
*
<http://newyork.sierraclub.org/rochester/Weed%20Walk/Weed_Walk.html> Weed
Walk - June 6, 2009 at 9:30 AM, Horizon Hill Conservation Area -151 Garnsey
Road, Perinton, NY; 73 acres. A natural area which includes a scenic section
of the Crescent trail and a small parking area. ."Learn to recognize several
Invasive Plant Species affecting Monroe County, and visit the scenic Horizon
Hill section of Perinton's Crescent Trail. Experts will answer your
questions." More info here: Weed
<http://newyork.sierraclub.org/rochester/Weed%20Walk/Weed_Walk.html> Walk
* <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
* 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/> ).
* <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.
__________________________________________________
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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