RENewsletter September 12, 2010

RENewsletter | September 12, 2010

The Free environmental newsletter from RochesterEnvironment.com

“Our Environment is changing: Keep up with the Change.”

[9/05//2010 – 9/12/2010]

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Anything else you're interested in is not going to happen if you can't breathe the air and drink the water. Don't sit this one out. Do something. You are by accident of fate alive at an absolutely critical moment in the history of our planet. -- Carl Sagan

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Opening Salvo: “Social networking the environment”

Many of you may not remember a world without the Internet. Now social networking has revolutionized the net—a communications medium that has already radically changed how we interact. Books, newspapers, and maybe even websites may become passé. Spreading the news will never be the same. And while social networking is probably responsible for an incredible increase in environmental awareness, it is not a replacement for environmental journalism. It may actually increase the marginalization (putting it on the backburner) of environmental issues.

My concern over the popular platforms -- that easily allow its members to throw lots of information (texting, photo sharing, forwarding news links, audio, video, anything digital actually) at each other -- includes several issues. First, too few corporations mediate too many individual’s ability to communicate. You create an environmental group, for example, but no one can join unless they are a part of the platform. Or, the platform goes down and everyone is silenced. Or, the programming goes awry and heaven knows what happens to your personal stuff. Maybe those corporations won’t like what you’re saying.

Second, speed messaging of the kind that social networking encourages does not lend itself to serious journalism. Understanding and fully appreciating environmental concerns takes time and thorough research like this article The BP Cover-Up | Mother Jones. Unless you are orchestrating a major environmental rally, texting doesn’t usually sync with the often slow-moving environmental disasters like the loss of biodiversity.

Third, breaking up important issues like our environment into virtual groups online marginalizes what should be placed on the front page of the news outlets we view everyday—like it or not. Too many critical issues get ignored because social networking encourages avoiding what we don’t want to hear, but will most likely save our butts—like how Climate Change will affect your community. The proliferation of social networking does increase the spread of news and information, but it doesn’t increase the depth of that coverage. That is going to take money, education, and work.

Because social media is built around popularity, we are creating a virtual reality of issues interesting to us, but not necessarily important. Here’s the problem: “A Harris Interactive poll reports only 51 percent of Americans believe climate change is real, a significant drop from 71 percent in 2007. It is the lowest number Harris has recorded since asking this question 12 years ago.” Almost Half of Americans Don’t Believe in Climate Change - Earth911.com. This is not simply an idle fun-fact about us crazy Americans. It’s an appalling admission of ignorance about what’s going on with our planet. Ultimately, there is only one reality: our environment. If it isn’t working properly, not even the net will work.

I’m not completely down on social networking. It’s not that networking about our environment is particularly pernicious. I cannot imagine someone tearing down the expressway while driving and texting, “Hey dude, another absolutely large ice shelf in Antarctica just dropped into the drink, proving Global Warming.” There are useful purposes for this medium. Our Sierra Club’s Zero Waste Committee is working towards a social network where we can immediately help someone in the Rochester, NY area find out where to recycle something before they curb it. And social networking might stimulate citizen journalists for our environment, texting or photographing pollution events to the media. And it’s a great way for environmental groups to get a lot more folks to sign on to environmental action emails.

However, if you look at the change in the dissembling of information (news) that social networking has wrought, you have to wonder at how wide and shallow it is. No nimbus of nonsense gets ignored on the net. We are a social animal and our ability to communicate with each other has in part made us a successful species. So successful that we sometimes get so self-absorbed in our own chatter that we forget that if we don’t have a healthy environment, there will be no communications.

FrankRegan@RochesterEnvironment.com (Click on my email for feedback)

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NewsLinks – Environmental NewsLinks – [Highlights of major environmental stories concerning our area from the past week]

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Updates – Daily Updates – [Connecting the dots on Rochester’s environment. Find out what’s going on environmentally in our area—and why you should care? Clicking on -DISCUSSION – will take you to my blog “Environmental Thoughts, NY, where you can add your comments.]

