All, Environment, Health, Help, Nature, Protection

Sandy in New Jersey – News & General Resources

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These resources are mostly for New Jersey residents – good luck to everyone out there! My family and I hope you stay safe, warm and dry. Please post any other resources you know as a comment. Please check in on friends, neighbors and seniors you know and help out if you can. Together we are strong and will overcome every challenge. (Post will be updated as information becomes available.)

Hurricane Sandy puts Hoboken train station under water

  • Very Important Tips

  • If you bought a generator from Costco DO NOT USE IT! Its causing FIRES!
  • Homeowner’s Insurance Issue: when Sandy touched down in New Jersey, it was not technically a hurricane. Many insurance policies will not pay for hurricane damage, but in this case, they cannot deny New Jersey residents insurance coverage for damage their properties have sustained. Check it out!

  • Shelters

  • Try calling your town’s police or county Office of Emergency Management (OEM) for up to date shelter and aid information. You can also use your phone to search for open Red Cross shelters by texting: SHELTER and a Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA). Example: Shelter 01234 (standard rates apply) or visit the Red Cross website.

    Another way to look is using the search terms Google search for local shelters

    If you book into a shelter, please remember to bring any clothes, medications for yourself and/or family members, and linens if you can. They will have food, but you might also want to bring a book. If you bring a pet please bring a carrier case or crate, leash, pet food, any medications, a water bowl, and waste bags.

  • Pet friendly shelters on Jersey Shore
  • Pet friendly shelters in Morris County
  • Bergen County Regional Shelter (special needs accommodations and pet-friendly) is open at Bergen Community College, 400 Paramus Road, Paramus NJ
  • Shelters in Greater Newark, NJ.
    • Newark’s JFK Recreation Center on West Kinney Street is a pet-friendly shelter. Newark Stage Shelters (go there for transportation to a full-service shelter) are Berringer and Shabazz High schools.
    • Irvington Shelter at Chris Gatling Center 285 Union Avenue 973-399-6597 or call Police at 973-399-6600 or Fire Department 973-399-6555
    • Corey Arena in West Orange
    • Park Avenue School and Lincoln Avenue School in Orange are Staging Shelters.

  • Pets

    NJ pet owners who were separated from their pets during Sandy, please call 1-855-407-4787

  • See list of pet-friendly shelters listed under shelters

  • Safety Tips & Reporting

  • Don’t drive through water – most flood-related deaths occur in cars. Also, stay put as much as possible to keep roads free for emergency personnel until travel is safe.
  • Report downed wires, outages and gas leaks to your electric and gas provider:
  • How to eat and be well without electricity due to an emergency
  • Drinking water safety Connecticut DPH website tells us to check well and public water by sight and smell. Don’t use water that is dark, has an odor, or has floating pieces. Also, listen to the news or check with your water company.

  • Road Closures

  • Call 511 or visit 511 websites 511 NJ or 511 NY

  • How to Help

  • President Obama points out that the best way to help Sandy victims is to donate money or volunteer. Supplies not specifically asked for, create the need for emergency personnel to sort and manage the donations, and this creates a burden on their time and energy.
  • Facebook friend Kaia Shivers says “Donate directly to people in need NOT AMERICAN RED CROSS, ETC. (Kimi edit: so all of your money goes to help and not administrative fees). American Red Cross still has not explained the millions of dollars that disappeared in the Haiti Relief.”
  • Shuan In the City has some good ideas for New Yorkers who want to help.
All, At Green Drinks, Education, Energy, Environment, Events, Sustainable communities, Urban, Water

Green Drinks Gatherings October 2012

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    In October, Green Drinks receives a mini-grant from Global Exchange

    Global Exchange says,

    Global Exchange’s Elect Democracy campaign knows that local grassroots power is what will eventually halt Wall Street’s destructive greed. We also know that every penny counts in our communities, so we want to help support *your* local organizing efforts by offering you a $60 mini-grant (to bring) people together to eat, talk, and build relationships of support and understanding … We hope this grant will be a small boost for groups (whose members are) impacted by foreclosure, student debt, and limited social services (and that the connections we help to) create are important and lasting.

