Frakenstorm Poses Risks for Coastal Cities

As I listen to the forecast of disasterous conditions for cities in the eastern coastal areas, I am reminded of a 2008 post I wrote for emPower Magazine on why African Americans should care about climate change. What was not considered at the time was the impact of rising tides and extreme weather on nuclear facilities in those areas. The short term solution is to check in with your local officials and/or FEMA to determine the best steps to take to protect you and your family/neighbors. Once this storm has passed, I urge you to make your local, state and federal officials accountible for solutions which address, prevent and/or mitigate risks associated with climate change. To get started, read this article from Sustainable Business on politicians that vote green or not and let them know that African Americans do care about climate change and it's negative impact on our communities. Kudos to publications like emPower Magazine for trying to keep these types of issues on the forefront of conversation in the black community!

Cool Green Job: Communications Manager Womens Enviro Group

Communications Manager, Rachel's Network Rachel's Network is a non-profit organization for women environmental funders. Looking for someone to help the world know that women's voices are loud and clear as it relates to stewardship of our beautiful planet.

Debate Attacks Green Jobs

Washington Post Check out this article highlighting the attack on green jobs during the debate last night. Interestingly, green jobs are actually growing faster in conservative parts of the country. Guess someone didn't get his talking points from the many conservative employees that are benefiting from these new economy, innovative, green jobs. It's okay for old economy companies to continue to benefit from "job creating" subsidies, but not okay to provide subsidies to develop the American jobs of the future. There will be some winners and some losers, but subsidies are supposed to provide capital to encourage growth and investment and build knowledge in new, riskier industries that have great potential. This is what SBA loans and SBIR grants do to support entrepreneurs that show potential, but may not be attractive enough to get capital from banks or even equity investors, given their risk profile. Many successful businesses have benefited from that early boost that an SBA loan or government grant provided and have grown to become job and wealth creators for their communities. I'm pretty sure that Big Bird wasn't the only one making the famous Scooby Doo sound..."RRRR?", during last night's debate.

Green Jobs, Red States: Cognitive Dissonance

Green jobs are growing the fastest in red and swing states | Cleantech News and Analysis

Lisa P. Jackson: Call In Day on Clean Air Act

Feel free to join this call:


EPA Proposes First Carbon Pollution Standard for New Power Plants

Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the first Clean Air Act standard for carbon pollution from new power plants. EPA’s proposed standard reflects the ongoing trend in the power sector toward building cleaner plants that take advantage of modern technologies to limit harmful carbon pollution to help provide the critical health protections American families deserve.

EPA is taking another step to address greenhouse gas pollution from the largest uncontrolled sources. On Wednesday, March 27nd at 1:00 p.m., you are invited to participate in a special stakeholder briefing with Administrator Lisa P. Jackson and Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air & Radiation, Gina McCarthy for this important Clean Air Act regulation announcement.

Please see the information below for joining this call.

Join Us…

Date: Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Time: 1:00 p.m. EDT

Toll-Free Dial-In Number: (877) 290-8017

Conference ID: 66377125

The Environmental Side of Occupy Wall Street

The Environmental Side of Occupy Wall Street Green is good.

Imported Fish with Banned Chemicals Reaching U.S. Consumers

Imported Fish with Banned Chemicals Reaching U.S. Consumers When you think about it, goodness knows what kinds of toxins our fish in the U.S. are exposed to, so imagine what a fish from a country with less regulation has to deal with. Next time you are in the supermarket, read the labels on the country of origin for many seafood products. You will be shocked. Knowledge is power, so do what you must do with this information.

House Republicans Ready to Vote to Eliminate Efficient Lightbulbs!

House Republicans Ready to Vote to Eliminate Efficient Lightbulbs!A burning issue for our nation that requires congressional action. ASAP! Really?

The Nature Conservancy: Engaging Urban Youth

Highlighting Employees in the Community-Brigitte Griswold The Nature Conservancy I was conducting some research on The Nature Conservancy and came across this story as part of their dialogue on diversity. If any of you have attended any community "eco" meetings, you know that the green movement is light on shades of brown and black. It's good to know that some in the environmental community are paying attention to the need to be present in the lives of folks from all backgrounds and to have persons of color present and engaged in their organizations. After all, don't scientists and environmentalists often speak to the need for bio-diversity to maintain a healthy ecology. This same principle applies in human nature and organizations, especially as our nation and world become more ethnically diverse and move from developing nation status to booming economy status. These are the last people that you want to leave behind in the conversation around the importance of balancing economy with ecology. I will continue to read and learn more about The Nature Conservancy and other environmental organizations efforts at walking the talk. In the meantime, "Kudos" for the steps taken thus far.

