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Jun
27
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Friday, 27 June 2008 |
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Well, it's never over till it's over -- the Assembly passed a package of alternative energy bills with a huge majority, but Governor Carcieri has said, no way. But the Assembly still can override that veto. Click on "More..." for lots of details and what you can do to help.
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Apr
23
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Wednesday, 23 April 2008 |
About 70 people showed up at the State House yesterday afternoon to lobby our legislators on behalf of the Earth. "That was a great turnout, better than we've had in a long time," Greg Gerritt, one of the Environment Council organizers, told NNN. A diverse crowd of at least three times that many, or more, showed up after 5 at Local 121. They joined in a lively round of Environmental Trivia and a letter-writing campaign, indulged in free beer from Trinity Brewhouse and pizza from Nice Slice, and generally had a great time.
"When we built this community room, this was exactly the kind of event I envisioned that we could host here," a beaming Josh Miller told the crowd. "Thanks for making my dream come true!" Miller not only owns both Local 121 and Trinity, he's an Assembly member and a big supporter of environmental initiatives on Smith Hill.
Tireless earth advocate Matt Auten, who lobbies on behalf of both ECRI and Environment Rhode Island, told NNN he's optimistic that some important proposals will make it into law this year. "Nothing's certain till the end of the session later this summer, but it's looking very positive," he said.
With the blue skies, trees leafing out, birds building nests, and the upbeat community vibe, not a bad day to be on Earth.
URI also had a good turnout for its environmental fair on the quad, boosted by the beautiful weather. Click here for a report in the Good 5-Cent Cigar (we're hopeful the reporter will learn to spell by graduation). Projo reporter Natalie Garcia went to hear Tom Friedman speak at Brown with an upbeat message about clean energy, click here for her report.
If you missed Tuesday's festivities, no worries, Earth Day is far from over. Events continue all month long. Click here for the calendar.
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Apr
22
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Tuesday, 22 April 2008 |
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When: April 22 2008, from 3-4:30 PM. (Speaking portion begins at 3:30 PM.)
Where: State House.? Smith Street, Providence, RI.
What: A lobby training session and tour of the State House will start at 3 pm in the Bell Room, in preparation for talking with legislators about ECRI?s legislative priorities.? Next, speakers will discuss environmental initiatives.? Then, citizens will lobby elected officials about bills introduced to protect human health and the environment.
Who: Presented by the Environment Council of Rhode Island (ECRI), a coalition of over 60 organizations and individuals whose mission is to serve as an effective voice for developing and advocating policies and laws that protect and enhance the environment.
Speakers will include Senate Majority Leader Teresa Paiva-Weed, Senator Sosnowski, Representative Art Handy, Matt Auten, President of ECRI, and a representative from the RI Student Climate Coalition.
Why:? Elected officials need to hear from their constituents about environmental legislation. Matt Auten, president of the Environment Council, strongly encourages Rhode Islanders to celebrate Earth Day by telling the General Assembly that we need them to pass strong environmental legislation, particularly in order to tackle global warming pollution. ?This is a great opportunity for everyone who cares about the environment to take action and tell our elected officials what is important to us,? Auten said.
ECRI Legislative priorities include:
?ECRI supports the Global Warming Solutions Act, legislation to cut global warming pollution 80% by the year 2050.? (S2629, H7884) RI needs a mandatory program that will achieve the pollution reductions scientists say we need to avert the worst impacts of global warming. Global warming puts our environment and health at risk through impacts ranging from increased beach erosion and rising temperatures in Narragansett Bay, to more frequent and intense hurricanes, and an increase in the rates of asthma and variety of insect-borne illnesses.
?ECRI Supports the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act.? (S2633, H7524) which will protect Rhode Islanders from diesel pollution, which leads to adverse health risks. This year?s legislation calls for the cleanup of trash trucks and state vehicles.
?ECRI Supports the Rhode Island Shared Water Resources Act.? (S2637, H7787)? Rhode Island?s water use is outgrowing our reserves. Since water is a public good, the public sector must manage supply and demand and protect the land surrounding water sources.
?ECRI Supports the Electronic Waste Producer Responsibility Act.? (S2631, H7880)? This legislation requires manufacturers to pay for collecting and safely recycling discarded electronic equipment, which contain lead, mercury, and other toxins.
Afterward, all are invited to Local 121 downtown for Trivia Night and Celebration, click here for details.
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Apr
22
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Tuesday, 22 April 2008 |
Today is Earth Day, and if you can make it to the State House to show your support for your planet, that would be a fitting way to celebrate. Otherwise, just get outside, check out our trees about to burst into leafiness, listen to the birds, look up into the spring-blue sky, and be happy to live on Earth.
Projo environmental reporter Peter Lord has an Earth Day story on Page One in today's paper, an interesting look back on the history of the day and its meaning here in R.I. Click here for the full text.
