From globalclimatesolutions at gmail.com Mon Sep 1 07:54:56 2008 From: globalclimatesolutions at gmail.com (Ryan Hottle) Date: Mon, 1 Sep 2008 10:54:56 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] An Inconvenient Truth Leads to a Call to Action Message-ID: <1515a9290809010754u738a249dn7256e46098bddd57@mail.gmail.com> Dear Climate Solutions Thinkers, Dr. Larry Kinney, one of the world's foremost experts on building science, energy efficiency, and conservation, has posted an article at www.GlobalClimateSolutions.org . We're looking for the most cutting-edge solutions to global climate change and peak oil! We welcome any and all thinking about these incredibly important matters to share their ideas on our blog by becoming a guest contributor. What we choose to do--or not to do--will make all the difference. Be determined to work together and to win! Respectfully, Ryan D. Hottle -- GLOBAL CLIMATE SOLUTIONS www.GlobalClimateSolutions.org serious, sustainable solutions to climate change including carbon-negative energy submit your ideas and articles on-line at: www.GlobalClimateSolutions.org From Wericclay at aol.com Mon Sep 1 08:02:58 2008 From: Wericclay at aol.com (Wericclay at aol.com) Date: Mon, 1 Sep 2008 11:02:58 EDT Subject: [SustainableTompkins] your input for new state initiative on housing for older persons Message-ID: Hi Gay, A number of the older adults with whom I work are actively facing or have already faced these issues. Most, when they are not confronted with some facts, will choose housing options that involve specialized elder communities or moves away from networks of family and friends to rely too much on one important relationship. While choices for specialized communities or a close relative can be quite good, they are generally more isolating (from pre-existing relationship networks) and dependency provoking than they need to be. All that I have read and seen indicates that the physical setting for aging well is less important than the density of meaningful relationships. This frames the sustainability question more as a matter of maintaining, transforming and building relationships than focusing on the built environment. Within that constraint, there are choices about the built environment that become more or less "sustainable". If the goals of older folks are to live as fully and as independently as possible, they may need the challenge of stairs, walking, driving as long as it is safe, living with annoying neighbors, family members and friends, as well as some accommodations for accessibility and some skills at dealing with fundamental conflict with adult children, grandchildren and friends. The easier path for aging is often not the more satisfying path. Most people I work with are capable of adding to and re-shaping their networks of friends and significant relationships well into their 70s and 80s, even when they initially don't believe they can. Very few are able to keep up with the many relationship changes, or find them meaningful in their 90s, and by that time almost all of their significant lifelong peers will be gone, and their lives will be lived with people more strange than familiar to them. While there are many environmental and behavioral approaches to staving off memory loss, memory loss will eventually happen, if you live long enough. Cultivating contradictory skills is critical--both the skills to make the choices that slow memory loss and the skills to be open to accepting memory loss and find a way to live joyfully with it. Doing both types of things make people feel and know that they are taking care of themselves, even while they cannot provide all care for themselves. The experience of life of changes becomes both easier and more meaningful. The measure of a life's worth is not how much we are independent or dependent, but rather the grace with which we give what we can to one another and take what we need. This is hard for people to learn. Yet even those most fiercely independent, or those most wanting to slip into dependency, can find a way that is more satisfying, and a life that is more complex and rich than they might have imagined if confronted, and I mean confronted, with what they have not thought about doing or becoming. >From what I have read and seen, planning for a "sustainable" older adulthood really needs to begin at about age 50, and be significantly in place by age 60. Most people don't think about starting until they are close to 60. That is sad, but we can't really address what does not matter to us, until it finally does matter. I am 50 years old. I have made changes, and am making changes, to my house in Fall Creek that will make it a place that I should be able to thrive in until I am 100 years old, if I should live that long. But if it does not work out, I will be prepared to struggle through alternatives. The man who built the house that I own and have renovated, built it in 1913 and lived in it until he died at age 100, in 1970. My former neighbor to the north built his house in 1950 and died there in 2002. Now his son and family live there. And the man who lives in the house to the south of me was born in the southeast bedroom of that very house 92 years ago. He intends to die in the northeast bedroom of that same house, someday. There are many, many ways to age well. Recognizing that there are many choices, and that very rarely only one is optimal into a future we cannot fully predict, helps people to make hard choices as well as to not force choices before they make sense. What is most critical is that older folks fully believe in the value of the search for a good way to live as much as a good place to live. "Making do" with what one can figure out often leads to a little more optimism and more resilience in coping with both the welcome surprises and serious disappointments that come. "Being resigned" to no good alternatives often leads to or continues a life where one perceives oneself has powerless or a victim, whether or not this may be true. "Demanding care" without regard to one's material resources, or the strain on relationships with family or friends may lead a whole community on a painful search for what is not possible that feels dictatorial and at times abusive. In as much as those of us who are not so old are involved in the lives of those who are older, the most we can offer to sustainable living is an open-ended commitment to be friends and companions on the journey, offering our direct, and imperfect insight and resources to live into a future that none of us can really accurately predict. I have many, many specific ideas, but they are probably best shared directly. Eric Eric Clay, M.Div., Ph.D. Community Coach Shared Journeys, Inc. 832 North Aurora Street Ithaca, NY 14850 607-592-6874_ wericclay at aol.com_ (mailto:wericclay at aol.com) Shared Journeys: Make a World of Difference Our mission is to help individuals, families, organizations and communities care more effectively for themselves and others who are not like them. **************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel deal here. (http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047) From Wericclay at aol.com Mon Sep 1 08:06:01 2008 From: Wericclay at aol.com (Wericclay at aol.com) Date: Mon, 1 Sep 2008 11:06:01 EDT Subject: [SustainableTompkins] your input for new state initiative on housing for older persons Message-ID: Hi Gay and all, A number of the older adults with whom I work are actively facing or have already faced these issues. Most, when they are not confronted with some facts, will choose housing options that involve specialized elder communities or moves away from networks of family and friends to rely too much on one important relationship. While choices for specialized communities or a close relative can be quite good, they are generally more isolating (from pre-existing relationship networks) and dependency provoking than they need to be. All that I have read and seen indicates that the physical setting for aging well is less important than the density of meaningful relationships. This frames the sustainability question more as a matter of maintaining, transforming and building relationships than focusing on the built environment. Within that constraint, there are choices about the built environment that become more or less "sustainable". If the goals of older folks are to live as fully and as independently as possible, they may need the challenge of stairs, walking, driving as long as it is safe, living with annoying neighbors, family members and friends, as well as some accommodations for accessibility and some skills at dealing with fundamental conflict with adult children, grandchildren and friends. The easier path for aging is often not the more satisfying path. Most people I work with are capable of adding to and re-shaping their networks of friends and significant relationships well into their 70s and 80s, even when they initially don't believe they can. Very few are able to keep up with the many relationship changes, or find them meaningful in their 90s, and by that time almost all of their significant lifelong peers will be gone, and their lives will be lived with people more strange than familiar to them. While there are many environmental and behavioral approaches to staving off memory loss, memory loss will eventually happen, if you live long enough. Cultivating contradictory skills is critical--both the skills to make the choices that slow memory loss and the skills to be open to accepting memory loss and find a way to live joyfully with it. Doing both types of things make people feel and know that they are taking care of themselves, even while they cannot provide all care for themselves. The experience of life of changes becomes both easier and more meaningful. The measure of a life's worth is not how much we are independent or dependent, but rather the grace with which we give what we can to one another and take what we need. This is hard for people to learn. Yet even those most fiercely independent, or those most wanting to slip into dependency, can find a way that is more satisfying, and a life that is more complex and rich than they might have imagined if confronted, and I mean confronted, with what they have not thought about doing or becoming. >From what I have read and seen, planning for a "sustainable" older adulthood really needs to begin at about age 50, and be significantly in place by age 60. Most people don't think about starting until they are close to 60. That is sad, but we can't really address what does not matter to us, until it finally does matter. I am 50 years old. I have made changes, and am making changes, to my house in Fall Creek that will make it a place that I should be able to thrive in until I am 100 years old, if I should live that long. But if it does not work out, I will be prepared to struggle through alternatives. The man who built the house that I own and have renovated, built it in 1913 and lived in it until he died at age 100, in 1970. My former neighbor to the north built his house in 1950 and died there in 2002. Now his son and family live there. And the man who lives in the house to the south of me was born in the southeast bedroom of that very house 92 years ago. He intends to die in the northeast bedroom of that same house, someday. There are many, many ways to age well. Recognizing that there are many choices, and that very rarely only one is optimal into a future we cannot fully predict, helps people to make hard choices as well as to not force choices before they make sense. What is most critical is that older folks fully believe in the value of the search for a good way to live as much as a good place to live. "Making do" with what one can figure out often leads to a little more optimism and more resilience in coping with both the welcome surprises and serious disappointments that come. "Being resigned" to no good alternatives often leads to or continues a life where one perceives oneself has powerless or a victim, whether or not this may be true. "Demanding care" without regard to one's material resources, or the strain on relationships with family or friends may lead a whole community on a painful search for what is not possible that feels dictatorial and at times abusive. In as much as those of us who are not so old are involved in the lives of those who are older, the most we can offer to sustainable living is an open-ended commitment to be friends and companions on the journey, offering our direct, and imperfect insight and resources to live into a future that none of us can really accurately predict. I have many, many specific ideas, but they are probably best shared directly. Eric Eric Clay, M.Div., Ph.D. Community Coach Shared Journeys, Inc. 832 North Aurora Street Ithaca, NY 14850 607-592-6874_ wericclay at aol.com_ (mailto:wericclay at aol.com) Shared Journeys: Make a World of Difference Our mission is to help individuals, families, organizations and communities care more effectively for themselves and others who are not like them. **************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel deal here. (http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047) From sjr37 at cornell.edu Mon Sep 1 08:14:16 2008 From: sjr37 at cornell.edu (Sandra Repp) Date: Mon, 01 Sep 2008 11:14:16 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Coop. Extension Sept-Oct. Calendar Message-ID: <6.2.1.2.2.20080901105531.033fef10@postoffice9.mail.cornell.edu> The following Cooperative Extension workshops or events may be of interest to Sustainable Tompkins list subscribers. To see all of our offerings, please visit www.ccetompkins.org Weatherizing and Repairing Older Windows Wednesday, September 10, 7:00-9:00 PM Cooperative Extension Ed. Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca Energy loss through air leaks around your windows can be significant. By learning simple methods for repairing and weatherizing your older windows, you can save money on your energy bills and increase your comfort without the expense of replacement windows. This workshop is presented by Mark Pierce, Cornell Cooperative Extension Associate. The workshop is FREE, but space is limited. Please call Carole Fisher at 272-2292 or email crf11 at cornell.edu for more information or to reserve a seat. Save Energy, Save Dollars Wednesday, September 17, 6:30-8:30pm Cooperative Extension Ed. Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca Learn about low-cost and no-cost ways to reduce your home energy usage and programs that can help you afford energy-efficiency improvements to your home. Each participating household will receive a free kit of energy-saving items worth $15. This workshop is free, but pre-registration is required. Call CCE to reserve a seat and energy kit at (607) 272-2292 or email Carole Fisher at crf11 at cornell.edu. Offered again in Ithaca at Cooperative Extension on: Thursday, 9/25 at 12 Noon; Thursday, 10/2 at 6:30 pm; Thursday, 10/16 at 12 Noon; Wednesday, 10/29 at 6:30 pm; Wednesday, 11/5 at 6:30 pm; and Thursday, 11/13 at 6:30 pm. Offered in Dryden, on Wednesday Sept. 24, 7:00-9:00pm at Dryden Community Cafe, 1 W. Main Street, and in Enfield on Wednesday, October 1, 6:30-8:30pm at the Enfield Grange Building, Enfield Main Road. Introduction to Home Winemaking Monday, September 22, 6:30-8:30 pm Cooperative Extension Ed. Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca This class by winemaker Martha Giomousis will cover the basics of making wine from grapes or grape juice and is intended for the novice home winemaker. Topics will include: grape varieties, sources of wine grapes or juice, pre-fermentation procedures, starting and completing fermentation, post-fermentation procedures, and winemaking equipment and supplies. Fee: $5. Limited to 20 participants; pre-registration and prepayment required. Please call 272-2292. Cold Frames for Extended Season Gardening Saturday, September 27, 12:30-2:30 pm Ithaca Children's Garden, Rt. 89 - Cass Park Learn about cold frames and crops you can grow in them during late fall and winter. This class will be divided into two parts: 1) cold frame types and construction of a small frame 2) how to grow crops in them for season extension. The workshop will be designed to be part lecture, part hands-on. Dress for the outdoors. $10/person. NOTE: in case of inclement weather, the class will move to Cooperative Extension, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca. Compost with Confidence Saturday, Sept. 27, 12:00 noon-1:00 pm Topic: "Stealth" Composting (double-bin, indoor system) Saturday, Oct. 25, 12:00 noon-1:00 pm, Topic: Winter Composting Compost Demonstration Site, Ithaca Community Gardens (near the Farmers' Market) Master Composter volunteers will provide information and give hands-on demonstrations to help you set up and manage a composting system in any setting. Each FREE class will cover the basics of composting to teach you how to manage a successful system with minimal effort. Visit the workshop(s) of your choice to also learn about: Home Storage of Fruits and Vegetables Wednesday, October 1, 7:00-8:30 pm Cooperative Extension Ed. Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca Learn how to keep fruits and vegetables into late fall and winter. Grow or buy root crops, winter squash, and apples from area growers in bulk and enjoy locally grown produce even after farm markets close. Learn about what crops store well, the conditions they require and storage techniques. Fee: $5/person Please call 272-2292 to register. 2008 Green Buildings Open House Saturday-Sunday, October 4-5, 10 am-4 pm Now - 2 Days of Green Homes! Don't miss this unique opportunity to see first hand renewable energy and green building practices at work in our area. This year's Open House features 27 sites in Tompkins, Tioga and Schuyler Counties including the 2007 Cornell Solar Decathalon Team entry, now a private home! Half the sites will be open each day, and omeowners and/or builders will be on site to answer questions and describe their green building features - such as energy efficient appliances, passive solar design, photovoltaics, wind power, salvaged and non-toxic building materials, local lumber, strawbale construction and more! FREE. Pick up your Open House Guide ($1 suggested donation, 100% recycled paper) at Cooperative Extension, or view it online on our website at 2008 Green Buildings Open House. Sites also will be described at: http://nesea.org/buildings/openhouse/. Shuttle van, cycling, and scooter tours led by green building professionals will be offered for a small fee. Call 607-272-2292 to sign up for guided tours, or for more information. Organized by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County and the Ithaca Green Building Alliance in conjunction with the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association and the American Solar Energy Society. Fall Worm Composting Class Saturday, November 22, 10:00 am-noon Cooperative Extension Ed. Center, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca More and more people are choosing to compost indoors with a worm bin. Learn all about the worms you will need and how to set up and maintain your bin. Everyone who completes this workshop will leave with a starter bin and worms. Children welcome with accompanying adult. Fee: $10 (sliding scale). Register early at 272-2292. Space is limited. From tjs1 at cornell.edu Mon Sep 1 12:32:23 2008 From: tjs1 at cornell.edu (Thomas Shelley) Date: Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:32:23 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] your input for new state initiative on housing for older persons In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <5.2.1.1.2.20080901152021.021762f0@postoffice10.mail.cornell.edu> At 01:13 AM 9/1/2008 -0400, you wrote, in part: >What kind of transitions do you >imagine for yourself in terms of housing and how that relates to your >other needs? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Gay--My thoughts can be condensed into two words: tax relief. The outrageous property and school taxes that older New Yorkers pay is having a severely negative impact on the lives of many of us, not just in the area of housing, but in all areas of our lives. If you can't pay your taxes you will lose your house. The Star program and reverse mortgages, etc., aside, there is very little being done to help seniors with their tax burden. We really need a Proposition 13 here in New York State. The governor's plan to not let property taxes go up more than 4 percent per year (or whatever it is) is ludicrous. We need property taxes to go down by 4 percent per year for about 10 years an a row. I would much rather have few governmental services and much lower taxes. This would really help my housing situation a lot, and I'm sure that of millions of other seniors in New York, more than any anything else. I would use some of the money not spent on taxes for winterization, alternative heating and hot water and other "green" improvements that are not within my grasp currently. Tom ****************************************** Tom Shelley 118 E. Court St. Ithaca, NY 14850 607 342-0864 tjs1 at cornell.edu Compost Educator and General Sustainability Geek From valitom at aol.com Mon Sep 1 16:32:12 2008 From: valitom at aol.com (valitom at aol.com) Date: Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:32:12 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Veggie Oil Car Message-ID: <8CADAA2183D0A52-DFC-2B74@mblk-d34.sysops.aol.com> Hello everyone, My husband and I are very new to the area and loving it. I'm thankful to have this group as a resource. We have a 2002 VW Jetta TDI that runs on both diesel and waste vegetable oil. We're hoping that we can find a community of people within Ithaca who are doing the same thing so that we can share resources, learn from each other, and have help with minor diagnostics. We've already been in touch with the Ithaca biodiesel group, but would appreciate meeting others who have converted their cars or are running on straight vegetable oil. If you're interested, please email me directly at valitom at aol.com or call (717) 903-4871. We look forward to meeting many of you in the near future and getting involved with the sustainability movement in Ithaca. Thanks, McKenzie From evk1 at cornell.edu Tue Sep 2 06:59:14 2008 From: evk1 at cornell.edu (Elizabeth Keokosky) Date: Tue, 02 Sep 2008 09:59:14 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] your input for new state initiative on housing for older persons In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <5.2.1.1.2.20080902095756.0310c3f0@postoffice10.mail.cornell.edu> Gay, I looked into this a lot around 5 years ago while my father was dying and my mother needed to move out of the house. The following are two URLs that are not green but I thought were impressive. http://www.homemods.org/ http://www.shnny.org/ Of course being near bus routes or some kind of transportation is important and being near a garden (flower and vegetable) and being able to participate in it in a small way and sit in it are very satisfying. Having a childrens garden and an old people's garden together is an interesting concept. The other problems are increasing taxes and fuel costs. Sustainable means that this has to be adjusted for people on fixed incomes. other important things are involving older people in the community, keeping them responsive and responsible as much as possible, and making sure they are not isolated. This is a subject of real importance and interest and I'm really glad that the state is getting more involved in it. I'll keep my eye out for successful strategies. Betsy At 01:13 AM 9/1/2008 -0400, Gay Nicholson wrote: >Hello Colleagues, > >I've been invited to join about 50 others in Albany on September 4 to >provide input into a new planning and zoning initiative of the NYS Office >for the Aging and Department of State regarding housing for older >persons. New York has a large and growing population of older folks, and >we need to put together a resource tool kit for communities that will help >them design wisely for aging in place and for long-term care. This tool >kit would include model zoning ordinances, guidelines, examples of >successful strategies, and resources for technical assistance. > >They are very interested in learning about what is out there in terms of >green building practices, healthy community design, energy >efficiency/renewables, and sustainable development that foresees the needs >of tomorrow's seniors. > >They also want to know what the barriers are to implementing some of the >practices that might help us keep seniors healthy and happy in New York State. > >I would appreciate hearing your ideas and suggestions, or learning of >resources you think might be useful, so that I can forward them into this >conversation. Of perhaps greatest value would be examples of exemplary >housing and community design that you think they should know about. > >And for you fellow baby boomers who will be part of the 5 million NYS >oldsters in 2025, maybe it is a good idea to spend some time imagining >exactly what kind of housing and community design will be appealing to you >and your family in the future. What kind of transitions do you imagine >for yourself in terms of housing and how that relates to your other >needs? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. > >Please send along by Wednesday afternoon. > >thanks, >Gay > >---------------------------------------------------- >Gay Nicholson, Ph.D. > >607-533-7312 (home office) >607-279-6618 (cell) > >1 Maple Avenue >Lansing, NY 14882 >gaynicholson at aol.com > >Sustainable Tompkins >Program Coordinator >www.sustainabletompkins.org > >Southern Tier Energy$mart Communities >Regional Coordinator >Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County >615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850 >agn1 at cornell.edu > > > > > >= _____________________________________________________ Elizabeth Keokosky Lead System Analyst at Tech Services Johnson Graduate School of Management Cornell University Phone: 607 255-9425 244 Sage Hall FAX: 607 255-6114 Ithaca, New York 14853 email: evk1 at cornell.edu From globalclimatesolutions at gmail.com Tue Sep 2 07:31:26 2008 From: globalclimatesolutions at gmail.com (Ryan Hottle) Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2008 10:31:26 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Community Solutions to Climate Change and Peak Oil Message-ID: <1515a9290809020731g77387dd7wb07fc52cbd7bd110@mail.gmail.com> Dear Climate Solutions Thinkers: A wonderful organization by the name of Community Solutions is preparing to host their 5th Annual Conference on Community Solutions to Climate Change and Peak Oil in Rochester, MI. You can read about it on our latest blog at www.GlobalClimateSolutions.org . We're looking for the most cutting-edge solutions to global climate change and peak oil! We welcome any and all thinking about these incredibly important matters to share their ideas on our blog by becoming a guest contributor. What we choose to do--or not to do--will make all the difference. Be determined to work together and to win! Respectfully, Ryan D. Hottle -- GLOBAL CLIMATE SOLUTIONS www.GlobalClimateSolutions.org serious, sustainable solutions to climate change including carbon-negative energy submit your ideas and articles on-line at: www.GlobalClimateSolutions.org From mbrown at ithaca.edu Tue Sep 2 10:37:19 2008 From: mbrown at ithaca.edu (Marian Brown) Date: Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:37:19 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Possible source of free website development support for local organizations Message-ID: <48BD79CF.6080708@ithaca.edu> http://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20080901140344220 From ghadams at gmail.com Tue Sep 2 15:20:29 2008 From: ghadams at gmail.com (George Adams) Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2008 18:20:29 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] input to legislators concerning elder housing Message-ID: remember that you can't afford to take care of old people if the poorly paid young people who actually do the caring cannot find affordable housing or transportation. If you REALLY want to mess things up, not only should you put elder housing in more exclusive locales, you should make sure nobody without a well-investigated green card can even enter the buildings. There are inconvenient truths where ever privilege wants to line its nest. From vrockney at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us Mon Sep 1 05:43:29 2008 From: vrockney at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us (Valorie Rockney) Date: Mon, 1 Sep 2008 08:43:29 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] your input for new state initiative on housing for older persons In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Hi Gay, Thanks for the chance to give input! Here are some ideas: 1. senior co-housing is growing in popularity. Here's a reference: http://www.cohousing.org/taxonomy/term/105 2. elder cottages such as we have in Tompkins County are theoretically a great idea, but (from what I've read) as built they're nearly as toxic as FEMA trailers. Housing for elders (and everyone else) should be free of toxic materials, especially formaldehyde, heavy metals, pesticides, toxic glues and adhesives, etc . So conventional plywood, kitchen cabinets, and carpeting, for example, should be avoided, and the housing should be built of stable, non-toxic, non-offgassing materials. 