Posts Tagged alternative

Electric Car Drivers to Stage Country’s Largest Plug-in Parade on First National Plug In Day

20 Cities Coast-to-Coast Stage Activities for Largest Grassroots EV Event in History

WHAT: Some 200 EV drivers will take to the streets for the country’s largest-ever plug-in parade to champion the benefits of EVs. Parade in Santa Monica, CA is the flagship event of the first National Plug In Day, taking place in more than 20 cities across the country where EV owners and interested citizens will participate in other parades, “tailpipe-free” tailgate parties, lectures, a ceremonial plugging-in and other grassroots events. For a complete list of national Plug In Day cities and event details, visit: http://www.pluginamerica.org/pluginday

New and legacy plug-in vehicles by GM, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Toyota, SMART, Ford, Tesla, Coda and others will be driven in the flagship parade through downtown Santa Monica. Director Chris Paine, whose film, “Revenge of the Electric Car,” will hit theatres across the country on October 21st, is among confirmed speakers at the press conference preceding the parade. For parade details, visit http://www.pluginamerica.org/pluginday/los-angeles

QUOTE: “Only a few years ago, major automakers were literally crushing electric cars. Today, virtually every auto company in the world is selling or developing a plug-in car, and consumers are snapping up each and every one, stimulating our economy while helping the environment. You’ll see hundreds of these vehicles in National Plug In Day activities. And remember: EVs are powered by domestic electricity, so every cent we spend to run them stays in America,” says Plug In America co-founder and Sierra Club member Paul Scott.

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011: 9:30 a.m. press conference; 10 a.m. parade

WHERE:
·       Press Conference: Santa Monica City Hall, 1685 Main St., Santa Monica, CA 90401.
·       Parade: Starting from Main Street and Pico Boulevard, two blocks from Santa Monica City Hall press conference.

PHOTO OPP: 200 PLUG-IN VEHICLES STREAMING DOWN ONE OF SANTA MONICA’S MAIN THOROUGHFARES. B-ROLL WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE.

WHO: Plug In America is organizing the flagship National Plug In Day parade in Santa Monica. Plug In America, the Sierra Club and the Electric Auto Association are national organizers, teaming up with other local groups across the country to organize events.

Local sponsors: Title Sponsor of the National Plug In Day Flagship Event: Chevy Volt; Nissan Leaf, Recargo, Leviton, Collaborative Project Consulting.

About Plug In America: Plug In America is leading the nation’s plug-in vehicle movement. The nonprofit organization works to accelerate the shift to plug-in vehicles powered by clean, affordable, domestic electricity to reduce our nation’s dependence on petroleum and improve the global environment. We drive electric. You can, too. www.pluginamerica.org.

About the Sierra Club: The Sierra Club is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization with 1.4 million members and supporters and chapters in all 50 states.  The Sierra Club’s national electric vehicles campaign advocates for a switch to EVs as one important way to reduce emissions and cut our addiction to oil. www.sierraclub.org/ev.

About the Electric Auto Association: The Electric Auto Association, formed in 1967, is a nonprofit educational organization with 75 chapters worldwide that promotes the advancement and widespread adoption of electric vehicles. www.electricauto.org.
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Students Take Action Nationwide to Move Campuses Beyond Coal

ver 100 Actions Planned Demanding Schools Switch to 100% Clean Energy

Washington, DC – This week students at Virginia Tech, Purdue University, Bates College in Maine and the University of Illinois kicked off a nationwide month of creative actions focused on moving America’s campus’ beyond coal.  The coordinated effort called 100% Clean: 100 Actions for Clean Energy aims to unite local efforts into a nationwide movement to retire university coal plants, cut university ties with the coal industry and move the nation’s institutions of higher education to clean energy solutions.

“We have students on our campus who are getting sick from breathing coal dust coming from the campus coal plant across the street from their dorm.  This is unacceptable.  We want Virginia Tech and universities nation-wide to be leading the way towards an innovative, healthy and clean energy future, not stuck in the past relying on dirty coal,” said Kara Dodson, a senior at Virginia Tech and Coordinator of the Campuses Beyond Coal campaign on campus.

Since the Sierra Club launched the national Campuses Beyond Coal campaign 16 schools have already committed to retiring their coal-fired plants on campus.  Pollution from these plants is responsible for dangerous pollution including mercury, carbon dioxide, arsenic and lead and can lead to more severe asthma attacks, bronchial infections and cancer.

More than 150 students from across Virginia rallied at Virginia Tech wearing face masks and green hard hats at the Virginia Power Shift summit on Sunday.  They called on the university administration to live up to their motto, “Invent the Future” by retiring the campus coal plant that poses a health hazard to students.

Speakers included a student who lived in Thomas Hall, a dorm next door to the Virginia Tech coal plant, showing off a black soot covered towel she used to wipe down her window sill.  Other students keep air filters in their windows to keep the coal dust out of their homes, but still struggle with the light and noise from the plant on a daily basis that can make it difficult to sleep or study.

