Climate Rally In Washington Brought Out 40,000 People, Organizers Estimatefrom Huffington Post Green, February 20, 2013
Thousands of protestors gather at the National Mall in Washington calling on President Barack Obama to reject the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada, as well as act to limit carbon pollution from power plants and move beyond coal and natural gas, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) WASHINGTON — Hoisting signs that read “Forward on Climate” and “No on Keystone XL,” a massive group of protesters gathered on the National Mall Sunday to urge President Obama to take action on climate policy. Organizers of the major rally, including the Sierra Club and environmental activist group 350.org, estimated that there were 40,000 protesters from 30 states in what the groups are billing as the largest climate rally in history. “This movement’s been building a long time,” Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org, told activists gathered at the Washington Monument. “One of the things that’s built it is everybody’s desire to give the president the support he needs to block this Keystone pipeline.” Participants braved 30-degree weather to hear speakers including McKibben and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) — co-chair of the newly formed climate change task force — discuss the path forward on climate, before marching up 17th Street to rally at the White House.
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National Wildlife Federation: Wildlife in a Warming WorldThe National Wildlife Federation has just release a report entitled “Wildlife in a Warming World” – from their press release: The climate crisis is already changing the playing field for wildlife and urgent action is needed to preserve America’s conservation legacy, according to a new report released today by the National Wildlife Federation. Wildlife in a Warming World: Confronting the Climate Crisis examines case studies from across the country illustrating how global warming is altering wildlife habitats. It recommends solutions to protect both wildlife and communities across America from the growing climate-fueled threats such as extreme weather, sea level rise and wildfires. You can access the full report here.
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Take Action: Secret Scents and Hidden AllergensFrom lotion and shampoo to blush and even lipstick, fragrance seems to be everywhere in personal care products. A few years ago the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics released a report, Not So Sexy, that found harmful ingredients in fragrance that companies keep a secret from the public. Now, a new report from our partners at Women’s Voices for the Earth has found that tens of millions of people suffer from skin and respiratory allergies caused by hidden chemicals in fragrance. The worst part? It’s nearly impossible for us to avoid specific fragrance allergens because cosmetic companies keep fragrance ingredients a secret. Call on the fragrance industry to lift this veil of secrecy and disclose ingredients used in fragrance. Here’s the scoop from Secret Scents: How Hidden Fragrance Ingredients Harm Public Health: Twenty-percent of the population is sensitized to an allergen, and fragrance is one of the most frequently identified allergens causing allergic reactions. Allergic reactions to fragrance chemicals are on the rise, especially among children. Women are more impacted by fragrance allergy; women are exposed to more perfumed personal care products and cosmetics, and are 2-3x more likely to suffer from fragrance allergies than men. Fragrance is hard to avoid. For example, fragrance is found in 96% of shampoos, 91% of antiperspirants, and 95% of shaving products. In the E.U. manufacturers of cosmetics are required to disclose the presence of 26 common fragrance allergens. Many of these companies make the same products in the U.S., but not all disclose allergens because it’s not required by U.S. law. Dermatologists face an uphill battle in identifying what is causing a patient’s reactions because companies don’t disclose fragrance ingredients, making it difficult for the patient to avoid the allergen in question. Moisturizing lotion is commonly recommended to prevent flare-ups, but 83% of over-the-counter moisturizers contain fragrance. The solution is simple: Companies should disclose fragrance ingredients in personal care products so that we have the choice to avoid ingredients that may harm our health. There is absolutely no reason why vital public health information should be kept a secret. Please take a moment to tell the fragrance industry to stop keeping fragrance ingredients a secret! Learn more about hidden fragrance ingredients and what you can do to avoid fragrance. Thanks for all you do, Jamie, Adrienne, Sarada, Janet, Darylle, Cindy, Margie, Shannon, and all of us at the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics P.S. This report focuses solely on allergy associated with fragrance. However, allergy is neither the only nor the most severe health problem caused by fragrance. While beyond the scope of this report, it should be noted that neurotoxic effects, respiratory effects, immune system impacts and others are all associated with fragrance.
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Nominations for EPA New England’s Annual Environmental Merit AwardsDeadline for Nominations is March 1, 2013 (Boston, Mass. – Jan. 24, 2013) – EPA is now accepting nominations for the 2013 Environmental Merit Awards, which will recognize environmental achievements during the past year. Award categories are available for individuals, businesses, state and local governments, and other organizations. Awards are also given under a lifetime achievement category. These regional awards have been given out annually since EPA was created in 1970. Past recipients have included scientists, community activists, business representatives, public officials and other individuals committed to preserving the environment. An independent EPA panel will select the winners based on the following criteria: long-term effects on the environment; ability to address an environmental problem or need; collaboration with others; ability of the program or accomplishments to be widely shared; clarity and effectiveness of the presentation; and promotion of innovative ideas or techniques. The awards are given in four categories: individual; business, industry, trade, and professional organization; local, state or federal government; and environmental, community or non-profit organization. The deadline for nominations is March 1. Awards winners will be invited to a ceremony this spring in Boston. More information: Nomination forms for EPA New England Environmental Merit Awards, see: http://www.epa.gov/ne/ra/ema/ .