3. I want to live in a community, where my neighbors and I know each other well. For me, that includes neighbors of all ages, though I know not everyone feels this way. 4. My experience at Ecovillage tells me that it's important to keep cars out of the center of a neighborhood, and to confine parking to the periphery. The central space immediately becomes more social if it is free of cars. 5. Even beyond the energy savings, a passive solar house is much cheerier and more fun to live in than a conventional design. Houses should be oriented to the sun, with carefully designed overhangs to shade out the sun in the summer and bring it inside in the winter. 6. Some elements of universal design are especially important: single- story housing, good-sized doors, clear pathways with good traction, etc. It's important for people who are downsizing to have plenty of closets, and closets are also good sound-proofing features along walls shared with neighbors. All best, Valorie On Sep 1, 2008, at 1:13 AM, Gay Nicholson wrote: > Hello Colleagues, > > I've been invited to join about 50 others in Albany on September 4 to > provide input into a new planning and zoning initiative of the NYS > Office for the Aging and Department of State regarding housing for > older persons. New York has a large and growing population of older > folks, and we need to put together a resource tool kit for communities > that will help them design wisely for aging in place and for long-term > care. This tool kit would include model zoning ordinances, > guidelines, examples of successful strategies, and resources for > technical assistance. > > They are very interested in learning about what is out there in terms > of green building practices, healthy community design, energy > efficiency/renewables, and sustainable development that foresees the > needs of tomorrow's seniors. > > They also want to know what the barriers are to implementing some of > the practices that might help us keep seniors healthy and happy in New > York State. > > I would appreciate hearing your ideas and suggestions, or learning of > resources you think might be useful, so that I can forward them into > this conversation. Of perhaps greatest value would be examples of > exemplary housing and community design that you think they should know > about. > > And for you fellow baby boomers who will be part of the 5 million NYS > oldsters in 2025, maybe it is a good idea to spend some time imagining > exactly what kind of housing and community design will be appealing to > you and your family in the future. What kind of transitions do you > imagine for yourself in terms of housing and how that relates to your > other needs? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. > > Please send along by Wednesday afternoon. > > thanks, > Gay > > ---------------------------------------------------- > Gay Nicholson, Ph.D. > > 607-533-7312 (home office) > 607-279-6618 (cell) > > 1 Maple Avenue > Lansing, NY 14882 > gaynicholson at aol.com > > Sustainable Tompkins > Program Coordinator > www.sustainabletompkins.org > > Southern Tier Energy$mart Communities > Regional Coordinator > Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County > 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850 > agn1 at cornell.edu > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County > area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > > RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: > SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org From Senecajean at aol.com Tue Sep 2 18:51:04 2008 From: Senecajean at aol.com (Senecajean at aol.com) Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2008 21:51:04 EDT Subject: [SustainableTompkins] your input for new state initiative on housing for ... Message-ID: I agree with Valerie's suggestions. Housing should be of a mixed community which also includes housing for mobility-impaired, located within easy access for walking, wheelchairs, walkers and scooters, to central services. And of course excellent bus service. Near grocery stores locally owned, health food, farmers market. Also near health centers. Affordable with priority on needs of low and moderate income. Well insulated & weatherized of course. Jeanne In a message dated 9/2/2008 9:14:33 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, vrockney at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us writes: Hi Gay, Thanks for the chance to give input! Here are some ideas: 1. senior co-housing is growing in popularity. Here's a reference: http://www.cohousing.org/taxonomy/term/105 2. elder cottages such as we have in Tompkins County are theoretically a great idea, but (from what I've read) as built they're nearly as toxic as FEMA trailers. Housing for elders (and everyone else) should be free of toxic materials, especially formaldehyde, heavy metals, pesticides, toxic glues and adhesives, etc . So conventional plywood, kitchen cabinets, and carpeting, for example, should be avoided, and the housing should be built of stable, non-toxic, non-offgassing materials. 3. I want to live in a community, where my neighbors and I know each other well. For me, that includes neighbors of all ages, though I know not everyone feels this way. 4. My experience at Ecovillage tells me that it's important to keep cars out of the center of a neighborhood, and to confine parking to the periphery. The central space immediately becomes more social if it is free of cars. 5. Even beyond the energy savings, a passive solar house is much cheerier and more fun to live in than a conventional design. Houses should be oriented to the sun, with carefully designed overhangs to shade out the sun in the summer and bring it inside in the winter. 6. Some elements of universal design are especially important: single- story housing, good-sized doors, clear pathways with good traction, etc. It's important for people who are downsizing to have plenty of closets, and closets are also good sound-proofing features along walls shared with neighbors. All best, Valorie On Sep 1, 2008, at 1:13 AM, Gay Nicholson wrote: > Hello Colleagues, > > I've been invited to join about 50 others in Albany on September 4 to > provide input into a new planning and zoning initiative of the NYS > Office for the Aging and Department of State regarding housing for > older persons. New York has a large and growing population of older > folks, and we need to put together a resource tool kit for communities > that will help them design wisely for aging in place and for long-term > care. This tool kit would include model zoning ordinances, > guidelines, examples of successful strategies, and resources for > technical assistance. > > They are very interested in learning about what is out there in terms > of green building practices, healthy community design, energy > efficiency/renewables, and sustainable development that foresees the > needs of tomorrow's seniors. > > They also want to know what the barriers are to implementing some of > the practices that might help us keep seniors healthy and happy in New > York State. > > I would appreciate hearing your ideas and suggestions, or learning of > resources you think might be useful, so that I can forward them into > this conversation. Of perhaps greatest value would be examples of > exemplary housing and community design that you think they should know > about. > > And for you fellow baby boomers who will be part of the 5 million NYS > oldsters in 2025, maybe it is a good idea to spend some time imagining > exactly what kind of housing and community design will be appealing to > you and your family in the future. What kind of transitions do you > imagine for yourself in terms of housing and how that relates to your > other needs? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. > > Please send along by Wednesday afternoon. > > thanks, > Gay > > ---------------------------------------------------- > Gay Nicholson, Ph.D. > > 607-533-7312 (home office) > 607-279-6618 (cell) > > 1 Maple Avenue > Lansing, NY 14882 > gaynicholson at aol.com > > Sustainable Tompkins > Program Coordinator > www.sustainabletompkins.org > > Southern Tier Energy$mart Communities > Regional Coordinator > Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County > 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850 > agn1 at cornell.edu > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County > area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > > RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: > SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org _______________________________________________ For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org **************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel deal here. (http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047) From gaynicholson at aol.com Tue Sep 2 19:33:37 2008 From: gaynicholson at aol.com (Gay Nicholson) Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2008 22:33:37 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] your input for new state initiative on housing for older persons In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <3F434BF1-706B-46EA-9EEC-A1805E18A25A@aol.com> Hello Friends, I want to thank each of you who took the time to share your ideas and suggestions with me on this topic. I will do my best to bring these ideas forward, and I've printed them out to take with me in case I have the opportunity to share them with an appropriate staff member of this initiative. These were wonderfully thoughtful contributions covering a wide range of issues from the specifics of green building to the interconnecting systems of property taxes and community relationship structures. many thanks, Gay On Sep 1, 2008, at 8:43 AM, Valorie Rockney wrote: > Hi Gay, > > Thanks for the chance to give input! Here are some ideas: > > 1. senior co-housing is growing in popularity. Here's a reference: > http://www.cohousing.org/taxonomy/term/105 > > 2. elder cottages such as we have in Tompkins County are > theoretically a great idea, but (from what I've read) as built > they're nearly as toxic as FEMA trailers. Housing for elders (and > everyone else) should be free of toxic materials, especially > formaldehyde, heavy metals, pesticides, toxic glues and adhesives, > etc . So conventional plywood, kitchen cabinets, and carpeting, for > example, should be avoided, and the housing should be built of > stable, non-toxic, non-offgassing materials. > > 3. I want to live in a community, where my neighbors and I know each > other well. For me, that includes neighbors of all ages, though I > know not everyone feels this way. > > 4. My experience at Ecovillage tells me that it's important to keep > cars out of the center of a neighborhood, and to confine parking to > the periphery. The central space immediately becomes more social if > it is free of cars. > > 5. Even beyond the energy savings, a passive solar house is much > cheerier and more fun to live in than a conventional design. Houses > should be oriented to the sun, with carefully designed overhangs to > shade out the sun in the summer and bring it inside in the winter. > > 6. Some elements of universal design are especially important: single- > story housing, good-sized doors, clear pathways with good traction, > etc. It's important for people who are downsizing to have plenty of > closets, and closets are also good sound-proofing features along > walls shared with neighbors. > > All best, > Valorie > > > > On Sep 1, 2008, at 1:13 AM, Gay Nicholson wrote: > >> Hello Colleagues, >> >> I've been invited to join about 50 others in Albany on September 4 to >> provide input into a new planning and zoning initiative of the NYS >> Office for the Aging and Department of State regarding housing for >> older persons. New York has a large and growing population of older >> folks, and we need to put together a resource tool kit for >> communities >> that will help them design wisely for aging in place and for long- >> term >> care. This tool kit would include model zoning ordinances, >> guidelines, examples of successful strategies, and resources for >> technical assistance. >> >> They are very interested in learning about what is out there in terms >> of green building practices, healthy community design, energy >> efficiency/renewables, and sustainable development that foresees the >> needs of tomorrow's seniors. >> >> They also want to know what the barriers are to implementing some of >> the practices that might help us keep seniors healthy and happy in >> New >> York State. >> >> I would appreciate hearing your ideas and suggestions, or learning of >> resources you think might be useful, so that I can forward them into >> this conversation. Of perhaps greatest value would be examples of >> exemplary housing and community design that you think they should >> know >> about. >> >> And for you fellow baby boomers who will be part of the 5 million NYS >> oldsters in 2025, maybe it is a good idea to spend some time >> imagining >> exactly what kind of housing and community design will be appealing >> to >> you and your family in the future. What kind of transitions do you >> imagine for yourself in terms of housing and how that relates to your >> other needs? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. >> >> Please send along by Wednesday afternoon. >> >> thanks, >> Gay >> >> ---------------------------------------------------- >> Gay Nicholson, Ph.D. >> >> 607-533-7312 (home office) >> 607-279-6618 (cell) >> >> 1 Maple Avenue >> Lansing, NY 14882 >> gaynicholson at aol.com >> >> Sustainable Tompkins >> Program Coordinator >> www.sustainabletompkins.org >> >> Southern Tier Energy$mart Communities >> Regional Coordinator >> Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County >> 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850 >> agn1 at cornell.edu >> >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County >> area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ >> >> RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: >> SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org >> http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins >> free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > > _______________________________________________ > For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County > area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > > RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: > SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org ---------------------------------------------------- Gay Nicholson, Ph.D. 607-533-7312 (home office) 607-279-6618 (cell) 1 Maple Avenue Lansing, NY 14882 gaynicholson at aol.com Sustainable Tompkins Program Coordinator www.sustainabletompkins.org Southern Tier Energy$mart Communities Regional Coordinator Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850 agn1 at cornell.edu From mbrown at ithaca.edu Wed Sep 3 05:42:56 2008 From: mbrown at ithaca.edu (Marian Brown) Date: Wed, 03 Sep 2008 08:42:56 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Public meetings on draft Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Element to County Comprehensive Plan Message-ID: <48BE8650.2060503@ithaca.edu> You are invited to attend a town hall discussion to help plan for the County's energy future. In order to give maximum opportunity for public participation, we are holding four meetings at several sites to talk about the draft Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Element to the County Comprehensive Plan. These meetings will be held on the following dates: ? September 17th at 6:30 pm at the Ulysses Town Hall, 10 Elm St., Trumansburg ? September 22nd at 6:30 pm at the Danby Town Hall, 1830 Danby Rd ? September 24th at 6:30 pm at the Tompkins County Public Library, Borg Warner Room ? October 1st at 6:30pm at the Dryden Town Hall, 93 E. Main St., Dryden In early 2008, the County Planning Department began work on a new element to the County Comprehensive Plan to address energy and greenhouse gas emissions. The draft Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Element to the County Comprehensive Plan identifies the critical issues; presents existing conditions; proposes community goals; and offers potential policy and action items for the County government and its partner agencies to address energy and greenhouse gas emissions. To date, this planning process has included: ? Research into local, regional, and national energy and greenhouse gas emissions issues ? Input from a special committee of the County Planning Advisory Board established to help guide this process ? Six focus group sessions held April-May 2008 with community experts representing local businesses, organizations, and academic institutions involved in energy and greenhouse gas emissions pursuits ? A public meeting held at the Tompkins County Public Library on June 5th to present early findings and gather community ideas ? Numerous meetings with County-appointed committees, including the Legislature?s Planning, Development and Environmental Quality Committee, County Planning Advisory Board, and County Environmental Management Council Your input is important to ensure the new Comprehensive Plan element reflects community ideas and concerns. This important and relevant topic requires community-wide involvement, so please share your thoughts, either at a public meeting, by phone, in-person, or at the website below. The draft Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Element can be viewed on the Tompkins County Planning Department website at http://www.tompkins-co.org/planning/compplan/index.htm. Should you have any questions about the document or this planning process, please call Leslie Schill or Katie Borgella at 607-274-5560. Thank you in advance for your participation; we look forward to hearing from you this fall. Kathy Wilsea, Secretary Tompkins County Planning Dept. 121 E. Court St., Ithaca NY 14850 607-274-5560 From gjem5760 at yahoo.com Wed Sep 3 09:41:18 2008 From: gjem5760 at yahoo.com (George Frantz) Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2008 09:41:18 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Ideas for new state initiative on housing for older persons Message-ID: <862402.65660.qm@web44902.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> Gay,? ? The vast majority of zoning regulations in New York, Ithaca and Tompkins County included, are premised on the notion that the surburban built environment, with its large lot single-family home development, economically and?socially homogeneous neighborhoods, coupled with the?separation of various land uses?into isolated pockets accessible only by automobile, is a superior form of development.?? In?many?of the communities I've worked in over the past two decades,?zoning regulations pose a major obstacle to developing the kind of community where a person can be born, grow up, marry, raise a family, retire and die in close proximity to family and friends..? ? This "whole life" community was the vision of the planners for Radburn, NJ in the 1920s and the federal New Deal city of Greenbelt?MD of the late 1930s. ?Robert E. Simon, the developer of Reston, Virginia had the same vision in the 1950s.? Despite the fact that the Radburn and Greenbelt were never fully built out and that?Simon lost control of his company before Reston was completed, these communities came very close to achieving that goal through progressive planning that accommodated a wide variety of residential architecture with neighborhoods?and design that provided for persons of all abilities to move about the community. ? Changes to local zoning regulation in New York that are needed include: ? 1)? Perimitting a variety of residential architecture beyond the single-family home on a large lot that most residential zoning districts in the state are limited to, including those in cities and towns.? Rampant discrimination in zoning regulations against manufactured housing, townhome architecture and rental?housing throughout the state pretty much ensures that the types of housing needed by our?elderly, as well as the?increasing number of ?home health care workers and other needed to support the elderly in our communities, is impossible without heavy tax subsidies. ? 2)? Treating elder cottage (ECHO) housing as a legitimate accessory use and permitting such?homes??in all residential districts.? Also the standard?"55 or over" age?restrictions normally applied in communities where?elder cottages?are allowed should be eliminated in order to permit a) adult children with disabilities to live close to their parents and remain within their community, as opposed to a group home, and b) adult children who may desire to move home to care for their elderly parents. ? 3)? Incoprorate provisions that would permit senior living complexes such as Ithacare and Kendall in the community.? Despite the need very few municipalities list such facilities as permitted uses in their zoning regulations.? Instead the developers of such community assets must jump through numerous hoops and get special local legislation passed in order for these vital facilities to be built. ? 4)? Increase permitted zoning densities overall in order to encourage the development of walkable, bikable communities and to promote the types of population densities necessary to?provide the critical mass of population needed to make the?neighborhood scale commercial retail?and other services that the elderly need close to home economically feasible.? Denser, more compact communities could also eliminate many of the costs associated with sprawl and address the issue raised by Tom Shelly and others regarding burdensome taxes. ? Bet regards. ? George Frantz From lennon_kat at hotmail.com Wed Sep 3 19:13:17 2008 From: lennon_kat at hotmail.com (Kat McCarthy) Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 02:13:17 +0000 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Korova*Friday at 5*Sustainability Happy Hour Message-ID: Is it that time yet? Sustainability Happy Hour Friday at 5 Korova Hope to see you there, Kat From ws at twcny.rr.com Thu Sep 4 04:19:00 2008 From: ws at twcny.rr.com (Wendy Skinner) Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 07:19:00 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Sewing Machine Sale to Benefit Training Program Message-ID: <00cd01c90e80$07e990c0$6501a8c0@wendyvaio> Sewing Machine Sale to Benefit Training Program 11 am to 2 pm, Saturday, September 20 Women's Community Building 100 West Seneca Street, downtown Ithaca. SewGreen, a not-for-profit group that promotes sustainability in sewing and fashion, will offer more than 30 restored sewing machines in a benefit sale. Every machine will be ready to sew and will come with a user's manual. Many makes and models, spanning nearly a century, will be available. SewGreen will put money earned at the sale toward a course in sewing machine repair open to local residents, including low-income youth and adults. The group is hosting a nationally-known instructor for six days of intensive, hands-on training in early November. Sewing machine repair is a useful vocation that's in danger of being lost. Until computerization, sewing machine technology didn't change a lot, and machines were built to last for up to 100 years. Much of the knowledge is held by a generation that is largely in retirement, and the training may not be available again. For more information about the repair course or the sale, contact Wendy Skinner, SewGreen Coordinator, at coord at sew-green.org or 607-277-7611. From mbrown at ithaca.edu Thu Sep 4 07:49:23 2008 From: mbrown at ithaca.edu (Marian Brown) Date: Thu, 04 Sep 2008 10:49:23 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] You're invited: Permaculture talk as part of Ithaca College Environmental Seminar Message-ID: <48BFF573.7070209@ithaca.edu> Karryn Olson-Ramanujan, from the Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute, will speak at the environmental studies program's popular Environmental Seminar on Monday, September 8, at 4:00 p.m. in Ithaca College Center for Natural Sciences Room 119. All are welcome to attend this free seminar to learn more about this system for sustainable design of human culture that focuses on both ecological mindfulness and the provision of basic human needs in an environmentally sustainable way. For more information: http://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/2008090314284863 From jennifer at ithacacarshare.org Thu Sep 4 08:55:02 2008 From: jennifer at ithacacarshare.org (Ithaca Carshare - Jennifer) Date: Thu, 04 Sep 2008 11:55:02 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Ithaca Carshare part-time fleet position Message-ID: <48C004D6.90300@ithacacarshare.org> Ithaca Carshare, a local nonprofit that provides the community with 24/7 access to a fleet of 10 vehicles on a per-hour basis toward a mission of enhancing community access to transportation while reducing negative environmental and economic impacts, is currently seeking someone to join our eco-conscious, dedicated staff. The ideal candidate is excited about working for a dynamic organization, with both people and things, reliable in working with minimal supervision, results- and detail-oriented, creative, and experienced in taking personal initiative in the workplace, and comfortable with flexible duties and schedule. Strong interpersonal and communication skills and a clean driving record are required, while a sense of humor is optional but helpful. We need someone to help us make Ithaca Carshare a valued community asset. If you like cars, but hate their impacts, this position is for you. This position has strong growth potential as Ithaca Carshare gets established and expands in the community. This is an opportunity for a confident person with a professional outlook to start at the early stages of a new organization. This position is 10 hours a week and focuses on fleet services, with some cross training in on-call customer service and other operational duties. Duties include care of the Ithaca Carshare fleet plus interaction with potential and current Ithaca Carshare members. Most duties will occur on weekday mornings, but the on-call portion of the job will also include some evenings and weekends. Starting pay is $11.18, and benefits include an Ithaca Carshare membership. Please submit a resume, cover letter and two references via email to . We anticipate hiring for this position very soon; however we welcome applications at any time and will review them for future positions. Ithaca Carshare is a certified Living Wage employer. -- Ithaca Carshare, Inc. www.ithacacarshare.org (607) 229-3210 P.O. Box 418, Ithaca, NY 14851-0418 24/7 access to a fleet of vehicles on a per-hour basis a locally controlled service enhancing community access to transportation while reducing negative environmental and economic impacts -- Jennifer Dotson Executive Director Ithaca Carshare, Inc. www.ithacacarshare.org (607) 277-3210 P.O. Box 418, Ithaca, NY 14851-0418 24/7 access to a fleet of vehicles on a per-hour basis a locally controlled service enhancing community access to transportation while reducing negative environmental and economic impacts From evk1 at cornell.edu Thu Sep 4 11:55:21 2008 From: evk1 at cornell.edu (Elizabeth Keokosky) Date: Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:55:21 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Land Bank Cooperative pilot project in Danby Message-ID: <5.2.1.1.2.20080904144801.0524dd70@postoffice10.mail.cornell.edu> The Land Bank Cooperative is looking for members (living in Danby or close by in Caroline) who are interested in participating, defining and/or forming a pilot project cooperative in Danby. The main immediate goals of the cooperative are to: * Increase the chances of success for those who want to farm or garden their own land. * Contract with or connect entrepreneurs with those who would like to utilize their land but dont want to farm, graze, or manage their forests themselves. * Create an infrastructure to anticipate market changes in food, fuels, biofuels, and petro-chemical replacement. * Increase our eligibility for grants * Have our land classified for an agricultural assessment See http://www.people.cornell.edu/pages/evk1/danbylandbankcoop.html for more information and a form to download or contact Betsy Keokosky evk1 at cornell.edu or Mike Rutzke 272-5838. Danby Land Bank Cooperative is also looking for entrepreneurs who are interested in * Mowing, brush hogging, grazing, or managing forests. * Innovative methods to reclaim marginal land. * And especially creating a product and market for burning biofuels wood chips, grass pellets. See same contacts as above. _____________________________________________________ Elizabeth Keokosky Lead System Analyst at Tech Services Johnson Graduate School of Management Cornell University Phone: 607 255-9425 244 Sage Hall FAX: 607 255-6114 Ithaca, New York 14853 email: evk1 at cornell.edu From nidus at pinax.com Fri Sep 5 08:03:44 2008 From: nidus at pinax.com (Bethany Schroeder) Date: Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:03:44 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] vaccine presentation and discussion Message-ID: <48C14A50.7000907@pinax.com> Described below is an opportunity to see a presentation and join in a discussion about vaccines. Hope to see you all there! _____________________________________________________________________ Vaccinations: Why Me? Have these questions ever come to mind? ? Why should I get vaccinated? ? Why should I vaccinate my child? ? What could happen if I didn?t vaccinate? Come to a panel discussion that offers information about various topics regarding vaccines and how they relate to you and your community. Featuring Guest Speaker: Jan Nichols, A Polio Survivor Date: September 25th Time: 6-8:15 pm Where: TC Public Library Borg Warner Room Panelists to include: Jeffrey Snedeker, MD William Klepack, MD Jamie Loehr, MD Sponsored by the Ithaca Rotary Club and the TC Health Department Refreshments Provided From rena.grossman at gmail.com Fri Sep 5 08:37:02 2008 From: rena.grossman at gmail.com (Rena D. Grossman) Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 11:37:02 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Drill Now! Message-ID: There has been very little discussion on this list re: the republican selection of Palin and her encouragement to "drill now!" Hearing a stadium full of republicans fervently chanting that statement made me really scared, but I don't have any hard facts about the real impacts if this were to become a reality. Can someone suggest any reading material? Thank you, RDG From steve at fingerlakespermaculture.org Fri Sep 5 11:41:39 2008 From: steve at fingerlakespermaculture.org (Steve Gabriel) Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 14:41:39 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Work With Nature Message-ID: <24121f890809051141i7f382f1m940d1f42afdc3632@mail.gmail.com> Work With Nature is accepting clients for the Fall 2008 season! At a time of resource depletion, climate change, and rising food prices, we need to invest our time and energy into restoring our local ecosystems to their original health and productivity. Localized food, shelter, and water systems increase our community sufficiency and reduce our ecological footprint. I offer ecological design services for homes, farms, and businesses. If you own acreage and are wondering how to best manage your site for ecosystem health, agricultural production, soil and water conservation, or forestry, I have a toolbox of solutions for designing sustainable human habitats. Check out my website for references and examples of my work: www.WorkWithNature.net *Special Rates for 2008* SITE WALK & TALK with write up detailing site characteristics and management suggestions based on your interests for $200 BASIC DESIGN with complete site assessment, goals creation, and schematic design drawings to get your started; no details, research, or budgeting for $300 DETAILED DESIGN with complete site assessment and goals, design drawings, and limited research and budgeting for $600 Hourly rates also available for specific projects. Contact me for more details. Steve Gabriel Certified Permaculture Designer & Teacher www.WorkWithNature.net steve at workwithnature.net 303.815.3535 From evk4 at cornell.edu Fri Sep 5 14:24:19 2008 From: evk4 at cornell.edu (Elizabeth Karabinakis) Date: Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:24:19 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Local foods, live music & community fun tomorrow! Message-ID: <48C1A383.40203@cornell.edu> Greetings all, Join your community tomorrow for great live music, delicious food and lots of fun at the Gospel in the Garden event at the church on First Street. The food will be fabulous! Come enjoy local organic goat prepared Jamaican style by Sister Olga (thanks to the great folks at Goat Bridge Farm), BBQ chicken & ribs, just harvested local organic field greens with sungold tomatoes fresh off the vine (Remembrance Farms & Stick & Stone Farm) and the best grapes you'll ever taste (thanks to Thornbush Farms)!!! Dance in the grass to Thousands of One, Mbusi, Trevor MacDonald Band & Lyricist. When: Saturday, September 6, 2-7pm Where: In the garden at the Baptized Church of Jesus Christ, 412 First Street (across from the P&C) Everyone Welcome!!! --- Elizabeth Viviana Karabinakis Community Food Educator Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County evk4 at cornell.edu (607) 272-2292 Harvest Dinners on the Farm- enjoy the freshest farm products creatively prepared by some of the area?s best chefs and paired with wonderful Finger Lakes wines. For reservations, go to www.ediblefingerlakes.com. For more info contact evk4 at cornell.edu or 607-272-2292. Don?t miss this unique field dining experience!!! From ejwray99 at gmail.com Fri Sep 5 14:28:59 2008 From: ejwray99 at gmail.com (EJW) Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 17:28:59 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Local foods, live music & community fun tomorrow! In-Reply-To: <48C1A383.40203@cornell.edu> References: <48C1A383.40203@cornell.edu> Message-ID: <00de01c90f9e$69839410$3c8abc30$@com> Way cool! See ya there. Yum! Evan -----Original Message----- From: sustainabletompkins-bounces at lists.mutualaid.org [mailto:sustainabletompkins-bounces at lists.mutualaid.org] On Behalf Of Elizabeth Karabinakis Sent: Friday, September 05, 2008 5:24 PM To: sustainabletompkins at lists.mutualaid.org Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Local foods, live music & community fun tomorrow! Greetings all, Join your community tomorrow for great live music, delicious food and lots of fun at the Gospel in the Garden event at the church on First Street. The food will be fabulous! Come enjoy local organic goat prepared Jamaican style by Sister Olga (thanks to the great folks at Goat Bridge Farm), BBQ chicken & ribs, just harvested local organic field greens with sungold tomatoes fresh off the vine (Remembrance Farms & Stick & Stone Farm) and the best grapes you'll ever taste (thanks to Thornbush Farms)!!! Dance in the grass to Thousands of One, Mbusi, Trevor MacDonald Band & Lyricist. When: Saturday, September 6, 2-7pm Where: In the garden at the Baptized Church of Jesus Christ, 412 First Street (across from the P&C) Everyone Welcome!!! --- Elizabeth Viviana Karabinakis Community Food Educator Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County evk4 at cornell.edu (607) 272-2292 Harvest Dinners on the Farm- enjoy the freshest farm products creatively prepared by some of the area's best chefs and paired with wonderful Finger Lakes wines. For reservations, go to www.ediblefingerlakes.com. For more info contact evk4 at cornell.edu or 607-272-2292. Don't miss this unique field dining experience!!! _______________________________________________ For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org From GayNicholson at aol.com Fri Sep 5 20:02:35 2008 From: GayNicholson at aol.com (Gay Nicholson) Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 23:02:35 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Community Forum on Gas Drilling In New York State Sept. 18th Message-ID: <3AE20080-7363-44C8-B042-9BAF723FDB7E@aol.com> Press Release Contact Autumn Stoscheck/ Lisa Ann Wright wrightlisaann500 at gmail.com 202-368-8753 Community Forum on Gas Drilling In New York State Sept. 18th 7-10 PM at Women?s Community Building in Ithaca Documentary Screening ?Land Out Of Time? Ithaca, NY, September 3, 2008: The public is invited to attend a screening of the award-winning documentary Land Out of Time which highlights the often devastating effects of oil and gas drilling on public lands. Representatives from citizens? groups Citizen?s Energy Alliance (CEA) and Chenango Delaware Otsego Gas (CDOG) will be among the speakers participating in a question and answer period following the screening. Speakers will include attorney Mary Jo Long and Mike Bernard. Long is a member of Afton Town Board (elected on the Green Party) who has served on numerous Boards including Northeast Organic Farming Association-NY, and the Central New York Occupational Health Clinic. Mike Bernhard makes furniture from the oaktrees uphill from his homestead, where he raises most of what he eats. He is a NY Green Party state committeeman (Chenango County) and a graduate of Democracy School. He is Chenango County rep to ChenangoDelawareOtsego Gas (CDOG). While Land Out of Time focuses on the impact of advanced forms of deep drilling on communities in the western states, the effects of this type of wide-scale gas drilling will soon become apparent in New York State. Soaring energy prices, loose environmental regulations, and advanced drilling technologies have created a natural gas drilling boom across the country, and in our state. With approximately 65% of the land leased to industry, our region is set to become the proving grounds for Marcellus Shale drilling when the Department of Environmental Conservation finishes its revised Generic Environmental Impact Statement in early 2009. Is New York State ready for this kind of drilling? What burdens will municipalities face? Who will protect our watershed? What can we learn from already impacted communities? Join the discussion at the Women?s Community Building at 100 West Seneca St., Ithaca NY. More information about gas drilling can be found at http://sites.google.com/site/nymarcellusshale . ---------------------------------------------------- Gay Nicholson, Ph.D. 607-533-7312 (home office) 607-279-6618 (cell) 1 Maple Avenue Lansing, NY 14882 gaynicholson at aol.com Sustainable Tompkins Program Coordinator www.sustainabletompkins.org Southern Tier Energy$mart Communities Regional Coordinator Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850 agn1 at cornell.edu From tonydelplato at gmail.com Sat Sep 6 07:35:00 2008 From: tonydelplato at gmail.com (Tony Del Plato) Date: Sat, 6 Sep 2008 10:35:00 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] PUBLIC INPUT IMPROVES ENVIRONMENTAL DECISIONS Message-ID: Democracy works, according to the National Research Council panel. Michigan State University, August 23, 2008 *PUBLIC INPUT IMPROVES ENVIRONMENTAL DECISIONS* [Rachel's introduction: With their intimate knowledge of local environments, ordinary citizens can help government agencies "get the science right, and get the right science."] EAST LANSING, Mich. -- When it comes to environmental issues -- anything from cleaning up a polluted river to dealing with Superfund sites -- public input can make the process smoother and lead to better outcomes, says a new reportfrom a National Research Council panel. The panel that issued the report was chaired by Thomas Dietz, a Michigan State University professor of sociology and crop and soil sciences and director of the university's Environmental Science and Policy Program. Federal agencies have increasingly involved the public in recent decades when deciding, for example, how to manage public forests or Superfund sites, Dietz said. But critics claim that including people with limited scientific knowledge can slow the process and lead to poor decisions. "Such claims have logical validity in that they could be a problem," Dietz said. "But our assessment is that if you run the process right, none of those things happen." Indeed, with their intimate knowledge of local environments, ordinary citizens can help agencies "get the science right, and get the right science," Dietz said. By listening to affected parties and considering their personal values, he added, agencies can reach more legitimate decisions with less likelihood of protests or lawsuits. Furthermore, people involved in decision making are likely to learn more about environmental science and become better participants in future decisions. Dietz said decision making should be inclusive, and that agencies should commit adequate resources to the process and make clear exactly how public input will be used. But the panel "can't provide a cookbook," he said. Instead, agencies must adjust their process to the decision at hand. Dietz said public participation is a relatively new field for research, but one in which Michigan State is highly involved. "I think this is an area where MSU could be a leader," he said. The report was sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Energy, Food and Drug Administration, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It is available online at http://national-academies.org. For more information on MSU's Environment Science and Policy Program, visit the Web at http://environment.msu.edu. ### Michigan State University has been advancing knowledge and transforming lives through innovative teaching, research and outreach for more than 150 years. MSU is known internationally as a major public university with global reach and extraordinary impact. Its 17 degree-granting colleges attract scholars worldwide who are interested in combining education with practical problem solving. -- "Justice is what love looks like in public." ~ Dr. Cornel West From Senecajean at aol.com Sat Sep 6 14:24:16 2008 From: Senecajean at aol.com (Senecajean at aol.com) Date: Sat, 6 Sep 2008 17:24:16 EDT Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Inequality Kills Message-ID: The focus of this article is global not local but the point is central to everything we do. Jeanne From: New Statesman (London, U.K.), Sept. 4, 2008 INEQUALITY KILLS Politicians take heed: social injustice is, literally, deadly By Peter Wilby When a report from the World Health Organisation came out a few days ago, the media highlighted an extraordinary fact: that life expectancy in one deprived area of Glasgow is lower than in India, Philippines, Poland, Mexico and Cuba. This, you might think, is attributable to booze, fags, bad food and lack of exercise. You would be right -- but only partially so. The WHO report (Closing the Gap in a Generation) has a much bigger message, summed up in a single sentence: "Social injustice is killing people on a grand scale." That means what it says. Fat, sugar, cigarettes and alcohol are certainly killers, and a propensity to indulge in them is itself related to income and social status. But even if you eschew bad habits and lead a blameless life, your socio-economic status is likely to get you in the end. Inequality is the biggest killer of the lot. The evidence was set out in The Status Syndrome, a book published in 2004 by Michael Marmot, the British professor who headed the commission that produced the WHO report. He quoted a study of office- based civil servants that first highlighted health's "social gradient" in the 1990s. It found that, at each grade down the Whitehall hierarchy, mortality increased. Between the ages of 40 and 64, those in the bottom grade were four times more likely to die than those at the top. Beyond retirement, the gap narrowed, but even in their seventies and eighties, men in the lower grade had twice the risk of death. As Marmot put it, "differences in lifestyle provide only a modest explanation". For example, smoking, cholesterol, blood pressure and so on explained only a third of the difference between the top and bottom grades in the risk of dying from coronary heart disease. Without the right social policies, economic growth "brings no benefit to health" I do not think we have yet grasped the import of this and similar research. We traditionally assume that health improvement is delivered by medical advances, better hospitals, more doctors and more spending on health services. Most political argument is about how to achieve these ends, with the role of preventative health -- improved lifestyles -- now adding a further dimension. The WHO report is saying something quite different: health is political in the broadest sense because it is influenced by the distribution of power, income, goods and services. Here are some more facts. US blacks are rich by world standards but, in a highly unequal country, most are very poor by local standards. People from Tunisia, Jamaica, Panama, Libya, Lebanon and Cuba all have higher life expectancies than the US black population. If black mortality rates were the same as those for US whites 886,202 deaths would have been averted between 1991 and 2000. Over the same period, 176,633 lives were saved by medical advances. The WHO report shows that, if we want to achieve health equity and close the gap between rich and poor, we have to abandon the "Washington consensus" that has dominated western political and economic thinking for 25 years. Take the "flexible workforce" sought by new Labour as well as the Tories. Temporary, part-time and insecure work are all associated with poor health, according to the WHO report. Take the trend towards harsher social security schemes, means-tested and "targeted" at the "deserving" poor. The WHO insists that "generous universal social protection systems are associated with better population health". Access to free education as well as free health services is important; the WHO deplores the user charges being imposed on many developing countries in the name of balancing state budgets. Progressive taxation, a strong public sector and private-sector regulation are all essential, the report argues. "Community or civil society action," it adds, "... cannot be separated from the responsibility of the state to guarantee a comprehensive set of rights and ensure the fair distribution of essential... goods... Top-down and bottom-up approaches are equally valid." Are you listening, David Cameron? Above all, we should abandon the belief that everything must be sacrificed to economic growth. Without the right social policies, says the WHO report, growth "brings no benefit to health". Up to a certain, quite low level (which most of sub-Saharan Africa hasn't reached), higher national income brings dramatic health gains. Beyond that, the effect is slight and inconsistent. The WHO report demands a revolution in current political thinking. The case for social justice, it shows, does not rest on ideology or class envy, but on "an ethical imperative", a preference for life over death. It should be read, in full, by every politician on earth. **************Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com. (http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014) From globalclimatesolutions at gmail.com Sat Sep 6 09:09:21 2008 From: globalclimatesolutions at gmail.com (Ryan Hottle) Date: Sat, 6 Sep 2008 12:09:21 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Carbon Soil Levels Much Higher than Previous Estimates In-Reply-To: <1515a9290809060857j553c79a2v13789a5c97d5c14@mail.gmail.com> References: <1515a9290809060857j553c79a2v13789a5c97d5c14@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <1515a9290809060909s68a31f4arbf7f245a475ca49@mail.gmail.com> Dear Climate Solutions Thinkers: A new study published this past week in the scientific journal Nature by Dr. Chein-Lu Ping indicates that carbon levels in U.S. Arctic soils are much higher than previously assumed. What does this mean in terms of global climate change and what are the potential solutions? You can read about it on our latest blog at www.GlobalClimateSolutions.org . We're looking for the most cutting-edge solutions to global climate change and peak oil! We welcome any and all thinking about these incredibly important matters to share their ideas on our blog by becoming a guest contributor. What we choose to do--or not to do--will make all the difference. Be determined to work together and to win! Respectfully, Ryan D. Hottle -- GLOBAL CLIMATE SOLUTIONS www.GlobalClimateSolutions.org serious, sustainable solutions to climate change including carbon-negative energy submit your ideas and articles on-line at: www.GlobalClimateSolutions.org From ws at twcny.rr.com Mon Sep 8 02:43:37 2008 From: ws at twcny.rr.com (Wendy Skinner) Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 05:43:37 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Applications Due for 2008 Ithaca Alternative Gift Fair Message-ID: <003b01c91197$5f3a9b20$6501a8c0@wendyvaio> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 8, 2008 Contact: Anke Wessels, CRESP Center for Transformative Action, akw7 at cornell.edu, 607-255-5027 Alternative Gift Fair Accepting Applications from Non-Profits The Ithaca Alternative Gift Fair is now accepting applications from local not-profit organizations that wish to participate in the annual holiday gift-giving event. The Fair offers holiday shoppers an opportunity to choose gifts of charitable donations, rather than more "stuff," and last year raised over $50,000 in contributions to participating organizations. The Fair will be held Saturday, December 6, 2008 at the First Presbyterian Church, 315 North Cayuga Street in Ithaca. The first 30 organizations to submit a completed application form and that meet the Fair's criteria will be included. The last date to apply is September 26. Application forms and more information are available at the Ithaca Alternative Gift Fair website, www.ithacaaltgiftfair.org, or by contacting Anke Wessels, akw7 at cornell.edu. - end - From sean at sustainabletransitions.com Mon Sep 8 05:50:30 2008 From: sean at sustainabletransitions.com (Sean Vormwald) Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:50:30 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Spirituality, Self-Care and Community; Sustainability Gathering on Thursday, Sept. 11 Message-ID: <48C51F96.2010709@sustainabletransitions.com> *We hope you'll join us for this powerful September 11th gathering!* /Spirituality, Self-Care and Community: Foundations of a Just and Sustainable Future/ Thursday, September 11 First Presbyterian Church of Ithaca Corner of N. Cayuga St. and E. Court St. (Enter green door on Court Street) 6:00- 8:30PM Dinner & childcare provided Concerned that creating a just and sustainable future sounds too exhausting and expensive? This evening will offer many ways to see spirituality, self-care and community unity as vital parts of creating a positive future for all, making the process of getting there more enjoyable - and effective. Presenters will share inspiring tools and stories from community members and congregations who are working to integrate personal sustainability and long-term community well-being. We will then explore these themes in more depth in small learning circles of your choice: congregational activism; community greening and spirituality; diversity and community unity; time and money challenges and solutions. Can we find a way to celebrate and support personal health, justice, soulful living and community sustainability all together? Come create the answers together in this lively and celebrative evening! /*Dinner and childcare are provided. Additional potluck offerings are invited, and participants are encouraged to bring their own table settings to minimize clean-up. If you plan to attend and wish to lend a hand, please contact Miranda: (607) 277 1241. For childcare, please RSVP by Sept. 8: miranda at sustainabletompkins.org, (607) 277 1241. * This is the fourth 2008 gathering of the "Equity and Sustainability" series organized by Sustainable Tompkins and its community partners. The event is sponsored by Catholic Charities/Justice and Peace Ministries of Tompkins/Tioga; Common Heart Interfaith Fellowship; Earth Arts; IAHE (Interfaith Action for Healing Earth); and Sustainable Tompkins./ *********************************************** *To explore these issues in more depth, mark your calendars for this follow-up event:* Spirituality, Self-care and Community: Half Day Retreat Nov. 2, First Presbyterian Church of Ithaca 1-5PM From sjr37 at cornell.edu Mon Sep 8 05:50:56 2008 From: sjr37 at cornell.edu (Sandra Repp) Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:50:56 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Green Buildings Tour, 10/4 & 10/5 Message-ID: <6.2.1.2.2.20080908084021.02f8c978@postoffice9.mail.cornell.edu> 2008 GREEN BUILDINGS OPEN HOUSE EXPANDS TO 2 DAYS Twenty-seven homes and businesses that use renewable energy or eco-friendly building techniques will be open to the public for free self-guided tours during the 2008 Green Buildings Open House, now a 2-day event, on Saturday and Sunday, October 4th & 5th. Participating sites will showcase a variety of strategies for building or renovating to create functional, comfortable homes and workplaces that promote environmental sustainability and human health. "Green building" features on view will include grid-tied and off-grid solar photovoltaic systems, wind turbines, geothermal heating, timber framing, straw bale construction, non-toxic finishes, local or natural materials, and more. Homeowners and/or builders will be on hand to show you their site's green features and to answer questions. World-class sustainable design and cutting-edge solar technology will be featured in two sites on this year's tour: the Platinum LEED-Certified Park Center for Business and Sustainable Enterprise at Ithaca College designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects, and the 2007 Cornell Solar Decathalon Team entry (now a private home). In addition, thirteen entirely-new homes have joined the tour, and four sites that were under construction last fall can now be seen in their completed states. Entry is free, and half the sites will be open for tours each day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In general, homes east of Cayuga Lake and in downtown Ithaca and EcoVillage can be visited on Saturday, October 4th, while sites west and south of the lake (including Ithaca College) will be open on Sunday, October 5th. A guidebook containing descriptions, maps and directions is available as a PDF at www.ccetompkins.org or at Tompkins County Cooperative Extension, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca. Guided shuttle van tours led by members of the Ithaca Green Building Alliance will be offered each day for a fee of $10/person or $15/two from the same household. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Free guided bicycle and motorcycle tours also will be offered on Saturday, October 4th only (rain date: Sunday Oct. 5). Bike and motorcycle tours will meet at Gimme! Coffee on Cayuga Street in Ithaca at 10:00 a.m. The bike tour will be approximately 20-25 miles at a relaxed pace, and participants will need road worthy bikes and helmets. For more information, or to register for a van, bicycle or motorcycle tour, call Tompkins County Cooperative Extension at (607) 272-2292. The Green Buildings Open House is organized annually by the Ithaca Green Building Alliance and Tompkins County Cooperative Extension, in cooperation with the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, and the American Solar Energy Society's National Solar Tour. From deerfarm6 at frontiernet.net Mon Sep 8 06:25:13 2008 From: deerfarm6 at frontiernet.net (goodsell) Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 09:25:13 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Fw: Public Forum on Gas Drilling in NYS, Sept. 18th, Ithaca NY Message-ID: <009501c911b6$535e5160$6501a8c0@Martha> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lisa Wright" To: Sent: Monday, September 08, 2008 9:07 AM Subject: [MarcellusGasInfo] Public Forum on Gas Drilling in NYS, Sept. 18th, Ithaca NY Hi, everyone- A lot of interest has been generated about the upcoming informational meeting in Ithaca, NY. We are very happy so many people are coming to see Land Out of Time and talk about the gas rush in our region. It took a while, but I think Ithaca is finally waking up to what's in our backyard. Here's the info if anyone wants to come. If you do come, please don't be shy (I'm pretty darn shy myself, strangely)-- please introduce yourselves so I get a face to your name! I am coordinating this event with Autumn Stoscheck, so please contact either one of us with questions, etc. Lisa and Autumn can be reached via email or: 202-368-8753 Please feel free to forward this info to other groups/individuals. Thanks! -------------------------------------- Community Forum on Gas Drilling In New York State Sept. 18th 7-10 PM at Women?s Community Building in Ithaca Documentary Screening ?Land Out Of Time? Ithaca, NY, September 3, 2008: The public is invited to attend a screening of the award-winning documentary Land Out of Time which highlights the often devastating effects of oil and gas drilling on public lands. Representatives from citizens? groups Citizen?s Energy Alliance (CEA) and Chenango Delaware Otsego Gas (CDOG) will be among the speakers participating in a question and answer period following the screening. Speakers will include attorney Mary Jo Long and Mike Bernard. Long is a member of Afton Town Board (elected on the Green Party) who has served on numerous Boards including Northeast Organic Farming Association-NY, and the Central New York Occupational Health Clinic. Mike Bernhard makes furniture from the oaktrees uphill from his homestead, where he raises most of what he eats. He is a NY Green Party state committeeman (Chenango County) and a graduate of Democracy School. He is Chenango County rep to ChenangoDelawareOtsego Gas (CDOG). While Land Out of Time focuses on the impact of advanced forms of deep drilling on communities in the western states, the effects of this type of wide-scale gas drilling will soon become apparent in New York State. Soaring energy prices, loose environmental regulations, and advanced drilling technologies have created a natural gas drilling boom across the country, and in our state. With approximately 65% of the land leased to industry, our region is set to become the proving grounds for Marcellus Shale drilling when the Department of Environmental Conservation finishes its revised Generic Environmental Impact Statement in early 2009. Is New York State ready for this kind of drilling? What burdens will municipalities face? Who will protect our watershed? What can we learn from already impacted communities? Join the discussion at the Women?s Community Building at 100 West Seneca St., Ithaca NY. More information about gas drilling can be found at http://sites.google.com/site/nymarcellusshale. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MarcellusGasInfo" group. To post to this group, send email to marcellusgasinfo at googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to marcellusgasinfo+unsubscribe at googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/marcellusgasinfo?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~--- From sjr37 at cornell.edu Mon Sep 8 07:17:10 2008 From: sjr37 at cornell.edu (Sandra Repp) Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2008 10:17:10 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] 2008 FALL COURSES AT THE ARNOT FOREST Message-ID: <6.2.1.2.2.20080908100916.02f0b180@postoffice9.mail.cornell.edu> 2008 FALL COURSES AT THE ARNOT FOREST Farming Fungi in the Forest: A Beginner's Guide to Growing Mushrooms in Logs Date: Tuesday, September 16 Time: 6:00 ? 8:00 pm Pre-registration Cost: $12/person Day of Event Cost: $15/person Edible mushrooms have long been collected in the forest, but many species can be easily grown in your own woodlot or backyard. With a few supplies, a little knowledge, and a little patience, you can turn your unused logs into fodder for fungi, and be harvesting enough for friends and family, or even to sell. This beginner's guide to log-mushroom production will cover mushroom biology, cultivation techniques, and woodlot/laying yard requirements. Oyster and shiitake cultivation will be discussed in this indoor/outdoor hands-on class. Presenter: Rebecca Hargrave, CCE Chenango County Heating Your Home with Your Own Trees Date: Monday, September 22 Time: 5:45 pm to 8:00 pm Pre-registration Cost: $12/person Day of event Cost:$15/person Learn how to cut your home heating costs, while at the same time improve your woods. Participants will learn how to: Select trees to beneficially thin a wooded area; Safely cut trees; Efficiently gather, store and season firewood; Choose the right wood heating system for the home ? including a discussion of the new wood gasification systems. Presenter: Brett Chedzoy, CCE Schuyler County The Bear (and Coyote) Necessities Date: Thursday, October 2 Time: 7:00 pm -8:30 pm Pre-registration Cost: $8/person Day of event Cost: $10/person Bears and coyotes are New York's largest carnivores and their populations are on the rise. They are also becoming adapted to a more suburban lifestyle. Join us for a workshop where you will learn about the habits of these charismatic animals and hear about the latest research. Get tips on some basic steps you can take to prevent conflicts with these new neighbors. Presenter: Paul Curtis, Cornell Dept. of Natural Resources Income Opportunities from Your Woods Date: Wednesday, October 22nd Time: 5:45 pm to 8:00 pm Pre-registration Cost: $12/person Day of event Cost: $15/person Want to make your woods work for you? Join us for a discussion of the major income-generating activities that forest owners can implement, including: Leasing (natural gas and hunting); producing maple syrup; growing agroforestry products like mushrooms and medicinal plants; and managing for timber products like sawlogs, lumber, firewood and woody biomass. They're Killing My Trees - Forest Invasives 911 Date: Wednesday, Time: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Pre-registration Cost: $12/person Day of event Cost: $15/person Emerald ash borer, hemlock woolly adelgid, sirex wood wasp, and more! These invasive insects have either arrived or are making their way to our area, and may dramatically change our woods. Come out and learn about these insects and actions you can take to prepare for their arrival. Climate Change and Your Water, Woods and Wildlife Date: Wednesday, November 12 Time: 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm Pre-registration Cost: $10/person Day of event Cost:$12/person We hear about climate change and how it's affecting polar bears and the arctic sea ice, but what will it mean to New York's water, woods and wildlife? Changes in temperatures, season lengths, snowpack, and severe weather events are predicted and are already occurring. As temperature and rainfall patterns change, floods and droughts will become more common. Some wildlife species may benefit, but populations of others will decline or shift to new areas. Learn about how our forests may change, and how different kinds of wildlife may be affected. Get tips on steps you can take to manage your water, woods and wildlife in the face of change. Important: All courses will meet at the Arnot Lodge, unless otherwise specified. To register for programs and pay on-line, visit Arnotconservation.info. You may also register by phone ((607) 535-7161), or by emailing cab377 at cornell.edu. Pre-registration allows us to notify you in case of cancellation due to severe weather or lack of enrollment. Most of our courses are held partially or entirely outdoors, so please dress for the weather! The Arnot Forest is located on Schuyler County Route 13, 1 mile north of NY Route 224, between Cayuta and Van Etten, NY. For directions and a map visit: www.arnotforest.info From elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us Mon Sep 8 16:54:19 2008 From: elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us (Elan Shapiro) Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 19:54:19 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Envisioning Healthy Cayuga Lake - Boat tours Message-ID: *Love Your Lake!" - A Series of Cruises Encouraging Public Participation for the Future of Cayuga Lake* *Climate change, ecological sustainability and water supply are issues of concern on a global scale, in Great Lakes Region, and right here around Cayuga Lake. How do individuals and communities participate in these complex issues?* The Floating Classroom, in partnership with a host of community resources, is excited to introduce public eco-cruises on Cayuga Lake. Each cruise will feature fascinating and meaningful lake monitoring activities, coupled with an informal presentation on an aspect of our relationship with Cayuga. Topics will range from art and culture, to science and economics- something for everyone! Our Saturday afternoon cruises will depart from the *Ithaca Farmers' Market dock at 3:00pm, returning at 5:00pm.* Presentations will be geared toward a general audience of adults and school-age children. While the cruise series is presented with the support of the Park Foundation, a donation of $5-$10 is suggested to support continued programming. For information and advance registration, contact Tiohero Tours, at (607) 697-0166 *Our Schedule:* 1. *Sept. 20: "What Do We Know? The Role of Research in Protecting Cayuga"* Professor Clifford Kraft, of Cornell University's Department of Natural Resources, will share insights on the processes and organisms at work in Cayuga Lake, and the application of research toward planning and sustainability. Participants will also a conduct deep-water quality and biological sampling event. *2. **Sept 27: Its Not Just "SeaWeed!" Anymore! * Melanie Kozlowski, of the Finger Lakes Native Plant Society, will introduce native and non-native plants found in Cayuga Lake. Participants will assist in a fall-season survey of species intended to create a better understanding of the plant community on the south shelf of Cayuga. 3. *October 4: "Where Do I Fit In? Citizens Monitoring Their Environment"* Stephen Penningroth, of the Community Science Institute, will offer his perspective on the role of citizens in resource management and decision-making. Learn about volunteer monitoring opportunities and participate in a lake water quality sampling event! 4. *Oct. 11 - "What Is It Worth? The Poetics Processes & Polotics of Water"* Human Life depends upon safe, fresh water- a resource we can no longer take for granted. *Mara Alper*, Associate Professor at Ithaca College's School of Communications, will offer ideas and insight based on her research into the relationship between people and water, from both a global and a local perspective. 5. *Oct. 18 - Cultural History - Mary White, History Center* Cayuga Lake is the local centerpiece for history and legends running from comical to catestrophic. Join Mary White, of the History Center in Ithaca, for a lively discussion of Cayuga's role in our past, and how we might apply old lessons as our story continues today. 6. *Oct 25* - To Be Determined: Possibilities include: "Native American Lake Lore/Legends" Before the Erie Canal or Lake Source Cooling, Cayuga Lake shaped the economic and cultural development of the First Nations. Join (Daniel Hill, Cayuga Nation) for an exploration of the multi-faceted relationship between the Cayuga people and their Lake. "Climate Change and Cayuga - Geological Roots of Our Lake" Enjoy a fascinating overview of the glacial origins of modern Cayuga Lake with an eye toward present-day climate concerns. Discuss the future of Cayuga in a warming environment and help as we monitor its present condition! -- Astrid Jirka Outreach Coordinator, Office of International Programs Lecturer, Dept. of Recreation and Leisure Services Ithaca College 214-2 Center for Health Sciences Ithaca, NY 14850-7150 Tel: 607-274-3306 Toll: 888-756-7856 Fax: 607-274-1515 www.ithaca.edu/oip This list-serve is intended as a forum for free exchange of ideas and information related to sustainability, including notices of upcoming educational opportunities, on-campus or off-campus, that might be of interest to the members of this group. Members of this list are expected to be respectful of the opinions of others and able to disagree without being disagreeable. To unsubscribe, go to Computing @ Ithaca to the MajorCool site, and follow the directions. -- Elan Shapiro Sustainable Tompkins Community Partnership Coordinator Sustainable Living Associates, Principal Frog's Way B&B 211 Rachel Carson Way Ithaca, NY 14850 607-275-0249 607-592-8402 Cell "We must be the change we want to see in the world" Mohandas Gandhi From ws at twcny.rr.com Tue Sep 9 08:49:43 2008 From: ws at twcny.rr.com (Wendy Skinner) Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2008 11:49:43 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] SewGreen News, 9-9-08: Fall Classes and Events Message-ID: <02a901c91293$adc633b0$6501a8c0@wendyvaio> SewGreen News, September 9, 2008 www.sew-green.org SewGreen is a not-for-profit program that encourages sustainable use of fabric, fiber, and fashion through consumer education, community sewing and reuse classes, and a reuse program. CONTENTS Kick the Plastic Bag Habit Classic Sewing Machine Sale Ray White Sewing Machine Repair Course Volunteers: Come Sew with Us! Preview: Fabric Sale, ReCraft Fair Sunday Open Sews SCROLL DOWN FOR SewGreen Fall Classes KICK THE PLASTIC BAG HABIT Plastic bags are considered a "serious environmental concern" by the EPA and other agencies around the world, where they are increasingly banned or taxed. Plastic bags, which invade the average American household at a reported rate of 60 per week, contribute to biologically harmful litter on land and in the seas. Have you noticed they're also ugly? SewGreen favors a switch to fabric and its superior esthetic. Fabric bags are nice to touch, they fold neatly, don't stick together, cushion contents, last a long time, and can very attractive. Visit the SewGreen booth September 26 and 27 at downtown Ithaca's APPLE HARVEST FESTIVAL for reusable bags that will brighten any shopping trip. Got a favorite reusable bag? Show us and get a free apple! CLASSIC SEWING MACHINE SALE SewGreen will hold a benefit sale of more than 30 restored sewing machines, cleaned, lubricated, and ready to sew. Sewing machine technician Dianne Black, a retired environmental scientist with a flair for mechanics, will be on hand to explain each machine's best features and help you choose one that suits your sewing needs. Older sewing machines were built to last for generations, and many of these all-metal-parts machines will sew through canvas, leather, or several layers of denim. Proceeds from the sale go toward SewGreen's sewing machine repair program. 11 am to 2 pm, Saturday, September 20, Women's Community Building, 100 West Seneca Street, downtown Ithaca. SEWING MACHINE REPAIR COURSE SewGreen is hosting nationally-known instructor Ray White (www.whitesewingcenter.com) for an intensive course in basic and advanced repair of sewing machines of all makes and ages. In the basic class, 9 am to 5 pm, November 3, 4, and 5, each student will learn essential "tricks of the trade" and will diagnose and repair three to five malfunctioning machines. The advanced class, 9 am to 5 pm, November 7, 8, and 9, will go into more complicated repairs. General sewing machine repair is in danger of becoming a lost profession, and this unique course, which is appropriate for passionate amateurs or those interested in a vocation, is unlikely to be repeated in our area. Contact Wendy, coord at sew-green.org, 607-277-7611 for more information and to pre-register. VOLUNTEERS: COME SEW WITH US! The SewGreen classroom will be open Tuesday and Thursday evenings for the next three weeks. We'll be making reusable bags in apple themes for the Apple Harvest Festival and working on our HOSPICARE* project (see below). Drop by for a visit and to ~ SEW ~ ! From 4 to 8 pm, September 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, and 25. Women's Community Building, 100 West Seneca Street. PREVIEW: ANNUAL FABRIC SALE, RECRAFT FAIR Mark your calendar for SewGreen's annual reuse sale of fabric, yarn, and sewing supplies, 11 am to 3 pm, Saturday, October 18, at the Women's Community Building. On Saturday, December 13, from 10 am to 4 pm, also at the Women's Community Building, Ithaca's first-ever ReCraft Fair will offer beautiful, original holiday gifts that have minimal environmental impact. Vendors, artists, and makers of gifts, apparel, home furnishings etc. created in our region from all reused materials and that involve no toxic processes are invited to apply for a booth. For more information and an application form, contact Wendy coord at sew-green.org, 607-277-7611. SUNDAY OPEN SEWS The SewGreen classroom will be available for use (no instruction provided) from noon to 4 pm every other Sunday, starting September 28. Bring your own machine or use one of ours. The SewGreen classroom is bright and clean, full of shared supplies and equipment, and set up for cutting, ironing, and sewing projects of all types. Donations requested. FREE to anyone who sews a reusable bag for us, or who volunteers time to SewGreen. * * * * * * * * * * * * * SEWGREEN FALL CLASSES ---------------------------------- BEGINNING CLASSES ---------------------------------- ~~~ Beginning Machine Sewing: This one-session class teaches you how to use a sewing machine and make a simple reuse project. $15 per class. Offered four times: 2 to 4 pm, Saturday, September 27 6 to 8 pm, Thursday, October 9 2 to 4 pm, Saturday, October 11 6 to 8 pm, Wednesday, November 12. ~~~ Teen Sewing Vacation Day: No school! Learn to use a sewing machine or improve your skills, make a hobo bag, drawstring backpack, or other project. For ages 13 - 18. $25. 10 am to 4 pm, Friday, October 10. ~~~ Sew for Your Dog: Learn to use a sewing machine, make a bed and a warm jacket for your favorite canine friend in this two-session class. $30. 6 to 8 pm, Tuesdays, October 14 and 21. ~~~ Halloween Costumes from Sweatsuits Save money and shopping stress! Transform a reused sweatsuit into an animal, super hero, or "whatever" costume for a big person or a little one. $15 per class; $25 for both. Offered twice: 6 to 8 pm, Thursday, October 23; and 2 to 4 pm, Saturday, October 25. ~~~ Rug-a-Rama For those who make, or want to learn to make, a rag or braided rug from reused materials. Bring your project and be ready to explain how to make it, or just come to learn. FREE. Noon to 3 pm, Saturday, November 1. ~~~ Felting Workshop with Lynn Leopold and Valorie Rockney Learn how to use felted wool, a beautiful material made from shrunken wool sweaters, for a project of your choice. FREE. 2 to 4 pm, Saturday, November 15. ~~~ Make a Gift Our holiday shopping-craze antidote: Make a cool gift, gift bag, or ornament at a laid-back "Black Friday" reuse workshop. Morning and afternoon, Friday, November 28. FREE. Kids, age 8 and up, 10 am to noon. Teens and adults, 1 - 3 pm. ---------------------------------------- INTERMEDIATE CLASSES ---------------------------------------- ~~~ Make a Scrap Quilt Learn to plan and piece together a beautiful quilt with pieces you never thought you'd use. Bring your own cotton scraps or use ours. Intermediate or advanced sewing skills required but no prior quilting experience is needed. $90. Six sessions, 10 am to 1 pm, every other Saturday starting September 27. ~~~ Zippers and Buttonholes Become zipper-proficient and master the buttonhole in this one-session intermediate class. $15. 6 to 8 pm, Wednesday, October 15. ~~~ How to Sew Using a Pattern The essentials of reading, laying out, and sewing from a simple pattern. A three-session intermediate class. $45. 6 to 8 pm, three Thursdays, November 6, 13, and 20. ENROLL TODAY! All classes are held at the SewGreen classroom, Women's Community Building, 100 West Seneca Street, Ithaca. Pre-registration is required. Scholarships are available. All materials (reused, or course) are supplied. Unless otherwise indicated, all classes are for adults and teens, of both genders. Two blocks from the Seneca Street and Green Street TCAT bus stops. Free parking in the lot after 5:30. ADA accessible. Contact Wendy coord at sew-green.org, 607-277-7611 to sign up. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ To be added or removed from this newsletter distribution list, send an e-mail to Wendy Skinner, SewGreen Coordinator, at coord at sew-green.org. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * Hospicare has asked SewGreen to provide cloth bags and totes for families to collect the personal possessions of loved ones who have died. We would like to meet this request, with the help of volunteers who like to sew or want to learn. From janq at zoom-dsl.com Tue Sep 9 10:42:00 2008 From: janq at zoom-dsl.com (Jan Quarles) Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2008 13:42:00 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Clean energy legislation needed Message-ID: <001901c912a3$699fa850$6500a8c0@user> We Can Solve It ----- Original Message ----- From: Al Gore, The We Campaign To: Jan Quarles Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 1:32 PM Subject: We have a choice Call your members of Congress NOW to demand new, clean energy. Take Action. Dear Jan, I need your help. Will you make a call? Congress will consider energy legislation this week. Of course, the oil industry is pushing its "drill, drill" slogan with all its might -- and some are hoping to use this for political advantage. Meanwhile, tax credits for investments in solar and wind power have not been extended, and the growing renewables business that just made America the largest producer of wind power in the world, is on the verge of shutting down huge planned projects all over the country. Billions in private investment, thousands of megawatts of new, clean energy, and more than 100,000 new jobs expected for 2009 will be lost. We face a stark choice: subsidize old, dirty energy or invest in new, clean energy. This should be easy, but the influence of the oil lobby is deep -- they've already spent more than $100 million in lobbying and advertising this year. Please call your members of Congress now and tell them to pass legislation that will Repower America. Click here to find out how to call. Washington is being diverted by all the political noise around "drill, drill" away from what really will make a difference -- building a new, clean energy future. Projects in the pipeline that will power millions of homes will be canceled, setting us back for years, if Congress doesn't do the right thing now. Congress needs to hear from all of us. Click here to make a quick call today. Thank you so much, Al Gore www.wecansolveit.org WeCanSolveIt.org | Privacy Policy | Subscribe | Unsubscribe | Contact Us | About -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.6.19/1661 - Release Date: 9/9/2008 4:58 AM From senecajean at aol.com Wed Sep 10 11:58:24 2008 From: senecajean at aol.com (senecajean at aol.com) Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:58:24 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Final Reminder Tomp Co Day of Caring Message-ID: <8CAE18E564C7393-112C-608@WEBMAIL-DG13.sim.aol.com> 18 Hours Until Our Community Celebrates its 12th Day of Caring Please join Greg Hartz and Laurie Linn, 2008 United Way of Tompkins County Campaign Co-Chairs for the Stephen E. Garner Day of Caring Food & Personal Care Items Drive Thursday, September 11, 2008 Stewart Park, Ithaca, NY ? large pavilion 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a 12:00 Noon Program (A light lunch will be provided.) We invite our community to attend this special event! Let's LIVE UNITED. Our goal is NO EMPTY BOXES! Food Canned fruit and fruit juices Canned meats including tuna, stews, raviolis One-box meals, tuna, Hamburger Helper Boxed macaroni and cheese Instant potatoes Beverages (coffee, tea, juice, canned milk) Pasta and spaghetti sauce Soups and boxes of crackers Peanut butter and jelly Canned vegetables Personal Care and Household Items Diapers ? sizes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Diaper Wipes Liquid laundry detergent 30-gallon trash bags Shampoo and conditioner Bar soap, Deodorants Toilet paper, paper towels, and tissue Feminine Products Toothbrushes and toothpaste Remember, our goal is NO EMPTY BOXES! We are trying to fill 150 empty banana boxes with donations. Thank you so much!? Let's LIVE UNITED. All donations will be given to these local food pantries and community organizations for distribution in Tompkins County. American Red Cross Food Pantries Baptized Church Food Pantry Caroline Food Pantry Catholic Charities of Tomp kins & Tioga Danby Food Pantry (Day Care) Child Development Council Dryden Kitchen Cupboard Enfield Food Distribution Freeville Food Pantry Groton Food Providers Immaculate Conception Food Pantry Ithaca Kitchen Cupboard Lansing Food Pantry Newfield Kitchen Cupboard Southside Community Center Tompkins Community Action Trumansburg Food Pantry ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Give.?? Advocate.?? Volunteer.?? LIVE UNITED. Ann M. Colt, Director Campaign & Community Relations United Way of Tompkins County 313 N. Aurora Street Ithaca, NY 14850 607.272.6286 607.272.2736 fax email: acolt at uwtc.org www.uwtc.org? Strong People?? Strong Families?? Strong Communities ? From senecajean at aol.com Wed Sep 10 12:02:26 2008 From: senecajean at aol.com (senecajean at aol.com) Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:02:26 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Public Meetings On Tomp County Energy Policy Message-ID: <8CAE18EE624E874-7F0-33@WEBMAIL-DG13.sim.aol.com> (((NOTE: This information is sent to you on behalf of the Tompkins County Planning Department.))) The Tompkins County Community is invited to help shape future County energy policy. Weigh in on the proposed policies and actions of the draft Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Element to the County Comprehensive Plan. The Tompkins County Planning Department invites you to attend one of four upcoming discussions about the new Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Element to the County Comprehensive Plan. This Element will help shape future County energy policy for the next ten years. We want to hear whether County residents agree that the proposed policies and actions of the Element are the best use of limited funds to address energy and greenhouse gas emissions in our community. The proposed policies and actions are based on a four-pronged approach to energy: reduce demand, increase efficiency, transition to renewables, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. Meetings will be held on four evenings this fall at different sites around the County: ? September 17th at 6:30 pm at the Ulysses Town Hall, 10 Elm St., Trumansburg ? September 22nd at 6:30 pm at the Danby Town Hall, 1830 Danby Rd ? September 24th at 6:30 pm at the Tompkins County Public Library, Borg Warner Room ? October 1st at 6:30pm at the Dryden Town Hall, 93 E. Main St., Dryden The draft Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Element identifies the critical issues; presents existing conditions; propo ses a community strategy; and offers potential policy and action items for the County government and its partner agencies to address energy and greenhouse gas emissions. This important and relevant topic requires community-wide involvement, so please share your thoughts, either at a public meeting, by phone, in person, or at the website below. The Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Element document can be viewed on the Tompkins County Planning Department website at http://www.tompkins.org/planning/compplan/index.htm. or call 607-274-5560. Contact: Leslie Schill. Senior Planner, Tompkins County Planning Department, 274-5560. ? ------ Marcia E. Lynch Public Information Officer Tompkins County 125 E. Court Street Ithaca, NY 14850 Tel: 607-274-5555/Fax: 607-274-5558 http://www.tompkins.org/planning/compplan/index.htm. or call 607-274-5560. Contact: Leslie Schill. Senior Planner, Tompkins County Planning Department, 274-5560. ? ------ Marcia E. Lynch Public Information Officer Tompkins County 125 E. Court Street Ithaca, NY 14850 Tel: 607-274-5555/Fax: 607-274-5558 From levelgreeninstitute at yahoo.com Wed Sep 10 12:04:16 2008 From: levelgreeninstitute at yahoo.com (Patricia Haines) Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:04:16 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [SustainableTompkins] sustainable future for the arts in downtown Ithaca? Message-ID: <444763.60130.qm@web62108.