9/11/2010 - Important meeting: HYDRAULIC FRACTURING: WHAT IS IT AND WHY SHOULD ROCHESTER CARE? A public forum about the Marcellus Shale and how gas drilling impacts us all PRESENTERS Dr. Richard Young, Geologist, SUNY Geneseo Dr. William Podulka, Physicist, Ithaca, NY Craig and Julie Sautner, Residents of Montrose, PA MODERATOR Jack Ossont, Committee to Preserve the Finger Lakes DATE & TIME Tuesday, September 21, 2010, 6:30-8:30PM PLACE Brighton Town Hall Auditorium 2300 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618 Limited seating! Doors open 6PM
9/11/2010 - Knowing the impact of your Energy Source Matters: Check out this major study on how the burning of coal for our energy affects our health and environment. You can use interactive maps to Find Your Risk from Power Plant Pollution in your area. Many will avoid this study because it will make them uncomfortable about using our present energy sources, but they should read it. Much of the energy that we have used to heat our homes and light up our lights has taken a great toll on our health and our environment. It’s important to acknowledge this when making energy choices—or when we avoid backing renewable, non-pollution, choices like off-shore wind when they are offered in our area This report shows that much has been done to reduce the negative effects of coal and more needs to be done. It shows that governmental measures to reduce the pollution from coal work. But, it doesn’t show that moving to renewable energy wholesale would eliminate all of the effects of burning coal because the pollution affects of coal go further than just burning it. Digging it, transporting, and getting rid of the waste, and the removal of mountain tops all are a part of an energy source that needs to end. The Toll from Coal - Clean Air Task Force (CATF) "Among all industrial sources of air pollution, none poses greater risks to human health and the environment than coal-fired power plants. Emissions from coalfired power plants contribute to global warming, ozone smog, acid rain, regional haze, and–perhaps most consequential of all from a public health standpoint – fine particle pollution. In 2000 and again in 2004, the Clean Air Task Force commissioned comprehensive studies of health impacts caused by fine particle air pollution from the nation's roughly 500 coal-fired power plants. " (September 2010) Clean Air Task Force
9/11/2010 - ACTION: On one of the biggest energy/environmental issue of present, you can make comment about the EPA’s strategy on Hydraulic Fracturing: Outreach | Hydraulic Fracturing | US EPA "How to Provide EPA with Comments on the Hydraulic Fracturing Study Deadline for comments is September 28, 2010 Persons wishing to contribute comments to EPA regarding the proposed Hydraulic Fracturing Research Study may: present oral comments at the informational meetings; submit written comments at the informational meeting; submit electronic comments to EPA at hydraulic.fracturing@epa.gov ; or send written comments to EPA at the following address: Jill Dean, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Mailcode 4606M, Washington, DC 20460. "
9/10/2010 - No Excuse for Curb-siding your electronics: There are so many community recycling events that we post on this site, on our calendar, that no one in the entire Rochester, NY region should be putting their television or computers on the curb to be thrown into a landfill. Just check the calendar for the nearest electronic recycling event. Eventually, it will be illegal in New York State to do this. You, a resident, could get fined for putting your TV or computer out to the curb to the tune of $150 in 2015. Check out: Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation “The NYS Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act (PDF) (38 kb) (Article 27, Title 26 of the Environmental Conservation Law) was signed into law by the Governor on May 28, 2010. The law will ensure that every New Yorker will have the opportunity to recycle their electronic waste in an environmentally responsible manner. The law requires manufacturers to establish a convenient system for the collection, handling, and recycling or reuse of electronic waste. Manufacturers of covered electronic equipment will be responsible for implementing and maintaining an acceptance program for the discarded electronic waste, with oversight by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.” - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation | COMPUTER AND ELECTRONICS RECYCLING | SATURDAY, 10/16 The Town of Pittsford, in partnership with Maven Technologies, will sponsor a computer and electronics recycling event on Saturday, 10/16 from 9AM to 2PM in the parking lot of Pittsford Mendon High School. No appointment or packaging needed. Accepted items include computers, laptops, modems, servers, peripherals, GPS Units, cell phones, fax machines, copiers, CD players, IT equipment, audio/visual equipment, telecommunications equipment. Please note there will be a charge for monitors ($5), TVs ($10) and microwaves ($10). For more information, click HERE (Computer and Electronics Recycling | Town of Pittsford).
9/10/2010 - BP Oil Spill article: Get a good understanding of the BP Oil Spill crisis and how it may be long-term. This article by Mother Jones is representative of non-corporate-journalism that goes into the kind of depth we the public need to know about environmental situations. The spin in the article, if any, is not framed for corporate interests, the spin is about sustainability for our ocean and wetland environments. This is the kind of journalism that we need to make wise decisions about our environment. It’s a long article, so take a moment and get the whole picture of the BP Oil Spill. The BP Cover-Up | Mother Jones "BP and the government say the spill is fast disappearing—but dramatic new science reveals that its worst effects may be yet to come. " Mother Jones | Smart, Fearless Journalism
9/9/2010 - Learn how some people in our area are Living Green: Got a green house? Show it off | 520 - An Environmental Blog | Rochester Democrat and Chronicle "On Oct. 2, the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association will sponsor its annual Green Buildings Open House Tour. People who are curious about residential-scale wind turbines or solar energy panels or geothermal heating systems can visit homes where they are up and running and ask questions of their owners. Visit the NESEA website for green buildings for a complete list of homes that will be open to the public during the tour " - September 7, 2010) 520 - An Environmental Blog | Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
9/9/2010 - ACTION: Message from Walter Hang "URGENT CITIZEN ACTION ALERT-URGENT CITIZEN ACTION ALERT-URGENT CITIZEN ACTION ALERT Greetings, Citizens concerned about Marcellus Shale horizontal hydrofracking will hold a rally at 10:00 AM on September 13th in front of the downtown Federal Building (15 Henry Street) in Binghamton, NY. This demonstration of grassroots activism and citizen democracy will take place prior to the Environmental Protection Agency's national hydrofracturing hearing. EPA's event will be held next door. I implore all activists working to prevent shale gas hazards in New York to attend the rally. EPA supports many of the concerns spelled out in the coalition letter requesting the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to withdraw its fatally-flawed draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (SGEIS). Now that we have achieved our goal of more than 10,000 signatories to that letter, we must intensify pressure on EPA to enforce its concerns. See EPA's landmark 12/30/09 letter to DEC: EPA's 12/30/2009 letter regarding dSGEIS | Toxics Targeting EPA's hearing will be a huge event in the national shale gas debate. There should be extensive media coverage. Norwegian National TV is coming!!! Even if you do not plan to comment on EPA's hydrofracking study, please show your strong visible support by joining us. Binghamton is arguably the epicenter of New York's Marcellus Shale region. It has become a crucial horizontal hydrofracking battleground. "
9/9/2010 - Think of Ride-Sharing as a transportation option. Check out this resource for finding ride-sharing options in our area: New York Carpool / Rideshare: 26 car pool / ride share listings "Transportation is one of the biggest contributors of greenhouse emissions. If you look out at city traffic, or at a busy interstate, it's easy to see why. Millions of people drive great distances alone every day. It takes a lot of energy to push all those vehicles. And so many of those people are going the same way. Why not share the ride? eRideShare puts the power of the Internet to work, connecting commuters or cross-country travelers going the same way. Put two people together in one car instead of separately in two cars, and the greenhouse emissions are cut in half. This is significant impact. You still get where you want to go, while saving plenty of cash. Maybe you'll even make a new friend or two. " -eRideShare.com Carpool / Rideshare Community