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Apr
16
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Wednesday, 16 April 2008 |
Spring is here, and along with it, birds appear that we haven't seen in a while -- warblers and wrens, blackbirds and sparrows -- birds that return here for summer, or pass through our backyards and marshes on their way further south.
 So where are these birds, when they're not here? Many of them spend part of their year, and raise their young, in Canada's boreal forest. This remote region stretches across northern North America from the Yukon in the west to Newfoundland on the Atlantic coast. The forest is under increasing pressure from logging, mining, and oil and gas exploration.
The Save Our Boreal Birds campaign is calling on the Canadian government to protect more of this primeval forest, before it's too late. They have posted an online petition to show support for strong conservation measures. You don't have to be Canadian to sign! Go to the Save Our Boreal Birds Web site to find out more and sign up. Click here to learn more about the boreal birds that are common around here -- many of our familiar ducks, hawks, and shorebirds spend part of their year up North, and click here to learn more about the threats to the boreal forest and documented declines in boreal birds.
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Apr
14
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Monday, 14 April 2008 |
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The Rhode Island Climate Coalition is collecting signatures for an ad to run in the Providence Journal asking the General Assembly to take bold action on climate change this year. A contribution of $15 will go to pay for the ad. Today is the deadline to add your name! For more info, and to sign up online, click here.
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Apr
03
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Thursday, 03 April 2008 |
Is green tech only for the wealthy, and only for those building new homes from scratch? Not at all, according to the results of a new project released today. Local community development corporations who attended a workshop in Providence learned how easy it can be to green up existing affordable housing and see energy savings of up to 40 percent.
 New Ecology, Inc. (NEI), a nonprofit corporation based in Cambridge, Mass., ran the workshop, to present results from their recent study in Providence, conducted in partnership with People?s Power & Light. "Affordable housing building managers are eager to learn what they can do to control their operating costs through energy conservation," says NEI President Edward Connelly. "They understand that energy prices are only going up.?
Karina Lutz, director of development and advocacy for People's Power & Light, agreed. "With heating oil prices at record highs, more and more people who live in so-called 'affordable' housing have been forced to choose between heat, food, and medicine. So it is absolutely essential we work together to meet this energy crisis head on -- particularly in low-income housing." RI?s energy efficiency programs are one of the best investments of the public?s dollar, Lutz added. One dollar invested now provides more than $5 in benefits.
People's Power & Light hosted the event at their office in the green business incubator at 17 Gordon Ave., in South Providence. The workshop was sponsored by the Housing Network of RI and Local Initiatives Support Corporation RI. To learn more about affordable green housing, visit the NEI site.
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Apr
02
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Wednesday, 02 April 2008 |
You may be just one small voice in the big wide world, but add yours to hundreds of others, and you can help to make a big noise. A couple of our local R.I. activist groups are asking for you to step up and do just that this week.
 The Rhode Island Climate Coalition wants to send a message to the General Assembly that Rhode Islanders demand immediate action to curb global-warming pollution. They are buying an ad in the Providence Journal, and will add your name to their petition for a contribution of $15. For more info and to sign up -- you can pay online -- click here.
The Toxics Information Project also is hoping to gather a big list of names to get the attention of legislators, with its online petition drive. Just click here to learn about their issue and join their petition against the proliferation of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which are harmful to children, amphibians, and marine life. TIP hopes the state will prohibit the sale of items that contain the chemicals.
Click here for a projo story about Tuesday's hearing on the climate bill.
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Mar
31
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Monday, 31 March 2008 |
A landmark global-warming bill that seeks to dramatically cut global-warming pollution in Rhode Island will receive a key legislative hearing Tuesday, April 1. The Rhode Island Global Warming Solutions Act seeks to cut major greenhouse gas pollutants, like carbon dioxide, 80% by 2050, in part through setting mandatory emissions caps and requiring investments in clean energy solutions. Click here for the full update, released today, which includes a link to the bill.
Providence Business News reports today on the alternative-energy bills now in play in the Legislature, click here for their full report. Here is an excerpt:
The fate of a handful of energy bills lawmakers are debating at the State House will shape Rhode Island?s energy future, determining what technologies get built, how much it will cost the state?s ratepayers and, to a great extent, who gets to decide.
?These bills are going to be really critical to what kinds of renewables get developed,? said Matt Auten of Environment Rhode Island. ?They essentially make projects viable or not viable.?
The projo reports today on efforts to ban plastic bags (YES!). Click here for the full report, here is an excerpt:
?We have more than enough garbage at the Central Landfill,? said Rep. Amy Rice, D-Portsmouth. ?It seems like unnecessary waste.?
Rice, the sponsor of a House bill that would require stores to give a 3-cent rebate to customers who bring their own bags, said last week she was going to change the bill to include a 5-cent tax on plastic bags starting in mid-2009 and a phaseout of their use by July 1, 2010.
YOU CAN SPEAK UP and let your legislators know your position on these bills. Click here to find the email address for your representatives in the General Assembly.
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