Fair Climate Newsletter: Social Justice, Grants and the Great Outdoors

Just got my Fair Climate Newsletter and wanted to share it with you. It's chocked full of good stuff that our folks are doing to make this a cleaner, greener, friendlier place to live. A sister from Detroit, Simone Lightfoot, is featured as the coordinator for the Regional Urban Initiative in the Great Lakes (which includes Cleveland). Rev. Yearwood of the Hip Hop Caucus, speaks at the Fair Climate Network National Summit, President Obama launches the Great Outdoors Initiative in an effort to get our kids to experience, enjoy and benefit from nature and there are multiple funding opportunities for green jobs, housing and educational projects. Here you go.

Healthy, Hungry-Free Kids Act, Pinch Yourself

Michele Obama is the star of this video (check out her chic flower pin), which highlights the signing of the Healthy, Hungry-Free Kids Act. Allows more funding for healthier lunches, better nutritional information for parents on lunch foods, better quality ingredients, more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. local food options and will encourage school gardens. Is this really happening? It's happening - the Greening of America! Good ole common sense is ruling the day again. Perhaps now, with healthier food, our kids can move up to 24th place in academic performance among our 30 industrialized nation peers. Ya yuh!

White House Forum on Environmental Justice

Learn while you listen to key White House environmental officials respond to your questions about environmental justice. You can multitask and share while you listen. Also search for other interesting White House videos.

More Banking News: Environmental Risks Getting More Scrutiny in Finance

Though there is a loooong way to go, banks are starting to give greater weight to environmental risks in evaluating credit requests. There has always been a level of scrutiny given to certain environmental risks in real estate lending projects, primarily around the area of potential pollutants specific to the site: asbestos, toxic chemicals and other ground contaminants. In today's environment, with more groups advocating for improved corporate social responsibility, increased sensitivity of consumers to environmentally-correct choices and investors showing greater concerns for the risks inherent in specific environmental practices, banks are slowing realizing that these are issues that need to be considered in weighing the profitability of specific types of financing. Wells Fargo is the most recent U.S. bank to reduce it's exposures to companies engaging in the environmentally damaging practice of mountain top removal of coal. Read here to see if your bank is among the other large financial institutions that have taken this stance.

Politics As Usual As Congress Passes on Climate Change Legislation

Senators decided to pass on moving forward with enacting climate change legislation last week. Money talked, and "principles" walked right out to the door. So, poor people will pay as usual for poor policy. Like the victims of hurricane Katrina, they will be stranded in hot, toxic, dry cities and towns as a result of decades of harmful environmental policies and decisions that benefited powerful and wealthy forces. After the financial crisis of 2008, there are a lot more poor people and middle class folks on the edge, so don't think this won't affect you or yours. Not even the disastrous BP gulf oil spill was enough to compel our congressional leaders to move forward on the legislation. Guess that was a far fetched notion, when some politicians were publicly apologizing to BP. WTH? So what else is new? Rome burns while Nero (us) fiddles. We need to stop letting our politicians off the hook on these issues and let them know how we feel, because I seriously don't think they are reading our blogs. The events of last week indicate that some blogs are not only being read, but generate action at high levels. Wow. How can we elicit such a rapid fire response for our outrages? Not sure. Maybe we are perceived as being too weak and passive. Why is that? Did we think that by electing a black president all of our troubles and responsibilities would magically disappear?We need to think about that. Anyway, if you want to express your ire at the lack of action on climate change, you can write your rep through the links provided in the "Write Your Rep" section on this site. That's what I'm going to do.

Take Action Now On The BP Gulf Oil Crisis

Okay, as promised here are some great ideas for you to engage in the Gulf oil crisis. My thanks to Amy of "Tacoma Green Mama" for sharing this resource, she always has great information. The most expedient action you can take is to write your representative or President Obama, using the links provided in this blog. Hurry, because it seems as though this oil well is going to gush forever. I just continue to be amazed that with all of these MIT, Caltech, Oxford and Morehouse grads out here, that this problem has not been resolved. Man is playing with God's fire, but doesn't know how to extinguish it. Lessons here?

New Solutions:

Panelists:

Will Allen, Growing Power Inc (Growing Food in the Community) Was featured in NY Times (very tall)
Alan Greene, MD, Stanford Univ of Medicine
Kenneth Cook, Environmental Working Group (major policy advocate)
Jeanne Rizzo, RN, Breast Cancer Fund (Focuses on the environmental causes of breast cancer)

