Coal

"It takes five to 10 days for the pollution from China's coal-fired plants to make its way to the United States, like a slow-moving storm.
It shows up as mercury in the bass and trout caught in Oregon's Willamette River. It increases cloud cover and raises ozone levels. And along the way, it contributes to acid rain in Japan and South Korea and health problems everywhere from Taiyuan to the United States.
[...] The growth of coal-burning is also contributing to global warming, and is linked to environmental and health issues including acid rain and asthma. Air pollution kills more than 2 million people prematurely, according to the World Health Organization"

From"World's coal dependency hits environment" from Yahoo News.

Step It Up Rally and Climate Change Numbers

Step It Up 2007 is a campaign organized by people all around the country, calling for leadership on global warming. There will be a rally at City Hall in Schenectady on November 3 from 11:00AM to 12:00PM. (here for more info)


Global Warming by the Numbers- from Environmentaldefense.org

1. Rank of 2006 as hottest year on record in the continental United States.
1. Rank of America as top global warming polluter in the world.
20%. Percent increase of America's carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels since 1990.
15%. Percent increase of America's carbon dioxide emissions forecasted by 2020 if we do not cap pollution.
80%. Percent decrease in U.S. global warming pollution required by 2050 to prevent the worst consequences of global warming.
78. Number of days by which the US fire season has increased over the past 20 years - tied closely to increased temperatures and earlier snowmelt.
200 million. Number of people around the world who could be displaced by more intense droughts, sea level rise and flooding by 2080.
358. Number of U.S. mayors (representing 55 million Americans) who have signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement pledging to meet or beat Kyoto goals in their communities.
0. Number of federal bills passed to cap America's global warming pollution.

Cool videos and websites

This is a cool video that makes the concept of greenhouse gasses more comprehensible.
http://www.climateprotect.org/ah12

Alicia, Amanda, and I went to ChangeIt07, which is a great week long summer program created Greenpeace and Seventh Generation to train and inspire college students to make a difference on their campus. We all learned a lot and had a great time! This is a great video that really sums up ChangeIt and the passion and dedication of 200 students.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zow--J5e4sw&eurl=

You can calculate your carbon footprint!
http://www.earthlab.com/carbonProfile/LiveEarth.htm?ver=14
I calculated mine, and unfortunately, even with all my recycling, canvas bag toting, and public transportation, I still create at least 16 tons of CO2 per year. That's insane.

Let us know if you have anything to share with us on the blog, whether its a video, news clip, or a good idea!

-Shona

Save the polar bears!

"Two-thirds of the world's polar bears will be gone by the middle of the century, says a US government agency... Scientists believe Arctic ice will hit a record low this year." -BBC News


(photo from www.climateprogress.org)

Almost the end of summer...

Well, our Sustainability Forum went extremely well, and SCCG is very happy and proud of what we have accomplished in such a short time period. The organization will continue in the future through the hard work of high school and college students.

Our last meeting (until further notice) will be this Thursday, the 9th. As always, it will be at 7:30 in the Public Safety Building.

Feel free to send us links of relevant news stories and good resources. We'd love to help create a larger environmental network in our area.

Live Earth Pledge

Help reach the goal of getting 50,000 signatures on the Live Earth Plegde!
http://www.liveearthpledge.org/

SCCG sustainability forum!

SARATOGA COUNTY COMMUNITY GREEN PRESENTS

SUSTAINABILITY:
How to keep our planet and
our families healthy
[a public forum]


Saturday, July 28th
Clifton Park Halfmoon Public Library
1:00 – 3:30 PM

• What is sustainable development?
  
• Which alternative energy options are viable for the future?
  
• How will global warming change our lives?
  
• Why support local and organic food?
  
• How are industrial chemicals affecting our bodies?
  
• What can we do NOW?
  
  Listen to experts
  Ask questions
  Change our community

greenercp@gmail.com
www.greenercp.blogspot.com

Senate Energy Bill

A few days ago, the senate energy bill passed. You can find out what the issues were here.

Booth at the Commons and Live Earth

On Wednesday, July 4th, SCCG will have a booth at the Clifton Commons from about two to five. We'll be selling small paper windmills for kids and maple syrup as a fundraiser, and will be taking cans to recycle. We'll have our business cards out and a few flyers out about some of the issues we're focused on.

This Saturday, there will be the Live Earth Concert. Tons of bands will be playing all over the globe to raise awareness about climate change. The Clifton Park Democrats will be hosting a showing at Mocha Lisa's at the Clifton Park Center at 7:45, and it should last an hour. Check it out http://www.liveearth.org/event.php for more info about Live Earth!

Alright guys, we're looking to expand local agriculture for Clifton Park and surrounding areas. What we need is to raise awareness of local farms in the area and connect them in order to create a farmers' market that not only advocates the use of local, organic, and sustainable produce, but one that also is readily available at least 5 days a week. In order to achieve this, we will need volunteers to collect our share of the produce (after we've purchased shares of course), but more importantly we are seeking people to help work on the farms. Call (518)396-7832 to discuss what farms/where and how you can help. I'm available M-F 9AM-12pm, Sat. After 5pm or before noon, and all day SUnday.