9/9/2010 - Food and our environment: Good article on food, local community-supported agriculture, (CSA), and our environment. CSAs: Choosing the Food Less Traveled - Restaurant Articles - Rochester City Newspaper "While popular culture isn't exactly offering up healthy-life-choice alternatives, the past decade or so has seen increased public discussion surrounding our impending dietary doom. Films like Robert Kenner's "Food, Inc." and literature by Michael Pollan and Barbara Kingsolver warn us that, it may not be today, it may not be tomorrow, but the end of human health and epicurean freedom as we know them has been in the works for decades, a callous side effect of big business. And all the while, we seem to have been sleeping, or living that American dream where convenience trumps all. " September 8, 2010) Rochester NY News, Events, Restaurants, Music, Entertainment, Nightlife - Rochester City Newspaper
9/8/2010 - Need a little Eco-humor? A friend sent me this amusing video on the life of a plastic bag. Whatever way we can get our point across to the public that our way of living and our relation to our environment is getting absurd and needs changing to a sustainable existence is a good idea: Check this out: Planet Earth Meets Plastic Bag in Hilarious Mockumentary "The short film details the journey of a single-use plastic bag through the open plains of the asphalt jungle, facing many foes on the way. Will the plastic bag ultimately survive the perilous travails, and complete its migration to the sea where it can join millions of tons of other plastic to live indefinitely? "
9/08/2010 - ACTION: Action Alert - Comment on Hydro-Fracking "CITIZENS CAMPAIGN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT ACTION ALERT UPDATE: Public Hearing Rescheduled Protecting Our Water Submit Comments on Hydro-Fracking Study IMPORTANT UPDATE: The public hearing originally scheduled for 8/12/2010 in Binghamton and then moved to Syracuse has been rescheduled for September 13 and 15, 2010, in Binghamton, NY. Details for the new hearings are below. " --from Citizens Campaign for the Environment - New York and Connecticut Environmental Protection Preservation and Advocacy
9/08/2010 - Living Environmentally Friendly is ‘Addictive?’ It is a strange use of the word ‘addictive’ to describe a family who wants to live responsible and sustainably. One with an addictive attitude is usually associated with having a psychological or physical dependency on something that is bad for you. For example, our society has an addictive behavior towards burning fossil fuels for energy because we keep doing it even though it is bad for our environment because it warms the planet and puts pollutants into the air. I’m all for using catchy words and phrases in my articles headlines to capture the public’s attention. But, using ‘addictive’ in this way is incorrect and suggests that one can go overboard on living sustainably. Which is nonsense. The reverse is true. If we don’t align our behavior to the laws of physics that is our environment we will be living unattainably, which most of us are. This family is leading the way to a sustainable future; the author of this headline is still addicted to an unsustainable existence. An addictive eco-attitude in Irondequoit | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle IRONDEQUOIT Family goes from 'energy-sucking' to energy-efficient — A windmill, greenhouse and chicken coop are outside indicators that things are a bit different at Jodi and Ted Aman's house on St. Joseph Street. The inside reveals other signs, such as an all-concrete, uncovered floor, as well as reused doors, cabinets and handrails. The Amans also have a geothermal heating and cooling system, which extracts energy from the Earth's core, and a solar design to maximize energy from the sun. (September, 8, 2010) Democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York [more on Green Living in our area]
9/07/2010 - Is Water Diversion from the Great Lakes Going to Happen? Whether Denis Kucinich is right and there is a loophole in the agreements, so that water can be taken from the Great Lakes basin or not, I think it will happen anyway. Regardless of any agreement, international or not, when desperate areas outside the Great Lakes basin need fresh water to survive, I believe there will be a way to give it to them. Scientifically, this will change the character of the Great Lakes which only has a 1% natural refill of water. Morally, how do you keep a vast amount of fresh water from those who are desperate? We are a long way from addressing this issue. PolitiFact Ohio | Dennis Kucinich warns that loophole in the Great Lakes compact could allow exploitation of water Think of the Great Lakes compact as a fence. The agreement is meant to wrap around the Great Lakes watershed and keep people from taking water out. But U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich isn’t so sure. He fears the states could be powerless to stop Great Lakes water from being exported from the watershed in small bottles. The lakes, 84 percent of North America’s surface water supply, are one of the world’s greatest natural resources that must be protected, he says. (September 1, 2010) PolitiFact Ohio | Sorting out the truth in politics
9/07/2010 - How many natural gas disasters before we get it? How many evacuations do we need before we recognize the great cost to our safety and environment drilling for natural gas causes? The Daily Mail > Archives > News > Gas leak revives painful memories Blenheim Pipeline Disaster fresh on officials’ minds GILBOA — A leak in a natural gas pipeline owned by Texas-based Enterpirse TE Products (formerly Texas Eastern), in the area of a Keyserkill Road residence in the town of Broome, caused evacuation of more than 100 people over a three mile radius late Friday afternoon. Four homes remained under evacuation notice Sunday night as Enterprise crews continued to work on installing stopples on both sides of the leak that would allow them to remove residual product from the line that runs from Watkins Glen to Selkirk. Once all the material has been flared (burned off), work will begin to replace the leaking section of the eight inch transportation pipeline. (August 31 2010) The Daily Mail > Front
9/07/2010 - Is Fracking for Natural Gas Safe? Check out the now famous issue of tap water on fire: Mark And Linda Wilfong: West Virginia Couple's Tap Water Lights On Fire, House Smells Like Natural Gas Ever Since Well Drilled (VIDEO) In this video from CNN, WDTV visits a West Virginia couple who have been experiencing some disastrous problems with their running water. Ever since Mark and Linda Wilfong drilled their new water well, they've had nothing but trouble. Their tap water now lights on fire and their house reeks of natural gas. "I've gone to the doctor with ear aches. I mean, the fumes are so bad," Mark Wilfong tells WDTV. (September 7, 2010) Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post
9/06/2010 - Extended comment period on Rochester Bicycle Master Plan until Friday Sept. 10th : If you could not attend any of the four Rochester Bicycle Master Plan public workshops held last week you still have an opportunity to send in your comments. Rochester Bicycling Club » Rochester Bicycle Master Plan Comment Period extended to Friday September 10 Comments Feed All meeting materials are available on the City’s website: Rochester Bicycling Master Plan look for “Public Involvement Materials.” Download or view the materials.
9/06/2010 - Solving Climate Change: Our US Congress cannot get anything done on Climate Change making it problematic whether we can act on something as large and looming as the warming up of our planet. But, maybe something can be done through the Environmental Protection Agency. EPA to issue more rules in climate fight | Reuters (Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will roll out more regulations on greenhouse gases and other pollution to help fight climate change, but they will not be as strong as action by Congress, a senior administration official said. The agency "has a huge role to play in continuing the work to move from where we are now to lower carbon emissions", said the official, who did not want to be identified as the EPA policies are still being formed. (September 2, 2010) Reuters Video: Top Video News

