RENewsletter July 8, 2012

RENewsletter | July 8, 2012

The Free environmental newsletter from RochesterEnvironment.com

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

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[07/01/2012 – 07/08/2012]

Opening Salvo: “Mr. President and Mr. Romney, it’s getting very hot down here in reality land!”

Many of us trying to connect the dots between current weather calamities (heatwave, wildfires) and Climate Change are probably beating a dead horse. There are so many reasons why the public cannot or won’t get the message that we are in a planetary heat-up that it’s not even funny. (Though Climate Change champion, author, and activist Bill McKibben actually tried humor this week: Bill McKibben on the Global Warming Hoax)

Hey, we’re desperate. Nothing seems to work. Even though this week’s news is full of stories on the heatwave, only a few media are connecting the dots.

· Historic Heat Wave Marches On as Drought Expands | Climate Central

· Heat Advisory On Friday | Local News - ROCHESTER'S NEWS LEADER NEWSRADIO 1180 WHAM

· Rochester's "Cool Sweep" in Effect for Friday

· Midwest Can't Get Relief From Oppressive Heat

· Drought hits 56 percent of continental US; 'significant toll' on crops - U.S. News

· Heat Wave, Record Drought Parch United States

· Heat wave - heaven or hell? - Weather - The Buffalo News

· Just go to Google news and type in ‘heatwave’ you’ll get a zillion hits--but only a few connections with warming

What’s even more extraordinary is that despite the heat rise the presidential candidates aren’t talking about either the heatwave or Climate Change and the media isn’t making them. The candidates want to play it safe and cool while their constituents bake and their property goes up in smoke:

Advisers: Neither Presidential Candidate Likely to Take Big Risks The presidential race is stuck in a virtual tie that probably won't move decisively toward one candidate until the last moment, if at all, strategists for both major parties say. Neither candidate is likely to take big risks to shake up the campaign any time soon, the strategists add, arguing that both President Obama and Republican candidate Mitt Romney tend to be careful politicians who are confident in their current game plans and have no intention of changing course. (July 5, 2012) US News & World Report

“Well,” as the former comedian and now the hot Jazz artist Steve Martin used to say, “EXCUSE ME!” Excuse me, Mr. Obama and Mr. Romney, and all your advisors and all those SuperPACs funding your election campaigns, and all those media outlets that are backed by the fossil fuel industry, and all those who think what’s going on politically in the USA is a heck of a lot more important than what we are actually experiencing, it’s getting very hot down here. While both Obama and Romney are up in some kind of loony political planet where it doesn’t warm up when more greenhouse gases are added, some of us down here in reality land are wondering how they will lead our country on Climate Change if they can’t even say it during an election year.

This present heatwave and the rash of wildfires out West are not merely anomalies—there’s a pattern. Sure, the weather changes from day to day and year to year, and we get some highs and lows, but in the last few years the highs have outpaced the lows 10-1. Even so, the media is not connecting the dots:

· STUDY: Media Avoid Climate Context In Wildfire Coverage “While numerous factors determine the frequency, severity and cost of wildfires, scientific research indicates that human-induced climate change increases fire risks in parts of the Western U.S. by promoting warmer and drier conditions. Seven of nine fire experts contacted by Media Matters agreed journalists should explain the relationship between climate change and wildfires. But an analysis of recent coverage suggests mainstream media outlets are not up to the task -- only 3 percent of news reports on wildfires in the West mentioned climate change.” (July 3, 2012) Media Matters for America

You need to put that media irresponsibility in this context of Climate experts who are saying we’d better pay attention:

· Climate Communication | Kevin Trenberth on PBS Newshour: Extreme heat and climate change "Climate Communication Science Advisor, Kevin Trenberth, was interviewed by Judy Woodruff on PBS Newshour on July 2nd, 2012. He spoke about recent extreme heat and its impacts, and the connection to climate change. The video can be viewed here on the PBS website. "

· Heat, wind, fires: Just freakish weather or something more? ‘Told you so,’ one scientist says - WASHINGTON — Is it just freakish weather or something more? Climate scientists suggest that if you want a glimpse of some of the worst of global warming, take a look at U.S. weather in recent weeks. Horrendous wildfires. Oppressive heat waves. Devastating droughts. Flooding from giant deluges. And a powerful freak wind storm called a derecho (July 3, 2012) Washington Post

· We are not prepared for what’s coming. You really ought to read the Press Release from last March and watch this short video from the IPCC on the relationship between extreme weather and Climate Change. IPCC Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation (SREX)

· "This Is Just the Beginning": Forest Fires, Deadly Storms, Record Heat Reveal a Changed Climate The past two weeks have witnessed the worst forest fires in Colorado history, a deadly Mid-Atlantic storm that left 23 dead and four million without power, and a record shattering heatwave across the East Coast and Midwest that has not seen since the Dust Bowl. More than 2,000 heat records have been broken in the past week. As the words "extreme weather" flash across TV screens, where are the other two words: "global warming"? (July 3, 2012) Democracy Now!

