Posts Tagged Conservation

Angelenos Shocked to Find Their River Looking Like a River

“In many places throughout the world, rivers are the lifeblood of civilization, havens of tranquility which keep rhythm with a higher order of time — but in Los Angeles, it’s more likely to conjure a Nick Cage flick than musings on eternity. For the last 70 years or so, the once free and winding LA river has been largely LA-ified, riddled with pollution and concrete slabs, deemed too dangerous for public enjoyment. But now, thanks to the efforts of local conservationists, the river’s making a comeback as more and more folks are discovering that, even in the concrete jungle, there’s still a bit of real nature to be found.”

Angelenos Shocked to Find Their River Looking Like a River via Stephen Messenger – Treehugger

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Paddle the LA River Kicks Off

“Looking for a new adventure? Well, it’s official. Starting Saturday, August 13th, you can legally kayak the Los Angeles River.

The pilot program, Paddle the LA River, will run from August 13th to September 25, 2011, Saturdays and Sundays only.

The Los Angeles Conservation Corps will offer supervised educational canoe and kayak trips down a 1.5 mile stretch of the Los Angeles River in the San Fernando Valley at the Sepulveda Basin.”

Paddle the LA River Kicks Off via NBC LA

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Cutting Need for Energy by Using Less of It

“In Hong Kong, as in much of the rest of the world right now, a debate is raging about how best to generate the additional electricity that is needed to power economic growth and development.

Do we use more oil and coal, which pollute and are ultimately finite? Or nuclear energy, which comes with safety concerns, and is being phased out entirely in Germany? Or renewable energies likesolar power, which many nations are promoting, but which make up only a small portion of the energy mix in most countries, and often have physical limitations?

Relatively little attention is being paid to what some analysts refer to as the “fifth fuel”: ways to consume less energy in the first place.”

Cutting Need for Energy by Using Less of It via Bettina Wassener – NY Times

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PG&E carbon offsets come from protected forests

“California’s largest utility promises its customers green salvation through its ClimateSmart program.

For every bit of energy a Pacific Gas & Electric ratepayer uses – from turning on a vacuum cleaner to powering up a computer or heating up an oven – a little part of a tree or forest is saved to erase the carbon sins of the customer. The voluntary program costs participants about $60 a year.

But the company isn’t telling its customers one crucial fact: Those forests were purchased years ago by a Virginia conservation group that used nearly $50 million in loans and grants from California taxpayers. The Conservation Fund then sold PG&E carbon credits on land it had purchased for preservation and selective logging.”

PG&E carbon offsets come from protected forests via Susanne Rust – San Francisco Chronicle

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Best to Know Before You Go – Seattle Green Festival

“The Seattle Green Festival is almost here, and here are some things to know before you go:

You can purchase your tickets online at www.greenfestivals.org and get a discounted admission. Or you can purchase your tickets at the door of theQwest Field Event Center on the day of the event. When you purchase your tickets, you’ll receive GF Bucks for either dining or shopping at over 300 exhibits. Online tickets are $10 for one day/$15 for two, and you’ll receive $5 back in GF Bucks. Tickets at the door are $15 for one day/$25 for two, and you’ll also receive $5 in GF Bucks in return.

Children under 18 get into the festival free. Discounts are available for students, seniors, cyclists or public transit riders. Government employees who show their ID also get in free. Cyclists can use the complimentary Green Festival Bike Valet Service on Occidental.

Speakers will have their books available for purchase at the Green Festivals Official Bookstore (sponsored by University Bookstore). Authors signing at the bookstore will include: Amy Goodman, David Korten, and John Perkins.”

Best to Know Before You Go – Seattle Green Festival via CBS Seattle

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King County offers everyday ‘green’ tips at annual Green Festival, May 21-22, in Seattle

“From helping people make affordable and resource-saving home improvements, to offering planet-saving consumer advice, King County government is recognized nationally as a leader of sustainability and “green” living.

Come see some of the County’s top sustainability and green experts at the annual Green Festival, at Qwest Field on Saturday, May 21 from 10 a.m.–7 p.m. and on Sunday, May 22 from 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

This is a great opportunity to hear from more than 125 experts on sustainability and interconnectivity within the green movement; visit with dozens of exhibitors from across the region promoting the benefits of fair trade; and get samples of products from around the globe.

Two of King County’s own environmental experts will also be participating in presentations at the show:”

King County offers everyday ‘green’ tips at annual Green Festival, May 21-22, in Seattle via King County Natural Resources and Parks

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Educational, eco-friendly fun at Green Kids Zone at Green Festival Chicago 2011

“Families visiting the Green Kids Zone at Green Festival Chicago 2011 on Saturday, May 14 and Sunday, May 15 can enjoy a variety of physical, creative, and educational play activities, as well as lively entertainment presented on stage. On Saturday, this area was bustling with happy children doing everything from making newspaper shark fins at the Discover the Depths table to singing along with The Chicago School of Blues on stage. When taking a break from learning about the eco-friendly products on display at the rest of the festival, families can stop by the Green Kids Zone to learn about the natural world in the following fun and playful ways.”