“Every year a new group of students are subject to the pollution from this plant and others like it on campuses across the country.  It’s time for our universities to step up and lead the way to moving our nation beyond coal and dirty energy to real clean energy solutions,” said Madeline Rigatti a sophomore at Virginia Tech and former Thomas Hall resident.  “Students like me have had to live with being sick because we had the bad luck of living near this plant and it’s simply wrong.”

“Students are leading the way pushing their universities to invest in innovative clean energy solutions.  This month of action demonstrates the growing momentum on college campuses to move our nation off dirty, 19th century, fuels that are making people sick. Coal, and the soot, smog and other pollution that comes from it impacts Americans across the country. We think that students can help reinvent the American economy by pressuring our administrations to invest in clean, safe and reliable energy on campuses from California to Connecticut” said Kim Teplitzky, Campuses Beyond Coal Campaign Coordinator for the Sierra Club.

Over the next four weeks students will be hosting flash mobs, 60’s dance parties, camp outs, rallies, art builds, call-in days and more to call attention the public health risk of depending on dirty energy in their campuses and communities.  At the end of the month student leaders will bring the stories and photos from these events to Washington, D.C. to deliver to the Obama Administration demanding further action to protect public health.

For more information visit wearepowershift.org/100actions

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Rethinking Green Products by Re-Imagining Your Inputs

“One of the most exciting developments in the auto industry today has to do with the sustainable innovations that make cars run — improved petrol and diesel engines, ethanol and biodiesel, compressed natural gas, electricity, or some combination thereof.

It’s a topic that will only become more pronounced as car engines are built to do more with even less, especially with President Obama’s recent announcement to green the industry as a whole through aggressive fuel efficiency standards.

This is also a concept that can serve as lessons for those outside of the auto industry. In other words, what can companies do to make their operations more sustainable beyond the end product? Well, a good start would be to look at what is going into those outputs. This trend of replacing traditional materials with sustainable alternatives is something that’s emerging across almost all industries, and like car makers, those companies that aren’t participating in it are setting themselves up to fall behind.”

Rethinking Green Products by Re-Imagining Your Inputs

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ChicoBag takes on Big Plastic

“For six years, Andy Keller has waged war against the plastic shopping bag.

Now the bag is fighting back.

Keller is the founder and president of ChicoBag, a small firm in Chico making reusable shopping bags that compress into fist-sized pouches when not in use. He founded the business to give people an alternative to the ubiquitous disposable bags that often litter sidewalks, line streambeds, snag in trees and wash into the sea.

Makers of the plastic bags have taken notice.

Three of those companies have sued ChicoBag in South Carolina, accusing Keller’s business of causing them “irreparable injury.” The suit argues that ChicoBag’s website and marketing material contain false or misleading information in a deliberate attempt to “misappropriate … customers and potential customers.”‘

ChicoBag takes on Big Plastic via David R. Baker – San Francisco Chronicle

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California Senate votes to ban foam takeout containers

“Sandwiches, milkshakes and other food items frequently packaged in foam takeout containers will have to be packaged in other materials under a bill that cleared the state Senate on Thursday. SB 568 by Sen. Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) would prohibit food vendors and restaurants from dispensing prepared foods to customers in polystyrene foam beginning Jan. 1, 2014.

Expanded polystyrene foam, commonly known as Styrofoam, is a lightweight plastic that, when littered, is often carried from streets through storm drains into the ocean. It accounts for 15% of storm drain litter, according to the California Department of Transportation. It is the second-most-common type of beach debris, according to a study by the Southern California Coastal Water Quality Research Project.”

California Senate votes to ban foam takeout containers via LA Times Environment

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Green Festival 2011-An Eco-Extravaganza

“It was great to see Chicago go green post St. Patrick’s Day, with the annual Green Festival.

Du-Jay again enjoyed people power bike ride with Working Bikes. It’s fun to see the pedaling create enough energy to make a little bike go around the world, spout water from a mermaid rain barrel or play a record!   We also saw our old favorites, Coco Loco, who will also be at Summer Camp Music Festival again.   I wear 2 pairs of their earrings pretty much 24/7 and Sagezilla also has a spiral pair she often wears when not actively doing gymnastics.    We also saw the booth that makes old banners into super cool wallets and bags, like my favorite one that resembles the Chicago flag….and a certain blog header.”

Green Festival 2011-An Eco-Extravaganza via ChIL Mama

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The Green Festival environmental fair is this weekend in Seattle

“Looking for inspiration and know-how to help keep Mother Earth green and healthy? Learn about healthful, sustainable practices and products for your life and our world at this weekend’s Green Festival environmental fair in Seattle.
Exhibits, workshops and speakers on four stages Saturday and Sunday will address healthful, sustainable practices including solar power, green parenting, saving Puget Sound, eco-tourism, green remodeling, gardening, the slow life movement, electric vehicles, green tech, ecological economics and a host of other grass-roots solutions.”