    In October, Green Drinks discusses

    • How to Save the Internet and advocate to keep the internet open
    • Resources for Newark’s new Community Garden Coalition
    • How to build healthy, bikeable/walkable communities
    • The connection between stormwater management and flood reduction
    • What do gardeners do in the winter?
    • Creating a seed exchange
    • Healthy food

    SAVING THE INTERNET & NET NEUTRALITY

    Green Drinks Newark - Irvington schools discussionOpen internet access is one of the great freedom fights of our time. We have to use it so we don’t lose it. This is now a standard topic of discussion at every Green Drinks 3 event. See more at http://thewei.com/kimi/verizon-wants-to-control-your-internet-keep-them-out/

    Newark Green drinks

    Wednesday, 03 October 2012 6:30-8:30pm
    Rio Rodizio Restaurant – in the lounge to the left as you walk in
    1034 McCarter Highway (Route 21), Newark NJ
    Meets 1st Mondays at Rio Rodizio Newark except on major holidays. (This month we’ve switched to first Wednesday due to the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, and we’re wrapping up a bit earlier than usual so people can watch the presidential debate at 9pm.)

    Hackensack Green Drinks

    Wednesday, 10 October 7-9pm
    Meets 2nd Mondays except on major holidays. (This month we’ve switched to first Wednesday due to the Jewish holidy of Shmini Atzeret.)
    At Victor’s Maywood Inn, 122 W. Pleasant Avenue, Maywood NJ

    Paterson-Clifton Green Drinks

    Tuesday, 16 October 2012 7-9 pm (and 3rd Tuesdays)
    Sultan Restaurant, 429 Crooks Avenue, Clifton NJ (we’ll be outside if the weather’s nice)

    Engage with us

    Green Drinks 3 http://greendrinks3.org/
    Like us on Facebook https://www.fb.com/thegreenwei/
    Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/greenwei
    862-203-8814

    99% SPRING GROUP MEMBERS are welcome at all of our Green Drinks meetings.

    Volunteers needed for voter registration & Get Out The Vote activities
    High-demand locations
    Bergen Community College, Paramus NJ 10am-5pm every day through Oct 16.
    Hackensack Street Fair: Saturday, October 6 10am-4pm

    If you can volunteer or know of a location where people are needed, please reach out

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    Help Protect National Forests
    America’s national forests provide essential habitat for lynx, grizzlies and other wildlife — and clean water for millions of Americans. Yet new rules could threaten the sanctity of these special places, paving the way for more logging and more destructive development on our national forests. Help protect these special places. Sign the petition online at: http://dfnd.us/vYt93D

    =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

    Prevent racism from blocking the Latino & Black vote
    Watch the 4 minute video by Van Jones’ Rebuild the American Dream team
    http://thewei.com/kimi/racist-romney-gop-move-to-block-the-latino-black-vote/ )

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    SHOE DONATIONS FOR HAITI
    Collected at Stride Rite Wyckoff location ONLY
    Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm
    319 Franklin Ave, Wyckoff NJ

    Stride Rite of Wyckoff is accepting worn/used shoes, children’s and adults for donation. All donations are sent to Haiti. We have received hundreds of pairs of shoes to date, but the need is much greater.

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    After Rio+20: Moving Beyond 2015: 1 week of workshops
    15-19 OCT 2012 (9am – 5pm only)
    COST: FREE
    RSVP at http://j.mp/rio20plus
    Ramapo College, 505 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, NJ
    Campus Student Center, Room SC 137

    The speakers for this event series are all key players from Civil Society Organizations and from the United Nations, collectively engaged in planning for a post-Rio+20 future. The purpose of the workshop series is to lay out the framework for a road map to plan for a Global Citizens Movement to help us move beyond the major United Nations Rio+20 conference held earlier this year in June.

    In this intensive workshop, the many dimensions of the UN Conference in Rio de Janeiro will be explored, and a coherent path forward will be charted.