Some might ask, “Why pay attention to Climate Change when what we really care about is jobs?” Why should Mr. Romney and Mr. Obama talk about Climate Change if it will put them at political risk? The answer lies in this interview:

Climate Disasters’ Toll Worsened by Sustained Attacks on Public Sector, Science and Regulation As we discuss the spate of extreme weather in the United States, the author and professor Christian Parenti argues that the Republican-led assault on the public sector will leave states more vulnerable to global warming's effects. "Another thing missing from these discussions -- it's not just the words 'climate change,' but the words 'public sector,'" (July 3, 2012) Democracy Now!

It’s about us. As our environment and our US citizens endure the consequences of Climate Change, it will be the responsibility our government to conceive and execute plans to address it. It will be our firefighters who will protect our property and our lives as the fires rage on. It will be our public health infrastructure that will take care of us on a hotter planet. It will be our government that will fund our losses because the insurance industry will be bailing out—as they have been increasingly doing. Those who are sucking the lifeblood out of the public sector might not care, but we do.

So, why are we allowing this election year to go on without answers to our questions about Climate Change and extreme weather? How can it possibly be in our best interest to gut government, the very people who will save and protect the public sector, as the temperatures continue to rise? Why do we continually attend to a media that won’t connect the dots on the most critical issue of this century? Why have we stopped acting in our own best interest?

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

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* Got news? | Go to my blog: Environmental Thoughts - Rochester, NY or Tweet me @ http://twitter.com/#!/FrankRrrr On Twitter and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RochesterEnvironment and Examiner/RochesterEnvironment, I post local environmental events, news, and commentary as soon as it happens. 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. We who care about our environment and future need to ‘Occupy’ the Rochester media to change how the public views environmental news.

The great conundrum of our times is that in a time of rapidly occurring Climate Change and a rapid disintegration of the environment that we need to thrive and survive, mainstream media still marginalizes environmental concerns. [Check often for this continually updated list on the possible consequences of Climate Change in our region--supported by facts.] If there isn’t a quick and substantial change in how environmental concerns are reported, edited, and chosen in mainstream media, the public will continue to believe that environmental concerns are merely special interest matters, issues they can avoid if they choose. How can we inform the public and monitor our environment without abridging our Freedoms--in enough time to safe ourselves?

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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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.]

7/07/2012 - Got bikes? Might be fun to attend this meeting and see if accommodations for active transportation (bicycling and walking) are included in this plan as suggested by the new NYS ‘Complete Streets’ law that tries to ease not only congestion but our carbon footprints and make us healthier. I’m thinking that only gas guzzlers got accommodated. This is what happens when we don’t connect the dots to transportation and Climate Change. DOT to present solution to ease congestion on 390-490 interchange - Gates, NY - Gates-Chili Post Rochester, N.Y. — The New York State Department of Transportation asked for your feedback and now officials are ready to present their solution to the traffic congestion where 490 and 390 and Lyell Avenue converge in the Town of Gates. DOT officials say their solution takes into account public feedback received at an informational meeting held in July 2012. The meeting will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday, July 9 at the Gates Town Hall on Buffalo Road. (July 6, 2012) Homepage - Gates, NY - Gates-Chili Post
7/07/2012 - Murphy’s Law: The confounding problem of Climate Change is that it’s more likely that more of the consequences will occur at the worst possible times, like beach closings, when it gets hot (Read NRDC’s ‘Testing the Waters’: Local Beaches Closed On One Of The Hottest Days Swimming is closed at Ontario and Durand beaches due to bacteria. Swimming in water with high bacteria levels is dangerous, especially for children and seniors. It can make you sick, mainly causing gastrointestinal issues. The state says this contamination is caused by storm water run off and sewage. Last year, the Natural Resource Defense Council named Ontario Beach among the most frequently closed beaches in the state. (July 6, 2012) RochesterHomePage.net
7/07/2012 - Here in NYS we can only pine away for high-speed rail that has been squashed along with the NPA’s GLOW program to deal with Climate Change. California approves high-speed rail funding | www.WHEC.com Lawmakers in California have approved a multi-billion dollar funding package for a high speed rail that would stretch 130 miles from Madera, CA to Bakersfield. The project's funding passed on Friday by a slim margin, 21 to 16 with the vote split by party lines. (July 7, 20120 Rochester, NY News | www.WHEC.com
7/07/2012 - As we bake during the present heatwave, we might as well go over some Climate Change videos on how it got to be this way—from GrowWNY: VIDEO: Climate Change: Lines of Evidence - GrowWNY "The National Research Council's America's Climate Choices project released a series of videos that provide an excellent brief overview of scientific understandings of climate change. The videos describe both the lines of evidence and the history of the science that led to our current understandings of climate change. The series of videos can be watched in separate segments, or as a single 26 minute long video. Here are the chapter titles linked to the videos: Chapter 1: What is Climate? Chapter 2: Is Earth Warming? Chapter 3: Greenhouse Gases Chapter 4: Increased EmissionsChapter 5: How Much Warming?