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Starting with a community forum to begin exploring a role for the arts in redesigning the Commons and a long-term strategic plan for downtown development, the Downtown Ithaca Alliance is hosting a series of activities designed around the 2008 outdoor sculpture exhibition - the theme for which is "Celebrating Sustainable Community". If any of you want to anchor a table with information about your organizations and/or activities and/or dreams for the future, I'd love to work you into the following plan: In brief (listserv won't take the full press release)): * Sept 18, 7:30 pm, CSMA 3rd Fl: Community Forum: Art for Ithaca's Future? - starting up the community conversation about a role for the arts in redesigning the Commons, and in the long-term strategic plan for downtown development * Sept 20, 1-5 pm, the Commons and Center Ithaca: All Creatures Share the Earth, the Art of Yolanda Daliz (colorful animal totems made from reclaimed wood)- face painting, sing-along with John Simon, chark drawing with local artists (your personal totem), poetry-writing, Feldenkrais Walk Like the Animals program, Introduction to Joanna Macy's "Council of All Beings", Animal mask/costume parade with music October 4, 1-5 pm, the Commons & Center Ithaca: Gardens of Downtown Delight, the Art of Kathy Bruce and Kathleen Griffin - face painting, bird mask workshop, Ithaca Children's Garden activity, dancing with local choreographers, chalk drawing, poetry-writing, open reading of the poetry of Lois O'Connor, Crysalis Workshop: the Art of Becoming, with Rebecca Dolch, MAGIC with Mike Stanley & the Cayuga Wizards, showing on MANADALA, an interactive multi-arts piece by Damaris, Eric 12th Moon and musicians. * Nov 13, 7:30 pm, place TBD: "Going Green: Sustainable Public Art", address by global public artist Alastair Noble, comment by 2008 Art in the Heart of the City artists Kathleen Griffin, Kathy Bruce and Yolanda Daliz Questions: Patricia Haines 339-9472 ************ LEVEL GREEN - fostering sustainable community through collaborative initiatives in hospitality, education and the arts, in the 150 year-old democratic spirit of the Danish Folk School. 1519 Slaterville Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 339-9472 From amdefelice at yahoo.com Wed Sep 10 14:14:36 2008 From: amdefelice at yahoo.com (Angela DeFelice) Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:14:36 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Compost Volunteers Needed - Apple Harvest Fest Sept 26-28 Message-ID: <576288.62234.qm@web50605.mail.re2.yahoo.com> PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY The 26th Annual Apple Harvest Festival is an exciting community event held in downtown?Ithaca from September 26-28, 2008.? The festival is guaranteed to please all members of the family with music, food, entertainment, ferris wheel, farmers market, wine tasting and more.? We need volunteers to help make this event as waste free as possible! *Sept. 26-28?on the Ithaca Commons! *Flexible shifts are available?for?individuals and groups! *Volunteers in high school?and older are welcome! *Volunteer 3+ hours and?receive a gift of appreciation! *Volunteer 6+ hours and receive a free meal & gift of appreciation! *Compost Education and Information Booth shifts available (training provided)! Can you volunteer and help make this exciting community event a success?? Questions? Please contact Angela DeFelice directly?by Friday, Sept 19th to sign up for shifts.? Email: amdefelice at yahoo.com? Phone: 607-262-6024. From mbrown at ithaca.edu Wed Sep 10 14:24:02 2008 From: mbrown at ithaca.edu (Marian Brown) Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:24:02 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Sustainability Cafe on Lake Health Assessment Message-ID: <48C83AF2.5090406@ithaca.edu> The first Sustainability Caf? of the fall 2008 series will focus on "Interdisciplinary Approaches to Lake Health Assessment: The Cayuga Watershed Experience." This Caf? event, being held in conjunction with the Environmental Seminar, will be held on Monday, September 15, at 4:00 p.m. in the Ithaca College Center for Natural Sciences, room 119. This event is free and open to the public. For more information: http://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20080909113003530 For those from off-campus, here is the link to the Campus Map: http://www.ithaca.edu/map/ Center for Natural Sciences is navy blue building #23, which is conveniently located near the TCAT bus stop for Route #11. http://tcat.nextinsight.com/routes.php?mrnid=183 Here is the map for free campus Visitor parking: http://www.ithaca.edu/map/parking.php Please note that the Visitor Parking Lot moved this summer! Marian From elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us Sun Sep 7 19:44:56 2008 From: elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us (Elan Shapiro) Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 22:44:56 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] California will reward dense development Message-ID: Calif. Aims to Concentrate Growth to Cut Use of Cars High-Density Development May Get Dibs on Funds http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/06/AR2008090602744.html?wpisrc=newsletter -- Elan Shapiro Sustainable Tompkins Community Partnership Coordinator Sustainable Living Associates, Principal Frog's Way B&B 211 Rachel Carson Way Ithaca, NY 14850 607-275-0249 607-592-8402 Cell "We must be the change we want to see in the world" Mohandas Gandhi From senecajean at aol.com Thu Sep 11 08:40:18 2008 From: senecajean at aol.com (senecajean at aol.com) Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:40:18 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Heart Disease and Cancer: Scientific Studies in Prevention and Reversal Sept. 17th at 7 PM In-Reply-To: <8CAE23B69C21FDB-B6C-B71@WEBMAIL-DG03.sim.aol.com> References: <002a01c8d860$14d1c150$6e0aa8c0@Program> <24199701-AA5E-4E1D-BD0A-8477516696FE@mac.com> <8CAE23B69C21FDB-B6C-B71@WEBMAIL-DG03.sim.aol.com> Message-ID: <8CAE23BD346F30F-B6C-BBB@WEBMAIL-DG03.sim.aol.com> Heart Disease and Cancer: Scientific Studies in Prevention and Reversal ? Wed 9/17 7PM-9PM Sylvester Johnson, PhD Lifelong, 119 W. Court St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-273-1511, www.tclifelong.org ? This presentation will be given by health educator Sylvester Johnson (Ph.D. Applied Physics), with selected slides donated by leading nutritionist T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D., co-author of China Study.? Sylvester will describe research about food's impact on cancer and heart disease, also suggesting that health can be supported by consuming mainly plant-based, unrefined foods. Lifelong asks for $5 to help support the facility. Pre-registration required. For a preview of the slides, see http://www.federalcarbontax.org/SlidesHealthPresentation.html. Sylvester?s free book Healthspan was written as a public service. The book is available for download from his non-profit website www.climatehealth.net. It provides free access to over 180 educational slides, handouts and newspaper articles regarding his presentations. CV: Sylvester has managed businesses commercializing products ranging from computer hardware to glassy sugars for long-term preservation of biological materials such as enzymes. He holds a Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Cornell University. He?s a trained volunteer mediator with the Community Dispute Resolution Center, specializing in mediation of child visitation and custody. He pres ents on Climate Change with the Climate Change Action Group of Central New York, with slides at http://www.climatehealth.net/SlidesClimateChangeHowReduceE missions.html. Over the years, he has served as Chairman of the Cornell National Supercomputer Facility Usergroup, a member of the Steering Committee of the Finger Lakes Entrepreneurs' Forum, a member of the Board of Directors of the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce, and Chairman of the Community Development Committee. He?s now devoting most of his effort to public service. = ? ? Schedule of? next week's Lifelong Events ? http://www.tclifelong.org/NextWeek.htm . . From gaynicholson at aol.com Thu Sep 11 20:46:18 2008 From: gaynicholson at aol.com (Gay Nicholson) Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 23:46:18 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Eco-City Emerging at the State on Tuesday night Message-ID: <9D0A68B6-D798-4624-BC81-28A6CF312379@aol.com> Dear friends, colleagues and associates, The rapid shift to a healthy, bountiful, balanced and harmonious future for human-kind and mother earth begins with you! If you are in or around Ithaca, NY on Tuesday September 16th, you are cordially invited to attend an exciting FREE public forum that will address how we can cooperatively re-design and re-develop our often inefficient, dangerous, wasteful and polluted urban environments into model "Eco-Cities" that prepare and empower future generations for a sustainable life on our planet. This event will immediately follow the 3 day International PODCAR CITY Conference in Ithaca, NY and will cover issues of "Smart Growth" Urban Planning, Clean Energy, Sustainable Transportation, Super-Local Economies, Creativity vs. Consumption, and more. Please join us if you can and help to spread the word by forwarding this invitation to other interested parties! ECO-CITY EMERGING TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2008 THE HISTORIC STATE THEATRE ITHACA, NEW YORK 7PM - 9PM FREE In Peace, Jacob Alan Roberts "be the change" ---------------------------------------------------- Gay Nicholson, Ph.D. 607-533-7312 (home office) 607-279-6618 (cell) 1 Maple Avenue Lansing, NY 14882 gaynicholson at aol.com Sustainable Tompkins Program Coordinator www.sustainabletompkins.org Southern Tier Energy$mart Communities Regional Coordinator Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850 agn1 at cornell.edu From elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us Fri Sep 12 04:39:17 2008 From: elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us (Elan Shapiro) Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 07:39:17 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Last-minute push for New Roots school! Message-ID: note: There is a major last minute campaign to derail New Roots school, a charter school open to all using a community-based equity & sustainabiity curriculum. Your letters of support sent TODAY, if you support the school, could be helpful. Elan The day before the SUNY Board of Trustees meets to decide the future of New Roots School, the ICSD will be sending the public input gathered via their web site over the past month to the Charter Schools Institute. The deadline for registering your opinion is TODAY, Friday September 12, 2008. Please take a minute NOW to add your voice in support of New Roots, if that's your inclination! A simple, two-line message is all that you need. First, go to the ICSD web site: http://www.icsd.k12.ny.us/ Then scroll down and click on "Input Welcome on New Roots Charter School." Your message could be as simple as: I strongly support New Roots Charter School, and urge the SUNY Board of Trustees to approve its charter as recommended by the Committee on Charter Schools. A line or two saying why would be even better, if you feel inspired! Read on for some inspiration. As reported in the Ithaca Journal yesterday, the SUNY Trustees Committee on Charter Schools were very enthusiastic about New Roots, citing an outstanding number of educational leaders on our board, our research-based program model demonstrated to improve academic performance and engagement for all students, and tremendous community support for developing the school. Here's the link to the story, just in case you missed it: http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008809100326 Also, please visit our web site, www.newrootsschool.org, where you will find some answers to frequently-asked questions, our proposed curriculum, and much more. Please use "contact us" if you have any questions, or would like to get involved. Thank you for taking just a few minutes to make a big difference. We'll be back in touch next Tuesday to let you know how things went! Thanks again, Friends of New Roots School ************************* THANKS FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN! It's relatively little effort on our part, but I realized today that the ICSD has been gathering emails from nearly a month now, and they plan to put the results of their campaign into the Trustees' laps just before the meeting next week. Several people are making a last-minute push today. It could potentially have an impact if we don't create some balance. WE CAN'T AFFORD TO BE COMPLACENT! Sorry to be shouting (!), but I'm concerned that people are people, and this may get someone's attention if there isn't balance, and although those concerned have been making a concerted effort to get people to give input, we haven't. Nothing like a deadline to motivate people, though! Please check in with the group to let everyone know what lists you've posted to. I hope/assume you can just use what I wrote, or easily modify it. It really could literally take people just two minutes to do this. . . Thanks so much, Tina -- Elan Shapiro Sustainable Tompkins Community Partnership Coordinator Sustainable Living Associates, Principal Frog's Way B&B 211 Rachel Carson Way Ithaca, NY 14850 607-275-0249 607-592-8402 Cell "We must be the change we want to see in the world" Mohandas Gandhi From lennon_kat at hotmail.com Fri Sep 12 05:05:54 2008 From: lennon_kat at hotmail.com (Kat McCarthy) Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:05:54 +0000 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Korova at 5 * Friday * Sustainability Happy hour Message-ID: Happy Friday! Happy Hour! Sustainability Happy Hour Friday at 5 (that's TODAY!) Korova Hope to see you there, Kat From globalclimatesolutions at gmail.com Thu Sep 11 21:21:58 2008 From: globalclimatesolutions at gmail.com (Ryan Hottle) Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:21:58 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Greening the Desert w/ Permaculture and Biochar Message-ID: <1515a9290809112121w32bc0554rdd87c20a4f67b8b2@mail.gmail.com> Dear Climate Solution Thinkers: Drought and desertification are likely results of global climate change. The forcing effects that are already in the system will likely bring serious challenges to many regions of the world in the form of water scarcity. How do we deal with this challenge using sustainable solutions? Visit our most recent blog at www.GlobalClimateSolutions.org to find out. As always, we're looking for serious sustainable solutions to climate change. If you would like to submit a piece please visit our website for instructions. What we choose to do--or not to do--will make all the difference. Be determined to work together and to win! Respectfully, Ryan D. Hottle -- GLOBAL CLIMATE SOLUTIONS www.GlobalClimateSolutions.org serious, sustainable solutions to climate change including carbon-negative energy submit your ideas and articles on-line at: www.GlobalClimateSolutions.org From tonydelplato at gmail.com Fri Sep 12 07:42:39 2008 From: tonydelplato at gmail.com (Tony Del Plato) Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:42:39 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Sustainability Redefined Message-ID: Rachel's Democracy & Health News #976, September 11, 2008 *SUSTAINABILTIY REDEFINED* [Rachel's introduction: The 1987 definition of sustainability went like this: "Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." That was a fine definition, but now a new one has been proposed: "Learning to live off the sun in real time."] By Peter Montague Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN) is the weekly voice of the American Chemical Society, which is the professional association for academic and industrial chemists. This high-quality magazine lies near the heart of the establishment and -- like the Wall Street Journal -- it hires some of the top writers in the business because many of its readers are elite decison-makers who need the best information available, whether it be good news or bad. The August 18 issues of C&EN was devoted to "sustainability." In it, editor-in-chief Rudy M. Baum pointed outthat a sea change has occurred just in the past two years. He says humans passed a "tipping point" in about 2006. A "tipping point" occurs when something fundamental changes in a way that speeds up further change and/or makes change permanent.[1] Baum writes, "In the case of humanity's relationship to Earth, a tipping point appears to have occurred in 2006. In what seems to have been the blink of an eye, a shift in attitude occurred. On one side of the divide, people in general expressed concern, but not alarm, over the state of the environment. On the other side of the divide, past the tipping point, a consensus emerged that human actions were having a serious negative impact on the global environment. The consensus was embraced by scientists and nonscientists and, remarkably, by a large swath of corporate America." Community activists who struggle against toxic corporate behavior may doubt that "a large swath of corporate America" really accepts that "human actions are having a serious negative impact on the environment" -- but it *does*seem true that important segments of the public have become convinced. This is new. This is big. Baum continues: "What is clear is that humans need to change their relationship to Earth. No resource is infinite. There are enough of us, more than 6 billion, and we are clever enough that our activities are impacting the global environment. How is it that we can ever have imagined otherwise?" It is as if Baum has just awakened from a pleasant dream and is realizing for the first time that we are all facing a harsh reality. He then repeats the original definition of "sustainable development" from the 1987 "Brundtland Report," formally titled "Our Common Future :" "Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." And, he says, "That is as good a definition of sustainable development as one will find." And he his own interesting new definition of sustainability: "Learning to live off the sun in real time." He says, "Although sustainability is not only about energy, it is largely about energy." Then he dives into a brief history of humankind and of civilization. He points out that for aeons humans lived off the sun in real time. Then the discovery of coal, and later oil, powered the development of industrial society: "The extraordinary productivity of the past 150 years has largely been fueled by fossilized sunshine." Then he says, "This has to change for two reasons." Reason No. 1: Fossil fuels are finite: "One can argue," Baum writes, "whether we have already reached 'peak oil' -- the point at which half of all the oil that ever will be discovered has been discovered and supply, while far from exhausted, will inevitably begin to decline -- or whether we will reach it in 10, 20, or 30 years. The point is, we will reach peak oil. (Certainly," Baum continues, "the current remarkable run-up in crude oil prices is consistent with what will occur when peak oil is reached.) Yes, there are vast reserves of petroleum locked in oil shale and tar sands, and yes, there's enough coal out there to power society for 200 years, but extracting these resources will take a terrible toll on the landscape of Earth. At what point are we going to say, enough?" Reason No. 2: Global warming. "The gigatons of carbon dioxide humans are pumping into the atmosphere as if it were a giant sewer are causing the climate to change. That's no longer in dispute," Baum writes. But then suddenly Mr. Baum seems to slip back into the pleasant dream of yesteryear: his solution to our energy (and sustainability) problems -- which he still calls "living off the sun in real time" -- is nuclear power. This is jarring because both U.S. and world supplies of uranium are finite and limited . Baum backhandledly acknowledges this by saying, "Energy efficiency and conservation will play important roles, but so will vastly expanded use of nuclear energy, including breeder reactors to enormously expand the supply of nuclear fuel." So, uranium by itself will run out -- most likely sooner than coal will run out -- but we can "enormously expand the supply" of atomic fuel with breeder reactors. Mr. Baum doesn't say so, but breeder reactors don't breed uranium, they breed plutonium, the preferred raw material for rogue A- bombs. Mr. Baum does acknowledge that his plan entails some difficulties -- he calls them "complexities" -- like "building safe breeder reactors, secure handling of plutonium, [and] responsible disposal of the remaining waste." Complexities indeed. Leaving aside the morally indefensible plan to bequeath tons of highly radioactive waste to our children to manage forever, humans haven't devised a solution for the slow march of nuclear weapons across the globe -- except of course to ban the manufacture of all raw materials for such weapons. This would require ending nuclear power globally, forever. Item: Pakistan has nuclear weapons (which it developed from nuclear power reactors) and is supposedly a strong ally of the U.S. But Dexter Filkins reported this week in the New York Times Magazine that Pakistani soldiers sometimes shoot at American soldiers who are hunting fundamentalist Muslims along Pakistan's border with Afghanistan. Filkins says "one of the more fundamental questions of the long war against Islamic militancy, and one that looms larger as the American position inside Afghanistan deteriorates [is]: Whose side is Pakistan really on?" Read the Filkins piece -- an amazing feat of reporting -- and you'll see it's a fair question. Item: Last month President Bush authorized U.S. troops to begin military raids onto Pakistani soil -- without asking Pakistan's permission -- to try to kill Taliban fundamentalists there. Announcing the President's decision, the N.Y. Times wrote, "The new orders for the military's Special Operations forces relax firm restrictions on conducting raids on the soil of an important ally without its permission." The next paragraph in the Times story says, "Pakistan's top army officer said Wednesday that his forces would not tolerate American incursions like the one that took place last week and that the army would defend the country's sovereignty 'at all costs.'" This is sounding more and more like the beginning of a new war -- one with a nuclear-armed "ally" who also seems to be an ally of the Taliban. The Taliban would like nothing better than to get their hands on a Pakistani A-bomb, deliver it to us on a cargo ship, and detonate it near the Statue of Liberty or beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. It would end the American experiment in democracy, almost certainly. Item: This same week President Bush won approval from 45 nations for his planto allow India -- Pakistan's blood enemy -- to buy and sell nuclear materials on the global market, thus negating the Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty that had been in force for decades but which India has steadfastly refused to sign. Nuclear experts warn that Mr. Bush's decision could lead to a nuclear arms race in Asia. Congress has yet to approve the deal, but Mr. Bush is now working to get their "fast track" approval. Item: And this week, too, a writer in the New York Times pointed outthat, "Many proliferation experts I have spoken to judge the chance of a detonation [of an A-bomb by Al Qaeda, or a Qaeda imitator on U.S. soil] to be as high as 50 percent in the next 10 years. I am an optimist, so I put the chance at 10 percent to 20 percent. Only technical complications prevent Al Qaeda from executing a nuclear attack today. The hard part is acquiring fissile material; an easier part is the smuggling itself (as the saying goes, one way to bring nuclear weapon components into America would be to hide them inside shipments of cocaine)." Even if the optimistic view is correct -- that the chance of a rogue A-bomb explosion in New York Harbor, or beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, is "only" 10% or 20% per decade -- how many decades does that give us before the probability approaches 100%? No, if humans are to survive, then "Learning to live off the sun in real time" cannot mean powering global civilization with plutonium- breeding nuclear reactors. It must mean *really* living off the sun in real time. Luckily, that goal is seeming more realistic each passing week. In this issue of Rachel's we carry a storyfrom Scientific American Magazine that estimates we could derive 35% of our total energy (and 69% of our electricity) from sunlight by 2050 -- and 90% of our total energy from the sun by 2100. And it would require a federal subsidy far smaller than we have so far committed to the Iraq war. Of course, if we felt the need were really urgent, we could get there even faster. That's a new "tipping point" we can all work together to achieve. ============== [1] Baum says "a tipping point occurs when some parameter reaches a value where various feedback loops come into play and further change in the parameter becomes radically more rapid and/or permanent." He gives the example of carbon locked in the arctic permafrost. At some point, rising temperatures in the arctic will thaw the permafrost, releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, thus creating warmer conditions, in turn releasing more carbon from the permafrost... until? -- "Justice is what love looks like in public." ~ Dr. Cornel West From levelgreeninstitute at yahoo.com Fri Sep 12 09:04:14 2008 From: levelgreeninstitute at yahoo.com (Patricia Haines) Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:04:14 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Sustainability Redefined In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <752894.92483.qm@web62108.mail.re1.yahoo.com> thanks, Tony - but here in Ithaca 'sustainability' definitely includes human energy and creativity, not just that of our Sun, as per the article below. Last night's magical gathering evidenced this in spades: it is "community", in that word's many meanings, that's fueling our future. I feel blessed to be part of it. Warmest thanks to Elan, Miranda, Dale and all the others who brought us last night's feast for thought (to say nothing of the food...!) *************** LEVEL GREEN - fostering sustainable community through collaborative initiatives in hospitality, education and the arts, in the 150 year-old democratic spirit of the Danish Folk School. 