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"The federal government has extended until September 18 the deadline for commenting on a proposed 5-year plan for offshore energy development. Please act now.
Congress may soon take up unprecedented energy legislation that includes authorization for new offshore drilling. Unfortunately, that’s not the only big threat facing our nation’s precious coastal environments. The Bush administration has launched a new accelerated planning process that could open extensive offshore areas around the country to oil and gas drilling irrespective of how Congress votes. Lining our coasts and shorelines with oil rigs will not lower current gas prices or bring Americans long-term energy security, but it will put at risk some of our nation's most valuable habitats and productive marine areas. " from WWF.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
Palin on arctic drilling
Honestly, I was pretty psyched when Sarah Palin was announced as VP for McCain. After all, she's a fisherman/hunter in Alaska, shouldn't she know the value of pristine environments in her home state? I was shocked to find out she's a big advocate for drilling in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge and offshore drilling.
"McCain hinted in June that he may re-evaluate his position on drilling in ANWR, saying that he would “go back and look at it again,” but he has since continued to cite environmental concerns as his primary reason for opposing drilling in the reserve."-from http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/29/mccain-and-palin-disagree-on-arctic-drilling/
Let's hope come election time, the candidate with better environmental values wins.
"McCain hinted in June that he may re-evaluate his position on drilling in ANWR, saying that he would “go back and look at it again,” but he has since continued to cite environmental concerns as his primary reason for opposing drilling in the reserve."-from http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/29/mccain-and-palin-disagree-on-arctic-drilling/
Let's hope come election time, the candidate with better environmental values wins.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Native Plant Workshop Oct 22nd
Native Plant Training WorkshopOctober 22, 2008
8:30 am - 5:00pm
At the Cary Institute for Ecosystem StudiesMillbrook, NY
Participants will learn techniques and methods for reintroducing native plants to areas that have been managed for the control of invasive plants and will also learn how to preserve existing native plant habitats.
Who should attend: Land managers including local, state and national parks, land stewards, land trusts and preserves, large land owners such as corporations, religious institutions, historic mansions, colleges and residential schools, DEC foresters, landscape architects, horticulturists, growers, nurseries, soil and water conservation district employees, highway workers, NYS Turf and Landscape , EMC, CAC, and Master Gardeners.
Presented in cooperation with NYSDEC Estuary Training Program of the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve, Cary Institute for Ecosystem Studies, and PRISM.
For more info, For more information contact: Meredith Taylor 845-889-4745 ext. 109 mjtaylor@gw.dec.state.ny.us
8:30 am - 5:00pm
At the Cary Institute for Ecosystem StudiesMillbrook, NY
Participants will learn techniques and methods for reintroducing native plants to areas that have been managed for the control of invasive plants and will also learn how to preserve existing native plant habitats.
Who should attend: Land managers including local, state and national parks, land stewards, land trusts and preserves, large land owners such as corporations, religious institutions, historic mansions, colleges and residential schools, DEC foresters, landscape architects, horticulturists, growers, nurseries, soil and water conservation district employees, highway workers, NYS Turf and Landscape , EMC, CAC, and Master Gardeners.
Presented in cooperation with NYSDEC Estuary Training Program of the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve, Cary Institute for Ecosystem Studies, and PRISM.
For more info, For more information contact: Meredith Taylor 845-889-4745 ext. 109 mjtaylor@gw.dec.state.ny.us
Monday, August 18, 2008
Keeping your cat indoors
Lately I've been thinking about outdoor cats for several reasons. In New Zealand, they have a huge problem with feral cats that prey on native wildlife. There aren't many natural predators in NZ, so cats can easily kill lots of birds that aren't used to be hunted. On continents, feral and outside cats also kill birds and small mammals. I love cats, but I think it's unnecessary for cats to hunt, especially when wildlife also have to contend with natural predators, diseases, cars, and habitat loss. This morning I was woken up at 4 am to the screams of two cats fighting in my backyard- which points out that outside cats have a much shorter lifespan than indoor cats. Even putting a bell on a cat collar doesn't solve the problem, because a study has shown that cat can learn to stalk so quietly that the bell doesn't jingle.
