January 2008
22 posts
Thank you Mr. Hilbert and Mr. Jewell!
Richmond City Councilmen Hilbert and Jewell have introduced the Wise County Resolution, 2008-R13. The resolution is a strong statement of opposition to the proposed coal-fired power plant in Wise County, Virginia. This plant, if built, would become one of the top ten polluters in VA, would require more mountaintop removal coal-mining in southwest VA and to top it all off would cost VA ratepayers...
Some mid-week Treehugger links
Last post was about the promise of bicycling. Here’s another cool bicycle idea that could have world-wide impact: introducing the Aquaduct bicycle Speaking of aqua, VCU, Sports Backers, and other local entities are planning to build some large natatoriums in the near future. Perhaps one location will be on Boulevard near the Diamond. Hope they consider what China is doing for it’s new...
How about an RVA BIKE TOUR for Earth Day?
John Murden, the local internet superstar who helped start all the neighborhood blogs, had a great post on his personal blog. Sounds “world-class” to me. Maybe it can be tied into the Mayor’s Walk & Roll Bike Ride, which was part of previous Richmond Earth Day celebrations. By the way, there is a planning meeting for this year’s Earth Day at the JRPS Reedy Creek...
Germany to REQUIRE renewable energy in all new... →
Have not seen this widely reported here in the U.S., now have you?
"Empty Oceans, Empty Nets"
Tuckahoe Know Your Environment Documentary - “Empty Oceans, Empty Nets” Hello Earth-lovers, This month the Tuckahoe Know Your Environment tackles the crisis of the oceans. The KYE Book Discussion Group had an engaging discussion earlier this month on the book The Empty Ocean by Richard Ellis. This coming Monday, January 28, at 6:30 in the Tuckahoe Computer Lab (downstairs), we’ll...
Tree Steward Class
Did you ever want to learn how to identify trees? Or how to properly prune a young tree to insure good development? Interested in taking care of the trees in our community? Tree Steward Classes will be held on Mondays from 6:30-8:30PM at the Byrd Park Roundhouse on Feb.4, 11, 18, & 25 and March 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31. Contact Norm Brown at (804) 646-6785 for more information. Class topics...
Some cool links
I have a lot more news coming, but until then, here are a few cool links: Miracle in Orme Conservation resilience and climate change Black Rock Solar And hey, if you have not already, express your support for citizen environmental review boards in Virginia!
University of Richmond president signs climate...
I just returned from an international trip (perhaps I will blog about that later). I was greatly pleased to receive the following news. Of course, my immediate thought was- WHAT ABOUT VCU? University of Richmond president signs climate commitment January 21, 2008 University of Richmond President Edward L. Ayers has signed an agreement committing the university to sharply reducing and eventually...
A Brave(s’) Field of Greens?
The collective tantrum over the Richmond Braves’ announcement is taking over Richmond blogdom. While I am sad to see the Braves go, I am not going to cry about it either. I did not like the feeling that Atlanta management was trying to hold local taxpayers hostage. I was also never a big fan of any of past years’ new stadium site proposals; for one thing they never seemed to fully account for the...
Electric Vehicle Demand Curve →
Since I seem to be geeking out a bit today, I figured I would add this link to Tom Konrad’s excellent Alternative Energy Stocks blog. Go ahead and take a look. But don’t forget to vote. My vote was for “I would also own another vehicle, and I’d pay $3,000 less for the 120 mile range EV version.”. I am itching to replace my old Honda with an EV, but right now and for...
Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Switch Locomotive →
Since growing up in Norfolk and living in Richmond, I have become very used to train sounds. Still, I do get woken up every once in a while by a real screecher. Thankfully, new quieter, more efficient train technology, like this locomotive, are just around the bend. If citizens demand it, maybe it will arrive in Richmond sooner. Please do check out the comments on this article. They bring up...
In the Farm Bill, a “Factory Farm Incentive... →
Perhaps this stands out to me because I watched the old 1972 action movie “Prime Cut” last night… But as newcomer Jenna reminded me yesterday, its great that Richmond has so many vegetarian resources and growing organic ones.
Welcome Jenna, Monday, and more stuff
Had brunch this morning at 821 Bakery Cafe with the new GreenCorp volunteer, Jenna Garland, who is sort of taking over the area for Ruth Morrison. She will be working in the Sierra Club office downtown. Like me, she is an old college radio hand, and I am looking forward to coordinating more outreach efforts with her. Welcome to Richmond, Jenna. Couple of quick things: Part of the big local news...
More solar potential
Cannot resist sharing this exciting science news. “A team of researchers from California, Mexico and China have combined two nanotech methods for engineering solar cell materials to create a material that performs better than expected. Two methods for engineering solar cell materials that have shown particular promise are the use of thin films of metal oxide nanoparticles, such as titanium...
Bag Bans
Local grocery store Ellwood Thompson’s and China both banning plastic bags.
Green theater coming soon!
Last night the SCFOJ Ex Comm voted to cosponsor the upcoming BIGGEST Picture, Feb. 9th and 10th. The Virginia Commonwealth University Ecodefense is organizing this environmental film festival at the Byrd Theatre. It will also feature a speech by Ralph Nader. Visit the official website by clicking here In the meantime, help the Governor’s School’s Green Dragons celebrate their...
Timber
Sounds like Church Hill residents have a lot of questions about the City’s urban forestry program. At the same time, Bush Administration Seeks to Approve 700% Logging Increase in Oregon’s Old-Growth ForestsWhile much better news is that Chile Enacts Landmark Bill to Protect its Forests after 15 Years
Make it up and plan ahead.
Despite New Year’s resolution to try to have a blog entry every day, I missed yesterday….I will try to make it up today. I was busy yesterday morning with neighborhood cleanup. I have also been trying to take part in the ongoing conversation regarding Richmond riverfront development. The calendar is filling up so plan ahead: Tomorrow, 7th- an Ex Comm meeting for the SCFOJ- remember,...
Food Resolutions, Platinum Theft, and Five...
Some more non-solar environmental stories… New Year’s Food Resolutions “Having spent the bulk of New Year’s Day digging an 18-inch-deep hole in the yard for our new Green Cone food waste compost bin (producing a mountain-sized hill of dirt and getting a monster splinter in the process), I had food—specifically, how to eat more sustainably—on the brain. Here are...
Stop the Coal Rush This Tuesday!
Got this timely Alert from the State Chapter office, and I thought I would spread the word by posting part of it here: Smart Energy Solutions Action Alert Stop the Coal Rush: Come to Public Hearing on Jan. 8 The State Corporation Commission is holding a public hearing this coming Tuesday morning on Dominion Power’s proposed Coal plant. The Public Hearing will be held at the Tyler...
Stream cleanup could trickle down to rivers →
I was glad to see this article in the TD this morning. People need to remember that ”Many of these streams, which are bounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and the Appalachians to the west, are, in fact, headwaters for major rivers including the Shenandoah, the James, the Roanoke and the New River.”
New Year's Resolutions and Greenways
Happy New Year! Well, again, if you have not already, I hope you make it a New Year’s resolution to join the Sierra Club, the oldest environmental advocacy organization, and become an active participant. One of my own, more specific resolutions is to try to get a new blog post on here every day in 2008 and make the posts more personable (Of course, that may be a tall order given that my...