1519 Slaterville Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 339-9472 --- On Fri, 9/12/08, Tony Del Plato wrote: > From: Tony Del Plato > Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Sustainability Redefined > To: "postingsustainabletompkins" > Date: Friday, September 12, 2008, 10:42 AM > Rachel's Democracy & Health News #976, September 11, > 2008 > > *SUSTAINABILTIY REDEFINED* > > [Rachel's introduction: The 1987 definition of > sustainability went like > this: "Sustainable development is development that > meets the needs of the > present without compromising the ability of future > generations to meet their > own needs." That was a fine definition, but now a new > one has been proposed: > "Learning to live off the sun in real time."] > > By Peter Montague > > Chemical & Engineering News > (C&EN) is the weekly > voice of the American Chemical Society, which is the > professional > association for academic and industrial chemists. This > high-quality magazine > lies near the heart of the establishment and -- like the > Wall Street Journal > -- it hires some of the top writers in the business because > many of its > readers are elite decison-makers who need the best > information available, > whether it be good news or bad. > > The August 18 issues of C&EN was devoted to > "sustainability." In it, > editor-in-chief Rudy M. Baum pointed > outthat > a sea change has occurred just in the past two years. He > says humans > passed a "tipping point" in about 2006. A > "tipping point" occurs when > something fundamental changes in a way that speeds up > further change and/or > makes change permanent.[1] > > Baum writes, "In the case of humanity's > relationship to Earth, a tipping > point appears to have occurred in 2006. In what seems to > have been the blink > of an eye, a shift in attitude occurred. On one side of the > divide, people > in general expressed concern, but not alarm, over the state > of the > environment. On the other side of the divide, past the > tipping point, a > consensus emerged that human actions were having a serious > negative impact > on the global environment. The consensus was embraced by > scientists and > nonscientists and, remarkably, by a large swath of > corporate America." > > Community activists who struggle against toxic corporate > behavior may doubt > that "a large swath of corporate America" really > accepts that "human actions > are having a serious negative impact on the > environment" -- but it > *does*seem true that important segments of the public have > become > convinced. This > is new. This is big. > > Baum continues: "What is clear is that humans need to > change their > relationship to Earth. No resource is infinite. There are > enough of us, more > than 6 billion, and we are clever enough that our > activities are impacting > the global environment. How is it that we can ever have > imagined otherwise?" > > It is as if Baum has just awakened from a pleasant dream > and is realizing > for the first time that we are all facing a harsh reality. > > He then repeats the original definition of > "sustainable development" from > the 1987 "Brundtland Report," formally titled > "Our Common > Future > :" > > "Sustainable development is development that meets the > needs of the present > without compromising the ability of future generations to > meet their own > needs." And, he says, "That is as good a > definition of sustainable > development as one will find." > > And he his own interesting new definition of > sustainability: "Learning to > live off the sun in real time." He says, > "Although sustainability is not > only about energy, it is largely about energy." > > Then he dives into a brief history of humankind and of > civilization. He > points out that for aeons humans lived off the sun in real > time. Then the > discovery of coal, and later oil, powered the development > of industrial > society: "The extraordinary productivity of the past > 150 years has largely > been fueled by fossilized sunshine." Then he says, > "This has to change for > two reasons." > > Reason No. 1: Fossil fuels are finite: "One can > argue," Baum writes, > "whether we have already reached 'peak oil' -- > the point at which half of > all the oil that ever will be discovered has been > discovered and supply, > while far from exhausted, will inevitably begin to decline > -- or whether we > will reach it in 10, 20, or 30 years. The point is, we will > reach peak oil. > (Certainly," Baum continues, "the current > remarkable run-up in crude oil > prices is consistent with what will occur when peak oil is > reached.) Yes, > there are vast reserves of petroleum locked in oil shale > and tar sands, and > yes, there's enough coal out there to power society for > 200 years, but > extracting these resources will take a terrible toll on the > landscape of > Earth. At what point are we going to say, enough?" > > Reason No. 2: Global warming. "The gigatons of carbon > dioxide humans are > pumping into the atmosphere as if it were a giant sewer are > causing the > climate to change. That's no longer in dispute," > Baum writes. > > But then suddenly Mr. Baum seems to slip back into the > pleasant dream of > yesteryear: his solution to our energy (and sustainability) > problems -- > which he still calls "living off the sun in real > time" -- is nuclear power. > > This is jarring because both U.S. and world supplies of > uranium are finite > and limited > . > Baum backhandledly acknowledges this by saying, > "Energy efficiency and > conservation will play important roles, but so will vastly > expanded use of > nuclear energy, including breeder reactors to enormously > expand the supply > of nuclear fuel." So, uranium by itself will run out > -- most likely sooner > than coal will run out -- but we can "enormously > expand the supply" of > atomic fuel with breeder reactors. Mr. Baum doesn't say > so, but breeder > reactors don't breed uranium, they breed plutonium, the > preferred raw > material for rogue A- bombs. > > Mr. Baum does acknowledge that his plan entails some > difficulties -- he > calls them "complexities" -- like "building > safe breeder reactors, secure > handling of plutonium, [and] responsible disposal of the > remaining waste." > Complexities indeed. > > Leaving aside the morally indefensible plan to bequeath > tons of highly > radioactive waste to our children to manage forever, humans > haven't devised > a solution for the slow march of nuclear weapons across the > globe -- except > of course to ban the manufacture of all raw materials for > such weapons. This > would require ending nuclear power globally, forever. > > Item: Pakistan has nuclear weapons (which it developed from > nuclear power > reactors) and is supposedly a strong ally of the U.S. But > Dexter > Filkins reported > this week > > in the > New York Times Magazine that Pakistani soldiers sometimes > shoot at American > soldiers who are hunting fundamentalist Muslims along > Pakistan's border with > Afghanistan. Filkins says "one of the more fundamental > questions of the long > war against Islamic militancy, and one that looms larger as > the American > position inside Afghanistan deteriorates [is]: Whose side > is Pakistan really > on?" Read the Filkins piece -- an amazing feat of > reporting -- and you'll > see it's a fair question. > > Item: Last month President Bush authorized U.S. troops to > begin military > raids onto Pakistani soil -- without asking Pakistan's > permission -- to try > to kill Taliban fundamentalists there. Announcing the > President's decision, > the N.Y. Times > wrote, > "The new orders for the military's Special > Operations forces relax firm > restrictions on conducting raids on the soil of an > important ally without > its permission." The next paragraph in the Times story > says, "Pakistan's top > army officer said Wednesday that his forces would not > tolerate American > incursions like the one that took place last week and that > the army would > defend the country's sovereignty 'at all > costs.'" This is sounding more and > more like the beginning of a new war -- one with a > nuclear-armed "ally" who > also seems to be an ally of the Taliban. > > The Taliban would like nothing better than to get their > hands on a Pakistani > A-bomb, deliver it to us on a cargo ship, and detonate it > near the Statue of > Liberty or beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. It would end the > American > experiment in democracy, almost certainly. > > Item: This same week President Bush won approval from 45 > nations for his > planto > allow India -- Pakistan's blood enemy -- to buy and > sell nuclear > materials on the global market, thus negating the Nuclear > Non- Proliferation > Treaty that had been in force for decades but which India > has steadfastly > refused to sign. Nuclear experts warn that Mr. Bush's > decision could lead to > a nuclear arms race in Asia. Congress has yet to approve > the deal, but Mr. > Bush is now working to get their "fast track" > approval. > > Item: And this week, too, a writer in the New York Times > pointed > outthat, > "Many proliferation experts I have spoken to judge the > chance of a > detonation [of an A-bomb by Al Qaeda, or a Qaeda imitator > on U.S. soil] to > be as high as 50 percent in the next 10 years. I am an > optimist, so I put > the chance at 10 percent to 20 percent. Only technical > complications prevent > Al Qaeda from executing a nuclear attack today. The hard > part is acquiring > fissile material; an easier part is the smuggling itself > (as the saying > goes, one way to bring nuclear weapon components into > America would be to > hide them inside shipments of cocaine)." > > Even if the optimistic view is correct -- that the chance > of a rogue A-bomb > explosion in New York Harbor, or beneath the Golden Gate > Bridge, is "only" > 10% or 20% per decade -- how many decades does that give us > before the > probability approaches 100%? > > No, if humans are to survive, then "Learning to live > off the sun in real > time" cannot mean powering global civilization with > plutonium- breeding > nuclear reactors. It must mean *really* living off the sun > in real time. > > Luckily, that goal is seeming more realistic each passing > week. In this > issue of Rachel's we carry a > storyfrom > Scientific American Magazine that estimates we could derive > 35% of our > total energy (and 69% of our electricity) from sunlight by > 2050 -- and 90% > of our total energy from the sun by 2100. And it would > require a federal > subsidy far smaller than we have so far committed to the > Iraq war. Of > course, if we felt the need were really urgent, we could > get there even > faster. That's a new "tipping point" we can > all work together to achieve. > > ============== > > [1] Baum says "a tipping point occurs when some > parameter reaches a value > where various feedback loops come into play and further > change in the > parameter becomes radically more rapid and/or > permanent." He gives the > example of carbon locked in the arctic permafrost. At some > point, rising > temperatures in the arctic will thaw the permafrost, > releasing large amounts > of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, thus creating warmer > conditions, in > turn releasing more carbon from the permafrost... until? > > > -- > > "Justice is what love looks like in public." > ~ Dr. Cornel West > _______________________________________________ > For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins > County area, please visit: > http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > > RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: > SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org From simonstl at simonstl.com Fri Sep 12 13:43:14 2008 From: simonstl at simonstl.com (Simon St.Laurent) Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:43:14 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] admin - blind carbon copies Message-ID: <48CAD462.1000602@simonstl.com> We've been getting an ever-growing number of messages sent to the list as blind carbon copies. Every time a message sent to Sustainable Tompkins comes in from a BCC, an administrator has to decide whether or not to let it through. A number of those messages have marginal connection to sustainability or Tompkins County, as people seem to add this list to email blasts of various kinds. Others are perfectly appropriate postings, but having to fish them out all the time is not much fun. Please, if you're going to send messages to this list, do so with the list in the To: or CC: fields, not in the BCC:. If you're BCCing the list because you want to send out a message to lots of lists without fear of people Replying All, please pause a moment to consider whether everyone on those lists really needs that message broadcasted to that list. Duplicate messages are also something of a hassle, though maybe less of a hassle for readers than this process is for administrators. Thank you, Simon St.Laurent (one of the list admins) From gaynicholson at aol.com Sat Sep 13 20:07:24 2008 From: gaynicholson at aol.com (gaynicholson at aol.com) Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2008 20:07:24 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Communities plan for a low-energy future | csmonitor.com Message-ID: <1074702305.1230121221361644825.JavaMail.tomcat@localhost> *Please note, the sender's email address has not been verified. Check out this story of "transition towns" in England and now the U.S. Sounds pretty close to what we are doing here in Ithaca. ******************** If you are having trouble with any of the links in this message, or if the URL's are not appearing as links, please follow the instructions at the bottom of this email. Title: Communities plan for a low-energy future | csmonitor.com Copy and paste the following into your Web browser to access the sent link: http://www.emailthis.clickability.com/et/emailThis?clickMap=viewThis&etMailToID=1196964527&pt=Y Copy and paste the following into your Web browser to SAVE THIS link: http://www.savethis.clickability.com/st/saveThisPopupApp?clickMap=saveFromET&partnerID=340574&etMailToID=1196964527&pt=Y Copy and paste the following into your Web browser to forward this link: http://www.emailthis.clickability.com/et/emailThis?clickMap=forward&etMailToID=1196964527&partnerID=340574&pt=Y ******************** Email pages from any Web site you visit - add the EMAIL THIS button to your browser, copy and paste the following into your Web browser: http://www.emailthis.clickability.com/et/emailThis?clickMap=browserButtons&pt=Y" ********************* Instructions: ----------------------------------------- If your e-mail program doesn't recognize Web addresses: 1. With your mouse, highlight the Web Address above. Be sure to highlight the entire Web address, even if it spans more than one line in your email. 2. Select Copy from the Edit menu at the top of your screen. 3. Launch your Web browser. 4. Paste the address into your Web browser by selecting Paste from the Edit menu. 5. Click Go or press Enter or Return on your keyboard. ******************** From Senecajean at aol.com Sun Sep 14 08:53:34 2008 From: Senecajean at aol.com (Senecajean at aol.com) Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2008 11:53:34 EDT Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Fwd: [Members] Sign On DEC Letter:Extend Public Participation Message-ID: -----Original Message----- From: Debra Hall <_debraduncanh at optonline.net_ (mailto:debraduncanh at optonline.net) > To: _members at nyvia.org_ (mailto:members at nyvia.org) Sent: Sat, 13 Sep 2008 5:13 pm Subject: [Members] Sign On DEC Letter:Extend Public Participation Handbook comment period. Please sign on your local groups. Debra -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [ATFF-NY] Sign On DEC Letter:Extend Public Participation Handbook comment period. Thanks. Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2008 13:47:27 -0400 From: Anne Rabe <_annerabe at msn.com_ (mailto:annerabe at msn.com) > To: ATFF <_atff-ny at yahoogroups.com_ (mailto:atff-ny at yahoogroups.com) > References: <_BLU114-DS70D81B1BBF4A4BBA69A35D5540 at phx.gbl_ (mailto:BLU114-DS70D81B1BBF4A4BBA69A35D5540 at phx.gbl) > Dear Friends, We hope your group will consider signing on to this letter (see below) to the DEC Commissioner requesting an extension on the public comment period for the Draft "Citizen Participation Handbook" from October 20th to February 20th. After waiting over a decade for DEC to revise this major state policy on public participation for all Superfund, brownfield and toxic landfill sites, we need more time to review the lengthy handbook, do a statewide survey to find out about community group's concerns on public participation, and develop effective comments. Please sign on by Thursday, September 18th by sending me at _annerabe at msn.com_ (mailto:annerabe at msn.com) the following information: *Name *Group name (spell out your full group name please) * Town or city Please post this on your list-serv or pass on to anyone who may be interested. Thanks so much. Anne Rabe, CEC Board of Directors, CHEJ Campaign Coordinator, _annerabe at msn.com_ (mailto:annerabe at msn.com) Barbara Warren, CEC Executive Director SIGN ON TO LETTER TO DEC REQUESTING PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD EXTENSION Commissioner Pete Grannis Department of Environmental Conservation 625 Broadway Albany, NY 12233 Dear Commissioner Grannis: We greatly appreciate the opportunity to comment on the Department of Environmental Conservation's new Draft "Citizen Participation Handbook." Revisions to this valuable document are long overdue as it has not been updated in over a decade. This will be an important policy guiding how DEC informs and involves thousands of concerned citizens impacted by sites listed on the State Superfund, Brownfield Program, Voluntary Cleanup Program and Environmental Restoration Program. Our organizations are very concerned about the short amount of time that DEC is providing for public comment. We need to have adequate time to review this lengthy document and provide thoughtful comments. We also want to ensure this is a comprehensive policy that addresses real-life concerns. Towards that end, some of our organizations need more time to survey our members and concerned citizens about their site-specific public participation experiences and obtain valuable suggestions from those most impacted by these sites. Conducting such a statewide outreach effort and survey will take time, and may include numerous outreach initiatives, meetings, conference calls, document review and research. We will be reaching out to community, environmental justice, civic, health and environmental groups that work on these sites. We respectfully request an extension to February 20, 2009 to allow concerned citizens and organizations adequate time to provide helpful comments on this important document. Thank you very much for considering our request. Sincerely, Your Name Group Name City/town Debra Hall Sierra Club Mid Hudson Group Conservation Chair _sierradutchess at optonline.net_ (mailto:sierradutchess at optonline.net) **************Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com. (http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014) From wbl5 at cornell.edu Sun Sep 14 14:00:24 2008 From: wbl5 at cornell.edu (Whitney Larsen) Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2008 17:00:24 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] ECO-CITY EMERGING! Message-ID: <03ACBE7BF2924C8C922707263E98A995@wblcomputer> If you are in or around Ithaca, NY on Tuesday September 16th, you are cordially invited to attend an exciting FREE public forum that will address how we can cooperatively re-design and re-develop our often inefficient, dangerous, wasteful and polluted urban environments into model "Eco-Cities" that prepare and empower future generations for a sustainable life on our planet. This event will immediately follow the 3 day International PODCAR CITY Conference in Ithaca, NY and will cover issues of "Smart Growth" Urban Planning, Clean Energy, Sustainable Transportation, Super-Local Economies, Creativity vs. Consumption, and more. Please join us if you can and help to spread the word by forwarding this invitation to other interested parties! ECO-CITY EMERGING TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2008 THE HISTORIC STATE THEATRE ITHACA, NEW YORK 7PM - 9PM FREE Whitney From elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us Sun Sep 14 20:09:11 2008 From: elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us (Elan Shapiro) Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2008 23:09:11 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Another local local food justice movement Message-ID: Food Banks Finding Aid in Bounty of Backyard 9/14 NY Times http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/us/14harvest.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss BERKELEY, Calif. - Natasha Boissier did not expect an epiphany while pushing her baby's stroller exhaustedly around the neighborhood. But eyeing her neighbors' yards, Ms. Boissier began noticing the abundance of fruit trees - and how much of their succulent bounty wound up on the ground. Natasha Boissier started North Berkeley Harvest, which collects fruit and delivers it to food banks and senior centers. "There was all this fruit going to waste," she said of the apples, pears and plums in her midst. "It seemed like such a natural way to deal with hunger." Thus was born North Berkeley Harvest, part of a small but expanding movement of backyard urban gleaners - they might be called fruit philanthropists - who voluntarily harvest surplus fruit and then donate it to food banks, centers for the elderly and other nonprofit organizations. In an era in which fruit canning, drying and preserving are for many no longer everyday skills, harvesters like Ms. Boissier, a 40-year-old social worker, are bringing a new spin to the concept of U-Pick-'Em. A renewed emphasis on locally grown organic foods, along with higher food prices and increased demand at food banks, has inspired a new generation of community harvesters to search for solutions in their backyards. "Farmers markets are great for those who can afford to spend $2 on a peach," said Aviva Furman, 54, whose year-old Community Harvest of Southwest Seattle also offers canning and pruning classes. "But a huge percentage of Americans can't afford the two cups of fruit a day recommended by the government." continued....... -- Elan Shapiro Sustainable Tompkins Community Partnership Coordinator Sustainable Living Associates, Principal Frog's Way B&B 211 Rachel Carson Way Ithaca, NY 14850 607-275-0249 607-592-8402 Cell "We must be the change we want to see in the world" Mohandas Gandhi From elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us Mon Sep 15 03:29:04 2008 From: elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us (Elan Shapiro) Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 06:29:04 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Green-Collar Partners - Eco-Equity success story Message-ID: Solar Richmond: A Rising Bay Area Star Young Richmonders celebrate the completion of a collaborative program between Solar Richmond, Richmond BUILD, GRID Alternatives, and Solar Living Institute. Dear Elan, As you know, a true eco-equity movement is taking root in the Bay Area, throughout California, and across the US. And because this movement to create green pathways out of poverty requires hard work from a broad coalition of folks, we decided it was high time you got to know some of our allies a little bit better. We're happy to introduce a new series of Partner Profiles, beginning with our friends at Solar Richmond. Solar Richmond, a close regional ally of the Green-Collar Jobs Campaign, is doing amazing work in Richmond -- connecting the people who most need work to the work that most needs to be done, all while helping low-income homeowners keep their energy bills low through no-cost solar installation. The innovative and inspiring work of Solar Richmond is moving low-income residents and youth of color into the green economy. As the green-collar jobs idea builds momentum throughout the nation, this program is among the first to "walk the talk" by providing low cost and free solar system installation to low-income homeowners, while training low-income residents from the community to do the work. The Richmond program is comprised of three key partners: Solar Richmond: a community based non-profit organization that forged the partnership for this program. Solar Richmond is also increasingly working with solar installation companies. Richmond BUILD Program: the City of Richmond's low-income residential assistance and construction training program that is funded through federal, state and foundation grants. GRID Alternatives: a non-profit that installs solar systems for low-income homeowners and provides solar training. In 2007, a total of 32 Richmond residents completed the special training program: Richmond BUILD's existing eight-week construction skills training program with an additional two-week solar skills module added by Solar Richmond. All trainees interviewed with potential employers within weeks of graduation. As of December 2007, all but five program graduates had been hired by local solar and construction firms. Solar Richmond continues to coordinate regular trainings and facilitate job placement for graduates. In the coming years, Solar Richmond plans to expand its program. Next year, with increased funding, green building techniques will be incorporated throughout the nine week program. Right now Solar Richmond has a golden opportunity -- the City of Richmond has agreed to fund half the cost of 10 internships for Solar Richmond graduates at local solar companies. Several of these internships are already under way! Through this Challenge Grant, the city will match -- dollar for dollar -- what Solar Richmond raises to fund internship wages. Because Solar Richmond is such an important ally in our work to fight pollution and poverty at the same time, we hope you'll to take a closer look at what they're doing and, if you're able, help them reach their goal of $10,000 for this on-the-job internship program. This is your opportunity to support on-the-ground green-collar work that is serving as a model for the entire nation. We can go on and on about the great work they're doing over at Solar Richmond, but we want you to hear it directly from them! Please visit their web site today, or click here to go directly to Solar Richmond's Challenge Grant page to make a contribution today. Your gift will be matched by the City of Richmond and will help ten people get hands-on, industry-linked training in solar installation! Green jobs, not jails, Ian, Aaron, Nwamaka, Emily, and the Green-Collar Jobs Campaign team Ella Baker Center for Human Rights Green-Collar Jobs Campaign is an initiative of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. Green-Collar Jobs Campaign and Ella Baker Center can't survive without the support of people like you. Please take a moment to support us today: click here to donate. Not on our list-serve yet? (Maybe this message was forwarded to you.) Sign up to get e-mail updates directly by going to this link. To unsubscribe from this list, reply to this message with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line, OR follow this link: http://www.demaction.org/dia/organizations/EBC/unsubscribe.jsp?unsubscribe Update your preferences or contact information here: http://www.ellabakercenter.org/profile (NOTE: The first time you update your preferences, you must first create a password.) -- Elan Shapiro Sustainable Tompkins Community Partnership Coordinator Sustainable Living Associates, Principal Frog's Way B&B 211 Rachel Carson Way Ithaca, NY 14850 607-275-0249 607-592-8402 Cell "We must be the change we want to see in the world" Mohandas Gandhi From bosak at ibiblio.org Mon Sep 15 09:04:38 2008 From: bosak at ibiblio.org (Jon Bosak) Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 12:04:38 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Used bubble wrap Message-ID: <48CE8796.1000307@ibiblio.org> We have quite a bit of used bubble wrap (and a lot of plastic peanuts, too). We would much rather see it re-used than recycled. If anyone wants this stuff, please contact me off the list. Jon From tjs1 at cornell.edu Mon Sep 15 11:19:09 2008 From: tjs1 at cornell.edu (Thomas Shelley) Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:19:09 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] crash course in economics Message-ID: <5.2.1.1.2.20080915141901.0255bdd8@postoffice10.mail.cornell.edu> Dear Friends--I thought this might be of interest to some. Please excuse any cross-postings. Tom http://www.chrismartenson.com/crashcourse ****************************************** Tom Shelley 118 E. Court St. Ithaca, NY 14850 607 342-0864 tjs1 at cornell.edu Compost Educator and General Sustainability Geek From tjs1 at cornell.edu Mon Sep 15 11:19:32 2008 From: tjs1 at cornell.edu (Thomas Shelley) Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:19:32 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] NASA study re the use of coal Message-ID: <5.2.1.1.2.20080915141921.020b9448@postoffice10.mail.cornell.edu> Dear Friends--I thought this might be of interest to some. Please excuse any cross-postings. Tom http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2008/09/nasa-study-illu.html#more ****************************************** Tom Shelley 118 E. Court St. Ithaca, NY 14850 607 342-0864 tjs1 at cornell.edu Compost Educator and General Sustainability Geek From amdefelice at yahoo.com Mon Sep 15 18:22:33 2008 From: amdefelice at yahoo.com (Angela DeFelice) Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:22:33 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Event with Dave Jacke Oct. 1 Message-ID: <664403.21192.qm@web50602.