Tag Archives: government

Candlelight Vigil at Senator Kerry’s Office

Posted on by
Reply

350 Candelight VigilMassachusetts’ citizens will be gathering together tonight in solidarity with the citizens of those nations that will be first to face the impacts of climate change.  The candlelight vigil is part of 350.0rg’s call for a science-based international climate treaty and effective U.S. legislation to get us back below 350 ppm of CO2 in the atmosphere.

The program includes compelling speakers invoking the moral imperative for world leaders to act, a group photo documenting the event, and development of photo messages to President Obama calling for action. People will be meeting at Cardinal Cushing Park in Boston, located at the intersection of Cambridge Street and New Chardon Street (across the street from Senator Kerry’s office at One Bowdoin Square).  The vigil is being held from 6:00 – 7:30pm with a post-vigil gathering at the Beantown Pub.

This strategic location is aimed to reach Senator Kerry, who will be America’s principal negotiator at the United Nations Climate Change Conference held this month in Copenhagen. It is not clear what will come out of the negotiations, as there is the potential for developing countries to walk out due to resistance from developed nations providing retribution for past carbon pollution.   The US has backed away from taking any action until spring, though the US has established the U.S. Center at the Copenhagen Conference.  350.org has called for vigil’s across the globe, urging for a climate treaty that is line with the latest sciuence and protects the most vulnerable countries to safeguard their very survival.

To rsvp for the climate vigil go to:  www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=186121428405&ref=
For more info: email 350Boston@gmail.com

EPA: Greenhouse Gases Threaten Society

Posted on by
1

EPA BuildingYesterday, December 7th, the EPA formally declared that greenhouse gases threaten public health and the environment.  In its news release, the EPA stated that greenhouse gases are “the primary driver of climate change, which can lead to hotter, longer heat waves that threaten the health of the sick, poor or elderly; increases in ground-level ozone pollution linked to asthma and other respiratory illnesses; as well as other threats to the health and welfare of Americans.”

The EPA’s finding of “endangerment” opens the possibility for the EPA to limit the output of carbon dioxide and other pollutants produced by large-emitters such as power plants, oil refineries, chemical plants and metal smelters.

According to Jeff Holmstead, a former EPA air administrator under the George W. Bush administration, this is the first time the EPA has ever made a standalone endangerment finding – without a corresponding rule-making.  The timing of the EPA’s decision may be political – as the Senate is still deliberating on a national climate bill, and international climate conferences open in Copenhagen – but that does not discredit the science behind the EPA’s determination.

The EPA’s decision, if nothing else, demonstrates the current administration’s deep commitment to enacting serious climate change policy.


Greening Government

Posted on by
Reply

us_flag_green On Monday, as another step in leading by example, the Obama administration initiated a government-wide suggestion box for ideas to green the executive branch. For two weeks federal employees will have the opportunity to submit and vote on ideas which will then be referred to committee.

The existing suggestions are available for perusal on GreenGov at right, below the video. They include (many copies) of the usual suspects, like occupation sensors for lights or double-sided printing, as well as gems such as:

Replace grass lawns that require mowing with wild flowers that do not. This will save on pollution from lawn mowers. —Kris, Bethesda

Good idea. That should also cut down on run-off and water used for irrigation, as well as providing useful habitat for wildlife Kris.

There are also disappointing revelations like:

Many employees have mini refrigerators to keep their lunch cold. Each one uses around $30 per year worth of electricity. We could encourage people to share and eliminate the extra ones by charging a fee of $20 per year for a refrigerator permit. —Carl, NIH

Why aren’t there communal (high-efficiency) fridges in the first place? They’re a standard fixture in most offices…

Leading by Example

Posted on by
Reply

Modern SisyphusEven though we face an increasingly steep uphill battle on the way to Copenhagen, there have been some rays of hope buried amongst recent headlines. For instance, yesterday, the administration initiated efforts to reduce energy use by the nation’s largest consumer: the federal government.

In a similar vein, two weeks ago, the G20 (the ever-expanding group of finance ministers formerly known as the G8, G7, and “The Group of Six“) vowed to phase out fossil fuel subsidies .

The Green Inaugural Ball

Posted on by
Reply

From our ‘talk the talk, walk the walk’ department, comes this item on the Green Inaugural Ball, held last night at the Smithsonian Institute-located just off the National Mall.

The Green Ball, of course, was billed as carbon neutral. The emissions generated from the electricity used at the event were offset by buying emissions-reduction credits from Native Energy, which supports Native American, farmer-owned, community-based renewable energy projects. It was a lot of electricity, judging from the megawatt sound system. “It’s a bit loud,” said Paula DiPerna, executive vice-president for the Chicago Climate Exchange, who regretted not bringing earplugs.

Possibly the only ball  where the star wasn’t President Obama, it was this guy.

Residential Water Heaters now Carry the Energy Star Label.

Posted on by
Reply

When you think of how long your more visible household appliances have had Energy Star Labels this seems a long time coming.

The New Year brings with it tidings of joy and energy-efficient hot water, as Energy Star-qualified residential water heaters are now available. High-efficiency versions of the conventional tank storage water heater can earn the label, as well as solar water heaters, heat pump water heaters, and whole-house tankless models.

Get the whole scoop from the US Department of Energy.