I've found a website that discuss the issues of feral/outdoor cats: http://www.njaudubon.org/Conservation/CatsIndoors/FAQ.html#three
One man in Texas shot a feral cat who was killing endangered shorebirds, and it brings up an interesting ethical question of killing a cat who kills birds: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/02/magazine/02cats-v--birds-t.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2
I've found a website that discuss the issues of feral/outdoor cats: http://www.njaudubon.org/Conservation/CatsIndoors/FAQ.html#three
One man in Texas shot a feral cat who was killing endangered shorebirds, and it brings up an interesting ethical question of killing a cat who kills birds: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/02/magazine/02cats-v--birds-t.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2
Friday, August 15, 2008
Scaring away cheetahs and elephants (in a good way)
Well guys, I'm back from Australia/New Zealand, so I'll be updating the blog more. I had an amazing time, learned so much, and met great people. Time for uni to start again and get back to the real world (and figuring out a way to negate the huge carbon footprint I created while travelling...hmmm.).
I went to the zoo in Auckland, New Zealand, and learned how this breed of dog is being used by African farmers to keep the cheetahs out of the farmers' land. Before this program was initiated, farmers would kill the cheetahs, or leave poison for the cheetahs (and whatever else ate the bait) so they wouldn't eat their livestock. The dogs are trained to keep out the cheetahs, keeping the livestock safe and saving the cheetahs. There's more about that program here: http://www.cheetah.org/?nd=46
In a similar story, in Sumatra the WWF has introduced a program for tame elephants to scare off wild elephants. Wild elephants have been entering farms and plantations because their natural habitat is being logged and destroyed. Nine rangers and four trained elephants keep the wild elephants out. Keeps people from killing the wild elephants, and hopefully the wild elephants find better places for food. There's more on it and a video at this website: http://www.worldwildlife.org/what/wherewework/borneo/item3729.html?enews=enews0808t
Pretty cool, I think- and everyone likes success stories.
I went to the zoo in Auckland, New Zealand, and learned how this breed of dog is being used by African farmers to keep the cheetahs out of the farmers' land. Before this program was initiated, farmers would kill the cheetahs, or leave poison for the cheetahs (and whatever else ate the bait) so they wouldn't eat their livestock. The dogs are trained to keep out the cheetahs, keeping the livestock safe and saving the cheetahs. There's more about that program here: http://www.cheetah.org/?nd=46
In a similar story, in Sumatra the WWF has introduced a program for tame elephants to scare off wild elephants. Wild elephants have been entering farms and plantations because their natural habitat is being logged and destroyed. Nine rangers and four trained elephants keep the wild elephants out. Keeps people from killing the wild elephants, and hopefully the wild elephants find better places for food. There's more on it and a video at this website: http://www.worldwildlife.org/what/wherewework/borneo/item3729.html?enews=enews0808t
Pretty cool, I think- and everyone likes success stories.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Renewables
Al Gore has called for 100% energy to come from renewable sources within the next ten years. Some don't believe this is possible or even desired. But this is really important, and MoveOn has created a petition to push for this, and around 150,000 people have already signed it.
"Al Gore took a big risk when he called on us to get 100% of our electricity from cheap, clean sources within 10 years. It's an achievable goal, but it's already under attack from the oil and coal companies. They're calling his plan unrealistic, impossible, and crazy.
We're in a crisis. If this is the fate of any new idea to get us out of this crisis alive, we're toast. Gore's challenge will live or die on the reaction of people like us.
We can turn back Big Oil's attack if hundreds of thousands of us personally endorse Gore's challenge to power our country with 100% cheap, clean energy within 10 years—and then we urge Obama, McCain, and Congress to get on board.
Clicking here will add your support to Gore's challenge:
http://pol.moveon.org/gorechallenge/o.pl?id=13302-3613284-qw2OfTx&t=4" (from MoveOn.org)
"Al Gore took a big risk when he called on us to get 100% of our electricity from cheap, clean sources within 10 years. It's an achievable goal, but it's already under attack from the oil and coal companies. They're calling his plan unrealistic, impossible, and crazy.
We're in a crisis. If this is the fate of any new idea to get us out of this crisis alive, we're toast. Gore's challenge will live or die on the reaction of people like us.
We can turn back Big Oil's attack if hundreds of thousands of us personally endorse Gore's challenge to power our country with 100% cheap, clean energy within 10 years—and then we urge Obama, McCain, and Congress to get on board.
Clicking here will add your support to Gore's challenge:
http://pol.moveon.org/gorechallenge/o.pl?id=13302-3613284-qw2OfTx&t=4" (from MoveOn.org)
Monday, June 2, 2008
Urge the Senate to support Climate Security Act!
Hey everyone, I think supporting climate change legislation is the most important action each of us can do. We can recycle and reduce all we want as individuals, but to really make a difference, we have to influence politics. The Climate Security Act is currently being debated in the Senate. This bill would reduce the amout of emissions and fund conservation programs for wildlife (which are going to need the money since climate change is seriously going to wreak havoc on habitats). Please call or send an email to Senator Schumer and Senator Clinton to support this!!
