RENewsletter November 11, 2010

RENewsletter | November 21, 2010

The Free environmental newsletter from RochesterEnvironment.com

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

[11/14/2010 – 11/21/2010]

* Need to vent? | Go to my blog: Environmental Thoughts - Rochester, NY

* Found an important Rochester environmental story from a credible source that you think needs attention? Or, an Environmental Event, Please, SEND ME THE LINK. If you think this newsletter, which continually informs our community on our local environmental news, events, actions, is worthwhile, please encourage others to sign up.

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: “Enjoy Rochester’s environment while you still can”

Bill McKibben encouraged the audience at the GROWNY event last Saturday (11/13/2010) to “get outside and enjoy the outdoors.” Rather than one of those cheery nature-lover slogans, McKibben’s statement had an ominous component to it. Get outside and connect with your environment because it is changing, changing so quickly that you will never have it as good as you do now.

Most politicians and even the public ignored his warning that the planet was warming up in The End of Nature published back in 1989—though there was certainly enough indications that humanity was warming the place up. In Eaarth, (published 2010) Earth has changed so much since the publication of The End of Nature that it’s a changed planet from the one it was a couple of decades ago, to one that is warming so quickly that humanity is going to have to adapt—or perish.

At the event McKibben didn’t talk about the depressingly true litany of environmental degradation that he describes in Eaarth Instead, he described the even more depressing and alarming changes in our environment because of human-caused changes since the publication of Eaarth—only a couple of months ago. Floods in Pakistan (warmer air holds more moisture), droughts, increase frequency and severity of storms and the loss of Arctic and Greenland glaciers are happening far quicker than scientists predicted.

This isn’t climate porn:

“The "apocalyptic" way in which climate change is often portrayed in the press and on government websites succeeds only in "thrilling" people while undermining practical efforts to tackle the problem, according to Labour's favourite thinktank, the Institute for Public Policy Research.” 'Climate porn' blamed for global warming 'despair' (8/06/2006) The Guardian

Climate Change is the real deal; it’s happening quickly; and, it’s happening in your neighborhood. It’s happening despite the slog of articles, public statements, and despite those who for some reason or another just don’t want the public to ‘get it’ on the repercussions of putting billions of tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere for the last couple of centuries. You would think it would be pretty straight forward: a lot of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane) go into the atmosphere (burning coal, wood, gasoline, natural gas, etc.) since the Second Industrial Revolution, have it all checked out by the majority of scientists over twenty years, and then suck it up and change our planet-heating ways.

Yet, it doesn’t seem to work that way. Climate Change, despite its overwhelming acceptance by the majority of scientists, isn’t popular. In present day politics, culture, and phenomena that I’ll call ‘conventionalism’, climate change seems to be a sinister plot, a conspiracy against our way of life and the fossil fuel companies. The last straw for the public’s patience seemed to be Climategate:

“Over the last few weeks, in the run-up to the official UK release of my new book "A User's Guide to the Crisis of Civilization" on October 4, I've been inundated with angry and often exasperated claims that one of the key crises I address in the book - human-induced climate change - is merely a myth, lacks serious scientific evidence and/or is the sinister result of deliberate "scare-mongering." My experience is that public opinion is now seriously confused about the science of climate change and that increasingly people either feel they fall into an agnostic camp or categorize themselves as wholesale "skeptics." Recent polls of American public opinion in August found that as much as 45 percent of people believe that global warming "is caused by long-term planetary trends," while only 40 percent are convinced that "human activity is the main contributor." The Real ClimateGate: Getting Over the Nonexistent "Email Scandal"

And so instead of addressing Climate Change in a responsible and thoughtful way, there’s going to be a great big fight for the hearts and minds of the public to ‘get’ Climate Change:

“Hacked emails from climate researchers at the University of East Anglia caused a storm last year. Now scientists say it's even harder to convince the world of the reality of climate change” Published on Sunday, November 14, 2010 by The Observer/UK Climate Change: Science's Fresh Fight to Win Over the Sceptics

You can listen to all the arguments in the media about who says what, or note the catchiest phrase by the group with the most money, or you can do what McKibben (creator of 350.org) suggests: go outside and see for yourself.

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.]