The Green Festival environmental fair is this weekend in Seattle via Articles Base

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GREEN FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY MAY 21-22

The nation’s largest green consumer living event: Now in Seattle’s Qwest Event Center

Seattle Green Festival May 21-22 at Qwest Event Center

SEATTLE – The premier sustainability event in the nation celebrates 10 years, one million attendees at a new location, Qwest Event Center, May 21-22. This one-of-a-kind weekend experience offers opportunities for community members to meet their favorite authors, actors and community leaders; shop more than 300 eco-friendly exhibitors; participate in educational workshops; enjoy live music and local vegetarian cuisine; and sample organic chocolates, wine and beer.

Ten stages and pavilions host more than 125 inspirational and educational speakers, including Amy Goodman, Jeffrey Smith, John Perkins, Zoe Weil, Dr. David Korten, Dr. Sharif Abdullah and Rep. Dennis Kucinich.

The Green Marketplace showcases more than 300 green and socially-responsible businesses and organizations. Attendees browse everything from non-toxic home products to organic clothing to fair trade treats and décor. Green Festival gives back GF Bucks to individuals who purchase tickets online or at the door. GF Bucks are the local Green Festival currency and can be used the same-as-cash to shop in the Green Marketplace. Discount admission available online until May 20: http://tickets.greenfestivals.org/events/139716.

“Last fall, Green Festival stimulated the green economy by giving back $44,000 to local, regional and national sustainable businesses through the new ‘GF Bucks’ admissions policy,” says Global Exchange and Green Festival Founder, Dr. Kevin Danaher.

Volunteer or donate to various local nonprofits in exchange for complimentary Green Festival admission. Engage with Sierra Club Seattle, Washington State 350, Sound Circle Center, Sustainable Seattle, Solar Washington, International Bicycle Fund, Alleycat Acres, Washington Health Foundation, Community Alliance for Global Justice, Seattle International Film Festival, El Centro de la Raza, Sustainable Wallingford, Transition Seattle, Real Change, feet first, SCALLOPS, Sightline Institute, Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, The Art Affect, Green America, Global Exchange and more to receive free Green Festival tickets. Also, Green America and Global Exchange members always receive free admission to Green Festival.

A joint project of Green America and Global Exchange, two leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to environmental and social justice for more than 27 years, Green Festival inspires and promotes the connection between change and sustainable progress for people, communities and businesses. Green Festivals empowers people to live healthier lives—socially, economically and environmentally.

“Whether you go to shop, learn, try new organic foods or experience art and music, Green Festival has it all, with the goal to motivate every person to think, participate and make more planet-friendly, sustainable choices in their every day lives,” says Green America and Green Festival Founder, Denise Hamler.

Thank you to Corporate Innovators Bon Ami and Ford for their commitment to sustainability. Receive complimentary tickets when you visit your Seattle-area Ford Dealer. Test drive one of Ford’s new green hybrid and electric vehicles right at the Green Festival.

Thank you to Green Festival partners: Hyatt at Olive 8, Mother Earth News, Utne Reader, Herbal Companion, Natural Home, Entercom, AM1090 and KOMO.

Engage with Green Festivals online at www.GreenFestivals.org, www.Facebook.com/GreenFestival and www.Twitter.com/GreenFestival for the latest news about the Seattle Green Festival and additional Green Festivals in 2011. Children under 18 and all volunteers receive free admission. To volunteer, email: volunteer@greenfestivals.org.

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About Green America

Green America is a national nonprofit organization founded in 1982, providing the economic strategies, organizing power and practicing tools for businesses and individuals to address today’s social and environmental problems. Its Green Business Network is the largest national network of businesses screened for their social and environmental responsibility.  www.greenamericatoday.org

About Global Exchange

Global Exchange is a membership-based international human rights organization dedicated to promoting social, economic and environmental justice around the world. Since its founding in 1988, Global Exchange has successfully increased public awareness of root causes of injustice while building international partnerships and mobilizing for change. www.globalexchange.org

About Seven-Star, Inc.

Seven-Star, Inc. is the nation’s premier green full-service event company focusing exclusively on green events. Since 1999, Seven-Star has provided turn-key green event services for environmentally Responsible and socially Respectful (eR/sR) festivals, trade and consumer expositions, conferences and concerts. From the greening of the 2007 International Live Earth events, to the 2008 Democratic National Convention events, to producing the nation’s largest consumer Green Festivals, Seven-Star has defined itself as the company for eR/sR event production. Seven-Star is the first event company to have won the EPA’s Gold Waste Wise Award for Excellence in recognition for their proprietary system of event waste diversion, which has consistently achieved greater than 95%.www.sevenstarevents.com

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