Posts Tagged Energy

For young environmental activists, Obama's now the one to pressure

“Reporting from Washington— Not so long ago Barack Obama and his campaign team might have masterminded the kind of conference that is unfolding in downtown Washington, D.C.

Thousands of college students and idealistic young voters came in this weekend to learn organizing techniques aimed at pushing the country toward renewable energy.

But in a measure of how much has changed since the “Yes We Can” spirit of Obama 2008, many in attendance now see him as something of an obstacle.

Frustrated by the pace of clean-energy initiatives, they are planning to use organizing techniques borrowed from the Obama campaign to pressure him to rethink his energy policy.”

For young environmental activists, Obama’s now the one to pressure via Peter Nicholas – LA Times

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GreenFest Seattle Recap

“Thanks to the hardcore and curious environmentals who came out to Green Festival Seattle a couple weeks back to visit our booth and discuss the intersection of gay and green. We had 77 sign-ups for our newsletter, along with great ideas and dozens more who already are connected to O4S. Our rainbow flag was flying, showing all the others who passed by on their way to talks on energy, building, food, etc that the LGBTQ community is gaining visibility in the sustainability world. Who doesn’t love that!”

GreenFest Seattle Recap via OUT For Sustainability

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Activist wants ban on paper coffee cups

“Gulp the coffee, skip the cup

Karin de Weille has launched a campaign in the heart of caffeine country to get people to kick the paper habit. “I think Seattle can push the frontier,” she said at Seattle Green Festival, a two-day celebration of ecofriendliness where the effort got its official start on May 21. The thin plastic coating that keeps most cups from turning to mush complicates recycling. Only a handful of cities try, including Seattle. But even if cups are recycled, it still requires enormous amounts of energy and resources to manufacture and ship them, de Weille told theSeattle Times. Seattle City Council President Richard Conlin endorsed the initiative, which urges participants to whip out their own reusable cups for mochas on the go or “for here.” Americans go through 56 billion paper cups every year, according to statistics compiled by International Paper. Starbucks alone gulps up 3 billion.”

Activist wants ban on paper coffee cups via St. Petersburg Times

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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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2011 Green Festival

“In its 10th year in Seattle the Green Festival celebrated 1 million attendees and all that is good and green. Green Festival is the largest sustainability-focused event in the U.S. and folks learned about everything from GMO’s and organics to solar and urban composting options. People also came out to hear from well-known sustainability experts including Dennis Kucinich, Ed Humes, and Zoe Weil.”

VIEW PHOTOS: 2011 Green Festival via Mohini Patel Glanz – Seattle Weekly

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Seattle Green Festival Recap

Green Festival 2011 via Tasha Kaye – The Clean Eating Mama

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Go play today: Green Festival, baseball, kids' concerts, live jazz, WWE and more

“Looking for something to do? Here are some of the events going on around the South Sound today.

Seattle Green Festival 11 a.m.-6 May 22, Qwest Field and Event Center, 800 Occidental Ave. South, Seattle; Online – $10/day, $15/weekend; Door – $15/day, $25/weekend ; www.greenfestivals.org.”

Go play today: Green Festival, baseball, kids’ concerts, live jazz, WWE and more via Mary Anderson – The News Tribune

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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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Governor Quinn Unveils Comprehensive Energy Plan

CHICAGO IL – May 9, 2011 Governor Pat Quinn today announced a comprehensive proposal that will protect Illinois’ consumers by stabilizing energy bills, while creating thousands of jobs and encouraging investment in clean, renewable and reliable energy. The plan moves Illinois towards ensuring that 25 percent of our energy comes from renewable sources by 2025, which is mandated by state law.

“A comprehensive approach is required to address the energy challenges of today and tomorrow,” said Governor Quinn. “This plan will protect Illinois consumers from high energy costs, while creating thousands of jobs by increasing energy efficiency, improving our state’s aging energy infrastructure and shifting to cleaner, renewable and reliable energy sources.”

The Governor’s comprehensive strategy modernizes our electric grid and energy infrastructure in a way that benefits Illinois’ consumers. The plan encourages investment in energy efficiency projects that shield consumers from high energy prices and supports renewable energy projects. It also creates a path for approval of clean coal projects, which will help us responsibly harness our significant coal reserves.

The proposal helps consumers invest in their own clean energy generation (i.e. solar), freeing them from the need to buy power and reducing capacity problems on our electric grid. It also guarantees that consumers benefit from grid upgrades, instead of the utility companies, by strictly defining those kinds of grid upgrades and ensuring that they create jobs.