11/20/2010 - Find out how you can help collect data on extreme weather data for Climate Change Extreme weather forecasts: web users unite to power climate change project | Environment | The Guardian Home PC users invited to carry out pioneering research by tracking links between global warming and extreme weather • Read more about the project here, see a gallery of the simulations here, and watch a video by the project's founders (November 10, 2010) weatherathome | Climateprediction.net "You’ve heard of climate change, but what does that actually mean for the weather in the region where you live? Could it be that you are going to see an increase in the number of damaging weather events? Or could the weather actually be getting nicer? You now have the opportunity to help scientists find the answers to questions like these, by taking part in the climateprediction.net “weatherathome” experiment. "
11/20/2010 - Find out about the great stuff CEI is doing on helping our world go Green: Management of Unwanted Pharmaceuticals – TMDL= Total Daily Maximum Load - Pultneyville Watershed Action Plan - Getting Smart with Energy – What’s Good for the Environment is Good for Business - - CEI Initiatives - Helping the World Go Green
11/19/2010 - The trouble with waste water treatment plants: This is one of those critical environmental issues that we here in the US seem totally incapable of addressing—can our wastewater treatment plants handle what we are throwing at them? We know that our waste water treatment plants have to let raw sewage go into our waters in some major storm events, due to overflow. They can only handle so much volume. We know that these waste water treatment plants were not designed to handle pharmaceuticals and a myriad of manmade chemicals and products that go through them every day. We haven’t even had major testing as the Canadians have and brought this issue to the public’s attention. We are deluding ourselves that we are keeping our waters save and healthy. I’ve heard talk of sending hydrofracking fluid waste through these systems too. I cannot verify this, but if true this is really far beyond the kind of stuff waste water treatment plants were designed for, which are supposed to filter our waste before they go into our drinking and fishing waters safe. It’s bad when our economy tanks and we have to struggle to live and retire. It’s going to be really bad if our environment tanks because we are too busy with other matters to focus on it. Study tests sewage for drugs Truckloads of stinking Windsor sewage have begun rolling down Highway 401 to be tested for drugs at the Environment Canada laboratories in Burlington. The federal environmental agency is just one of many parties involved in an ambitious new study centred on Windsor that is looking at painkillers, perfumes, pesticides, pharmaceuticals and other contaminants making their way into the Great Lakes, the primary source of drinking water for millions of people. (November 18, 2010) Windsor Star - News
11/19/2010 - Stay safe from toxic and dangerous toys during the Xmas season: Check out this important article by Judy Braiman from RAMP: 7 Toy Shopping Tips for a Safer Holiday - 7 Toy Shopping Tips for a Safer Holiday | Parade.com By Judy Braiman Here are seven tips on how to make safe toy purchases during the holiday season.
11/19/2010 - Not addressing Climate Change could disrupt not only our environment, but our economy also. Climate Change is going to affect all aspects of our lives—mostly, not in a good way. Pushing the main issue of our day away or thinking someone else will take care of Climate Change does not understand the incredible scope of this situation. Don’t get bored with Climate Change, make it a part of the way you see everything. Deutsche Bank, Calpers Urge Climate Action to Avert 20% World Output Cut - Bloomberg Deutsche Bank AG and the California Public Employees’ Retirement System are among 259 investors urging policy makers to combat global warming or face mounting economic disruptions in the next 40 years. Losses stemming from climate change may trim as much as 20 percent from global economic output by 2050, according to a statement from Ceres, a coalition that joined investors holding $15 trillion in assets in seeking action. Frankfurt-based Deutsche Bank is Germany’s largest bank and Calpers, based in Sacramento, California, is the biggest U.S. public pension fund. (November 18, 2010)
11/19/2010 - Don’t take the Great Lakes for granted: This looks like a good film to get the sense of the actual health of our Great Lakes. Too often most of us begin to believe, for no good reason, that our Great Lakes are healthy, pristine, and that our government has taken all precautions to make sure it stays healthy. This may be a delusion. The trouble with delusions about our environment is that we don’t make sure our important environmental resources, like the Great Lakes, are taken care of until they are downright sick. Maybe this film will give us some insight into what’s actually going on beneath of veil of the beautiful visage that are our Great Lakes. Waterlife "A Film by Kevin McMahon WATERLIFE follows the epic cascade of the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. From the icy cliffs of Lake Superior to the ornate fountains of Chicago to the sewers of Windsor, this feature-length documentary tells the story of the last huge supply (20 per cent) of fresh water on Earth. The source of drinking water, fish and emotional sustenance for 35 million people, the Great Lakes are under assault by toxins, sewage, invasive species, dropping water levels and profound apathy. Some scientists believe the lakes are on the verge of ecological collapse. Filled with fascinating characters and stunning imagery, WATERLIFE is an epic cinematic poem about the beauty of water and the dangers of taking it for granted. "
11/19/2010 - Environmental education: Find out where educators learn about teaching about our environment: Project Learning Tree "Mission PLT uses the forest as a "window" on the world to increase students' understanding of our environment; stimulate students' critical and creative thinking; develop students' ability to make informed decisions on environmental issues; and instill in students the commitment to take responsible action on behalf of the environment. Goals To develop students' awareness, appreciation, skills, and commitment to address environmental issues. To provide a framework for students to apply scientific processes and higher order thinking skills to resolve environmental problems. To help students acquire an appreciation and tolerance of diverse viewpoints on environmental issues and develop attitudes and actions based on analysis and evaluation of the available information. To encourage creativity, originality, and flexibility to resolve environmental problems and issues. To inspire and empower students to become responsible, productive, and participatory members of society. "