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Events – Rochester 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: FrankRegan@RochesterEnvironment.com with (EV event) in the subject line.

September 2010

Saturday, September 11, 2010 | Main Street, Livonia, NY

Livonia Autumn in the Village, Main Street, Livonia, NY Saturday, September 11, 2010 Street Fair – Free Wildlife Educators Coalition presents Live, Exotic Animal Exhibit & Animal Games For more information: please call 585-259-7112 or email: karinf@nywec.org

Monday, September 13, 2010 Location: Broome County Forum Theater, 236 Washington St., Binghamton Time: 12:00pm – 4:00pm (pre-registration begins at 10:30am) 6:00pm – 10:00pm (pre-registration begins at 4:30pm)

08/31/2010: EPA’s Public Meeting on Hydraulic Fracturing Study to Take Place in Binghamton, New York; Meeting Scheduled for September 13 and 15 at the Broome County Forum Theater New York, NY – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has selected a new venue and dates for the public meeting on EPA’s upcoming hydraulic fracturing study originally scheduled for August 12, 2010. The meeting will now be held at the Broome County Forum Theater in Binghamton, New York, on September 13th and 15th, 2010. (August 31, 2010) U.S. EPA Newsroom - News Releases [more on Energy in our area]

Wednesday, September 15 : 9:00 am - 12:30 pm | University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester NY

Wednesday, September 15 : 9:00 am - 12:30 pm Keynote Address and Presentations Class of '62 Auditorium Free and open to the public—please RSVP. Last day to register for lunch and discussions: September 7! 12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch and Networking Flaum Atrium 1:30 - 4:30 pm Focus Groups Limited number of spots available, register now! Researching Women's Environmental Health 2010 "This workshop, part of Rochester Women’s Health Week, focuses on new research on the environment in relation to food, nutrition, and obesity. Leading researchers from around the county will present new results on a range of topics from chemicals hidden in your diet to foods that help increase fertility. These scientific presentations will be complemented by talks on how the media covers these hot-button topics and how to use research to implement changes in your life and your community. In the afternoon, the speakers will lead small discussion groups on selected topics. Participants will have the opportunity to register for their preferred discussion groups in advance. "

Wednesday, September 15 6 to 8 p.m. | at the Hyatt downtown

TRANSPORTATION: First design workshop for bus station is September 15 - News Articles - Rochester City Newspaper RGRTA is apparently hitting all its marks on its way to getting final sign-off from the city for a Mortimer Street transit center. City Council has approved a partial abandonment of Mortimer so RGRTA could build a bus station. But the approval hinged on several conditions, most having to do with public outreach. Others were resolutions of outstanding parking and security issues (September 8, 2010) Rochester NY News, Events, Restaurants, Music, Entertainment, Nightlife - Rochester City Newspaper [more on Transportation in our area]

Wednesday, September 15, 2010 Location: Broome County Forum Theater, 236 Washington St., Binghamton Time: 12:00pm – 4:00pm (pre-registration begins at 10:30am) 6:00pm – 10:00pm (pre-registration begins at 4:30pm)

08/31/2010: EPA’s Public Meeting on Hydraulic Fracturing Study to Take Place in Binghamton, New York; Meeting Scheduled for September 13 and 15 at the Broome County Forum Theater New York, NY – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has selected a new venue and dates for the public meeting on EPA’s upcoming hydraulic fracturing study originally scheduled for August 12, 2010. The meeting will now be held at the Broome County Forum Theater in Binghamton, New York, on September 13th and 15th, 2010. (August 31, 2010) U.S. EPA Newsroom - News Releases [more on Energy in our area]

Thursday September 16th 7:00 – 9:00 PM Baha’i Center, 693 East Avenue, Rochester (Entrance and parking off Oxford St.)

