Earth Hour 2009 March 28th from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

This rapid change in the world economy has by now affected all of us directly or indirectly.

But the other day I realized that the only way out is to keep taking positive action in what we firmly believe. And for me it is to try to make this world a better world for future generations.
So today I'm back with my postings, with more energy than ever.

It's spring! Recharge your inner energy by making something good for the Earth.
Join the rest of the world and switch off the lights on March 28th for 1 hour from 8:30 pm till 9:30 pm. Make this a family event or a work event or a school event.
For more information go to http://www.earthhour.org/.

I wish you a Happy Green New Year !!!

For me the New Year brings fresh air and renewed energy. It is the time to start new projects or pledge to change something to make it better. Sometimes you make some space in the basement your closets or your pantry. Sometimes you get rid of old clothes or you have more food than what you need. And you promise yourself you will be better this year. I can give you some suggestions; DONATE what you do not use anymore for a good cause, there are many people in need especially this year. And before throwing something away in the garbage, gather information on how it can be recycled or reused (a good place to start is http://earth911.com/). This year also our newly elected President Barack Obama is calling us to get active and help USA or a good cause around the world (for more information visit http://www.usaservice.org/). I created this event http://www.usaservice.org/page/event/detail/dayofservicejanuary19/4v8t2

I wish you all the best for the coming year.

Today sign the start of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poznań, Poland

Today sign the start of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poznań, Poland, that will last for about 2 weeks.
"The 14th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC and the 4th meeting of Parties to the Kyoto Protocol will draw almost 11000 participants, including government delegates from the 187 Parties to the UNFCCC and representatives from business and industry.
The two-week meeting is the halfway mark in the negotiations on an ambitious and effective international climate change deal to be clinched in Copenhagen in 2009. Parties have little more than a year to agree on strengthened action on mitigation, adaptation, finance and technology.
A compilation paper of proposals for solutions has been put together. This can serve as a first version of a negotiating text in Poznań. Because of the limited time still available, it is critical that real progress is made and that Parties identify which proposals to take forward in 2009."It is a very important step wich precede the Kyoto Protocol ratification"(from the UNFCC website http://unfccc.int/meetings/cop_14/items/4481.php).
If you are interested in following the meeting it will be webcasted at http://copportal1.man.poznan.pl/

Take the Energy Star Pledge and join the Hamilton County

The Hamilton County Government is Going Green and they need your help!

Take the pledge to save energy at www.greencounties.org/changetheworld

Deadline is November 30th, 2008. Take the pledge today!!

What we learned at the Seminar "Recycling and Beyond: what you can do!"

The Seminar “Recycling and Beyond: what YOU can do!” had been very successful and interesting. You can click on the links below and have a look at the presentations and interesting information.
I want to thank all the attendees, the speakers (from P&G, City of Cincinnati Office of Environmental Quality, Duke Energy, Rumpke), the organizers (Annie Katz, Brigitte Cordier, Gabi Scholz, Patti Minniear) and the sponsors (PGITI, Park+Vine, Clovernook Center, Granny’s Garden School and Bigg’s).

P&G Sustainability Program & Sustainable Innovation Products - Jack McAneny, P&G Global Sustainability.

“Green Cincinnati” Projects - Larry Falkin, Director, City of Cincinnati,Office of Environmental Quality.

Recycling - It’s Our Future - Anne Gray, Rumpke Municipal Public Sector Representative.

Practical Tips and Tools for Managing Your Energy Consumption - Gaurab Hazarika, Duke Energy

TURN THE KEY, BE IDLE FREE

Just before the school opening, me and another member of the Think Green - Act Clean, Marina Romero-Hernandez, decided to propose the schools attended by our young kids to adopt an Idling Reduction Program.
We were both successful. My daughters' school is in the process of implementing the program and here is what Marina has to say about her experience.

"Hi Vanessa, Our experience has turned out to be a very positive one. Once parents were explained the hazards of leaving their engines idling (i.e. exacerbation of asthma symptoms and other breathing diseases as well as the possibility of breathing known carcinogens) there has been a reduction in the idling vehicles in our school. I do not have an exact number but I would say that at least one third of the idlers have stopped idling (and that is a LOT!). We will continue with this effort in order to have cleaner air for all of our children to breathe. "

And all of this was made possible thanks to the help of Kristy Kim, Public Relations Specialist at the Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services (HCDOES). And here is Kristy's description of the Anti-Idling Campaign, Marina and me are proud to be part of it, as two moms concerned for the health of our children and of our community. Hope you, as a parent will follow our exciting experience!

The Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services (HCDOES) has launched an Anti‐Idling Campaign and it’s catching on! While Hamilton County residents’ recycling and yardwaste needs are met through HCDOES, air quality resources and services are also provided to Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren counties.
The Anti‐Idling Campaign is designed to educate the public on the environmental, health, and financial drawbacks of leaving a vehicle running unnecessarily. Cars are the number one source of air pollution in the Greater Cincinnati area, and we can all take small steps to reduce vehicle emissions. Schools, teachers, parents, businesses and community leaders have all acknowledged the importance of not idling our vehicles and throughout the Greater Cincinnati Area people are deciding to “Turn the Key, Be Idle Free”.

Did you know:
• After 30 seconds, it is more fuel efficient to turn off and restart your vehicle than to leave it running?
• A single vehicle dropping off and picking up students at one school puts three pounds of pollution into the air per month?
• Children are especially sensitive to the effects of air pollution because they breathe more quickly and take in more air than adults?
• Pollutants found in exhaust can aggravate asthma, cause coughing or difficulty breathing, decrease lung function, exacerbate cardiovascular problems and lead to chronic bronchitis?
What you can do:
• Turn off your car while running errands, picking someone up, sitting at the drive through, etc.
• Plan accordingly and combine and eliminate unnecessary trips
• Drive to warm the car up in cold weather – this is the fastest way to generate heat!
• Don’t use a remote starter
• Take the bus, carpool and ride share
You can also request an Anti‐Idling Kit from HCDOES. These kits provide literature and incentives such as magnets, pencils, mugs, notepads and ice scrapers, etc. to help motivate participants to “Turn the Key, Be Idle Free”. Anti‐Idling pledge cards are also included and upon return to HCDOES are entered in to a raffle. To order an Anti‐Idling Kit or for more information on Air Quality, contact Kristy Kim, Public Relations Specialist at kristy.kim@hamilton‐co.org or (513)946‐7754.

EPA is implementing its library network.

In the effort to better communicate Environmental related information to the public, EPA is revitalizing its library network and making it more accessible for the public. (http://www.epa.gov/libraries/news.html#top).

As stated on the EPA website "EPA’s vision is to be the premier environmental library network providing timely access to information and library services to its employees and the public. EPA’s approach to achieving this vision involves maintaining a strong network of physical libraries enhanced with online tools to expand access to environmental information. This enhanced model provides more library materials electronically and on the EPA Web site with increased accessibility to environmental information and increased efficiency by which employees and the public can find the materials they need. ".

The Andrew W. Breidenbach Environmental Research Center Library Services located in Cincinnati is part of this library network http://www.epa.gov/libraries/awberc.html
For more information go visit the EPA National Library Network at http://www.epa.gov/libraries/