11/17/2010 - Learning about Rochester-area Invasive Species: Last evening’s (11/16/2010) program on invasive species was held for a packed room. We learned what invasive species are and how they impact our local environment. We learned that by the time the public starts noticing them, it’s too late. So efforts to find and remove invasive species early are very important. Global warming helps those invasive species who have the plasticity to deal with change. We also learned that ⅔ of our species are native and ⅓ non-native and only part of that is invasive species, or those causing havoc. But, those causing havoc are choking out a living for many species. The Battle Against Invasive Species - A Forum Presented by the Federation of Monroe County Environmentalists Update: October 12, 2010 - When: Tuesday, November 16th 2010, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Registration Begins: 6:30 PM Where: Brighton Town Hall Auditorium, 2300 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14618
11/16/2010 - Environmental film coming up: Ghost Bird, the critically acclaimed new environmental documentary from director, Scott Crocker, which will be playing at The Dryden Theatre 900 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607 on November 20 @ 8PM. Ghost Bird explores the remarkable rediscovery of the Ivory-billed woodpecker in the swamps of Arkansas, taking a closer look at the role politics, science and culture took in shaping the unprecedented recovery effort. The New York Times wrote, “Scott Crocker has turned a bird-watching tale into a multilayered story that will fascinate practically everybody in “Ghost Bird,” a witty, wistful documentary…” New York Magazine named Ghost Bird Critic’s Pick, calling it “spellbinding…a cosmic lament for the forest primeval and man’s search for environmental redemption.”
11/16/2010 - The future look of news: As the face of the media changes, we are interested in what forms it will take? Will the new media be able to report in-depth on our environment? Will the new media have the funds to pay for serious environmental investigations or will they merely help spread what few media have sufficient funds to do serious environmental reporting. These are serious matter for the future of both the media and keeping ourselves informed on our environment. At present, it doesn’t look good. The public seems disinterested in the very life support system that keeps them alive and the media seems very interested in pandering to the public’s interest in other things—sports, fashion, car accidents, etc. Here is one model the new media that has a section on Global Warming. Check it out: The Real News Network "is a television news and documentary network focused on providing independent and uncompromising journalism. Our staff, in collaboration with courageous journalists around the globe, will investigate report and debate stories on the critical issues of our times. We are viewer supported and do not accept advertising, government or corporate funding."
11/16/2010 - Don't forget to register for CEI: Center for Environmental Information Green Drinks program this Thursday. Meet potential job networks and talk to the media: Green Drinks - November The Upstate Green Business Network (UGBN) is an association of upstate New York businesses, institutions, and organizations that share a mutual concern for the state of our planet. Green Drinks provide opportunities for people to make friends, develop new ideas, and learn from the collective knowledge of the group. Stop in for a beverage, good conversation, and help shape our local chapter. November's Green Drinks have space limitations so sign up early! Rochester Chapter at WROC-TV (register) Thursday, November 18th from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at WROC-TV Station 201 Humboldt St, Rochester, New York 14610
11/16/2010 - More thoughts on what hydrofracking for natural gas drilling might mean for our area: Can Hydraulic Fracturing Help Local Communities? - GrowWNY A Large Influx of Male Workers Tip Community Balance Hydraulic fracturing, sometimes called “hydro-fracking”, has been making big news in our state recently. The process involves extracting gas using a well that drills thousands of feet below the earth’s surface. The drill is then directed horizontally to reach pockets of natural gas trapped in rock formations. In our region, hydraulic fracturing is used to capture gas from a black shale rock formation called Marcellus Shale. The New York State Senate passed a moratorium on all hydraulic fracturing operations in the entire state until spring of 2011. The bill will allow time for the United States Environmental Protection Agency to study the effects of the process on drinking water and human health. For details on the EPA’s study, click here. --from GrowWNY
11/15/2010 - Major paper on the Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club’s position on the possible buying of the city’s water supply by Monroe County Water Authority: Discussion on the Future of Our Drinking Water | "In 2001 and again in 2005 the Rochester Regional Group of Sierra Club published “Green Papers” on issues related to the region’s drinking water. In 2001 we were concerned with how “Sprawl Follows the Pipes” about the way the Monroe County Water Authority encouraged suburban sprawl. In 2005 we were concerned about whether a new water treatment plant in Webster as proposed by the County Water Authority’s was actually needed – or whether it would be “the engine of unsmart growth”. We are now concerned with the 2010 follow-up topic on whether Rochester City’s public Hemlock water system should merge with the semi-private Monroe County Water Authority’s system. The idea of consolidating water services for the region has been advanced in business circles and in the public press for some time, but is it really a wise idea? This Sierra Club paper examines questions of “Pros and cons” involved with such a merger and makes recommendations on what we consider to be the best decisions. The paper also reveals some of the “behind-the-scenes” negotiations underway between the City and the Authority, including the proposal to turn over the operation of the Hemlock water treatment plant to the Authority and have the City provide water “wholesale” to the Authority who will then “retail” water to the City accounts." more...