Chapter 6: Solar Influence Chapter 7: Natural Cycles The project has also produced a booklet of the same name. It is available online and a pdf of Climate Change: Lines of Evidence is available here. "

7/06/2012 - We are not prepared for what’s coming. You really ought to read the Press Release from last March and watch this short video from the IPCC on the relationship between extreme weather and Climate Change. IPCC Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation (SREX)
7/06/2012 - At some point the public is going to have to decide if they want to remain in the dark. If they keep watching media that doesn’t connect present wildfires and heatwaves to Climate Change they may find that there are no governmental monies or support environmental disasters occur. BTW: Did you know that most flood insurance in this country comes from the government, not private insurance companies? STUDY: Media Avoid Climate Context In Wildfire Coverage | Research | Media Matters for America Only 3 Percent Of Wildfire Coverage Mentioned Long-Term Climate Change Or Global Warming. The major television and print outlets largely ignored climate change in their coverage of wildfires in Colorado, New Mexico and other Western states. All together, only 3 percent of the reports mentioned climate change, including 1.6 percent of television segments and 6 percent of text articles. (July 3, 2012) Media Matters for America
7/06/2012 - I would feel more hopeful about the coral reefs coping with Climate Change if this article mentioned acidification too, which is a major threat to coral reefs. Dead Reefs Can Come Back To Life, Study Says : NPR Coral reefs may be able to recover from disaster, according to a study that provides a bit of reassurance about the future of these endangered ecosystems. Coral reefs around the world are at risk as the ocean's temperature continues to rise. Those trends could kill not only coral but also the fish and other species that depend on the reefs. Those reefs are important for people as well. (July 6, 2012) Environment : NPR
7/06/2012 - One of the reasons why American may not understand the relationship between extreme weather events and Climate Change is our loony politics—which will produce a public who isn’t ready for what’s coming. Watch this: Climate Disasters' Toll Worsened by Sustained Attacks on Public Sector, Science & Regulation - YouTube DemocracyNow.org - As we discuss the spate of extreme weather in the United States, the author and professor Christian Parenti argues that the Republican-led assault on the public sector will leave states more vulnerable to global warming's effects. "Another thing missing from these discussions -- it's not just the words 'climate change,' but the words 'public sector,'" (July 3, 2012) Democracy Now!
7/05/2012 - We’re hoping that many a local media check in with Climate Change education sites like Globe Town and connect the dots in their communities. Myth-busting climate change website wins global award Myths circulating online about climate change cause misplaced apathy or alarm. A website built to be the antidote has won a major global award for a team from the University of Southampton. Globe-Town.org won third prize in the first international 'Apps for Climate' competition (#Apps4Climate) held by the World Bank, presented at a ceremony in Washington DC. By opening up the facts of climate change in different countries, Globe-Town shows how no one is isolated from the consequences in an interdependent world. The site also reveals how responding to climate change presents a world of opportunities to inspire individuals and entrepreneurs. (July 5, 2012) Phys.Org - Science News, Technology, Physics, Nanotechnology, Space Science, Earth Science, Medicine
7/05/2012 -It’s going to get more common to see articles that connect the dots between extreme weather and Climate Change. But, will it be enough to galvanize the public in time? Climate Change: U.S. Heat Waves, Wildfires And Flooding Are 'What Global Warming Looks Like' WASHINGTON — Is it just freakish weather or something more? Climate scientists suggest that if you want a glimpse of some of the worst of global warming, take a look at U.S. weather in recent weeks. Horrendous wildfires. Oppressive heat waves. Devastating droughts. Flooding from giant deluges. And a powerful freak wind storm called a derecho (July 3, 2012) Green News, Energy, Environment, Animals, Climate Change, Extreme Weather - HuffPost Green [more on Climate Change in our area]
7/04/2012 - Go to these people who are at the forefront of monitoring Blue Green Algae outbursts in our region: Blue Green Algae Report for 07-03-2012 "Blue Green Algal data collected 06/28/2012 Results of Sodus Bay Toxin Samples Collected on June 28th, 2012 and sent to SOS on 07-03-2012 " --from Save Our Sodus