    As you may be aware, by most conventional accounts, Rio+20 was at least a disappointment, if not a failure. We argue that real, path-breaking, and innovative solutions began to emerge from the grassroots level out, and we will present many dimensions of these solutions, as well as strategize a way forward into a more sustainable future.

    =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

    Support the Ramapough Indians: tell the EPA to clean up Ford’s mess in Ringwood.

    Journalist Jan Barry started the research on the tragic and intentional pollution of a housing development which was home to members of a tribe of Ramapough Indians in Ringwood, NJ, and collaborated with HBO to create Mann v. Ford, a moving documentary about the crushing impact this has had on the health of tribe members as well as the water source for the entire region.

    The site was prematurely de-listed by the EPA from its Superfund cleanup status, and several years later became the first site to be listed for a second time. Ford has resisted taking responsibility for the poisonous effects on tribe members of the toxic paint sludge it trucked in under cover of nightfall every day for many years, and has also resisted funding the cost of cleanup.

    Make sure the EPA knows you support the clean-up of the Ramapough Indians by (Action 1) signing the Change.org petition and (Action 2) sending a letter to the EPA. Petition and sample letter available at

    Tell the EPA to clean up Ford’s mess in Ringwood

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    JUST CLICK to give Morris County Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce the chance to win $30,000

    You get 10 votes just for having an email address! and clicking doesn’t cost you anything but a little time. Click on http://j.mp/mchaccvoh

    MCHACC was selected as a Voices of Health finalist for its commitment to the health of ethnic minority individuals in the northern New Jersey area. Learn more about the chamber at http://mchacc.org.

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    OUR SPONSOR
    MENTION GREEN DRINKS FOR 20% OFF DISCOUNT

    Eco Galleria

    Eco Galleria at the Historic Oradell Train Station
    400 Maple Avenue, Oradell, NJ
    201-447-GIFT (4438)
    http://www.ecogalleria.com

    Eco Galleria carries fun or fine items handcrafted by artists from throughout the Americas in many price ranges. Including eco-friendly jewelry, pottery, glass, wood, fiber, watches, bags and more. Call ahead to have your gift boxed, wrapped and ready for pick-up or shop online at http://ecogalleria.com

    =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

    Interested in sponsoring Green Drinks? If you have a good cause or service, we have a contact base of about 6000 people we can share your information with. Contact Kimi for information at mailto:kimi@thewei.com or 862-203-8814

All, Education, Energy, Environment, Events, New solutions

Tour your area’s greenest buildings on Oct. 13 – free

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green alternative energy houseOn 13 October 2012 from 10-3, hundreds of residential homes and commercial buildings fro Maine to Pennsylvania will invite the public to tour their structures and learn about each property’s sustainability features. The tours are completely free. See a list of tour locations and the annual energy savings (in dollars) which accrues to each. The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association sponsors this annual Green Buildings Open House.

http://energysage.com/projects/nesea-gboh

All, Environment, Events, Plants, Pests, Rescue, Protection

You too can be a New Jersey Environmental Steward

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Would you like to understand the relationship between pollution, grass nutrients, construction, flooding, deer, wildlife, denuded forests and Lyme disease in New Jersey? You can learn all this and more in Rutgers Cooperative Extension’s New Jersey Environmental Steward program. It will be offered this year in Atlantic, Warren, and Somerset counties from January through June at a cost of $280.

Duke Farms Environmental Steward sign with antique carWhen my son Ivan and I took the training in 2011, we happily made the trip once a week for 20 weeks to amazing Duke Farms in Hillsborough, NJ (Somerset County). We took classes in a beautiful, high-ceilinged carriage house in the estate’s administration building. Learning and being at Duke Farms made those weeks some of the most special of my life. I’d gladly do it again at the drop of a hat – except I’m too busy now doing environmental steward work!

Imagine being able to discuss climate change first hand with New Jersey’s State Climatologist and learn about the importance of native species from a specialist with national recognition? Stewards in training learn about the way soils affect plant growth and cause environmental conditions from the person who runs Rutgers’ Soil Testing laboratory. They also get a crash course on how local environmental decisions are made and how land preservation laws work in our state.