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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.

Tuesday, November 30th 2010 from 6pm - 8pm Where: The old Pepsi Building, on the corner of Joseph Ave & Nassau St - Signs will be posted "RGL EVENT Parking"

ROCHESTER GREEN LIVING TO TOUR EPIPHERGY FUEL-FROM-GARBAGE PROGRAM Who: Graham Fennie, Founder of Epiphergy What: At Epiphergy we implement waste-to-ethanol solutions that allow our customers to produce and use their own ethanol fuel. Our innovative small and micro-scale solutions can be customized to cost-effectively process a wide range of raw materials, such as food waste. When: Tuesday, November 30th 2010 from 6pm - 8pm Where: The old Pepsi Building, on the corner of Joseph Ave & Nassau St - Signs will be posted "RGL EVENT Parking" Why: This is a FREE opportunity to educate yourself about a local, low-cost, environmentally friendly alternative to gasoline! For more info, go to Making Local Living Green!

December 2010

Wednesday, December 1st, 2010 at 4:30pm, Golisano Institute for Sustainability at RIT, Louise Slaughter Building 78, Room 2240

Green Chemistry: Sustaining a High Technology Civilization presented by Terry Collins Wednesday, December 1st, 2010 at 4:30pm, Golisano Institute for Sustainability at RIT, Louise Slaughter Building 78, Room 2240 Green chemistry is the use of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate substances hazardous to human health or the environment. Chemists are turning their inventive talents towards eliminating hazards from chemical products and processes. Registration is encouraged. Contact Erica for more information: exfasp@rit.edu or 585-475-2512. [View flyer]

Friday, December 3, 5-9:30 PM; Saturday, December 4, 9:30 AM-1 PM Place: First Unitarian Church of Rochester, 220 South Winton Road, Rochester NY 14610

METRO JUSTICE’s 29th ANNUAL ALTERNATIVE FAIR Date/Time: NEW HOURS: Friday, December 3, 5-9:30 PM; Saturday, December 4, 9:30 AM-1 PM Place: First Unitarian Church of Rochester, 220 South Winton Road, Rochester NY 14610 Cost: $3 suggested donation for ages 12+. Children under 12 free. FREE CHILD CARE. DOOR PRIZES. Description: Support social justice when buying holiday gifts – at Metro Justice’s 29th annual Alternative Fair, featuring hundreds of fair trade, earth friendly, and/or locally produced goods that support a just and sustainable world. Holiday shopping for the whole family, including clothing, toys, non-competitive games, pottery, and jewelry hand crafted by local artists, fair trade imports, and more. Door prizes, food, entertainment, and information tables by local progressive organizations will be available. The Alternative Fair is an annual fund-raising event for Metro Justice (www.metrojustice.org) , an independent, grass-roots, progressive membership organization that works for human rights, equality and economic and environmental justice by raising community awareness and engaging in non-violent action. Accessibility: The building is accessible