Senator Schumer:
Phone: (202) 224-6542
District Phone: (212) 486-4430
Senator Clinton:
Phone: (202) 224-4451
District Phone: (212) 688-6262
Although it seems scary, all you have to do is call to say that you would like them to support the Climate Security Act to reduce global warming pollution and protect America's natural resources.
You can find out more about the bill and some talking points here:
http://online.nwf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Congress_and_Global_Warming_US_Senate
Senator Schumer:
Phone: (202) 224-6542
District Phone: (212) 486-4430
Senator Clinton:
Phone: (202) 224-4451
District Phone: (212) 688-6262
Although it seems scary, all you have to do is call to say that you would like them to support the Climate Security Act to reduce global warming pollution and protect America's natural resources.
You can find out more about the bill and some talking points here:
http://online.nwf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Congress_and_Global_Warming_US_Senate
Friday, May 2, 2008
Miracle-gro recall
"New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis announced that DEC has suspended the New York State registration of four pesticide products manufactured by the Scotts Company. Any unregistered product may not be sold, offered for sale, distributed, or used in New York State.
The Department’s action immediately followed the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s issuance of a national-level “stop sale, use or removal” order against Scotts Miracle-Gro Company and three affiliates for illegal, unregistered, and misbranded products. The products are: SLS Halts Pro 22-0-8 Plus .28% Halts Pro (EPA Reg. No. 538-304), SLS Halts Pro 14-2-5 Plus .28% Halts Pro (EPA Reg. No. 538-304), SLS Halts Pro 0-0-7 Plus .28% Halts Pro (EPA Reg. No. 538-304) and Shake ‘N Feed All Purpose Plant Food Plus Weed Preventer (EPA Reg. No. 62355-4).
USEPA recommends that if you think you have any of these unregistered products, please look at the invalid EPA number on the label. If you see the numbers 62355-4 or 538-304, you have an unregistered pesticide. USEPA advises to store the product in a cool, dry place, such as a garage or utility shed, and to contact Scotts or your retail outlet. Do not dispose of them down the drain, in the garbage or at a community disposal site.
For more information, visit USEPA’s website at http://www.epa.gov/reg5rcra/ptb/news/. Consumers with questions about the stop sale may call USEPA toll free at 1-888-838-1304 to speak with a pesticides specialist. The National Pesticide Information Center has a hotline at 1-800-858-7378. If your questions can not be answered on those lines, contact the DEC Bureau of Pesticides Management at 518-402-8768. "
(Makes you wonder about pesticides, eh?)
The Department’s action immediately followed the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s issuance of a national-level “stop sale, use or removal” order against Scotts Miracle-Gro Company and three affiliates for illegal, unregistered, and misbranded products. The products are: SLS Halts Pro 22-0-8 Plus .28% Halts Pro (EPA Reg. No. 538-304), SLS Halts Pro 14-2-5 Plus .28% Halts Pro (EPA Reg. No. 538-304), SLS Halts Pro 0-0-7 Plus .28% Halts Pro (EPA Reg. No. 538-304) and Shake ‘N Feed All Purpose Plant Food Plus Weed Preventer (EPA Reg. No. 62355-4).
USEPA recommends that if you think you have any of these unregistered products, please look at the invalid EPA number on the label. If you see the numbers 62355-4 or 538-304, you have an unregistered pesticide. USEPA advises to store the product in a cool, dry place, such as a garage or utility shed, and to contact Scotts or your retail outlet. Do not dispose of them down the drain, in the garbage or at a community disposal site.
For more information, visit USEPA’s website at http://www.epa.gov/reg5rcra/ptb/news/. Consumers with questions about the stop sale may call USEPA toll free at 1-888-838-1304 to speak with a pesticides specialist. The National Pesticide Information Center has a hotline at 1-800-858-7378. If your questions can not be answered on those lines, contact the DEC Bureau of Pesticides Management at 518-402-8768. "
(Makes you wonder about pesticides, eh?)
Monday, April 28, 2008
New Recycling Bins at the Commons!