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EPA Invites Communities to Apply for Smart Growth AssistanceThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today is inviting applications from communities interested in exploring barriers to smart growth and testing innovative strategies that can create healthier, more sustainable places to live, work, and play. EPA’s Smart Growth Implementation Assistance (SGIA) program provides technical assistance to help communities grow in ways that improve the local economy, the environment, and people’s health. The program aims to help applicants develop solutions to local challenges, such as managing stormwater, increasing transit-oriented development, and adapting to climate change, and to share those solutions with other communities. EPA will be accepting applications from tribal, local, regional, and state governments and nonprofit organizations that have partnered with a governmental entity for their request for assistance. Applications will be accepted until March 1, 2013. EPA will provide assistance to three to four communities selected from this round of applications. EPA is seeking applications in the following four categories: 1. Community Resilience to Disasters and Climate Change – Projects should aim to develop planning principles and building design guidelines that ensure future development provides communities with better protection against storms, floods, and other natural disasters. 2. Redevelopment for Job Creation – Projects should aim to support growing industries that provide quality jobs for existing residents using land use policies that direct development to existing neighborhoods, are pedestrian-friendly, allow for transit connections, and are close to businesses and public services. 3. Manufactured and Modular Homes in Sustainable Neighborhood Design – Projects should help communities that are using manufactured and modular homes to address sudden population and economic growth. These communities should provide a mix of uses and maximize existing streets and other infrastructure investments, community gathering spaces, and water and energy efficiency. 4. Medical and Social Service Facilities Siting – Projects should aim to explore planning for high-quality community service facilities, including health care centers and social services centers, in ways that support neighborhood economic development and healthy communities. More information on the SGIA program and applications: http://epa.gov/smartgrowth/sgia.htm More information on the Partnership for Sustainable Communities:
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March 1 Grant Deadline for Applications to the Green Pastures FundBerkshire Taconic Community Foundation is accepting grant applications to the Green Pastures Fund through March 1. The fund’s mission is to preserve and encourage small, community-based agricultural ventures which might include, but are not limited to: community-supported agriculture; local farmers’ markets; urban garden programs; agricultural scholarships; cooperative programming; internships; grantwriting; and marketing. Last year, eighteen nonprofits received support for innovative community-based agricultural programs. Past grants have supported Greenagers’ Front Lawn Food program and community garden, preserving landscapes with Berkshires Natural Resources Council, grain storage bins for animals at Gould Farm and various farmers’ markets.
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Rural Community Design GrantThe Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design (CIRD) is a National Endowment for the Arts leadership initiative in partnership with the USDA and Project for Public Spaces, Inc., along with the Orton Family Foundation and the CommunityMatters® Partnership. CIRD (formerly known as “Your Town”) works to help rural communities with populations of 50,000 or fewer enhance their quality of life and economic vitality through facilitated design workshops. The program brings together local leaders, non-profits, and community organizations with a team of specialists in design, planning, and creative placemaking to address challenges like strengthening economies, enhancing rural character, leveraging cultural assets, and designing efficient housing and transportation systems. CIRD recently issued a request for proposals to rural communities facing design challenges to host local workshops in 2013. Successful applicants will receive a $7,000 grant and in-kind design expertise and technical assistance valued at $35,000. The deadline for submitting a proposal is Tuesday March 5, 2013 at 5:00 pm EST; click here to apply and here for more info.
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Holyoke Education and Outreach Coordinator— From idealist.org and the Trustees of Reservations Are you interested in working with urban youth in the outdoors? Do you have experience in community organizing, outdoor education, or environmental activism? If so, check out our new job opening for the Holyoke Education and Outreach Coordinator. The Education and Outreach Coordinator is responsible for the creation, delivery, and administration of educational programming and outreach activities in the Holyoke area for the Trustees of Reservations, with a specific focus on youth programming, and for the coordination of two Youth Conservation Corps teams – one in Holyoke and one in Leominster. More information available here. More current job openings with the Trustees of Reservations here.
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Job Description: Ecological Programs CoordinatorThe Ecological Programs Coordinator administers the Society’s ecological restoration programs, including invasive species management, throughout New England. The Coordinator reports to the Director of Conservation and supervises staff, interns, and volunteers in implementing these programs. Responsibilities include: 1) Arrange projects and contracts with conservation partners (land trusts, state conservation agencies, private conservation groups, etc.) to develop ecological management plans for natural areas. Focus areas are those with rare species and outstanding natural communities. 2) Perform botanical inventories. 3) Develop restoration plans and restore natural communities by removing/controlling invasive species and planting native plant species. 4) Oversee management of the Society’s sanctuaries and act as staff liaison with Sanctuary Committee, 5) Assist with seed collection, rare plant searches, documentation, and other conservation activities of the Society. 6) Teach workshops and classes on invasive species and ecological restoration. 7) Write grants and seek funding to support management projects and other conservation activities. 8) Act as the Society’s representative on committees and partnerships (such as SuAsCo-CISMA, WISP etc.) focused on invasive species management. 9) 9) Interact with the public on conservation issues. 10) 10)Obtain permits for restoration activities as necessary. 11) 11)Assist with other department activities as needed.
Qualifications:
Send cover letter and resume to: Bill Brumback, Conservation Director, New England Wild Flower Society. bbrumback@newenglandwild.org Application period ends 8 March 2013.
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Community Outreach Intern— From The Nature Conservancy The Nature Conservancy’s Forest Health Protection Program seeks two summer interns to engage in community outreach efforts to protect America’s forests through creative and innovative educational marketing campaigns. This isn’t your average internship! Interns will spend the summer living in and traveling around the beautiful Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts, attending outdoor community and regional events and educating members of the public. For more information and to apply online, click here.
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