Educational, eco-friendly fun at Green Kids Zone at Green Festival Chicago 2011 via Renee Carver – Chicago Children’s Toys Examiner

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Mr. Ellie Pooh elephant dung paper at Green Festival Chicago 2011

“Visitors to Green Festival Chicago 2011 can learn about Mr. Ellie Pooh elephant dung paper, used by this eco-friendly fair trade company to craft gifts and other products to try to help the plight of elephants in Sri Lanka. The company’s line of merchandise includes a special children’s story book that explains the situation in a child-friendly way, as well as organic cotton T-shirts and baby onesies that continue to spread the company’s message with a funny “Poo happens…” slogan.”

Mr. Ellie Pooh elephant dung paper at Green Festival Chicago 2011 via Renee Carver – Chicago Children’s Toys Examiner

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EarthShare of Illinois Presents Revamped: A Fashion Show for a Greener Society

Earthshare of Illinois presents their 2nd Annual ReVamped Fashion and Art Show May 20th at Bridgeport Art Center

CHICAGO, IL – May, 6, 2011 - Earth Share of Illinois, a nonprofit environmental federation, would like to announce their 2nd annual Revamped Fashion & Art Show.  The Revamped Fashion & Art Show will take place on Friday, May 20, 2011, from 7:00pm-11:00pm, at the Bridgeport Art Center, 1200 W 35th Street, Chicago, IL.  For more information, visit www.revampedchicago.com.

General Admission tickets ($35.00) include open bar, fashion show, and other entertainment.  VIP Admission tickets ($75.00) include access to exclusive VIP lounge with food and featured cocktails, and seats along the runway.

All tickets include free parking, complimentary coat check, music, “green carpet” photo ops and spectacular views of downtown Chicago from one of Chicago’s newest premier event spaces!

Your participation and support of Revamped will help to celebrate the beauty when people recycle, reimagine and reinvent fashion and art.  Revamped conveys the simple ways that we can have a positive impact on the environment through the creative reuse of our resources.  Revamped shows people that there is an environmentally conscience choice in fashion and art.

An expected 400 people will be introduced to simple ways in which you can have a positive impact on the environment.  From vintage clothing, sustainable textiles, custom refashioned accessories, and recycled fabrics; Revamped inspires guests to reuse materials waiting to be discarded.  We will feature refashioned vintage couture mixed with new developments in eco-textiles.  The designers are filling a gap in the fashion industry and capturing an emerging market of consumers that want to make socially responsible choices.

This year, the event has expanded and local artists have been invited to showcase their recycled artwork.  Guests will be introduced to a new community of local artists and designers that create with the environment in mind.  Artists include Nicole Matta Santos, Carrie Ann Schumacher, Jay Strommen, Maggie Joyce, Charles Heinrich, Tiffany Gholar and Brikena Boci.

Revamped will provide local artists and businesses a way to get involved and support the Chicagoland environmental community.

Our runway show will feature the following designers; Redgi Woods, Imagine Fashions, Rachel Brooks, The Style Cooperative, Alternative Shoes, Corky Couture, and Marta Cebrat-Czernik.

Purchase tickets by May 20, 2011, pre-sale ends at 3:00pm.  Visit the event website at www.revampedchicago.com or contact Elizabeth Kossik at 312-795-3740.

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About Earth Share of Illinois

Earth Share of Illinois represents over 60 leading environmental and conservation organizations making a difference locally, nationally and internationally.  We are hard at work to provide funding to protect our valuable natural resources to those member charities through workplace giving campaigns.  Our member charities are dedicated to the protection of our public health and natural resources, and provide educational resources

on pollution prevention and conservation practices.  To learn more about our work, visit www.earthshare-illinois.org, or email LKossik@earthshare-illinois.org.

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Will a Real Earth Day Movement Please Stand Up?

“Okay, so it’s Earth Day — the day where environmentalism is celebrated with TV specials, special product offers, and well-intentioned community greening efforts. These are all nice things (but if I have to delete one more ‘Great story idea for Earth Day’ pitches for eco-friendly beauty products, so help me …). Sort of. I mean, I’m glad that a few companies are taking the effort to market their products to an audience that cares about the planet — it’s better that there’s been a mild consumer shift towards organic, fair trade, and ethical products, and that they can be promoted with a topical tie-in one day a year. But 98% of this junk obscures what the original Earth Day was all about: Taking to the streets with fellow citizens and demanding real reform and environmental protections.”

Will a Real Earth Day Movement Please Stand Up? via Brian Merchant – Treehugger

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