7/04/2012 - This is what the absurd position of Climate Change denial at the public official accountability level looks like: North Carolina lawmakers reject sea level rise predictions | Reuters (Reuters) - Lawmakers in North Carolina, which has a long Atlantic Ocean coastline and vast areas of low-lying land, voted on Tuesday to ignore studies predicting a rapid rise in sea level due to climate change and postpone planning for the consequences. Opponents of the measure said it was a case of legislators "putting our heads in the sand" to avoid acknowledging the possible effects of global warming. (July 3, 2012) Business & Financial News, Breaking US & International News | Reuters.com
7/04/2012 - Public health officials not connecting the dots on the present heatwaves with Climate Change must change to a world that is warming. Health officials more prepared for heat, but not for climate change – USATODAY.com Health officials are better prepared for heat waves than they used to be, but they have more to do in the face of climate change, experts say. "Nationally and internationally we are much more aware of the danger of extreme heat than we were in 1995," says sociologist Eric Klinenberg, author of Heat Wave: A social autopsy of disaster in Chicago, about the three-day heat wave that caused 739 excess deaths and thousands of hospitalizations in 1995. "We're more prepared than we were in 1995. A lot of Americans are still vulnerable, and our power grid is vulnerable, too." (July 3, 2012) News, Travel, Weather, Entertainment, Sports, Technology, U.S. & World - USATODAY.com
7/04/2012 - Lots of information and discussion about Climate Change and threats to our water on local PBS: AM 1370 - NPR News & Talk | WXXI "America Abroad: "The Global Water Challenge" Sunday, July 8, 2012 - 9:00pm on AM 1370 - NPR News & Talk The world's population is growing, and with it, the demand for water. Read more | Intelligence Squared US: No Fracking Way: The Natural Gas Boom is Doing More Harm Than Good Sunday, July 15, 2012 - 9:00pm on AM 1370 - NPR News & Talk Communities across the country are weighing the merits of natural gas against the harmful effects of fracking. Read more | RISE: Climate Change and Coastal Communities Sunday, July 22, 2012 - 9:00pm on AM 1370 - NPR News & Talk Rising water levels are changing the lives and landscapes of the San Francisco Bay area. Read more "
7/04/2012 - For those who think that we can just wait awhile longer before we start stopping anthropogenic greenhouse gases going into our atmosphere, let’s see what’s happened to the pre-industrial greenhouse gases. Pre-industrial emissions still causing temperatures to rise | Science Codex A climate model accounting for the carbon dioxide (CO2) released into our atmosphere before the industrial revolution has been used to show the detrimental effect of carbon emissions on global temperature in the long-term. In a study published today, 4 July, in IOP Publishing's journal Environmental Research Letters, researchers from the Carnegie Institution for Science have shown that pre-industrial emissions from land use changes are responsible for about nine per cent of the increase in today's global mean temperature since that era. "The relatively small amounts of carbon dioxide emitted many centuries ago continue to affect atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and our climate today, though only to a relatively small extent," said co-author of the study Julia Pongratz. (June 3, 2012) Science Codex | Science news, science articles, all day, every day [more on Climate Change in our area]
7/04/2012 - More on connecting the dots on our present heatwaves and Climate Change. Climate Communication | Kevin Trenberth on PBS Newshour: Extreme heat and climate change "Climate Communication Science Advisor, Kevin Trenberth, was interviewed by Judy Woodruff on PBS Newshour on July 2nd, 2012. He spoke about recent extreme heat and its impacts, and the connection to climate change. The video can be viewed here on the PBS website. "
7/04/2012 - Find out about the connection between our present heatwaves and Climate Change from a panel of experts. Climate Communication | Press Conference & Report on Heat Waves and Climate Change "On June 28, 2012, Climate Communication hosted a telephone press conference on the connections between heat waves and climate change. The press conference was accompanied by the release of a new science update from Climate Communication, Heat Waves and Climate Change, a summary of the latest peer-reviewed literature on climate change and the recent increase in temperatures — a contributing factor to wildfires. The report can be read and downloaded on our website. " from Climate Communication | Science & Outreach