Environmental film and talk coming up: DIRT! THE MOVIE Film presented and discussion facilitated by Elizabeth Pixley, Emeritus Professor of Biology, Monroe Community College Thursday September 16th 7:00 – 9:00 PM Baha’i Center, 693 East Avenue, Rochester (Entrance and parking off Oxford St.) FREE and open to the public. We will watch a new documentary about soil and its importance in ecosystems, titled “Dirt! The Movie.” The movie was inspired by William Bryant Logan’s book Dirt: The Ecstatic Skin of the Earth – it is a look into the history and current state of the living organic matter that we come from and will later return to. We cannot survive as a species without viable soil for growing food. Also, with today’s renewed interest in local and organic food, as well as sustainability of ecosystems, the film is a relevant addition to the discussion. And most important of all - this film shows people doing positive things to make a difference! Dirt is a part of everything we eat, drink and breathe. Which is why we should stop treating it like, well…dirt. Trailer: Dirt! The Movie This is part of a series of monthly video and discussion presentations in the Creating the Future series for 2010. Each is held at the Baha’i Center, at 7:00 PM on the third Thursday of the month.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010, 6:30-8:30PM | Brighton Town Hall Auditorium 2300 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618

HYDRAULIC FRACTURING: WHAT IS IT AND WHY SHOULD ROCHESTER CARE? A public forum about the Marcellus Shale and how gas drilling impacts us all PRESENTERS Dr. Richard Young, Geologist, SUNY Geneseo Dr. William Podulka, Physicist, Ithaca, NY Craig and Julie Sautner, Residents of Montrose, PA MODERATOR Jack Ossont, Committee to Preserve the Finger Lakes DATE & TIME Tuesday, September 21, 2010, 6:30-8:30PM PLACE Brighton Town Hall Auditorium 2300 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618 Limited seating! Doors open 6PM

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 18 - at the Department of Public Works, 647 Long Pond Road, Greece, NY

Get rid of your old, broken electronics free in Greece | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle The town is holding a Computer and Electronic Drop-off from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Department of Public Works, 647 Long Pond Road. The event, held in conjunction with Maven Technologies, is free, with the exception of a $5 fee per computer monitor turned in and a $10 charge per television and microwave. (September 9, 2010) Democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York [more on Recycling in our area]

Sunday, September 19, most of the day | Cyclists will be riding from multiple starting points along the Erie Canalway Trail to the east and west of Rochester, converging at the Erie/ Genesee River crossing where in Genesee Valley Park where there will be a rest stop with refreshments at the Round House

A Major Cycling event comes to Rochester. Be a part of it. Rochester, NY Welcomes The World Canals Conference The New York State Canal Corporation, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission, Canal Society of New York State, the City of Rochester, Monroe County, Bergmann Associates, and PIANC-USA welcome delegates to the World Canals Conference scheduled 19 to 24 September 2010. Cycling Event WCC 2010 Bicyclists can take part in the festivities taking place on Sunday, September 19, to kick off the 2010 World Canals Conference in Rochester. Cyclists will be riding from multiple starting points along the Erie Canalway Trail to the east and west of Rochester, converging at the Erie/ Genesee River crossing where in Genesee Valley Park where there will be a rest stop with refreshments at the Round House. At 12:30 p.m., the cyclists will depart the Genesee Valley Park along with a flotilla of vintage and contemporary canal boats for Corn Hill Landing, riding up trails along the east and west sides of the Genesee River. The starting points for the cyclists from the west will include Holley, Brockport, Spencerport and Greece. Starting points to the east will include Palmyra, Macedon, Fairport, Pittsford and Brighton. Anyone interested in being a ride leader or participant at these or other locations should contact Richard Desarra, the Cycling Event organizer, at rdscomm@rochester.rr.com.

September 25, 2010 | In September, visit the society’s website www.alsnyc.org where cleanups “at a beach near you” will be listed

Join the 25th Anniversary NY Beach Cleanup September 25, 2010 Plan to be at an ocean beach or near a river, sound, stream, wetland, or lake in September to join a cleanup team and participate in the New York Beach Cleanup, coordinated annually by the American Littoral Society as part of the International Coastal Cleanup, a worldwide effort of The Ocean Conservancy to document and remove marine debris from our shores and waterways. Litter is not only unsightly; it poses threats to humans and wildlife. Birds become entangled in discarded fishing line and 6-pack ring holders; marine mammals ingest plastics that can obstruct their intestinal tract. Broken glass and metal inadvertently picked up by haying combines can cause fatal injuries to grazing livestock. In 2009, over 10,000 volunteers documented and removed 144,000 pounds of debris from 284 sites across New York. In September, visit the society’s website www.alsnyc.org where cleanups “at a beach near you” will be listed. For assistance in forming a cleanup team of your own, contact Beach Cleanup Coordinator Barbara Cohen at alsbeach@aol.com or (718) 471-2166. See the Flyer

September 26, 2010 Time: 1:00pm - 5:00pm Location: Genesee Valley Park (GVP) is located along the eastern bank of the Genesee River within the City of Rochester. Enter the park from Elmwood Avenue at Wilson Boulevard, East River Road, or Crittenden Road