Will Allen: Everyday is earthday! Wants us to remember - Its all about the soil. If we grow healthy soil, we grow healthy food. His talk is over. Psyche. 86% of consumers say they want locally grown food. Slides: Bought last remaining farm in Milwalkee Wisconsin inb 1993. Shows pictures of kids then, comments that they look different than kids today, cause pants were pulled up. LOL! Kids were involved with building farm, composting, gardening, using tools, reading, planting in communities, transformed vacant lots. garden art. Multicultural, multigeneration organization, led by people of color. Grow food year round. Works with juvenile offenders. Really doing a lot of compost and different kinds of food waste. Does a lot of training on composting. Does a lot with vermiculture (worms). Shows a slide with people holding lots of worms. Sell their worm composting product for $4. Food waste converted into cash. Also has fish farms. Lake perch and tilapia. Markets to areas with food deserts. Uses hot compost to keep greenhouse warm. 60% of people involved in small scale agriculture, under age 40. Also using food waste via methane to generate electricity. Solar panels used. Water collection system, recycled into fish farm and plant watering. Also, has animals, goats,chickens, turkeys, bees. Works with the blind, planting for 20 plus corporations, the city (city hall has a garden), asphalt gardens for seniors, just opened up a retail store... this man is AMAZING. School gardens, rooftop gardens in the city, in Chicago has four farms including Grant Park - intensive gardening. Mr. Allen just received a standing ovation! I'm teary eyed. Oh my goodness!

Alan Greene, MD

I'm still high on Will Allen. Let me focus. Okay, he is talking about about environmental cues on genes development. Pesticides - impact on mental development of children, obesity. Body works with women in pregnancy to avoid certain chemicals and desire specific types of foods. How do chemicals get in body? Routes: Mom's mouth, on skin and air we breath. Air - We can make a big difference with little changes. Biggest pollution is in our homes- open windows and doors, houseplants (top ten), choose wisely, avoid products with fragrance if not essential oils. Skin - do a complete makeover of all the products you use, go to www.skindeep.com to check out it's safety. Mouth - Avg American eats 150 pounds of food additives per year. Did you know that endangered species zoo animals eat only organic food. Watch food containers. A study shows that by increasing intact of good healthy foods can significantly reduce amounts of toxins. Raw food yeah! Changing food habits can be difficult. Babies learn food habits via imprinting. Is that why my son associates me with cookies? Children are our canaries in the coal mine. If we are seeing rapid increases in changes with our kids health, we must consider environmental impact. The Safe Chemicals Act, dependent on TOSCA reform (see Lisa Jackson comments). Again, women are being called out to initiate change. $58B a year spent on environmentally caused illnesses.

Ken Cook

Says that this is one of the most important environmental conferences in the world. We have recently started studying pollution in the developing fetus. (shows a slide of a fetus with beating heart). Average of 200 chemicals found in core blood. Studying ten babies of color, African American, Hispanics, Asian American, a total of 382 chemicals found in those babies. www.ewg.org/humantoxome/  We should ask ourselves, are these chemicals safe? There can be health impacts at low exposures, despite what some chemical industry officials state. Uses examples of effectiveness of low dosages of certain medicines to counter that statement.Including Cialis, Albuteral, Paxil, Nuvareen. Gives examples of warning labels of some of these drugs. Very funny. Small exposures can matter. MORE LISTS! About the same as others. EWG has so many guides for shoppers. Go to www.ewg.org/women to get these guides. Says that men need to be brought along on these issues. We need Toxic Chemicals Reform. See Lisa P. Jackson. We should assume that chemicals can cause harm, require public disclosure of health and safety studies. We can make this happen. Shows a poster from the 50's bragging about "More Doctors Smoke X Brand than any other cigarette!". Gives examples of bans of lead, DDT.

Jeanne Rizzo, RN

1992 a 42 year old woman diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer, started the Breast Cancer Fund to find out if environmental causes were behind her disease. She died years later, but her work lives on.
Asks people to call out the names of friends, family members that have died or are dealing with this disease. There are several pieces of legislation in Congress right now, dealing with this disease. (Didn't know this). Primary Prevention - Preventing disease in the first place, before it starts. An absolute public health imperative. We need to take precautionary information on how to protect the environment to avoid disease. Reduce periods of most vulnerable times of exposures. Need to understand how mixtures of chemicals matter, science is trying to catch up with the realities of our complex daily lives. What can we do? Shop for safe cosmetics, use our wallets and social networks. Natural products industry is growing like crazy for these reasons. The industry is listening. www.safecosmetics.com. Lipstick, face paint,shampoo. Call for the passage of the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010. Federal Toxic Toys Act result of strong science and thousands of letters from parents going to Congress. We need to be mindful of old furnishings and toys, as they are filled with these toxic chemicals. BPA - avoid canned foods. This was originally designed to be a hormonal agent. Look for the label - BPA Free. The Banned Poisonous Additive Act - just introduced by Senator Feinstein. We need to support. The FDA governs these types of substances. Food Substance Contact - we need to pay attention to this category. Fragance - a dirty word? Clorine bleach mimics estrogen. (did not know that). Goodbye Tilex. Household Cleaning Ingredient Disclosure - another pending piece of legislation. Ionizing Radiation - CT Scans, X rays really need to be discussed with doctor, because there are serious impacts. So I guess if you have had cancer related radiation treatments you just SOL. More reasons to eat raw to offset all of that negative energy.