Rutgers Environmental Stewardship program brochureRegistration is already open for the 2013 Environmental Stewardship program. It will be held at locations in Warren, Somerset and Atlantic Counties, and you register by directly contacting the coordinator at the location of your choice. I wish everyone could have the chance to enjoy this extraordinary opportunity to learn about environmental challenges and the conservation measures that can solve them with some of New Jersey’s finest environmental scientists and advocates. I hope that I will be congratulating at least a few of my friends at next year’s graduation. If you have any questions, just ask.

Warren/North Training Location
RCE of Warren County, 165 Rt 519 South, Belvidere, NJ 07823

Normal Class Time: Thursdays, January to May, 2011; 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Cost: $280

Contact: Milly Rice, marnavy@hotmail.com
Ag and Resource Mgmt. Secretary, 908-475-6505

Central/Duke Training Location
Duke Farms, Hillsborough, NJ

Normal Class Time: Tuesdays, January to May, 2008; 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Cost: $280
Contact: Rosalie Kelly rkelly@ddcf.org
Duke Farms Foundation, 80 Route 206, Hillsborough, NJ 08844 908-243-3602

Coastal Region Training Location
Atlantic County Utility Authority, 6700 Delilah Road , Egg Harbor Twp NJ

Normal Class Time: Wednesdays, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Cost: $280
Contact: Amy Menzel, amenzel@acua.com
PO join 996 Pleasantville, NJ 08232, 609.272.6950 ext 6934

All, Food, Health, Protection, Water

Shale Gas Outrage, a rally, in Philly 9/20

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Shale Gas Outrage PhillyOn September 20, the fracking industry returns to Philadelphia for their annual Shale Gas Insight conference.

Join thousands for the second Shale Gas Outrage outside the convention center at the intersection of BROAD and ARCH streets. We will rally and march to protect health, communities, air, water, farms, food, and climate. Demand green jobs and justice NOW! Let’s flood the streets of Philly again to stop them from fracking our future!

ShaleGasOutrage.org
ProtectingOurWaters.com

Buses leave around 8am on 9/20 and will return around 5pm the same day. SIGN UP FOR A BUS OR CARPOOL here. If you are a student, there may be a free ticket waiting for you. Email for more info.

Central NJ Bus
North NJ Bus
https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1185/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=75792

FULL SCHEDULE FOR 20th and 21st SEPTEMBER

THURSDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER
10am: Press Conference: Arch Street Methodist Church, Broad and Arch, Philadelphia, 19107

12-2pm: Main Shale Gas Outrage Rally Outside Convention Center, Broad and Arch, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Speakers include Sandra Steingraber, Josh Fox, Stephen Cleghorn

2-3pm: March
Blessing of the Waters (Interfaith event) TBA

7:30-10pm: Shale Gas Outrage After Dark (informal networking, connecting)

FRIDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER
8:30am – 12pm Health and Gas Drilling Morning Conference
College of Physicians of Philadelphia 19. S. 22nd St., Philadelphia, PA 19103

Speakers include Michelle Bamberger and Robert Oswald, authors of “Impacts of Gas Drilling on Human and Animal Health” and Dr. Walter Tsou, President, Philadelphia Physicians for Social Responsibility.

1:30pm – 5:30pm Mini-Organizing Conference
“Freedom from Fracking 2012”

Abuse of public trust, All, Energy, Justice, Protection
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Brawny Paper TowelsGreen Drinks friend Natalie B writes, urging us to:

LEAVE THESE PRODUCTS ON THE SHELF!
Did you know that the manufacturer of these products gives financial support to:

  • Alec (American Legislative Exchange Council) that supports the “Stand Your Ground Laws” and the Tea Party
  • Wisconsin Gov. Scott who is a union buster
  • Funding voter suppression bills

If you are middle and working class in America these products are not your friends. Leave them on the shelf!