Under the Governor’s proposal, the Illinois Power Agency (IPA) will be able to effectively broker long-term contracts for clean energy, which will lock in low rates for consumers, help lower energy prices overall and allow new projects to be built, which will create new jobs. The plan will stimulate investment in clean energy that is projected to create more than 6,000 jobs over six years.

The Governor’s plan also encourages energy efficiency, which reduces the amount of high-priced power consumers must buy. Every $1 spent on energy efficiency saves consumers $3 to $4. Each additional 1 percent of energy reductions gained through energy efficiency by the IPA is projected to create 4,000 jobs.

Governor Quinn today also expressed his strong opposition to House Bill 14, which would enable electric utilities to automatically raise rates annually without any prior approval by the Illinois Commerce Commission. While infrastructure upgrades are necessary, the Governor believes there are alternative proposals that will accomplish these goals and protect consumers.

Governor Quinn’s comprehensive energy plan will modernize Illinois’ energy policy and helps our state produce and use power more efficiently. It encourages the development of clean, renewable power sources and a reliable 21st-century power infrastructure, while ensuring effective regulation of our state’s energy providers.

Read More: http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=2&RecNum=9392

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Organic Food Club Inc. Offers "Taste Before You Buy" at Chicago Green Festival

Organic Food Club, Inc., dba Taste-A-Thon has over 35 years experience in the organic and natural food industry.  We have strived to gain exposure in the desirable and highly targeted Green and sustainable market by providing the public with the opportunity to “taste before they buy” (our motto) at mass-marketed events, schools and farmer’s markets.

The Taste-A-Thon concept has been a lively and popular attraction for over twenty-three years.  We are proud of the fact that our booths are consistently busy with people waiting to taste and sample our foods throughout the day.  Taste-A-Thons are located in cities where retail merchants sell the products we sample.  In addition, by handing out product information and coupons, this is a powerful way to increase the retailer’s customer base.

Recently, we have implemented www.OrganicFoodClub.com, an Amazon (online) Store, conveniently organized for an easy accessible shopping experience.  One click and you can select over 30 alphabetized categories, ranging from baby products to sweeteners and syrups, including dips & spreads, snack bars, energy beverages and gluten free cookies, etc. Amazon’s healthy organic product pricing is practically impossible to match due to their massive economies of scale. We urge you to check our low prices and compare to where you buy your healthy organic products now.

Our involvement in the Green Festivals began in 2007 in San Francisco, CA, and we have since participated each year.  This month at the Chicago Green Festival, we will be sampling products from the following companies:

  • Santa Cruz Organic / RW Knudsen (organic juices, sodas, peanut butter, jelly and applesauce);
  • Lisanatti Foods (alternative organic soy and almond-based cheeses);
  • Lifeway Foods (local organic / natural kefir beverages);
  • Follow Your Heart / Earth Island (vegan soy organic cream cheese, salad dressings, mayonnaise, cheeses);
  • Alvarado Street Bakery (organic sprouted variety of breads and bagels);
  • Tiny Mighty Popcorn (organic popcorn);
  • Raw Indulgence (organic fruit and nut snack bars);
  • Food For Life Bakery (organic gluten free english muffins, cereals and veggie burgers);
  • Earth Friendly Products (plant-based household cleaning products);
  • Lundberg Family Farms (organic rice cakes and chips);
  • San-J (organic tamari samples and sauces);
  • Sunshine Burger (organic vegan burgers);
  • Michael Seasons Natural Snacks (organic corn curls and chips);
  • Dr. Kracker (assorted organic flatbread crackers); and
  • Others to come.

Our newest company, Taste Marketing, Inc. dba Organic Produce Box has created a fundraising opportunity for schools, organizations, businesses, or an individual.  This program makes it possible to conveniently purchase certified organic produce that is affordable and fresher than store bought.  We are currently looking for new pickup locations for a minimum of 25 people / families to order these boxes.  Please visit www.organicproducebox.com for more information, or contact 773-331-0260.  Stop by the Taste-A-Thon booth.

Finally, we have aligned our efforts with community action/non-profit organizations such as Farm Aid and the Organic Farming Research Foundation.  It is through their generous donations that we continue to create fundraising campaigns which set us apart from any other consumer direct marketing company.  We are extremely pleased with our donation concept, as it has raised thousands of dollars over the last several years.

For more information contact:

Ed Kugler, Taste-a-thon Founder

tastemarketing@gmail.com

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