7/03/2012 - Maybe a little Climate Change humor can catch the public’s attention on the warming of our planet. Bill McKibben on the Global Warming Hoax We can now admit it: global climate change is one big hoax. But let’s give credit to the special effects experts who have given us wildfires, downpour, and record heat this past month writes Bill McKibben. Please don’t sweat the 2,132 new high temperature marks in June—remember, climate change is a hoax. The first to figure this out was Oklahoma Senator James Inhofe, who in fact called it “the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people,” apparently topping even the staged moon landing. But others have been catching on. Speaker of the House John Boehner pointed out that the idea that carbon dioxide is “harmful to the environment is almost comical.” The always cautious Mitt Romney scoffed at any damage too: “Scientists will figure that out ten, twenty, fifty years from now,” he said during the primaries. (July 3, 2012) The Daily Beast
7/03/2012 - Whoops! Better not make any mistakes when it comes to Fracking. Carney's mistaken vote is key in fracking override | CharlotteObserver.com & The Charlotte Observer Newspaper Republicans successfully overrode Gov. Bev Perdue’s veto of a fracking bill during a dramatic vote taken just after 11 p.m. Monday. But like the legislation itself, the vote to override was controversial. Rep. Becky Carney, a Democrat from Mecklenburg County who opposes fracking, pushed the wrong button and accidentally voted with Republicans to override the veto. A maneuver by Wake County Republican Paul “Skip” Stam prevented her from changing her vote, giving the GOP a historic one-vote margin of victory. (July 3, 2012)Charlotte News Panthers Bobcats Sports Banking | CharlotteObserver.com [more on Fracking in our area]
7/03/2012 - Fracking. Knowledge is power: When Given the Facts, People Say No Fracking Way! On July 1, Earthjustice Managing Attorney Deborah Goldberg joined Kate Hudson of Riverkeeper in going head to head with fracking proponents, New York Times columnist Joe Nocera and former Department of Energy Assistant Secretary Susan Tierney, in a nationally broadcasted event presented by Intelligence Squared in partnership with the Aspen Ideas Festival. The debate, No Fracking Way: The Natural Gas Boom is Doing More Harm Than Good, asked participants whether they were for, against, or undecided as to whether the fracking boom is hurting more than its helping. Before the debate only 38% of the audience members were for the motion, “No fracking way!” the same proportion as those against. But after Kate and Deborah laid out the facts, 53% of the audience said no fracking way! (July 2, 2012) Don't Frack With NY! :: Stop Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking) in New York & Protect Drinking Water Quality
7/03/2012 - Tim DeChristopher fiim, “Bidder 70”, comes to Rochester, NY We are happy that the film “Bidder 70” is coming to Rochester, NY for the Greentopia Film Festival in September—exact time and date are not set yet. If you are not familiar with Tim DeChristoper’s Climate Change challenge to the fossil fuel industry check out this site: The Trial of Tim DeChristopher | Peaceful Uprising. Most of us, those of us who understand the ramifications of Climate Change to our environment and our future existence, are willing to do something to affect change on the morbid stagnation of addressing Climate Change in the news, in this year’s presidential election and amongst a public in deep denial. Few, like Climate Change champion Tim DeChristopher, are willing to move out of their comfort zone and shake up a system that is addicted to fossil fuels. Bidding for public property to keep it out of the hands of oil barons with no collateral except his convictions, DeChristoper has become an icon of Climate Change awareness. Thanks mostly to the loony idea that the fossil fuel industry, with their insanely rich lawyers, can have people thrown into prison for upsetting their goal to warm up the planet; Tim has to stay awhile at the Crowbar Hotel. But not forever. A film on his heroic battle cannot be thrown into prison and gets to come to places like Rochester, NY and inform the public on Climate Change and what it’s going to take to survive our addiction to a way of life that is not sustainable. Find out about the trial of Time DeChristopher and come to the September showing of “Bidder 70” by checking here: Greentopia | FILM | Rochester, NY. We hear one or two of those involved in the film will be available after the showing to answer your questions about this amazing tale of someone willing to wage peaceful battle for all our future.