LOCAFEST! Event Details Date: September 26, 2010 Location: Genesee Valley Park (GVP) is located along the eastern bank of the Genesee River within the City of Rochester. Enter the park from Elmwood Avenue at Wilson Boulevard, East River Road, or Crittenden Road Time: 1:00pm - 5:00pm Live demos! How to: Grow! Seed Saving, Composting and more! Learn who grows your local food! Buy LOCAL food – Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), Farmer’s Markets and Meat Producers Preservation and long term use – can, freeze and dry to make your food last! Creative food prep and cooking – compete to show us your cooking skills with all-local ingredients! Cut your energy costs with solar power and innovative insulation solutions! Build with local materials and natural resources! Demos! Tastings! Recipes! Fun for kids! Live Music! Learn how easy it is to live local! --NOFA-NY - Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York

October 2010

October 2 | Visit the NESEA website for green buildings for a complete list of homes that will be open to the public during the tour "

Living Green: Got a green house? Show it off | 520 - An Environmental Blog | Rochester Democrat and Chronicle "On Oct. 2, the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association will sponsor its annual Green Buildings Open House Tour. People who are curious about residential-scale wind turbines or solar energy panels or geothermal heating systems can visit homes where they are up and running and ask questions of their owners. Visit the NESEA website for green buildings for a complete list of homes that will be open to the public during the tour " - September 7, 2010) 520 - An Environmental Blog | Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

4 October 2010 ~ 8:30 am to 12:30 pm | Strong Museum of Play~1 Manhattan Sq. 14607

United Nations Association of Rochester will sponsor a UN Journalist Conference on Environmental sustainability on October 4, 2010. The Key Convener is Mayor Robert Duffy and the Keynote Speaker is Dr. Nabil Nasr, director of Golisano Institute for Sustainability at RIT. Attend a global conference-an opportunity to meet experts and listen to reporters discuss our shared environment. Fee: $15 Adults, $10 Students w/ID ~ includes lunch To Register: UNAR ~ 585-473-7286 ~ unar@unar.org Flyer #1 and Flyer #2

October 5, 2010 3-5pm | Monroe Community College

Think Green Jobs - Save the Date! The Future is Your Decision! Getting the most out of the Recovery Alan Beaulieu (Institute for Trend Research), acclaimed economic trend forecaster and one of the country's most informed economists, will present the financial outlook for U.S. industry and the global economy. October 5, 2010 3-5pm Monroe Community College Beaulieu, of the Institute for Trend Research (ITR®) will address economic issues and questions common to all attendees. For more infomration, visit: Future Is Your Decision Event and http://ecotrends.org Hosted by Finger Lakes Advanced Manufacturers' Enterprise (FAME), Finger Lakes Community College, Genesee Community College and Monroe Community College.

October 14th, 5 PM or 7PM | Rochester School for the Deaf | 1545 St. Paul Street | Rochester, NY 14621 | 585.544.1240 (V/TTY)

Event hosted by Rochester School for the Deaf on October 14, 2010. It's a 90-minute presentation entitled "Freedom to Roam: A Photographer's Quest to Protect America's Wildlife" presented by award-winning photographer Florian Schulz. Mr. Schulz will present a stunning collection of visuals, both photography and video, as he shares with us stories about his many adventurous expeditions, encounters with wildlife and how his important work endeavors to protect America’s wildlife. Here's a link to more info about the event on our Web site: www.RSDeaf.org/Adventures. Thursday Evening, October 14, 2010 - Ticketing Information: $45 Per Person— 5:00 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres & Dessert Reception, 7:00 p.m. Presentation $20 Per Person— 7:00 p.m. Presentation Only | For tickets or underwriting opportunities, please call 585-544-1240 (voice/TTY) or order online.

Saturday, 10/16 from 9AM to 2PM | in the parking lot of Pittsford Mendon High School.

COMPUTER AND ELECTRONICS RECYCLING | SATURDAY, 10/16 The Town of Pittsford, in partnership with Maven Technologies, will sponsor a computer and electronics recycling event on Saturday, 10/16 from 9AM to 2PM in the parking lot of Pittsford Mendon High School. No appointment or packaging needed. Accepted items include computers, laptops, modems, servers, peripherals, GPS Units, cell phones, fax machines, copiers, CD players, IT equipment, audio/visual equipment, telecommunications equipment. Please note there will be a charge for monitors ($5), TVs ($10) and microwaves ($10). For more information, click HERE (Computer and Electronics Recycling | Town of Pittsford).

October 28, 2010 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Woodside Lodge, Black Creek Park

SYMPOSIUM for Residents and Municipal Officials & Staff in the Black & Oatka Creek Watersheds October 28, 2010 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Woodside Lodge, Black Creek Park Speakers will discuss trout fishing in Oatka Creek, the Bergen Swamp, streambank stabilization projects, agricultural environmental management and the status of watershed planning for each watershed. The Symposium is free of charge, thanks to a grant from the Finger Lakes -Lake Ontario Watershed Protection Alliance. Visit our websites at www.blackcreekwatershed.org & www.oatka.org. Find information about Black Creek Park at www.monroecounty.gov. For further information about the Symposium or to register contact: Rochelle Bell, 753-2034 rbell@monroecounty.gov Get the Flyer Water Shed Symposium

November 2010

Friday November 5 and Saturday November 6 |the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Fairport, NY

the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Fairport, NY will be hosting our 2nd Annual "My Brother’s Keeper - Artisan Gift Fair”. The focus of this event is providing a marketplace for goods that promote economic independence for its producers both locally and in third worlds, as well as for products made in an environmentally conscious manner. The fair will feature vendors that possess one or more of the following attributes: (1) Fair Trade; (2) Eco-Friendly; (3) Organic; (4) Recycled/Reused products; (5) Locally produced products; and/or (6) Products that provide benefits to disabled, unemployed, poor or displaced individuals

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Action – Take 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.