  • Angel Soft toilet paper
  • Brawny paper towels
  • Dixie plates, bowls, napkins and cups
  • Mardi Gras napkins and towels
  • Quilted Northern toilet paper
  • Soft ‘n Gentle toilet paper
  • Sparkle napkins
  • Vanity fair napkins
  • Zee napkins
  • Construction Products
  • Georgia-Pacific paper products and envelopes
  • Dense Armor
  • Densglass
  • Dryguard
  • FibreStrong
  • FireDefender
  • Flexrock
  • ToughArmor
    Textiles
  • Antron Carpet Fiber
  • Comforel
  • Coolmax
  • Cordura
  • Dacron
  • Lycra
  • Polarguard
  • Polyshield
  • SolarMax
  • Sommerelle
  • Stainmaster Carpet
  • Tactel
  • Thermolite
    Gasoline
  • Chevron
  • Conoco
  • Union
  • Union 76

More information at treehugger.com

All, At Green Drinks, Biking/Walking, Complete streets, Energy, Environment, Health, Justice, New solutions, Protection, Sustainable communities, Water

Green Drinks September 2012

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In September, Green Drinks discusses

  • How to Save the Internet and advocate for an open internet
  • Why fracking has such a disastrous impact on our national/local water supplies and why this practice should be ended
  • How to build healthy, bikeable/walkable communities

SAVING THE INTERNET & NET NEUTRALITY

Green Drinks Paterson-Clifton June 2012Open internet access is one of the great freedom fights of our time. We have to use it so we don’t lose it. This is now a standard topic of discussion at every Green Drinks 3 event. See more at http://thewei.com/kimi/verizon-wants-to-control-your-internet-keep-them-out/

FRACKING AWARENESS RESOURCES & ACTIONS

  • http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/water/fracking/fracking-action-center/
  • Global Frackdown http://www.globalfrackdown.org/
  • http://shalegasoutrage.org/ NJ & Philly on 20 Sept 2012

Newark Green drinks

Meets 1st Mondays at Rio Rodizio Newark except on major holidays.
1st Monday this month was Labor Day, so we didn’t meet.

Hackensack Green Drinks

Monday, 10 Sept 2012 7-9pm (and 2nd Mondays)
At Victor’s Maywood Inn, 122 W. Pleasant Avenue, Maywood NJ

Global FrackdownHackensack Green Drinks will be joined by members of 350.org and Food & Water Watch who will discuss climate actions and tell us about fracking teach-ins happening in September.

Paterson-Clifton Green Drinks

Tuesday, 18 September 2012 7-9 pm (and 3rd Tuesdays)
The Sultan Restaurant, 429 Crooks Avenue, Clifton NJ (outside if the weather’s nice)

Where to find us

Green Drinks 3 http://greendrinks3.org/
Like us on Facebook https://www.fb.com/thegreenwei/
Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/greenwei

Other events and actions

In solidarity with the Global Frackdown Actions taking place, September is Green Drinks 3 Fracking Awareness month.

FRACKING AWARENESS & ACTIONS
http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/water/fracking/fracking-action-center/
Global Frackdown http://www.globalfrackdown.org/
http://shalegasoutrage.org/ NJ & Philly on 20 Sept. 2012

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99% SPRING GROUP MEMBERS are welcome at any Green Drinks meeting. We discuss action plans and volunteer opportunities at most Green Drinks events.

=================================

Help Protect National Forests

America’s national forests provide essential habitat for lynx, grizzlies and other wildlife — and clean water for millions of Americans. Yet new rules could threaten the sanctity of these special places, paving the way for more logging and more destructive development on our national forests. Help protect these special places. Sign the petition online at: http://dfnd.us/vYt93D

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Prevent racism from blocking the Latino & Black vote

Watch the 4 minute video by Van Jones’ Rebuild the American Dream team
http://thewei.com/kimi/racist-romney-gop-move-to-block-the-latino-black-vote/ )

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

SHOE DONATIONS FOR HAITI
Collected at Stride Rite Wyckoff location ONLY
Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm
319 Franklin Ave, Wyckoff NJ

Stride Rite of Wyckoff is accepting worn/used shoes, children’s and adults for donation. All donations are sent to Haiti. We have received hundreds of pairs of shoes to date, but the need is much greater.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

After Rio+20: Moving Beyond 2015
RSVP at http://j.mp/rio20plus
15-19 OCT 2012 (9am – 5pm only)
COST: FREE
Ramapo College, 505 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, NJ
In the campus Student Center Room SC 137

The speakers for this event series are all key players from Civil Society Organizations and from the United Nations, collectively engaged in planning for a post-Rio+20 future. The purpose of the workshop series is to lay out the framework for a road map to plan for a Global Citizens Movement to help us move beyond the major United Nations Rio+20 conference held earlier this year in June.