7/03/2012 - Except NY “It is now easier than ever for people to find out if a Great Lakes beach is safe for swimming.” Whatupthat? Internet provides easy access to Great Lakes beach closures | Great Lakes Echo It is now easier than ever for people to find out if a Great Lakes beach is safe for swimming. Excluding New York, all of the Great Lakes states have websites dedicated to statewide beach closure information, so people can better avoid possible sickness. (July 3, 2012) Great Lakes Echo - Environmental news across the basin
7/02/2012 - Climate Change; It’s going to get complicated. If you think your grandchildren are just going to have better crops because of warming, better think again. Consider the heat island effect. Heat islands - one effect of climate change - Whittier Daily News When meteorologists predict temperatures will be in the low 90s in downtown Los Angeles, it's a given the mercury will reach the high 90s or triple digits in many parts of the San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire. But what is not predicted, nor recorded, are 10- to 20-degree higher spikes in micro-climate pockets called heat islands - areas of concrete and asphalt that have few shade trees and radiate heat. This newly recognized phenomenon can occur in denser, lower-income communities, such as El Monte, La Puente and Valinda, usually on city streets or residential neighborhoods, scientists say. For example, El Monte has a 5 percent tree canopy - compared to an average tree canopy rate of around 37 percent for Los Angeles County. (June 30, 2012) Whittier Daily News [more on Climate Change in our area]
7/02/2012 - Many, including economists and scientists, think that a carbon tax is the best way for our economies to account for the pollution and Climate Change due to burning fossil fuels. See what the Australians think: Australian companies to be fined for polluting - YouTube "Australia has started a policy of charging companies for their carbon emissions. The government says the tax will help fight climate change, but critics say the law will increase their cost of living. "
7/02/2012 - The real bottom line on transportation is not what the economy can bear; it is that 27% of GHS’s come from transportation and that needs to change. We cannot talk about developing transportation solutions in the Rochester, NY region, or any region for that matter, with planning for Climate Change. Researchers seek solutions for transportation issues | Democrat and Chronicle | democratandchronicle.com Evolving innovation seems to be on the right road In the public’s mind, innovation in transportation won’t rock the imagination until the first flying car soars. Though airborne Subarus are fanciful, the flying car is a cartoonish dream unlikely ever to be a solution to the age-old problem of getting from here to there. Nonetheless, transportation is one of the central human endeavors for which 21st-century researchers are seeking solutions. The flying car may not be on the drawing board, but high-tech batteries, biofuels, hydrogen fuel cells, high-speed trains, GPS-based vehicle monitoring, safer and more fuel-efficient airplanes and other ideas are. (July 1, 2012) Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York | democratandchronicle.com [more on Transportation in our area]
7/02/2012 - Public becoming cooler on Climate Change as weather gets hotter At a recent visit to Museum of the Earth in Ithaca, I gazed at a relief map of New York State blanketed by the Wisconsin Glacial Episode. Though it’s almost impossible to imagine our region covered in a mile-high glacier some 20, 000 years ago, it was so. Sometime in the Pleistocene all that ice began to melt and as it did the receding ice sheet gouged out our Finger Lakes as well as those wonderful gorges in Ithaca, NY. Then we entered the Holocene, a relatively stable climate where our ancestors thrived amongst the mastodons and mammoths. Now we are living in what many scientists are calling the Anthropocene—a geological epoch framed by our own grand experiment with Nature. It took 10,000 years of warming to melt that burden of ice burden on our land, which is significant since “during the Ice Age temperature[s] were only 5 to 10 degrees colder than today. “ (GLOBAL WARMING AND RISING SEA LEVELS - World Topics | Facts and Details) more...
7/02/2012 - Giving away air conditioners in anticipation of more heat waves cause of Climate Change is not a comprehensive program to deal with our warming future and filling the Climate gap, but it’s a start. Hot? Some can get a free air conditioner | Democrat and Chronicle | democratandchronicle.com Low-income households with someone suffering from a severe medical issue may be eligible for free air conditioners through a federally funded program. New York has set aside $3 million in funding through the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, according to a news release from Gov. Andrew Cuomo. (July 1, 2012) Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York | democratandchronicle.com