ACTION: Due Date - September 13

Message from Walter Hang "URGENT CITIZEN ACTION ALERT-URGENT CITIZEN ACTION ALERT-URGENT CITIZEN ACTION ALERT Greetings, Citizens concerned about Marcellus Shale horizontal hydrofracking will hold a rally at 10:00 AM on September 13th in front of the downtown Federal Building (15 Henry Street) in Binghamton, NY. This demonstration of grassroots activism and citizen democracy will take place prior to the Environmental Protection Agency's national hydrofracturing hearing. EPA's event will be held next door. I implore all activists working to prevent shale gas hazards in New York to attend the rally. EPA supports many of the concerns spelled out in the coalition letter requesting the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to withdraw its fatally-flawed draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (SGEIS). Now that we have achieved our goal of more than 10,000 signatories to that letter, we must intensify pressure on EPA to enforce its concerns. See EPA's landmark 12/30/09 letter to DEC: EPA's 12/30/2009 letter regarding dSGEIS | Toxics Targeting EPA's hearing will be a huge event in the national shale gas debate. There should be extensive media coverage. Norwegian National TV is coming!!! Even if you do not plan to comment on EPA's hydrofracking study, please show your strong visible support by joining us. Binghamton is arguably the epicenter of New York's Marcellus Shale region. It has become a crucial horizontal hydrofracking battleground. "

ACTION: Due Date - Now

Action Alert - Comment on Hydro-Fracking "CITIZENS CAMPAIGN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT ACTION ALERT UPDATE: Public Hearing Rescheduled Protecting Our Water Submit Comments on Hydro-Fracking Study IMPORTANT UPDATE: The public hearing originally scheduled for 8/12/2010 in Binghamton and then moved to Syracuse has been rescheduled for September 13 and 15, 2010, in Binghamton, NY. Details for the new hearings are below. " --from Citizens Campaign for the Environment - New York and Connecticut Environmental Protection Preservation and Advocacy

ACTION: Due Date - Now

Sierra Club: Help Ban Toxics from Children's Toy Jewelry! Help Ban Toxics from Children's Toy Jewelry! After Congress acted, the Consumer Product Safety Commission finally took action to protect children from lead in children's products. Now another dangerous toxin, cadmium, is being found in children’s toy jewelry. Please take a moment today and tell the Commission to protect our families from cadmium in children's toys! --from Sierra Club Home Page: Explore, Enjoy and Protect the Planet

ACTION: Public comments will be accepted through Sept. 20, 2010. To comment, write to Dan Rosenblatt, NYSDEC 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4750 or send e-mail to wildliferegs@gw.dec.state.ny.us.

To access the proposal, the text of the regulation and related links please visit the DEC website. DEC Releases Draft Regulations to Strengthen, Codify Endangered Species Regulations - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Proposed Changes Will Provide Predictable Framework for Projects New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced the agency's plan to update the state's regulations to strengthen protections for endangered and threatened species and to provide developers, local officials and others with a clear regulatory framework. The draft proposals, which are published in this week's Environmental News Bulletin, would establish criteria for the listing and de-listing of species and requirements for restoration and recovery plans. The proposals will also establish time lines, procedures and standards for reviewing applications for construction projects and other projects that might impact endangered and threatened species. The proposals would define the "taking" of a protected species to include the adverse modification of habitat - conforming to New York court decisions interpreting the term. The regulations also call for applicants to develop a mitigation plan that results in a net conservation benefit to the listed species. (August 5, 2010) Press Releases - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation

ACTION: Due Date Now.

from the Green Party of Monroe County "The Green Party of Monroe County is looking for progressives in our community to enhance its local platform. If you have an interest in real solutions to our environmental, economic and social problems, you can have an impact on what the Green Party will do when elected. Work on your own or with other like-minded folks to create individual planks of our local platform. Issues can be something you have already been working on or something you have always wanted to fix. Examples of some issues include, industrial pollution, area brownfields, renewable energy, land trusts, etc. Contact Dave Atias if you are interested in helping get our government on the side of the people. Greenpmc34@yahoo.com or 585-315-7687 "

Action Due Date: Today

Donate to a worthy cause: Christine Sevilla Project (Christine Sevilla Project) "Welcome to A Living Project to Preserve a Place in Christine's Honor For All to Enjoy in Perpetuity Christine's family and friends envision a natural area, including wetlands, preserved in her memory. This vision includes an educational component, like an interpretive trail to help others recognize what Christine saw - an interconnected natural community of flora and fauna, soil and water. Perhaps even an Arts and Music Festival to celebrate what Christine so treasured. "

ACTION Due Date: September 17, 2010) -

08/20/2010: EPA Releases Draft Strategy for Clean Water WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting the public to comment on the agency’s draft strategy to protect and restore our nation’s lakes, streams and coastal waters. The strategy, “Coming Together for Clean Water: EPA’s Strategy for Achieving Clean Water,” is designed to chart EPA’s path in furthering EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson’s key priority of protecting America’s waters. The strategy was developed by considering the input and ideas generated at the April “Coming Together for Clean Water” forum as well as comments received through the online discussion forum. Participants shared their perspectives on how to advance the EPA’s clean water agenda focusing on the agency’s two priority areas: healthy watersheds and sustainable communities. EPA is now inviting the public to consider and provide their comments on the approaches outlined in the strategy. Public comments on the draft strategy should be submitted by September 17. EPA will review all comments and post a final strategy later in the year. More information on the draft strategy and to comment: http://blog.epa.gov/waterforum/ (?August 20, 2010) U.S. EPA Newsroom - News Releases