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Garden Like the Forest: Conversations with Dave Jacke Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008 5 to 7 p.m At Cornell?s Dilmun Hill Student Farm and MacDaniels Nut Grove (Rain location included) Create abundant food-producing systems! Design for ecological synergy! Collaborate with other gardeners, farmers and naturalists! Join us for an interactive look at the dynamism of ecological food production? On Wednesday, October 1 from 5-7 p.m., Edible Forest Gardens author, designer and teacher Dave Jacke will lead a discussion focused on effective design for abundant food-producing ecosystems. We will explore the self-renewing qualities of the forest with an eye toward mimicking natural structures and functions to produce food, fuel, fiber, fodder, fertilizers, farmaceuticals and fun! This event is sponsored by Cornell University?s Department of Natural Resources, Department of Horticulture, the MacDaniel?s Nut Grove, Dilmun Hill Student Farm, the New World Agriculture and Ecology Group (NWAEG), and the Cornell Small Farms Program. It is free and open to the public. Please bring your friends! Location is weather dependent. We will meet at the Dilmun Hill Student Farm barn at 5 p.m. (directions follow) unless it is raining. Rain location is in Rm. 114 Plant Science Building on Tower Rd. (directions follow). Please RSVP if possible (it will make it easier to tell you if we?re inside)?but feel free to show up (notices at both locations). Contact: Melissa Madden, mam233 at cornell.edu, (607) 351 3313. Directions to Dilmun Hill Student Farm and for parking (you can also walk or bike to the farm): Dilmun Hill is on Rte. 366, just west of the Cornell Orchards, just 100 yds. east of the intersection with Pine Tree Rd. See the right corner of the Cornell campus map (http://www.cornell.edu/maps/large.cfm). Directions to our rain location (Plant Science 114): You may park in the lot by the Dairy Bar and walk down Tower Rd. west to the Plant Science building (bordered by the Minns Garden). Come to the second floor from the road (1st from the Ag Quad) and follow room numbers to PS 114. Also, see campus map for details, center of the page (http://www.cornell.edu/maps/large.cfm). From sean at sustainabletransitions.com Tue Sep 16 06:14:20 2008 From: sean at sustainabletransitions.com (Sean Vormwald) Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2008 09:14:20 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Neighborhood Mini-grant Recipients Announced Message-ID: <48CFB12C.4000007@sustainabletransitions.com> From Ithaca Journal, September 16, 2008 http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080916/NEWS01/809160307/1002 Sustainability group aids neighborhoods with mini-grant awards Neighborhood mini-grants totaling $2,500 have just been awarded to five projects in the Southside and Northside neighborhoods through a new program aimed at supporting small-scale efforts to improve equity and long-term community well-being. The Neighborhood Mini-Grant Program, organized by Sustainable Tompkins, benefits small projects that encourage sustainable community initiatives. The program was established with $5,500 in seed funding through a grant from a local foundation and will be awarding mini-grants quarterly. While Sustainable Tompkins is often associated with energy and environmental issues, community collaboration and increasing neighborhood-based economic opportunities are also part of creating sustainable communities, according to Elan Shapiro, a member of the council that reviewed grant applications. The council also comprised neighborhood residents and members of organizations that directly serve the Southside and Northside neighborhoods and included Neisha Butler, Phoebe Brown, Jodie Washington, Butch Westlake, Michael Bell, Anthony Gallucci and Elan Shapiro. The mini-grants were awarded to the following projects: * $850 to help found the South Side Neighborhood Association, which will link and coordinate neighbors, projects and events to improve the quality of life in its neighborhood. * $850 for the Mutual Housing Association, a cooperative housing development in the Northside neighborhood, that includes funds for a design project to improve its common spaces, seed money for a fundraising event to help finance the resulting landscape work, and partial funding of a neighborhood-wide energy audit. * $450 was awarded to the South Side Community Center Children's Garden project for structural materials and plants. The garden is already flourishing in its first season. * $250 was awarded to the Red Cross Friendship Center office for a lead and asbestos poisoning assessment in its downtown building * $100 was awarded to the West Hill Neighborhood Association to develop its Web site as a way to increase participation in neighborhood issues. The grants included mixed income housing projects adjacent to Northside & Southside that are served by the West Hill neighborhood Association. The mini-grant program is raising funds to match the $5,500 received for seed funding. The deadline for submitting applications for the next round of grants is Monday, Nov. 3. More information is available from Shapiro at elan at sustainabletompkins.org or 275-0249. Donations can be sent to Sustainable Tompkins, PO Box 596, Ithaca, NY 14851. From gjem5760 at yahoo.com Tue Sep 16 10:27:00 2008 From: gjem5760 at yahoo.com (George Frantz) Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:27:00 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [SustainableTompkins] "AMERICAN HARVEST" and panel discussion at Cinemopolis Message-ID: <296344.92558.qm@web44904.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> ---------------------------- Original Message ---------------------------- Subject: "AMERICAN HARVEST" at CINEMAPOLIS - Sat. and Sun. Sept. 20/21st - "documentary examines American agriculture and immigration" From: "Leonardo Vargas-Mendez" Date: Tue, September 16, 2008 8:56 am -------------------------------------------------------------------------- We are pleased to announce that AMERICAN HARVEST is playing in Ithaca for two days only! "The documentary AMERICAN HARVEST powerfully portrays the truth about agriculture and migrant labor in the United States at the present time. In a series of candid interviews with farmers and farmworkers from Florida to New York, the viewer objectively learns the facts and dispels the myths connected with migrant farmworkers. The film portrays the migrant reality that can't be ignored and which is rarely seen by most people." Where: Cinemapolis Theater, Ithaca NY When: Saturday Sept. 20 at 7:00pm (*Followed by panel discussion) Sunday Sept. 21 at 2:15pm Regular Cinemapolis admission applies. *Panelist include the film's Director Angelo Mancuso, Leonardo Vargas-Mendez, executive director of the Cornell Public Service Center and Sofia Villenas from the Cornell Farmworker Program. -- VIEW THE TRAILER AT www.americanharvestmovie.com Angelo Mancuso Filmmaker White Hot Films 76 East Blvd. Suite B-4 Rochester, NY 14610 (585) 697-7112 office www.whitehotfilms.com "If you've ever eaten fruits and vegetables you must see this film! Bob Russell, Exec. Director, Little Theater "Whether you bring to this film your own bias - in either direction - or look at it with an open mind, you will be moved by the power in this narrative. Look for it. It's what a documentary should be." Nick Francesco - WHAM, Clear Channel "The documentary 'American Harvest' powerfully portrays the truth about agriculture and migrant labor in the United States at the present time. In a series of candid interviews with farmers and farmworkers from Florida to Maine the viewer objectively learns the facts and dispels the myths connected with migrant farmworkers. The film portrays the migrant reality that can't be ignored and which is rarely seen by most people. It's a must see if we are serious about the truth of migrant workers." Sister Janet Korn, RSM Catholic Charities, Diocese of Rochester "As the debate over immigration reform continues, this movie offers a fair and amazingly frank portrait of the challenges that we now face. It accurately represents both the grower and the worker difficulties and offers insight into a side of this issue that is rarely brought to light." John Lincoln, President, New York Farm Bureau "Your film sheds much light on the current national debate over immigration policy. Those of us in agriculture have rarely seen such a balanced, forthright discussion of these issues in any medium. "American Harvest" provides much-needed perspective, one that encourages rational and reasonable debate." Don Lipton - Director of Public Relations American Farm Bureau Federation "I would encourage all Americans to see your film. American Harvest encourages viewers to look at the immigration issue from the farmers and farmworkers viewpoints a side of the issue that is rarely if ever discussed." Mike Gempler, President National Council of Agricultural Employers "This film is a must see for 99% of the American people that work outside of agriculture." Craig Regelbrugge Co-Chair, Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform Vice President of Government Relations and Research American Nursery & Landscape Association www.saveusfarms.org -- Leonardo J. Vargas-M?ndez ljv1 at cornell.edu Executive Director Public Service Center 200 Barnes Hall Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853 (607) 255-0674 Fax #: (607)255-9550 -- Sara Xayarath Hern?ndez Associate Director of Diversity Programs Cornell University College of Engineering 146 Olin Hall Ithaca, NY 14853 email: sh267 at cornell.edu office: 607.255.0979 cell: 607.351.1131 fax: 607.255.2834 http://www.engineering.cornell.edu/dpe/ "To love what you do and feel that it matters...how could anything be more fun?" --Katherine Graham "Diversity raises the intelligence of groups." --Nancy Kline "Try to be one of the people on whom nothing is lost." --Henry James -- George R. Frantz, AICP, ASLA Visiting Lecturer Dept. of City & Regional Planning Cornell University 604 Cliff Street Ithaca, New York 14850 (607) 256-9310 From firetendercarol at yahoo.com Tue Sep 16 12:55:25 2008 From: firetendercarol at yahoo.com (Carol Clarke) Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2008 12:55:25 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Joanna Macy is coming to Ithaca! Message-ID: <708753.73122.qm@web35501.mail.mud.yahoo.com> A WEEKEND WITH JOANNA MACY!! The Great Turning ?Friday, Sept. 26, 2008???? 7PM - 9:30PM???? Cost: $25??? Children under 17:? $10 (NO credit cards accepted. Just cash or personal checks, please.) First Presbyterian Church??????? 315 N. Cayuga St.???? Ithaca, N.Y. ???? This evening, combining experiential work with lecture and discussion, will focus on the larger context of our lives and work: the shift from the industrial growth society to a life-sustaining civilization.? This revolution is the essential adventure of our time. Joanna will reflect on the character and dimensions of this "Great Turning," and the many ways we can take part in it.? Joanna will share concepts and methods from her work empowering social and environmental activists around the world. Taking Heart in Tough Times ?Sat.&Sun., Sept. 27-28, 2008???? 9AM - 4:30PM??? Cost:? $175. At Nature's Song 607-659-3909 or nsmary at aol.com (Must attend Friday night since that is the beginning of the workshop. Friday night fee will be applied to the cost.) To ensure an intimate environment, attendance will be limited to 70 people. There are powers for the healing of our world, and they have nothing to do with military might or military technology. These powers arise directly from the self-organizing and life-generating relationships of Earth, our deep ecology.? In our days together we will learn to apply the power of our deep ecology to guide and sustain us in our work for the world.???????????????????????????????????????? http://www.joannamacy.net/index.html ? http://www.naturessongretreat.com/ The most remarkable feature of this historical moment on Earth is not that we are on the way to destroying our world--we've actually been on the way for quite a while.? It is that we are beginning to wake up, as if from a millennia-long sleep, to a whole new relationship to our world, ourselves and each other.? The Work That Reconnects is a pioneering form of group work which brings direct experience of our interconnectedness in the web of life and our authority to take action on its behalf.? It has helped many thousands around the globe find insight, solidarity, and courage to act, despite rapidly worsening conditions. We will draw insights from systems theory, deep ecology, and movements for social change, as well as ancient teachings (primarily Buddhist).? Interactive exercises will help us see more clearly the changes we want to make in our lives and the roles we can play in creating a just and nonviolent world.? Spiritual and social practices that sustain during tough times will be shared. Full time attendance is required. Come prepared to fall in love again with life. Internationally acclaimed eco-philosopher Joanna Macy, Ph.D., is a scholar of Buddhism, general systems theory, and deep ecology. She is also a leading voice in movements for peace, justice, and a safe environment. Interweaving her scholarship and four decades of activism, she has created both a ground-breaking theoretical framework for a new paradigm of personal and social change, and a powerful workshop methodology for its application. Her wide-ranging work addresses psychological and spiritual issues of the nuclear age, the cultivation of ecological awareness, and the fruitful resonance between Buddhist thought and contemporary science. From priscilla at quirkfamily.org Tue Sep 16 18:34:28 2008 From: priscilla at quirkfamily.org (Priscilla Quirk) Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2008 21:34:28 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Invitation to Greensprings Natural Cemetery Fall picnic Message-ID: <6.1.2.0.1.20080916213037.01e165e0@pop.lightlink.com> Dear Sustainable Tompkins Friends, We'd like to invite you to our third annual "Friends of Greensprings" picnic on September 27th at 12:30 p.m. at Greensprings Natural Cemetery Preserve. As always, we'll provide the food. You know you can rely on us for delicious hot soup, finger foods, fruit, hot-out-of-the-oven bread, brownies, cider, and tea. After an update and fellowship, we'll have informal walks around the property and, depending on interest, a "what is that tree?" walk in our woods. It's been a very busy summer and a very busy two and a half years since Greensprings opened. We've sold more than 250 sites and had 30 burials. It's true that a burial can be a hard time for families and friends, Greensprings' lovely natural setting -- hilltop meadows framed by thousands of acres of forest -- provides some solace. Whether it's nature or the simplicity of it, religious beliefs or affordability, families come away glad that they chose Greensprings. Because some folks like the chance to do things with their hands, we'd like to have a short work party afterward. Much depends, though, on whether we get our paths surveyed. If so, we'll have a couple of wheelbarrows on hand and will celebrate by putting down some wood chips on the paths. Also, a couple of you might like a chance to learn how we stamp our survey markers, then try your hand at it. While this is a great time to see Greensprings and, if planning ahead seems like a good idea to you, getting impressions about where, it's not the best time to choose a site. Our events are usually busy times and all the trustees want to be available to talk with you and lead tours. Again, the picnic is September 27th at 12:30 p.m. at Greensprings, rain or shine. (Please see our website for directions: http://www.naturalburial.org/.) We're grateful for your interest and support and look forward to seeing you. Very truly yours, The Greensprings Board of Trustees Dick Cahoon, Carl Leopold, Matt Pearson, Priscilla Quirk, John Rogers, Susan Thomas, and Mary Woodsen and Executive Director Joel Rabinowitz and Burial Coordinator Jennifer Johnson From Senecajean at aol.com Tue Sep 16 20:05:39 2008 From: Senecajean at aol.com (Senecajean at aol.com) Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:05:39 EDT Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Trouble With Energy Star Label Message-ID: _http://www.celsias.com/article/epa-and-consumer-reports-duke-it-out-over-ener gy-s/_ (http://www.celsias.com/article/epa-and-consumer-reports-duke-it-out-over-energy-s/) Trouble with the 'Energy Star' Label. Posted by Leslie Berliant, Celsias, September 15, 2008. "The October 2008 issue of Consumer Reports is all about energy efficiency as a way to save money. Articles include product reviews and ways to cut energy use at home. There is also an article about [DOE's] and [EPA's] Energy Star rating, 'Energy Star Has Lost Some Luster'. Consumer Reports' research found that there were a number of Energy Star-rated appliances that used more energy than claimed... Consumer Reports sees 3 main flaws with the [Energy Star] program: 1) qualifying standards are lax; 2) tests are out of date; and 3) companies test their own products... The EPA responded... saying the Consumer Reports article 'misses the basic purpose of the Energy Star program... EPA initially seeks to have about 25% of available models meet the ENERGY STAR criteria when they are first established for a product category. Increasing the market share of qualifying products from their initial levels is a goal of the program -- not a fundamental flaw'... [Energy Star is] a needed program, one worthy of expanding, but only if those appliances actually do help consumers save energy and money, not if the ratings are inaccurate or based on non-typical use... Yes, we should have more Energy Star refrigerators, but we should not call something energy saving that actually isn't simply to have more on the market." Article Below The October 2008 issue of Consumer Reports is all about energy efficiency as a way to save money. Articles include product reviews and ways to cut energy use at home. There is also an article about the U.S. Department of Energy's and Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star rating, "Energy Star Has Lost Some Luster ". Consumer Reports' research found that there were a number of Energy Star rated appliances that used more energy than claimed. One LG refrigerator claimed to use 547 killowatt-hours of annual energy consumption but used more than double that, 1,110 kWh per year, when the ice maker was turned on. According to Consumer Reports, the difference is due to the testing procedures; ice makers were turned off during Energy Star testing. Consumer Reports sees 3 main flaws with the program: Qualifying standards are lax Tests are out of date Companies test their own products The Energy Star program has been around for 16 years. In order to qualify for the rating, appliances and consumer electronics are supposed to use 10% -25% less energy than the DOE's maximum allowed amount for that category. Energy Star claims to have saved consumers $16 billion in energy costs and 40 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. The EPA responded with a letter on their Energy Star site, saying the Consumer Reports article "misses the basic purpose of the Energy Star program. Energy Star helps consumers not just find energy-efficient products, but ones that will cost-effectively help them save money while protecting our environment." The letter goes on to say: EPA initially seeks to have about 25 percent of available models meet the ENERGY STAR criteria when they are first established for a product category. Increasing the market share of qualifying products from their initial levels is a goal of the program - not a fundamental flaw or an indication that the requirements are lax, as the article suggests. How they reach that goal is important, though. It's a needed program, one worthy of expanding, but only if those appliances actually do help consumers save energy and money, not if the ratings are inaccurate or based on non-typical use of the appliance. Yes, we should have more Energy Star refrigerators, but we should not call something energy saving that actually isn't simply to have more on the market. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy is siding with Consumer Reports. In a September 3rd release, they "strongly urged DOE to remove these models from the list of Energy Star models..." They also called for DOE to fine those manufacturers that are not accurately reporting their energy use, citing a similar case in Australia involving air conditioners which resulted in a $3 million Australian fine. Consumer Reports and the non-profit that publishes them, Consumers Union, sent a letter (pdf) to EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson standing behind the assertions of the original article and reiterating their 4 recommendations to improve the Energy Star program: Bring testing procedures in line with the technology available in consumer products. Require some independent verification of test results. Consider a graded qualifying system that uses letters. Better policing by federal officials and enforcement of standards, including increasing spot checks of ENERGY STAR-qualified products. **************Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com. (http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014) From andy at ithacacarshare.org Tue Sep 16 20:28:02 2008 From: andy at ithacacarshare.org (Andy Goodell) Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:28:02 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] The Eco-City talk tonight In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <48D07942.2000106@ithacacarshare.org> While I applaud the efforts to look into transportation alternatives, there was one thing that really confused me with the talk about podcars tonight. It was mostly focused on how much traffic we have, how our gasoline use cannot continue with cars, how inconvenient TCAT might be, and in general how hard it is to get around Ithaca and Tompkins Cty. Well, if there is one thing in sustainability that we NEED to focus on, it is happiness. I'm all for talking about transportation alternatives, but making every system look bad except the one that costs millions of dollars and involves major infrastructure change is not going to get us far. I moved to Ithaca because I knew that I could live car-free. I looked forward to using Ithaca Carshare, TCAT busses, my bikes, and my two feet for getting around instead of owning my own car. At the talk tonight I felt like I was in another city. We don't need new infrastructure and we don't need expensive new systems. So far ocean liners, locomotives, dirigibles, airplanes, and personal cars have all seen their peak moments and are proving to be money sinks that only cost more as time goes on. To fantasize that podcars are any different seems a bit irrational to me. It was neat to get the information, but I still strongly favor on the side of relocalization rather than creating new ways to get around that require such an investment and enormous system to be functional. If podcars mean less cars on the road, less energy used overall, and happier communities than I would welcome them. But unless we ban cars, it will just be a new toy to play with. From ws at twcny.rr.com Wed Sep 17 06:29:53 2008 From: ws at twcny.rr.com (Wendy Skinner) Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 09:29:53 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] SewGreen classes and open sews start next weekend Message-ID: <00b901c918c9$784969a0$6601a8c0@wendyvaio> Register now for Fall classes and workshops at SewGreen. COMPLETE FALL SCHEDULE available at www.sew-green.org. All classes are held at the SewGreen Classroom, Women's Community Building, 100 W Seneca St, Ithaca. Pre-registration is required. Contact coord at sew-green.org, 607-277-7611. ~~~ STARTING SOON ~~~ Machine Sewing for Beginners Saturday, September 27, 2 to 4 pm Learn to use a sewing machine and make a reusable tote bag in this one-session class. For teens and adults. $15. Scholarships available. Make a Scrap Quilt Saturday, September 27, 10am to 1 pm Use cotton scraps to make a beautiful quilt in this six-session class for intermediate sewers. 