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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. Also, be sure to check other calendars and environmental series for multi-day events.

July 2012

Thursday, July 19 at 7PM, The Little Theatre 240 East Avenue Rochester, NY 14604 webmaster@thelittle.org

A chance to learn more about Climate Change from Greentopia Festival | Rochester, NY ‘s Greentopia | FILM. On Thursday, July 19 at 7PM, The Little Theatre will be showing “The Island President”. A panel (yet to be determined) discussion will follow the film with Q&A. We will update you as soon as we know more, but in the meantime here’s the Synopsis “Jon Shenk’s The Island President is the story of President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives, a man confronting a problem greater than any other world leader has ever faced—the literal survival of his country and everyone in it. After bringing democracy to the Maldives after thirty years of despotic rule, Nasheed is now faced with an even greater challenge: as one of the most low-lying countries in the world, a rise of three feet in sea level would submerge the 1200 islands of the Maldives enough to make them uninhabitable.”

July 23 at 11AM @ East Bank - Baush and Lomb Park (U of R Campus) At the foot of the Bridge

Due to several logistical issues, the City of Rochester has changed the date of the Ribbon Cutting for the Erie Lackawanna Bridge Rails to Trails project to the following: Erie Lackawanna Bridge “Rails to Trails” Conversion Ribbon Cutting Event July 23rd, 2012 Monday at 11:00am East Bank - Baush and Lomb Park (U of R Campus) At the foot of the Bridge (Note: new date: Monday - July 23rd)
City of Rochester | Erie Lackawanna Rails-to-Trails Pedestrian Bridge "The City's efforts to improve and develop new shared use walking and biking trails, especially along the Genesee River, include converting the abandoned historic Erie-Lackawanna Railroad Bridge over the Genesee River into a Rails-to-Trails pedestrian bridge. "

August 2012

Saturday, August 25, noon to 6pm | Monroe Avenue between Rutgers and Oxford

Spokes and Ink – A Bike and Poster Party Spokes and Ink at the Genesee Center for the Arts & Education Saturday, August 25, 2012 Noon to 6pm Monroe Avenue at Oxford/Rutgers Spokes and Ink is a new festival in Rochester that brings bicyclists and artists together. This event on Monroe Avenue showcases the diversity of both groups – avid cyclists, recreational riders, the environmentally aware, letterpress printers, graphic designers and talented artists of all sorts! There will be poster art, food and merchandise for sale, live music and activities to attract a crowd. In the inaugural year of 2011, Spokes & Ink drew 600+ guests. 2012 is expected to be bigger and better! If you are interested in reaching this wide-ranging demographic who are into bicycles and art or just want to support this activity for others, please consider a sponsorship. Your business or organization could benefit from the exposure that is possible at Spokes and Ink. What: Spokes and Ink – A Bike and Poster Party Where: Monroe Avenue between Rutgers and Oxford When: Saturday, August 25, noon to 6pm Proceeds from the event will benefit the Genesee Center for the Arts & Education and R Community Bikes. The Genesee Center for the Arts & Education is a community-based 501(c)3 organization that educates, encourages and inspires all people to create and enjoy the visual arts. We have 40+ years of experience in serving the Rochester community with great arts programming including classes, exhibits, studio access and special events. R Community Bikes is a grassroots, 501(c)3 organization that collects and repairs used bicycles for distribution, free of charge, to Rochester, NY's most needy children and adults. Their mission is meeting the basic transportation needs of those in the community who depend on bikes for recreation as well as for transport to work, school, rehabilitation programs, and training sessions. If you have any questions about the Genesee Center for the Arts & Education or about Spokes and Ink, please call the office at 585-244-1730. We look forward to hearing from you!

September 2012

September 10th - 16th - High Falls region, Rochester, NY

Greentopia 2012 Greentopia 2012 is a week-long celebration of inspiration through art, music, organic and locally grown food and beverages, ideas and activism. The expanded event will contain four programmatic aspects, which include Greentopia Innovation, Greentopia Film, Greentopia Music and Greentopia EcoFest. In its first year the event drew between 18-20,000 people to the historic High Falls district. Through how-to workshops and cutting-edge films, visitors learned about big green ideas and how to apply them creatively in everyday life. There are special family activities, a community recycled art installation, mouthwatering organic and local food and beverages, and all kinds of live music. Businesses and organizations showcased products and programs that help to restore the planet, promote green living – even save consumers some money.

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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: Now

Environment Petition: Prohibit All Fracking Related Activities on Monroe County Properties, NY | Change.org "The magnitude of New York State’s upcoming decision to permit and regulate high-volume, slick-water, horizontal hydraulic fracturing (fracking) demands immediate attention and action by our County Legislature to ensure self-determination and the health and safety of our community. "

ACTIONDue Date Now:

This is important. As tax credits dwindle for wind power, the fossil fuels, which have made more money since money was invented, are getting big public bailouts. Let’s end that: Petition - Support the End Polluter Welfare Act: Bernie Sanders - U.S. Senator for Vermont "At a time when we have a record debt, Congress should not continue to give away taxpayer money to the established, highly profitable fossil fuel industry. Fossil fuels are subsidized at nearly 6 times the rate of renewable energy. From 2002 to 2008, the US Government gave the mature fossil fuel industry over $72 billion in subsidies, while investments in the emerging renewable industry totaled $12.2 billion. " from Bernie Sanders - U.S. Senator for Vermont

ACTION: Due Date: Now

Tired of meteorologists failing to connect the dots between Climate Change and our daily weather? Do something about it. Take action: Forecast the Facts WE NEED OUR TV METEOROLOGISTS TO REPORT THE FACTS ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE. According to a recent national survey, more than half of TV weather reporters don’t believe in human-induced climate change. Meanwhile, their viewers are facing unprecedented climate-change induced heat waves, droughts, and flooding.