Questions

How do we do that in our city? Where do we get the resource?
Will Allen trained over 1000 communities last year, eight regional training centers. Engage the community first to get them onboard. May have to wait a year to develop relationships with waste providers. (complimented the conference organizers for their waste collection efforts). Collect your waste and bring to urban farms, they really need it. They are competing against waste collectors.  He says we need to get started, quotes the First Lady and says "Lets move!"

Is outdoor air really not as bad as indoor air pollution?
Yes. Offset this with good nutrition, calcium and vitamin D, air out your home, houseplants

Where are the gaps/weaknesses in changes being made?
A lot of fatigue from advocates over the last decade. We need to get up and get going again.
Gaps in public will to address these issues.
Need to create projects that are perceived to be assets to the community.
Conversation about endocrine disruptors, very unhealthy, prevalent in many products
Medical profession - look for a doctor that looks at the whole person, asks questions about chemicals you are exposed to.

How do we responsibly get rid of these toxic products in our homes?
Lots of hesitation on this question. No good answers.
Solution is green chemistry, green design.
Minimize waste. Reuse. Use whats left of personal care products, replace with safer products.
Contact local solid waste district.

Asks the audience to consider the following:

Raise hands in response to anyone whose family has been touched by breast cancer, diabetes, learning disabilities, prostate cancer. Almost everyone raised their hands at least once. Let's get out there and leverage the new science and policy initiatives to change this situation.

Theresa Heinz, event funder and breast cancer survivor, says that today unlike in the past, we can see an opening for solutions, we have choices, information. Talks about teens 12-15 year old in Pittsburgh with breast cancer.A 15 year old that lost their mom because she couldn't afford a mammogram. This is awful!
There are lots of well meaning people out there that will fight you tooth and nail, perhaps young mothers and grandmothers in this group might be reachable. First time she has heard an EPA administrator say the things that Lisa P Jackson, said today. Says that the system in Washington isn't working, so we need to make things happen.

Okay, the conference is officially over. Back to Cleveland to spread the news!

Women's Health and Environment Conference: Dr. Benjamin's Comments

Dr. Regina Benjamin is an amazing woman, daughter of a single mom and advocate for access to health care for all - poor, middle income. Primary experience in rural medicine in Louisiana, had to rebuild community health center after two hurricanes and a fire.

Community health is as important as individual health. Stress, clean air, access to walking paths/sidewalks, clean water, indoor toxins, financial woes.

Health Care Reform - We need to change from sick care to a well care system. Her goals are wellness and prevention. Obesity is one of our nation's most serious issues, especially among people of color. Two thirds of adults are overweight and obese. More children are obese, these issues will have an impact on long term health of kids. Partnering with First Lady's Let's Move initiative. We need to recreate our communities and environments around health choices, safe choices and affordable choices. We need to be more positive and fun in our approach. Supports daily gym classes, recess and healthy lunches in schools. Supports initiatives to make it easier for women to breast feed, reduces likelihood of obesity. $1B invested in wellness and prevention programs so far.

Clean Energy Economy - Clean energy promotes clean air, which reduces health impacts.

Youth Involvement - MIT working on a 200 mph vehicle, musician Pharrell making jeans from plastic,

Take Care of Yourself First - Dr. Benjamin says you need to do that.

Told the Starfish Story to close out her speech. Standing ovation.

Finally, A Fighter For The Environment and Justice In The EPA

A change is gonna come. Is your business ready? Check out this article on Lisa P. Jackson's serious efforts to improving our environment.

United Nations Haitian Crisis Update

I'm watching Anderson 360's live update from Haiti today and I'm touched by Anderson Cooper's commitment and sincerity in his coverage of the Haitian crisis. Found this excellent United Nations assessment on the needs, issues, reconstruction plans and challenges of Haiti. It includes information on aid needed and resources for giving and key contacts. You can even get on the mailing list for updates. I would love to hear how you are giving and your thoughts on saving the children of Haiti and reconstruction.

EPA and Congressional Black Caucus Announce Environmental Justice Tour

The EPA and the Congressional Black Caucus (Energy and Environment Taskforce) have scheduled environmental justice tours in many states across the nation. Expanding the environmental conversation and environmental justice are key priorities for the EPA. It is great to see this collaboration between the Obama administration and the CBC. The CBC Energy and Environment Taskforce addresses issues on green jobs, alternative energy and enviromental justice as they relate to African Americans. (News to me.) Last week, officials were in Mississippi, today they are scheduled to be in New Orleans. Click here to learn more about the initiative.