blog action day -- wrap up

from the blog action day team:

The Wrap Up

The very first Blog Action Day was an unprecedented success and we've got the final wrap up where the site used to be at blog action day complete with statistics, sample posts, details of the huge amount of press coverage we had all over the world, quotes and more. It's a must see. Please feel free to spread the word around as it's great for people to really see what we achieved together.














and my personal favorite environmental friendly blog, these come from trees, where you can buy stickers, post guerrilla style in paper wasting bathrooms... i bought a bunch and stick in offending ladies rooms.

Presidential Candidates and the Environment

"It is our responsibility to ensure that this planet remains clean and safe and livable for our children and for all of God's children," he told about 200 people gathered at the downtown public library. "But in recent years, science has made it undeniably clear that our generation is not living up to this responsibility. Global warming is not a someday problem, it is now." -Barack Obama-

Last week, Obama released a plan to combat global warming that calls for an 80 percent reduction in U.S. carbon emissions by 2050. Obama said: "we are not acting as good stewards of God's earth when our bottom line puts the size of our profits before the future of our planet."

I am not one for urging the use of God in the public square, but I have wondered where is the religious community in this debate. Why are religious leaders not acting when our future generations are at stake. Obama's plan seems comprehensive and attacks industry directly which is one of the bigger problems: Obama said he would institute a "cap and trade" approach that would require polluters to buy allowances, essentially putting a price on pollution and creating an incentive to cut emissions. I would be one for penalties instead of incentives, but it is a start.

He said $150 billion from the sale of allowances could help drive the development of environmentally friendly technologies, including the next generation of biofuels, expansion of a delivery infrastructure and fuel-efficient vehicles.

Obama also challenged individuals to do their part to help the environment, and he called for making government, businesses and homes 50 percent more energy efficient by 2030. He said he wants all federal government buildings carbon neutral by 2025.

Among other White House hopefuls, New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has said she is intrigued by a carbon auction system but has stopped short of endorsing it. Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut has proposed taxing polluters for their carbon emissions. Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, who has pledged to have a carbon neutral campaign, also proposes a "cap and trade" system that aims to reach the 80 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2050. No Kucinich?

Though, Obama's proposal seems urgent and comprehensive it was John Edwards who picked up an endorsement from Friends of the Earth Action.

Of course we all know who environmentalists want to run for President: Al Gore. Paul Krugman today has a column why does Al Gore drive right wingers insane? Krugman answers "the worst thing about Mr. Gore, from the conservative point of view, is that he keeps being right. In 1992, George H. W. Bush mocked him as the "ozone man," but three years later the scientists who discovered the threat to the ozone layer won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. In 2002 he warned that if we invaded Iraq, "the resulting chaos could easily pose a far greater danger to the United States than we presently face from Saddam." And so it has proved."

Gore for President? Sounds like a sequel or a movie that should have been made. Too bad the movie we are seeing now was far different than the one in 2000.

George Bush on Global Warming

A little lightness on a somber subject.

blog action day--the SG readers green tips & more!

green tips from SG readers:

My green tip is for everyone to help the environment by shopping at any store or venue that sells or recycles already used items. Whether it's flea markets, thrift stores like St. Mary's (in Hoboken), Salvation Army, auctions, gate sales, eclectic stores like MackeyBlue, Craigslist, freecycle, antique stores like Erie Street and even what you might find at the curb, when you're in need for something in your home, try these places first. You'd be surprised at how much shops and recycling sites have to offer not to mention the wide array of cool things you could come across with more character and intrigue than brand new items. Also, the prices are probably alot easier on your bank account as well. Try it, you'll be surprised what you may find and what you may learn in the process!

Save the arts & the environment in one fell swoop! Become a donor at MFTA.org.
Materials for the Arts, NYC helps artists realize their visions, provides students with a richer educational experience, and furnishes businesses with a simple and efficient way to enhance the cultural life of their city while promoting environmental awareness and reuse.

Recycle your electronics at a BTTF while supporting a nj women's business:
Back Thru The Future (BTTF) is a recognized industry leader in the proper environmental handling of electronics and secure data destruction for hard drives, PDAs, cell phones, cds and backup media. Based in Ogdensburg, New Jersey with close proximity to New York City, BTTF is a Certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE).

Twist and spout! Place Twist and Spout on your soda or water bottles and instantly give them renewed life as ergonomic pourers! Fits virtually any soda or water bottle with a screw-on cap.

Recycled bottles = art!

I cut up old tee shirts that are stained or that I no longer wear to make rags. I use these rags over and over again for cleaning dishes, my counters, dusting, cleaning the floors and wiping up messes. I also save dryer sheets and use them for dusting and cleaning as well.

for hudson county residents: here's a list of household hazardous waste items you can recycle in nearby jersey city.


and 2 articles for green reading today:


1. from mother jones: There are more untapped oil and gas reserves in the Arctic than almost anywhere else in the world—and with the ice melting, the race to get to them is about to turn ugly.


2. from grist: read an interview with julia butterfly hill (my green hero) about her struggle to save the redwoods (i read her book "the legacy of luna" to learn about her vigil living high up in the trees) and her environmental action group circle of life.

her one piece of advice? "Get rid of disposability consciousness -- every paper bag, paper plate, paper napkin, plastic to-go container, and Styrofoam cup. I have walked on the earth that is connected to the thread at the other end of those horrific choices, and I am not being overdramatic when I say disposables are weapons of mass destruction."

George Will Thinks Global Warming is Political

Sam Donaldson told him:
Now if you and Sen. Inhofe want to continue to stick your heads in the sand, I’m going to make it out. I’m old enough and I’ll will probably get out of here before the earth collapses. But I have grandchildren, George.

George Will also stated that just one percent of the American public consider global warming their top concern. Donaldson then pointed out that “not long ago, the vast majority of the American people endorsed the strike against Iraq too. You telling me now that people haven’t gotten on to this problem, as they should, is not to say that the problem does not exist.”

blog action day -- unite!

thanks to our readers who have submitted their green tips. watch this short clip to learn more about blog action day.