ACTION: Due Date now:

Ask our mayor of Rochester, NY what he is doing to prepare Rochester, NY for Climate Change: WWF - Earth Hour City Challenge - Earth Hour City Challenge "Earth Hour City Challenge This year WWF is challenging cities to do more than turn out their lights for Earth Hour. The Earth Hour City Challenge is a year-long competition among cities to prepare for increasingly extreme weather and promote renewable energy. Participating U.S. cities receive resources and gain recognition for their efforts to curb carbon pollution and prepare their communities for the harmful consequences of climate change. Learn more about the City Challenge See how your city is at risk from extreme weather – tell your mayor to prepare! " WWF - Earth Hour City Challenge - Earth Hour City Challenge

ACTION: Due Date: Now

Tell the NRC: Expand emergency evacuation zones Today, NIRS and 37 other organizations submitted a formal Petition for Rulemaking to the NRC to expand emergency evacuation zones around U.S. nuclear reactors and make other improvements in emergency preparedness. We're calling this the Nuclear 911 campaign. You can join us as a co-petitioner below! The widespread radioactive contamination caused by the Fukushima nuclear disaster (and Chernobyl before it) makes clear that the current 10 mile Emergency Planning Zones in the U.S. are woefully inadequate to protect the American people. "Nuclear Information and Resource Service - NIRS

ACTION: Due Date: Now

What to do something concrete about solving Climate Change? Go here: "Are you passionate about changing the conversation about the climate crisis? Are you interested in leading the climate movement? What if I said you have the chance to be personally trained by Al Gore to educate others about climate change? This summer, you could have that chance. I'd like to invite you to apply to be one of our esteemed Climate Reality Presenters -- impassioned volunteer leaders who bring the reality of climate change to people around the world. We call our grassroots network of Presenters the heart of our Climate Leadership Corps. Learn more: "Climate Reality "To reveal the complete truth about the climate crisis in a way that ignites the moral courage in each of us. " Climate Reality | Climate Reality Training Application

ACTION:Due Date Now

Request from the DEC for some help on keeping our Great Lakes healthy: "Your Observations Can Help the Health of the Great Lakes! If you spend time around the Great Lakes shoreline, please consider sharing your observations of injured or dead animals, or algal blooms by using the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative - Wildlife Health Event Reporter (http://glri.wher.org/) (GLRI-WHER). Scientists working in state, federal and non-profit agencies are looking for your help to identify events that are important in research of avian botulism and algal bloom outbreaks, in the interest of protecting wildlife from this disease as well as algal neurotoxins. For a healthy Great Lakes ecosystem, do your part and share what you see by setting up a reporter account (http://glri.wher.org/users/add) on the GLRI-WHER website. E-mail any questions regarding reporting to botnet@wdin.org.

ACTION: Due Date: Now

Sewage Pollution - Citizens Campaign for the Environment "Many communities in New York State, Connecticut, and throughout the nation are served by aging and dilapidated sewage infrastructure. When our sewage infrastructure is not properly operated or maintained, billions of gallons of untreated raw sewage can be released in to the environment before reaching a treatment plant. Sewage is primarily discharged into the environment through Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSO) and Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO). Separate sewer systems carry only wastewater such as domestic sanitary waste and commercial and industrial waste to a sewage treatment plant. Separate sewers are not designed or intended to carry water such as storm water. SSOs occur in separate systems. Combined sewer systems are built larger than separate sewers so that they can carry two components: wastewater, carried continuously, and runoff, carried after storms. How you can help: Email your state representatives. Urge them to support a Sewage Pollution Right-to-Know law. Sewage overflows put our environment, economy, and health at risk; and we deserve the right to know when they occur. "

ACTION: Due date: Now

Take action for our Great Lakes "Speak Out Now to Set the U.S.-Canada Strategy for Protecting our Great Lakes The health of our Great Lakes is threatened by new challenges — including invasive species, climate change, habitat loss and emerging contaminants. The United States and Canada are now completing negotiations on an updated version of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, a binational agreemet to address Great Lakes threats. " from Alliance for the Great Lakes

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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.]