An environmental plank in your platform and in your life.
For Alabama Boy's State 6/01/09 Joyce A. Lanning, Ph.D.
1. The environment of our cities, counties, state, nation and world is negatively impacted by the way we extract, manufacture, use and dispose of the stuff we enjoy, including the energy that moves us around and powers our lives. See http://www.storyofstuff.com/ and http://www.storyofstuff.com/resources.html
2. Since the environment provides more than stuff and energy – including many ‘ecosystem services’ like clean water & air, soil and pollination for growing food, habitats for us and other creatures, and more – we destroy it at our peril. Short term gain could be long term pain. http://www.umac.org/ocp/videos/ecosystemServices.html and for more information - http://www.actionbioscience.org/environment/esa.html
3. A crucial and pressing issue that impacts almost everything in the environment is global warming – temperature increase as a result of burning fossil fuels and releasing other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere – and the changes in climate and ocean acidification that result. http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/environment/global-warming-environment/way-forward-climate.html; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean_acidification
4. Although the large majority of scientists and very many political leaders think that the situation is extremely serious, there are things that we can do to prevent the worst impacts of climate change by shifting our production and consumption patterns to slow the dangerous buildup of greenhouse gases that threaten the planetary systems we leave to future generations. We must also learn to help ourselves and others adapt to the changes we can’t avoid. http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/index.html http://www.grida.no/_res/site/file/publications/ClimateInPeril.pdf
5. Current analyses of our economic crisis are also seeing economic opportunities by connecting jobs and financial recovery to energy and environmental changes in a push to create a new green economy. http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2009/WWFPresitem11336.html
6. For examples of state actions on climate change, including emissions targets and action plans, see http://www.pewclimate.org/docUploads/Climate101-State-Jan09.pdf and http://www.seastudios.org/ahead2_video_qt.php Cut pollution and save cash -
a. Greenhouse Gas cap and trade programs involve all but 16 states
b. Renewable Portfolio (or Energy) Standards requiring a certain percentage of energy from renewables by a set date are in place in 29 states and DC.
c. Energy efficiency and productivity – all but two states produce and use energy
far more efficiently than Alabama – in buildings, vehicles and appliances. http://ert.rmi.org/files/documents/CGU.RMI.pdf. 19 states require electric utilities to meet energy efficiency resource standards.
d. Incentives – in half the states, public benefit funds from a small charge on energy bills provide money for low-income household energy assistance, weatherization programs, investment in renewable technologies, and subsidies for efficient appliances.
7. Local impacts of climate change will be the responsibility of cities, towns, and counties as the expected stronger hurricanes, heavier rainstorms, more frequent floods and possible drought-related wildfires directly threaten local infrastructure, including water supply. An extreme example is New Orleans’ response to Katrina. http://www.pewclimate.org/docUploads/Climate101-Local-Jan09.pdf . One local government resource is a program from ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability: Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Campaign http://www.icleiusa.org/programs/climate with 700 local governments participating worldwide. Cool Cities are cutting carbon emissions - http://www.coolcities.us/
8. Businesses, schools, churches and other institutions can get involved also. http://www.pewclimate.org/docUploads/Climate101-Business-Jan09.pdf http://ssc.sierraclub.org/get-involved/campaigns/campus-climate-challenge/index.html ; http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=small_business.sb_congregations ;
9. Pricing carbon to account for the full cost of emitting it is a national program now being debated – see a commentary on the Waxman-Markey bill at http://www.edf.org/article.cfm?contentID=9854 and the world faces a deadline in December, 2009 as parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (including the US) meet in Copenhagen to agree on international targets for reducing carbon emissions to take effect in 2012.
Each of us can take action now - continue or start one of the steps below.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP ACTION ITEMS
adapted from Ten Things You Can Do to Help Save the Earth by Katie Lambert at http://science.howstuffworks.com/save-earth-top-ten.htm/printable
Going green is easier than you think. There are little things you can do every day to help reduce greenhouse gases and make a less harmful impact on the environment. Taking care of the Earth is not just a responsibility -- it's a privilege. In that spirit, HowStuffWorks came up with 10 things you can do to help save the Earth. Note that links to web pages are underlined or shown in color.
1. Pay attention to how you use water. The little things can make a big difference. Every time you turn off the water while you're brushing your teeth, you're doing something good. Got a leaky toilet? You might be wasting 200 gallons of water a day [Source: EPA]. Try drinking tap water instead of bottled water, so you aren't wasting all that packaging as well. Wash your clothes in cold water when you can. Run full loads in wash machines and dishwashers. Upgrade to low flow toilets and other water-savers (http://www.epa.gov/watersense/). Run faucet water and water lawn only as needed. Set up sprinkler system moisture sensors. Better yet, replace lawn with drought resistant plants. Use grey water for watering non-edible flowers and plants. Try Alabama River Alliance’s Save and Share Campaign.
2. Leave your car at home. If you can stay off the road just two days a week, you'll reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 1,590 pounds per year [Source: EPA]. Combine your errands -- hit the post office, grocery store and shoe repair place in one trip. It will save you gas and time. If you will be parked and sitting for 10 seconds or longer... turn off your car's engine.
