Action - Rochester, NY area Environment 

RochesterEnvironment.com

Take Action for your area's environment.  These actions come for non-profit and governmental (many in the form of public input forums) on issues that will affect our particular environment.

Page Contents: Actions with Specific Due Dates | On-going actions | Contact your Representatives in Government |

 

Take Action for our Rochester area environmentOften, 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. 

This page is designed to bring all these requests under one roof so the Internet can facilitate these requests by various groups for aid. Look for the due date for each of the action items.  I try as much as possible (because there are so many environmental online actions) to limit my listings to items that will influence the Rochester, NY area

 

 

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SEARCH: Use search engine below to find anything posted since 1998.

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Top Ten Things You Can Do for Rochester’s Environment

Sure there are lots of top ten lists around.  So why not one on the things you can do for your local environment—that system that keeps us alive and thriving?  But, this list is different from the usual stuff.  It’s not one of those really easy, warm and fuzzy lists of fun activities you can do in your spare time.  It’ll be transformative.

This list assumes you are ready to take responsibility (as a member of the only species capable of doing so) for your presence at this critical time in our planet’s history.  And, it isn’t about just your personal fulfillment thing—our environment isn’t politics, religion, a fad, or a cause; it’s science all the way down. Pollute the planet, stuff happens.  Finally, in order for the effects of this list to be effective a lot (I mean billions) of humans need to do them too.  In the deepest practical sense, everything you do (where you live, what you eat, what you buy, what you throw away) matters to our environment. Ready folks, here we go:     

 

  1. Be engaged with the issues surrounding our local environment by monitoring the media, books, reports, and the Internet using the laws of Nature as your guide to monitor how our lifestyle is affecting our environment.
  2. When you consume anything--food, water, cars, gadgets, whatever—do so as though you were demonstrating how to consume for the rest of the world—considering the lifecycle of the products you buy, how they are made, how they are used, and how you get rid of them.
  3. When you have someplace to go, consider all your options in order of their affect on our environment: walking, biking, car-pooling, mass transit, and lastly a personal vehicle. 
  4. Conserve energy until we find a non-polluting, renewable energy source.
  5. Vote. If you’re doing good for our environment and your representative in government doesn’t get it, you’re just making yourself feel good without much effect.
  6. Recycle, reuse and encourage your local government to create a place where recycling just about everything is the norm.
  7. Think twice before using toxic chemicals that make your yard look like a golf course and your house like a hospital.
  8. Consider other species (plants and animals) and their role in sustaining our environment.  Some are annoying and critical.  Some are cute and a burden.
  9. Adopt green business practices: your business will save our environment and be able to compete with the rest of the world.
  10. Communicate your concerns about the state of our environment to everyone. Sustainability isn’t going to work unless everyone gets on board quickly. 

 

10/10/10 Global Work Party - from 350.orgCreate October 10 Action 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 --from 350.org

Actions with Specific Due Dates:

  • ACTION: Due Date Now
  • 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: 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: 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

 

Bird CountGet Involved — Great Backyard Bird Count "Your Help Will Make a Difference The success of the Great Backyard Bird Count depends on participants from every community to count birds across the United States and Canada. Help spread the word in your town by asking people to count birds for at least 15 minutes during the count. It's fun, easy, raises awareness of birds, and provides an important record of where the birds are--a record that scientists can use well into the future to track how birds are faring as their environments change. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Audubon invite everyone to “Count for Fun, Count for the Future.”  --Great Backyard Bird Count — Great Backyard Bird Count

 

We Can Solve itWe Can Solve It The We Campaign is a project of The Alliance for Climate Protection -- a nonprofit, nonpartisan effort founded by Nobel laureate and former Vice President Al Gore. The goal of the Alliance is to build a movement that creates the political will to solve the climate crisis -- in part through repowering America with 100 percent of its electricity from clean energy sources within 10 years. Our economy, national security, and climate can’t afford to wait.

 

On-going Action sites for our environment

Many local, national, and international organizations take action for our environment and make it easy for you to do so also.

League of Women Voters Rochester Metropolitan Area "The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy."

Contact Your New York State (Senator) and (Assembly) Representatives--from http://newyork.sierraclub.org/legislative/

You'd be surprised how influential a letter or phone call from a constituent can be to a State Senator or State Assembly Member.

  • To find your State Senator's Contact Information: Go to http://www.senate.state.ny.us, click on "Senators", click on your Senator, click on "contact." To identify your State Senator: Go to http://www.senate.state.ny.us, click on "Senators", click on "search by zip code", enter your zip code.
  • To find your Assembly Member's Contact Information: Go to http://www.assembly.state.ny.us, scroll to your Assembly Member, click "go", click on "contact". To identify your Assembly Member: Go to http://www.assembly.state.ny.us, click to "click here to search by zipcode", enter your zipcode, and click "search".

 

NYLCV - New York League of Conservation Voters | Educating and Electing for the Environment - NYLCV is a non-partisan, policy making and political action organization that works to make environmental protection a top priority with elected officials, decision-makers and the voters by evaluating incumbent performance and endorsing and electing environmental leaders to office in New York State.