In this intensive workshop, the many dimensions of the UN Conference in Rio de Janeiro will be explored, and a coherent path forward will be charted.

As you may be aware, by most conventional accounts, Rio+20 was at least a disappointment, if not a failure. We argue that real, path-breaking, and innovative solutions began to emerge from the grassroots level out, and we will present many dimensions of these solutions, as well as strategize a way forward into a more sustainable future.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Support the Ramapough Indians.
Tell the EPA to clean up Ford’s mess in Ringwood.

Journalist Jan Barry started the research on the tragic and intentional pollution of a housing development which was home to members of a tribe of Ramapough Indians in Ringwood, NJ, and collaborated with HBO to create Mann v. Ford, a moving documentary about the crushing impact this has had on the health of tribe members as well as the water source for the entire region.

The site was prematurely de-listed by the EPA from its Superfund cleanup status, and several years later became the first site to be listed for a second time. Ford has resisted taking responsibility for the poisonous effects on tribe members of the toxic paint sludge it trucked in under cover of nightfall every day for many years, and has also resisted funding the cost of cleanup.

Make sure the EPA knows you support the clean-up of the Ramapough Indians by (Action 1) signing the Change.org petition and (Action 2) sending a letter to the EPA. Petition and sample letter available at

Tell the EPA to clean up Ford’s mess in Ringwood

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Click to give Hackensack Riverkeeper the chance to win a grant from Chase Community Giving
(must have a Facebook account)

Click on http://j.mp/gd4hrk2012
Click on “VOTE”
Click Accept the APP
Click “VOTE” again and a pop-up window should appear.

You get two votes, so use your second vote for any other organization

How can you get extra votes to vote for us?
• Share the special link you get with your Facebook friends – you may get an extra vote. (Make sure you use both of your original 2 votes so you can use the extra vote)
• Chase customers automatically get two more votes by logging in from the Chase Community Giving home page accessible through the Chase website

Learn more about Hackensack Riverkeeper’s amazing ecological advocacy and nature tours and cleanups at http://hackensackriverkeeper.org

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Click to give Morris County Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce the chance to win $30,000
(You get 10 votes just for having an email address)

Click on http://j.mp/mchaccvoh

MCHACC was selected as a Voices of Health finalist for its commitment to the health of ethnic minority individuals in the northern New Jersey area. Learn more about the chamber at http://mchacc.org.

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OUR SPONSOR
MENTION GREEN DRINKS FOR 20% OFF Online or at the store

Eco Galleria

Eco Galleria at the Historic Oradell Train Station
400 Maple Avenue, Oradell, NJ
201-447-GIFT (4438)
http://www.ecogalleria.com

Eco Galleria carries fun or fine items handcrafted by artists from throughout the Americas in many price ranges. Including eco-friendly jewelry, pottery, glass, wood, fiber, watches, bags and more. Call ahead to have your gift boxed, wrapped and ready for pick-up or shop online at http://ecogalleria.com

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Interested in sponsoring Green Drinks? If you have a good cause or service, we have a contact base of about 6000 that can learn about your through our meeting announcements. Contact Kimi for information mailto:kimi@thewei.com or 862-203-8814
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

All, Energy, Environment, Justice, Nature, New solutions, Protection, Water

Protect our world – say goodbye to dirty fuel & coal

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The Sierra Club tells us that coal industry is heavily subsidized by American taxpayers to the tune of tens of billions of dollars and it’s clear that this industry’s power is not diminishing. But it should diminish. In fact, it’s so dangerous that it should be done away with altogether. In the process of mining, coal destroys waterways, ecosystems, trees, miners’ health and the health of residents of nearby communities. A well-documented example of this is the tragedy of mountain-top mining in the Appalachian Mountains, a practice which Robert Kennedy Jr., affected citizens and environmental activists continue valiantly fighting to bring to a permanent end.