3. Walk or ride your bike to work, school and anywhere you can. You can reduce greenhouse gases while burning some calories and improving your health. If you can't walk or bike, use mass transit or carpool. Every car not on the road makes a difference.
4. Recycle. You can help reduce pollution just by putting that soda can in a different bin. If you're trying to choose between two products, pick the one with the least packaging. If an office building of 7,000 workers recycled all of its office paper waste for a year, it would be the equivalent of taking almost 400 cars off the road [Source: EPA ]. Bring reusable bags when shopping.
5. Compost. Think about how much trash you make in a year. Reducing the amount of solid waste you produce in a year means taking up less space in landfills, so your tax dollars can work somewhere else. Compost makes a great natural fertilizer. Composting is easier than you think.
6. Change your light bulbs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) last 10 times longer than a standard bulb and use at least two-thirds less energy. If you're shopping for new appliances or even home electronics, look for ENERGY STAR products, which have met EPA and U.S. Department of Energy guidelines for energy efficiency. Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved enough energy in 2007 alone to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 27 million cars — all while saving $16 billion on their utility bills. [Source: EPA]. (Learn more about proper disposal of CFLs.)
7. Make your home more energy efficient (and save money). Clean your air filters so your system doesn't have to work overtime. Get a programmable thermostat so you aren't wasting energy when you aren't home. When you go to bed, reduce the thermostat setting -- you won't miss those extra degrees of heat or air conditioning while you're asleep.
8. Maintain your car. Underinflated tires decrease fuel economy by up to three percent and lead to increased pollution and higher greenhouse gas emissions [Source: EPA]. Underinflation also increases tire wear, so it will save you money in the long run if you're good about checking your tire pressure.
9. Drive smarter. Slow down -- driving 60 miles per hour instead of 70 mph on the highway will save you up to 4 miles per gallon. [Source: Consumer Guide Automotive]. Accelerating and braking too hard can actually reduce your fuel economy, so take it easy on the brakes and gas pedal.
10.Turn off lights when you're not in the room and unplug appliances when you're not using them. It only takes a second to be environmentally conscious.
A few more of the many available web sites on climate change:
Take Action - Go to
http://www.wecansolveit.org/ or
http://www.repoweramerica.org/,
http://www.edf.org/page.cfm?tagID=820,
http://www.worldwildlife.org/climate/index.html,
http://www.nwf.org/globalwarming/, or search for climate change solutions!
Science of climate change:
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ Excellent Environmental Protection Agency site
http://www.skepticalscience.com/ Responses to questions about climate change
International:
http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/syr/ar4_syr_spm.pdf Synthesis report 11/17/07
http://www.pewclimate.org/global-warming-basics/ipccar4.cfm A review of the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – doesn’t include the 11/17/07 synthesis report
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intergovernmental_Panel_on_Climate_Change Wikipedia has been a useful reference on the IPCC and on climate change
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/home_en.htm European Union site - good references
http://www.wri.org/ World Resources Institute, an environmental think tank – action information
State and Local Governments:
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/stateandlocalgov/index.html EPA’s review of state and local government action
http://usmayors.org/climateprotection/documents/mcpAgreement.pdf U.S Mayors Climate Protection Agreement - over 690 cities have pledged to reduce their carbon footprints
http://www.climatenortheast.org/ClimateNortheastCaseStudies.php Case studies of business activities to reduce emissions
Corporate and institutional activites:
http://www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org/pdf/commitment.pdf American College & University President’s Climate Commitment
http://www.us-cap.org/ United States Climate Action Partnership
http://www.climatenortheast.org/ClimateNortheastCaseStudies.php Case studies of business action to address climate change
Individual opportunities for CO2 reduction:
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/index.html EPA information - what individuals can do
http://www.empowermentinstitute.net/lcd/ Low Carbon Diet – 30 day program to lose 5000 lbs
http://nwei.org/NWEI/Global_Warming.html Global Warming: Changing Co2urse - a workbook to explore values, science, and actions for individuals to curb global warming
http://www.genesisfund.org/greentips.htm Genesis Community Loan Fund Green Tips
http://www.biggreenpurse.com/ Green shopping tips and opportunities
Get off mailing lists:
http://www.catalogchoice.org/#welcome A free way to cancel your catalogs online
http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs4-junk.htm A good overall guide to stopping junk mail
https://www.dmachoice.org/MPS/ Direct Marketing Association online do not mail list - $1
Energy Efficiency and Conservation:
http://www.energystar.gov/ Information on energy-efficient products
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls Compact fluorescent light bulbs - CFLs
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=small_business.sb_congregations An EPA site especially for congregations, with links to environmental efforts by faith-based organizations
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_conservation Overview with good links
Ecological and Carbon Footprints:
http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/personal_footprint/Calculate your ecological footprint and learn how to lower it
http://coolclimate.berkeley.edu/ - one of many carbon footprint calculators