December 3, 2010 - 5:30pm | The Downtown Presbyterian Church 121 N. Fitzhugh St

Dear Friends of Rochester Roots You are invited Rochester Roots Annual Fundraising Dinner December 3, 2010 5:30pm The Downtown Presbyterian Church 121 N. Fitzhugh St Celebration Hall We’re on an expedition to make food science & nutrition education our inner mission. Join us for dinner! Enjoy delicious food grown by youth in the Rochester City School District Schoolyard Gardens and by local farmers. Participate in an inspiring evening where we will share our excitement around our plan for expanding school gardens, youth enrichment, and urban agriculture. Attached is an electronic version of our annual fundraising dinner invitation and silent auction donation form. Download, print, and kindly reply with your reservation, end of year donation, or silent auction item donation before November 28. We’re taking food higher!

7:30 p.m., Thursday, December 9, 2010 Location: Brighton Town Hall, 2300 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, N.Y.

Photographing Bird’s Secret Lives Acclaimed nature photographer Marie Read describes how she got some of the stunning close-up pictures in her recent bird book and offers tips everyone can use to improve their own photography. Sponsored by the Rochester Birding Association. The meeting is free and open to the public Date: 7:30 p.m., Thursday, December 9, 2010 Location: Brighton Town Hall, 2300 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, N.Y. Contact: Susan Schwardt 585-671-6670 or visit www.rochesterbirding.com

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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.

Take Action: Due Date: November 30, 2010

This just in: "If we want to protect New York's drinking water from risky natural gas drilling, we need to act now. In just 10 days, the New York State Assembly will hold its final meeting of the year -- their last chance to pass a moratorium on "fracking," a drilling method that threatens our water supply and our environment. After grassroots pressure from tens of thousands of concerned New Yorkers, the State Senate approved the moratorium this summer. But unless the Assembly passes the same bill before the end of the year, the ban won't become law, and risky new drilling in New York could begin. I just signed the Working Families Party's petition telling the New York Assembly to protect our water. Will you join me? Just go to: Working Families » Take Action!

ACTION: Due Date: Now

Here’s is an action alert referred to us by Rochesterians Against the Misuse of Pesticides (RAMP) : It's Time to Stop Poisoning Ourselves. Call For a Ban On Triclosan! "There is a dangerous substance still being widely used in the U.S. despite evidence that it is a real and imminent threat to public and environmental health. Most products labeled as "antibacterial," "antimicrobial," "Microban" or "Biofresh" contain this dangerous chemical called triclosan. Triclosan is a pesticide that has been popping up in products we use everyday like soap, toothpaste, deodorant and even baby changing stations. It is so dangerous that it was banned in Japan and Canada, and classified as an irritant — dangerous for the environment and very toxic to aquatic organisms — by the EU. It persists in the environment and is recognized, like BPA, as an endocrine disruptor -- a substance that interferes with the body's hormones. Can you join us in calling for an end to the use of triclosan for non-medical purposes? Fill out the form below to add your name to the petition. " -from Food & Water Watch

ACTION: Due Date: Until the money run out.

There is still time to save energy on this NYSERDA program until the money for the rebates run out: New York's Great Appliance Swap Out "The New York State Energy-Efficient Appliance Rebate Program To qualify, your eligible appliance(s) must be purchased between February 12th, 2010 and the date available funding runs out. Welcome to "New York’s Great Appliance Swap Out" website which will provide all the information you need in order to participate. This rebate program, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), is available to residential consumers replacing existing appliances of the same type with new ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances or High Efficiency ENERGY STAR appliances. A larger rebate will be granted to consumers who recycle their discarded appliances. Appliance Rebate Funds Still Available!!! Due to a large number of rebate reservations that were never claimed, there are still funds available under New York’s Great Appliance Swap Out! Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funds remain available. " --a program funded by ARRA and administered by New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

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 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.]