Clifton Park has recently launched a new recycling program in the Commons, a community sports center. The introduction of the program coincided with the beginning of the recreational soccer program Saturday morning. Clifton Park councilmen Tom Paolucci and Scott Hughes as well as some of the town's G.R.E.E.N. (Government Re-Thinking Energy and Environmental Needs) committee got the word out by putting up 'Recycle: It's a Common thing' signs, and distributing stickers and pamphlets to the early-morning soccer and little league baseball players and parents. The slogan was submitted as part of a contest by a member of the Shenendehowa High School Recycling club (S.C.A.R.C.E.), and will be posted along with other environmentally-conscious slogans on the announcement board along Visher's Ferry Rd. Please support the town's recycling initiatives by utilizing the new recycling bins and letting your town representatives know that you support the new drive towards becoming more environmentally friendly!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Clifton Park tree givaway for Earth Day!
Hey everyone,
Earth day is coming up on April 23rd! Clifton Park's G.R.E.E.N committee is giving away tree seedlings at Shenendehowa SAGE’s Science Discovery Night Expo at the Gowana Middle School from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday April 23rd. The tree seedlings will be available on a first come first serve basis until the supply is exhausted. The entire press release is below:
"Councilman Paolucci stated, “In an effort to reduce carbon gases in our environment the Town GREEN Committee encourages residents to plant trees to help promote a greener, cleaner Clifton Park”. Trees serve many purposes today and now are our primary tool to help control surface/storm water run-off that backs-up storm drains, causing flooding in basements and low areas. The Committee supports events like the Science Discovery Night Expo because science provides us with the knowledge and means to balance development and nature.
Councilman Hughes reminds residents that, “scientifically and aesthetically trees are a great a means by which we can improve our environment and quality of life. I encourage Clifton Park families to take advantage of this opportunity to plant a tree and watch it grow, together with their children to a full and successful potential here in Clifton Park”."
Also! 18 seconds is a cool website about CLFs and a breakdown of which states are the most "enlightened". It only takes 18 seconds to change your lightbulb into a more efficient CLF.
As far as Saratoga County Green goes, I'm extremely proud to say that it was exactly one year ago that myself and my awesome friend Chris started this little project. I didn't think it would go anywhere at first, and it was tough getting it off the ground. I felt like we got a lot accomplished over the summer considering that we started from scratch. Unfortunately I won't be around this summer (I'll still be in Australia...hey, maybe that's not so unfortunate), but I hope that someone else from the group will pick it up. Even if SCCG doesn't reunite for the summer, I'll keep this blog updated for national news as well as local. I'm really happy that Clifton Park has a new "green" committee that is actually accomplishing things! I'm also really proud of Lisa, who is part of SCCG and is on the committee board. Although I'm moving out to bigger things than good old CP, I still want to do as much as I can to motivate people and get things moving in this town.
Cheers,
Shona
Earth day is coming up on April 23rd! Clifton Park's G.R.E.E.N committee is giving away tree seedlings at Shenendehowa SAGE’s Science Discovery Night Expo at the Gowana Middle School from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday April 23rd. The tree seedlings will be available on a first come first serve basis until the supply is exhausted. The entire press release is below:
"Councilman Paolucci stated, “In an effort to reduce carbon gases in our environment the Town GREEN Committee encourages residents to plant trees to help promote a greener, cleaner Clifton Park”. Trees serve many purposes today and now are our primary tool to help control surface/storm water run-off that backs-up storm drains, causing flooding in basements and low areas. The Committee supports events like the Science Discovery Night Expo because science provides us with the knowledge and means to balance development and nature.
Councilman Hughes reminds residents that, “scientifically and aesthetically trees are a great a means by which we can improve our environment and quality of life. I encourage Clifton Park families to take advantage of this opportunity to plant a tree and watch it grow, together with their children to a full and successful potential here in Clifton Park”."
Also! 18 seconds is a cool website about CLFs and a breakdown of which states are the most "enlightened". It only takes 18 seconds to change your lightbulb into a more efficient CLF.
As far as Saratoga County Green goes, I'm extremely proud to say that it was exactly one year ago that myself and my awesome friend Chris started this little project. I didn't think it would go anywhere at first, and it was tough getting it off the ground. I felt like we got a lot accomplished over the summer considering that we started from scratch. Unfortunately I won't be around this summer (I'll still be in Australia...hey, maybe that's not so unfortunate), but I hope that someone else from the group will pick it up. Even if SCCG doesn't reunite for the summer, I'll keep this blog updated for national news as well as local. I'm really happy that Clifton Park has a new "green" committee that is actually accomplishing things! I'm also really proud of Lisa, who is part of SCCG and is on the committee board. Although I'm moving out to bigger things than good old CP, I still want to do as much as I can to motivate people and get things moving in this town.
Cheers,
Shona
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