ACTION: Due Date is September 28, 2010

On one of the biggest energy/environmental issue of present, you can make comment about the EPA’s strategy on Hydraulic Fracturing: Outreach | Hydraulic Fracturing | US EPA "How to Provide EPA with Comments on the Hydraulic Fracturing Study Deadline for comments is September 28, 2010 Persons wishing to contribute comments to EPA regarding the proposed Hydraulic Fracturing Research Study may: present oral comments at the informational meetings; submit written comments at the informational meeting; submit electronic comments to EPA at hydraulic.fracturing@epa.gov ; or send written comments to EPA at the following address: Jill Dean, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Mailcode 4606M, Washington, DC 20460. "

ACTION: Due Date: October 1, 2010

Acid Rain: We thought, because there was so little mainstream news on this issue, that Acid Raid was under control. Seems that is not the case. Check the case for taking action on Acid Raid and make comment to the EPA until October 1st. Action Alerts "Your Best Chance to Help Stop Acid Rain EPA Accepting Comments on New Transport Rule Until Oct. 1 The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently accepting comments on its recently proposed Transport Rule. The rule is designed to limit the amounts of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) that can be emitted by power plants in 31 states east of the Rocky Mountains plus the District of Columbia. Both sulfur and nitrogen are the main causes of acid rain, which has been devastating the Adirondack Park for decades. " The Adirondack Council

ACTION due Date - October 10, 2010 - 10/10/10

Create October 10 Action | 350.org "10/10/10 will be a day of work parties all over the world. Will you join us? In every corner of the globe, we will implement solutions to the climate crisis: from solar panels to community gardens, wind turbines to bike workshops. We'll tell leaders: “We're getting to work--what about you?” To read more about our plans for 2010, click here It's still early, so it's OK if you don't know all the details of your local work party. There's a list of work-party ideas at www.350.org/workparty-ideas to get things moving, but don't worry if you don't have a game-plan just yet. " --from 350.org

ACTION Due Date: October 29, 2010

9/04/2010 - ACTION: Make public comment on DEC's "Strategic Plan for State Forest Management." DEC Releases Strategic Plan for State Forest Management - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Builds on Momentum of "Green Certification" of State Forests New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced the release of a draft "Strategic Plan for State Forest Management." The plan will guide management of the 786,000-acre state forest holdings and is available for public review and comment through Oct. 29. Electronic copies of the draft plan are available on the DEC website. To request a CD, send an e-mail to stateforestplan@gw.dec.state.ny.us , or mail a request to Strategic Plan for State Forest Management, NYS DEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4255. Comments can be e-mailed to stateforestplan@gw.dec.state.ny.us or mailed to Strategic Plan for State Forest Management, NYS DEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4255. Public Hearing Schedule Nine hearing have been scheduled. Each meeting will consist of two parts: 1) 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., informal information session with DEC staff; 2) 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., public hearing. Accommodation for people with disabilities will be made upon request to Justin Perry by calling (518) 402-9428 or by e-mailing stateforestplan@gw.dec.state.ny.us

ACTION Due DATE: DOT and EPA are providing a 60-day public comment period that begins with the proposal’s publication in the Federal Register.

You have a chance to make comment on how new vehicles a labeled for fuel efficiency. This can make difference, something you as a consumer can do. This will allow you to be a responsible consumer, instead of a passive consumer because you comment could influence the “fuel economy labels consumers see on the window of every new vehicle in dealer showrooms.” In order to be a good consumer and help direct our wholesale effect on our environment, you have to know what effect the things you buy will have on our environment. You cannot do this without adequate labeling. 08/30/2010: EPA, DOT Propose New Fuel Economy Labels/Agencies seek public comment on the most dramatic overhaul in the label’s 30-year history WASHINGTON – As a new generation of cars and light trucks start appearing on the market, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are jointly proposing changes to the fuel economy labels consumers see on the window of every new vehicle in dealer showrooms. The proposed rule seeks public comment on label design options and related issues. The public can view the proposed rule and labels at: Fuel Economy | US EPA and submit comments as part of the rulemaking process via email to: newlabels@epa.gov . They can also review the proposed rule at Fuel Economy | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). “We are asking the American people to tell us what they need to make the best economic and environmental decisions when buying a new car,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “New fuel economy labels will keep pace with the new generation of fuel efficient cars and trucks rolling off the line, and provide simple, straightforward updates to inform consumers about their choices in a rapidly changing market. We want to help buyers find vehicles that meet their needs, keep the air clean and save them money at the pump.” (August 31, 2010) U.S. EPA Newsroom - News Releases

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Award – Environmental 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.]

Frank J. Regan (FrankRegan@RochesterEnvironment.com) or (FrankRegan@Frontiernet.net ) - Please visit: http://RochesterEnvironment.com: Where you can get all the environmental news, events, documents, and services on the Internet for Rochester, New York.

RochesterEnvironment.com is the most complete, non-profit environmental site for any one city in the world. You can also subscribe to RochesterEnvironment.Com. Once a month, get RochesterEnvironment.com's "RENewsletter in your mail" - http://rochesterenvironment.com/subscribe.htm. Or, join in discussion on Rochester environmental matters at Environmental Thoughts - Rochester, NY - http://rochesterenvironmentny.blogspot.com/