When it’s burned, coal puts massive amounts of carbon in the air, and this is a main contributor to global warming which brings on drought, soaring temperatures, the rising of seas that will take over island cities and coastal areas, tsunamis, floods and drought. Coal is also a dirty fuel, so burning its puts heavy pollutants in the air that lead to poor air quality and acid rain.

Why aren’t people all over the world staging huge protests to ban coal mining and replace it with clean energy sources? It boils down to this: we’ve been supporting coal so long it’s become sort of a global institution. We can’t imagine a world without a massive coal industry any more than we can imagine a world without gas-powered vehicles, so we protect the industry even though it’s killing both us and our Earth Mother. World citizens protect our institutions. But, the truth is that clean energy is our future: it’s environmentally friendly, health friendly. It’s a massively growing jobs industry, is economically friendly and it’s also cool (in more ways than one). Can you say, win-win-win-win-win? There’s nothing wrong with protecting institutions but they need to work for us. It’s so clear that we need to give up on the old fuels that are destroying us and turn to clean energy with open arms.

For those worried about the impact that embracing clean energy will have on our economy and jobs, just look at the evidence. The Boston Herald reports,

“The growth of Massachusetts’ renewable energy economy is outpacing the overall economy nearly tenfold, according to a new report that measures clean energy sector employment and the number of businesses that use clean energy practices.”

Avaaz is working to prevent horrific environmental destruction in Australia. Please sign the petition.

Australia could let mining magnates build one of the world’s largest coal ports on top of the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem – opening access to 8 billion extra tonnes of planet-killing coal and risking the survival of this entire amazing world heritage site.

US laws which address environmental issues are the Clear Air act and Clean Water Act. They need to be strengthened and expanded.

The Clean Water Act
http://www.epa.gov/lawsregs/laws/cwa.html
The River Network’s Course on using the Act to protect local waterways
The Clean Air Act
http://www.epa.gov/air/caa/peg/
Other Proposed Legislation
2009 Waxman-Market Climate Energy bill (Died)
Everything you always wanted to know about the Waxman-Markey energy/climate bill — in bullet points and ejmatters.org/docs/Waxman-Markey_bill_summary_6-2-09.pdf

H.R. 724, the Security in Energy And Manufacturing (SEAM) Act (sponsored by Congressman Steve Rothman).  If enacted, this legislation would make needed investments in a clean energy economy by rebuilding the U.S. manufacturing sector.  It provides a 30% tax credit or grant to companies that open new or expanded facilities that manufacture a wide range of clean energy products, including wind turbines, solar panels, hybrid vehicle systems, carbon capture and sequestration systems, and biofuel refinery components, among others in the U.S. I strongly believe that this is the path we must take to end our dependence on both foreign and domestic oil and move toward a secure clean energy future. H.R. 724 is currently pending before the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.R. 3307, the American Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit Extension Act of 2011 (co-sponsored by Congressman Steve Rothman). If enacted, this bill would provide a clean, 4-year extension of the existing production tax credit (PTC) for wind, biomass, geothermal, small irrigation, landfill gas, trash, and hydropower. This tax credit was created in the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and has frequently been extended in year-end packages of expiring tax provisions, as well as in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The current incentive is set to expire this year for wind and in 2013 for other renewable energy forms. Historically, at least six to eight months before the tax credit expires, financial lenders hesitate in providing capital for projects because of the uncertainty created by the pending expiration of the credit, stalling projects from coming online. This is why many of my colleagues and I believe it is imperative to pass H.R. 3307 now as our economy continues to recover. If the PTC is not renewed, those projects working under the credit will be reduced in size, will not be completed or will add costs, resulting in higher electricity prices for consumers. This measure is currently pending before the House Committee on Ways and Means.