10am - 1 pm every other Saturday, starting on this date. For teens and adults. $90. Scholarships available. ~~~ SUNDAY OPEN SEW ~~~ Sunday September 28 Open Sew, noon to 4 pm. Shared use of the sewing studio, sewing machines, and materials. Work on your own project or help with ours. Donations requested. Free to anyone who makes a reusable bag for us or volunteers time. Drop-ins welcome! From mmccasla at twcny.rr.com Wed Sep 17 07:10:01 2008 From: mmccasla at twcny.rr.com (Margaret McCasland) Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 10:10:01 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] [ccag_cny] Trouble With Energy Star Label In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <1AA29D6C-A921-495B-9580-BC86C8D60F3D@twcny.rr.com> Great article. Thanks for the link. It confirms one long held suspicion (that Energy Star labels are to a great extent a promo to get us to consume more) and a more recent impression (that Consumer Reports is getting pretty good on environmental issues). On a related topic, I heard (via e-reviews on the internet) that many washing machines meet EnergyStar criteria by reducing the size of the motor, thus not washing the clothes as well AND breaking down more frequently. This is also because most of the "old reliable" brands have been sold and re-sold and are no longer made in the US, Sweden, Germany, etc and do not have as good quality control. I think I'll keep my 35 year old Mayatg, thank you. On the other hand, I attended a Cooperative Extension workshop on energy efficient lighting, and the TCP salesman (full disclosure--the presenters were salesmen) and he explained that EnergyStar light bulbs have better quality control, and thus often have less mercury. Also the "better" brands, especially those from Europe--where they regulate the amount of mercury in CFLs--have the mercury in an amalgam, so it is less volatile if the bulb breaks. I certainly found that the cheapo CFLs did not last as long as advertised. He also said that major brand CFLs sold in big box stores are usually not made to as high standards as their regular retail products, UNLESS they have the EnergyStar logo. My plumber said the same thing (when is a Moen not a Moen? when you get it off the shelf at Home Depot). Happy non-consuming. Margaret On Sep 16, 2008, at 11:05 PM, Senecajean at aol.com wrote: > http://www.celsias.com/article/epa-and-consumer-reports-duke-it-out-over-energy-s/ > > Trouble with the 'Energy Star' Label. Posted by Leslie Berliant, > Celsias, September 15, 2008. "The October 2008 issue of Consumer > Reports is all about energy efficiency as a way to save money. > Articles include product reviews and ways to cut energy use at home. > There is also an article about [DOE's] and [EPA's] Energy Star > rating, 'Energy Star Has Lost Some Luster'. Consumer Reports' > research found that there were a number of Energy Star-rated > appliances that used more energy than claimed... Consumer Reports > sees 3 main flaws with the [Energy Star] program: 1) qualifying > standards are lax; 2) tests are out of date; and 3) companies test > their own products... The EPA responded... saying the Consumer > Reports article 'misses the basic purpose of the Energy Star > program... EPA initially seeks to have about 25% of available models > meet the ENERGY STAR criteria when they are first established for a > product category. Increasing the market share of qualifying products > from their initial levels is a goal of the program -- not a > fundamental flaw'... [Energy Star is] a needed program, one worthy > of expanding, but only if those appliances actually do help > consumers save energy and money, not if the ratings are inaccurate > or based on non-typical use... Yes, we should have more Energy Star > refrigerators, but we should not call something energy saving that > actually isn't simply to have more on the market." > > Article Below > > The October 2008 issue of Consumer Reports is all about energy > efficiency as a way to save money. Articles include product reviews > and ways to cut energy use at home. There is also an article about > the U.S. Department of Energy's and Environmental Protection > Agency's Energy Star rating, "Energy Star Has Lost Some Luster ". > Consumer Reports' research found that there were a number of Energy > Star rated appliances that used more energy than claimed. One LG > refrigerator claimed to use 547 killowatt-hours of annual energy > consumption but used more than double that, 1,110 kWh per year, when > the ice maker was turned on. According to Consumer Reports, the > difference is due to the testing procedures; ice makers were turned > off during Energy Star testing. > > Consumer Reports sees 3 main flaws with the program: > > Qualifying standards are lax > Tests are out of date > Companies test their own products > The Energy Star program has been around for 16 years. In order to > qualify for the rating, appliances and consumer electronics are > supposed to use 10% -25% less energy than the DOE's maximum allowed > amount for that category. Energy Star claims to have saved consumers > $16 billion in energy costs and 40 million metric tons of greenhouse > gas emissions. > > The EPA responded with a letter on their Energy Star site, saying > the Consumer Reports article "misses the basic purpose of the Energy > Star program. Energy Star helps consumers not just find energy- > efficient products, but ones that will cost-effectively help them > save money while protecting our environment." The letter goes on to > say: > > EPA initially seeks to have about 25 percent of available models > meet the ENERGY STAR criteria when they are first established for a > product category. Increasing the market share of qualifying products > from their initial levels is a goal of the program - not a > fundamental flaw or an indication that the requirements are lax, as > the article suggests. > > How they reach that goal is important, though. It's a needed > program, one worthy of expanding, but only if those appliances > actually do help consumers save energy and money, not if the ratings > are inaccurate or based on non-typical use of the appliance. Yes, we > should have more Energy Star refrigerators, but we should not call > something energy saving that actually isn't simply to have more on > the market. > > The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy is siding > with Consumer Reports. In a September 3rd release, they "strongly > urged DOE to remove these models from the list of Energy Star > models..." They also called for DOE to fine those manufacturers that > are not accurately reporting their energy use, citing a similar case > in Australia involving air conditioners which resulted in a $3 > million Australian fine. > > Consumer Reports and the non-profit that publishes them, Consumers > Union, sent a letter (pdf) to EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson > standing behind the assertions of the original article and > reiterating their 4 recommendations to improve the Energy Star > program: > > Bring testing procedures in line with the technology available in > consumer products. > Require some independent verification of test results. > Consider a graded qualifying system that uses letters. > Better policing by federal officials and enforcement of standards, > including increasing spot checks of ENERGY STAR-qualified products. > > > > > > > Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion blog, plus > the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com. > > __._,_.___ > Messages in this topic (1)Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic > Messages | Files | Photos | Links | Database | Polls | Members | > Calendar > > Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required) > Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch > format to Traditional > Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe > Visit Your Group > All-Bran > 10 Day Challenge > Join the club and > feel the benefits. > Featured Y! Groups > and category pages. > There is something > for everyone. > Yahoo! Groups > Latest product news > Join Mod. Central > stay connected. > . > > __,_._,___ From sean at sustainabletransitions.com Wed Sep 17 13:54:18 2008 From: sean at sustainabletransitions.com (Sean Vormwald) Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:54:18 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Sustainable Health Care for All; Sustainability Gathering on Oct. 2 Message-ID: <48D16E7A.40009@sustainabletransitions.com> /Sustainable Health Care for All: Current Choices and the Future of Health Care Policy/ Thursday, October 2 6:00-8:30 pm Unitarian Church Annex, 306 North Aurora St. *Are you concerned about the lack of affordable health care? *Do you wonder what local options and resources are available? *Can we envision more comprehensive solutions together? Having healthcare options is a concern to most people, especially at a time of diminishing resources and rising medical costs. Join a panel of healthcare activists and experts in a discussion about current choices and those being developed by various groups who aim to have an influence on healthcare policy. For more information please e-mail bethany at sustainabletompkins.org or visit www.sustainabletompkins.org. /*Dinner and childcare are provided. Additional potluck offerings are invited, and participants are encouraged to bring their own table settings to minimize clean-up. If you plan to attend and wish to lend a hand, please contact Miranda at (607) 277 1241. For childcare, please RSVP by Sept. 30 to miranda at sustainabletompkins.org or (607) 277 1241. */ /This is the fifth 2008 gathering of the "Equity & Sustainability" series organized by Sustainable Tompkins and its community partners. This event is made possible in part by a community grant from the Ithaca Health Alliance and a contribution from Rasa Spa./ From tonydelplato at gmail.com Wed Sep 17 14:59:35 2008 From: tonydelplato at gmail.com (Tony Del Plato) Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:59:35 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Lost middle-class tribe's 'secret' eco-village in Wales Message-ID: Lost middle-class tribe's 'secret' eco-village in Wales spotted in aerial photograph taken by plane For five happy years they enjoyed simple lives in their straw and mud huts. Then they were spotted by a plane and a mammoth planning row ensued. Full Story: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1056637/Lost-middle-class-tribes-secret-eco-village-Wales-spotted-aerial-photograph-taken-plane.html 17 September 2008 www.dailymail.co.uk -- "Justice is what love looks like in public." ~ Dr. Cornel West From elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us Thu Sep 18 05:27:37 2008 From: elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us (Elan Shapiro) Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2008 08:27:37 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Native American Homecoming Festival Sat 9/20 Message-ID: also see below: Homecoming Festival KICK OFF CONCERT September 19 Native American Homecoming Festival: Welcoming Cayuga, Tutelo, Saponi and Kindred Indian Nations Saturday, September 20, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM Tutelo Park, 151 Bostwick Rd, off Rt. 13A, in the Town of Ithaca. Highlights of the festival include: Traditional flute music by Dan Hill Haudenosaunee Singers and Dancers led by Sherri Waterman Hopper Creation Stories with Perry Ground for children and adults Interactive educational sessions on the Great Law with Perry Ground, for adults and teens Cornhusk doll making with Marcela Kane Medicine plant walks with Mike DeMunn Three Sisters teaching with Jane Mt. Pleasant Stone carving by world-renown artist Dave Greene La Crosse demonstrations with Alf Jacques Traditional arts, crafts and food from the Iroquois Kitchen and Happy Eating Grounds The festival will also feature displays by Cornell University American Indian Program, the Cayuga SHARE Farm, Three Sisters, Ithaca College Archeology Program, Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation (NOON), and the Lehman Alternative Community School/Akwesasne Freedom School. The Native American Homecoming Festival is sponsored by the Multicultural Resource Center, American Indian Program at Cornell University, Cornell University, Ithaca College and Wells College, and hosted by the Town of Ithaca. This event is made possible with funding from a Tompkins County Celebrations grant and the Community Arts Partnership. The festivities continue September 21 in Aurora with Peachtown Festival 11 AM - 6 PM Wells College, Aurora Contact Ernie Olson for more info: 607-229-0456 Homecoming Festival KICK OFF CONCERT September 19 Please join us for a very special Homecoming Festival Kick-Off event with CORN-BRED Native American R&B band and NAMMY (Native American Grammy) Award winners. Pancho Villa Mexican Restaurant & Bar Club 602 W State St. Ithaca 9 PM ~~ $5 at the door ~~ All Ages! More info: Multicultural Resource Center, 272-2292 This concert is co-sponsored by the Cornell Council American Indian Graduate & Professional Students and Multicultural Resource Center Elizabeth Field Diversity & Inclusion Special Projects Coordinator Multicultural Resource Center Cornell Cooperative Extension 615 Willow Ave. Ithaca, NY 14850 607-272-2292 ext 191 http://www.multicultural-resource.org No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.6.19/1659 - Release Date: 9/8/2008 7:01 AM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.6.19/1662 - Release Date: 9/9/2008 10:47 AM -- Elan Shapiro Sustainable Tompkins Community Partnership Coordinator Sustainable Living Associates, Principal Frog's Way B&B 211 Rachel Carson Way Ithaca, NY 14850 607-275-0249 607-592-8402 Cell "We must be the change we want to see in the world" Mohandas Gandhi From andy at ithacacarshare.org Thu Sep 18 06:30:40 2008 From: andy at ithacacarshare.org (Andy Goodell) Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2008 09:30:40 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] NY State Senator Jeff Klein nearly crushes Colin Beavan (No Impact Man) Message-ID: <48D25800.9060604@ithacacarshare.org> http://noimpactman.typepad.com/blog/2008/09/an-open-letter.html Colin Beavan, aka No Impact Man who had a year-long project living off-grid in his NYC apartment with his wife and child, was recently in a confrontation while cycling. NYS Senator Jeff Klein had some angry words out of his Mercedes after veering dangerously close to Colin, and Colin is asking to pass the word on to call or email the Senator and invite his to speak with Transportation Alternatives (a group which Colin is a board member of). You can read the full details at the No Impact Man blog here: http://noimpactman.typepad.com/blog/2008/09/an-open-letter.html -- Andy Goodell Assistant Director www.IthacaCarshare.org 607.277.3210 From mbrown at ithaca.edu Thu Sep 18 06:51:23 2008 From: mbrown at ithaca.edu (Marian Brown) Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2008 09:51:23 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Sustainability Cafe on Monday, Sept 22 features presentation by Toxics Targeting CEO Message-ID: <48D25CDB.2060504@ithaca.edu> http://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20080917091424301 From lennon_kat at hotmail.com Fri Sep 19 05:11:08 2008 From: lennon_kat at hotmail.com (Kat McCarthy) Date: Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:11:08 +0000 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Today*5:00*Sustainability Happy Hour*Korova Message-ID: SHH.... Sustainability Happy Hour! Of course. Korova Today, Friday, at 5:00 Hope to see you there, Kat From ejwray99 at gmail.com Fri Sep 19 05:13:51 2008 From: ejwray99 at gmail.com (Evan Wray) Date: Fri, 19 Sep 2008 08:13:51 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Today*5:00*Sustainability Happy Hour*Korova In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <010001c91a51$2e9c2cf0$8bd486d0$@com> Waaaah.... can't make it. Have to go to a school picnic. -----Original Message----- From: sustainabletompkins-bounces at lists.mutualaid.org [mailto:sustainabletompkins-bounces at lists.mutualaid.org] On Behalf Of Kat McCarthy Sent: Friday, September 19, 2008 8:11 AM To: Ithaca Think Do Tank; Sustainable Tompkins Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Today*5:00*Sustainability Happy Hour*Korova SHH.... Sustainability Happy Hour! Of course. Korova Today, Friday, at 5:00 Hope to see you there, Kat _______________________________________________ For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org From brew_bird at yahoo.com Fri Sep 19 08:37:23 2008 From: brew_bird at yahoo.com (Eric Banford) Date: Fri, 19 Sep 2008 08:37:23 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Richard Louv "Last Child in the Woods" Message-ID: <44923.83014.qm@web52508.mail.re2.yahoo.com> For those unable to get tickets to the Richard Louv lecture at Cornell next Wednesday evening, it will be broadcast live on the internet. They also might have limited tickets at the door, first come first served: http://blogs.cce.cornell.edu/community-horticulture/2008/09/15/richard-louv-lecture-september-24/ I also found an interesting lecture given at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, for those interested. It's from a lecture entitled "The Abundant Childhood: Nature, Creativity & Health: An Evening with Richard Louv": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrDIbt80Ve8 Into the woods! Eric From jrabinowitz2003 at yahoo.com Fri Sep 19 11:02:45 2008 From: jrabinowitz2003 at yahoo.com (Joel Rabinowitz) Date: Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:02:45 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Invitation to Greensprings Natural Cemetery Fall picnic In-Reply-To: <6.1.2.0.1.20080916213037.01e165e0@pop.lightlink.com> Message-ID: <686124.89330.qm@web53603.mail.re2.yahoo.com> PQ, ? I'm glad you did send our picnic invite to Sustainable Tompkins.? I do receive their postings, so I'm surprised I didn't receive the invitaion through their listserv.? Not sure why not... ? --Joel --- On Tue, 9/16/08, Priscilla Quirk wrote: From: Priscilla Quirk Subject: Invitation to Greensprings Natural Cemetery Fall picnic To: sustainabletompkins at lists.mutualaid.org Cc: "joel rabinowitz" , "mary woodsen" Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2008, 9:34 PM Dear Sustainable Tompkins Friends, We'd like to invite you to our third annual "Friends of Greensprings" picnic on September 27th at 12:30 p.m. at Greensprings Natural Cemetery Preserve. As always, we'll provide the food. You know you can rely on us for delicious hot soup, finger foods, fruit, hot-out-of-the-oven bread, brownies, cider, and tea. After an update and fellowship, we'll have informal walks around the property and, depending on interest, a "what is that tree?" walk in our woods. It's been a very busy summer and a very busy two and a half years since Greensprings opened. We've sold more than 250 sites and had 30 burials. It's true that a burial can be a hard time for families and friends, Greensprings' lovely natural setting -- hilltop meadows framed by thousands of acres of forest -- provides some solace. Whether it's nature or the simplicity of it, religious beliefs or affordability, families come away glad that they chose Greensprings. Because some folks like the chance to do things with their hands, we'd like to have a short work party afterward. Much depends, though, on whether we get our paths surveyed. If so, we'll have a couple of wheelbarrows on hand and will celebrate by putting down some wood chips on the paths. Also, a couple of you might like a chance to learn how we stamp our survey markers, then try your hand at it. While this is a great time to see Greensprings and, if planning ahead seems like a good idea to you, getting impressions about where, it's not the best time to choose a site. Our events are usually busy times and all the trustees want to be available to talk with you and lead tours. Again, the picnic is September 27th at 12:30 p.m. at Greensprings, rain or shine. (Please see our website for directions: http://www.naturalburial.org/.) We're grateful for your interest and support and look forward to seeing you. Very truly yours, The Greensprings Board of Trustees Dick Cahoon, Carl Leopold, Matt Pearson, Priscilla Quirk, John Rogers, Susan Thomas, and Mary Woodsen and Executive Director Joel Rabinowitz and Burial Coordinator Jennifer Johnson From senecajean at aol.com Fri Sep 19 12:46:28 2008 From: senecajean at aol.com (senecajean at aol.com) Date: Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:46:28 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Tompkins County Comprehensive Energy and GHG Emissions Plan Message-ID: <8CAE8A78B0317AD-12D0-1C0F@Webmail-mg08.sim.aol.com> Link to the Final Draft Tompkins County Comprehensive Energy Plan. If you can't make a meeting, comments can also be emailed to planning at tompkins-co.org.? First one was held 9/17 in Ulysses - September 22nd at 6:30 pm at the Danby Town Hall, 1830 Danby Rd - September 24th at 6:30 pm at the Tompkins County Public Library, Borg Warner Room - October 1st at 6:30pm at the Dryden Town Hall, 93 E. Main St., Dryden http://www.co.tompkins.ny.us/planning/compplan/index.htm http://www.co.tompkins.ny.us/planning/compplan/documents/9-2-08DraftEnergyElement_001.pdf Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Element Project Background The Tompkins County Planning Department is drafting a new Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions element to be added to the County Comprehensive Plan. It is envisioned that this element will help guide the County in decisions that influence local energy and greenhouse gas emissions and will provide a framework to address community goals in a proactive and coordinated manner. This Comprehensive Plan element will identify the critical issues at the County level, present existing conditions, and establish policy and action items for the County government and its partner agencies to implement. ? Project Schedule Steering Committee Formed: February 2008 Focus Groups and Interviews: April ? May 2008 Public Meeting: June 5, 2008 Draft Element: Summer 2008 Fall 2008 Public Meetings: - September 17th in Town of Ulysses - September 22nd in Town of Danby - September 24th in City of Ithaca -=2 0October 1st in Town of Dryden ? Revise Element and Present to Legislature: October-December 2008 Public Participation Public Meeting #1: Thursday, June 5, 2008 On June 5, 2008, from 7:00 ? 9:00 pm, a public meeting was held at the Tompkins County Public Library. This meeting included a brief presentation on the major issues and opportunities identified to date and provided the community an opportunity to comment on energy and greenhouse gas emissions topics and contribute idea s for the draft element. Public Meeting #2-5: September-October 2008 At these meetings the final draft element will presented to the public at four venues throughout the County. The focus of these meetings will be to gather community feedback regarding proposed policies and action items to be included in the final element. - September 17th at 6:30 pm at the Ulysses Town Hall, 10 Elm St., Trumansburg - September 22nd at 6:30 pm at the Danby Town Hall, 1830 Danby Rd - September 24th at 6:30 pm at the Tompkins County Public Library, Borg Warner Room - October 1st at 6:30pm at the Dryden Town Hall, 93 E. Main St., Dryden Draft Element - Now available for public review and comment! The final draft Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Element will be presented at fall public meetings to be held in four municipalities. Comments and ideas will be collected at these meetings. We also welcome your email comments that can be sent to planning at tompkins-co.org. Final Draft Energy Greenhouse Gas Emissions Element ? From evk4 at cornell.edu Fri Sep 19 13:49:07 2008 From: evk4 at cornell.edu (Elizabeth Karabinakis) Date: Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:49:07 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Cast your vote for food 1, 500 miles fresher! Message-ID: <48D41043.80200@cornell.edu> Dear Local Food Enthusiasts, You still have until the end of September to voice your support for local foods and have a chance at winning fabulous prizes including the Grand Prize Finger Lakes Resort Package valued at $500! Each time you order a local dish and get a stamp in your ***FREE*** Culinary Passport you are sending a clear message that you value local foods. Over 20 restaurants, delis and cafes in the Ithaca area have chosen to feature local foods this month so you don't need to travel far, or spend extra time or money to enjoy the bounty of our region. Celebrate their efforts and reinforce their decision that local foods are valuable by going to any of the following participating restaurants: ABC Caf?, GreenStar Cooperative Market, Hazelnut Kitchen, The Heights Caf? & Grill, John Thomas Steak House, Just a Taste, Le Petit Caf? at La Tourelle Resort & Spa, The Lost Dog Caf?, Manndible, Mate Factor, Maxie?s Supper Club, Moosewood Restaurant, Pourhouse, Red Newt Bistro, Rogue?s Harbor, Simply Red Lakeside Bistro, Smart Monkey Caf?, Taste of Thai Express, Taverna Banfi, Watercress, Willow and Za Za?s Cucina. Don't know where to start, or go to next? Here are a few suggestions from chefs and diners: For the most amazing ravioli you will ever taste, don't miss Deb Whiting's House Made Ravioli filled with crab, mascarpone and spinach in a lemon roasted garlic cream sauce topped with parmesan at Red Newt Bistro along Seneca Lake. Within 30 miles of Trumansburg? Don't drive by Hazelnut Kitchen without at least enjoying their House Made Goat Cheese Gnocchi with wild local mushrooms, sage and truffle oil appetizer. Once you're there, you'll decide to stay for dinner so might we recommend the Roast Local Pasture Raised Chicken with romesco sauce, crispy paprika potatoes and sauteed green beans? And for the vegetarians, the Creamy Risotto with chioggia beets, sweet corn, ripe tomatoes, greens, herb pesto & melted boggy meadow baby swiss is a heavenly medley of local produce, cream and herbs. And the best part...you can watch Christina and Jonah prepare your food in their open kitchen! Finding it difficult to choose from all the great options on the menu? Head over to Just a Taste in downtown Ithaca right off the Commons and get a little bit of this, and a little bit of that when you order Tapas style. On Cornell's campus and in the mood for a quick bite or a fine dining experience? Manndible Cafe in Mann Library has a ton of affordable local options, like an organic, local burrito bar and an organic salad made with greens grown across campus. For an exquisite lunch or dinner menu featuring items from 20 regional farms, including Tuscan-inspired specialties, head over to Taverna Banfi in the Statler Hotel. Every Tuesday is Local Night at the ABC Cafe. The menu is ever evolving so you won't know if it will be Mexican, Italian, etc. but you can count on it being great! Local Thai Food? Yes, it's true! Taste of Thai Express uses local, organic tofu and you can enjoy it as an appetizer (fried with crushed peanut and sweet chili sauce), on top of a salad simmered in coconut and roasted chili sauce, or in any of their delicious curry or stir-fry dishes. Yum! --------------------------------------------- The Culinary Passport program is free and everybody is welcome to participate. Get your passport at any of the participating restaurants, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Red Feet Wine Market, The Visitors Bureau or the Ithaca Farmers Market. For additional information on Cooperative Extension's Buy Local Campaign, the Culinary Passport Program or the 4^th Annual Celebration of Local Foods visit: http://ccetompkins.org/localfood/events.html or contact Cornell Cooperative Extension at (607) 272-2292. As consumers we vote multiple times a day with our food choices, so cast your vote for local and enjoy food 1,500 miles fresher. Eat Local. Taste the Difference! -------------------------------------------- Elizabeth Viviana Karabinakis Community Food Educator Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County evk4 at cornell.edu (607) 272-2292 From Rebecca_Rodomsky at antiochne.edu Fri Sep 19 14:04:15 2008 From: Rebecca_Rodomsky at antiochne.edu (Rebecca Rodomsky) Date: Fri, 19 Sep 2008 17:04:15 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Book Group: Blessed Unrest by Paul Hawken Message-ID: Greetings STers, The season is changing and it's time to once again curl up in our cozy chairs with a good book. Join us at home green home for our October book! We are reading Blessed Unrest: How the Largest Social Movement in History is Restoring Grace, Justice and Beauty to the World by Paul Hawken. visit-- www.http://www.blessedunrest.com/ --to learn more We meet at home green home on: Tuesday, October 7th 5:30-7pm (1st 1/2 of the book) AND Monday, October 27th 5:30-7pm (2nd 1/2 of the book) If you would like to sign up for our book group to receive reminders about meetings please email: becca at homegreenhome.com Paperback versions are available for sale at the store or to check-out at the local library. Hope to see you there! Becca Rodomsky Becca Rodomsky home green home 215 E. State Street Ithaca, NY 13743 www.homegreenhome.com p: 607-319-4159 f: 607-319-4307 From gjem5760 at yahoo.com Sun Sep 21 11:42:36 2008 From: gjem5760 at yahoo.com (George Frantz) Date: Sun, 21 Sep 2008 11:42:36 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Sustainability of Podcar systems In-Reply-To: <48D07942.2000106@ithacacarshare.org> Message-ID: <18849.67626.qm@web44912.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> On Wed, 9/17/08, Andy Goodell wrote: "We don't need new infrastructure and we don't need expensive new?systems.. So far ocean liners, locomotives, dirigibles, airplanes, and personal cars have all seen their peak moments and are proving to be oney sinks that only cost more as time goes on. To fantasize that podcars are any different seems a bit irrational to me. It was neat to get the information, but I still strongly favor on the side of relocalization rather than creating new ways to get around that require such an investment and enormous system to be functional. I agree with Andy. ? I for one don't find anything?sustainable about spending $20-$30 million or so to build the type of "personal rapid transit" podcare system that was being hawked at the conference, particularly when you multiply that figure by hundreds of other cities across the?U.S. that are?the size of Ithaca or larger and hence would have the same type of system. ? And who will build these systems?? Certainly not local companies, but?rather some big multinational corporation, and probably not one with the high-paying design, engineering and skilled production jobs located here in the US.? ? Also the reality of demographics and systems costs - both construction and operating costs - require minimum residential development densities of 15-20?dwellings per acre, which would be 3-4 times the existing densities in Ithaca city proper, and 6-10 times the existing residential densities in the Town of Ithaca, Village of Cayuga Heights, Ellis Hollow, Lansing?and other suburban paradises.?? ? Given the responses?to previous posts by me on the?subject of residential densities, I don't see THAT happening in Ithaca and Tompkins County. ? Of course if Ithaca and the hundreds of other similar size cities in the country were to evolve into denser, more compact communities, we could pretty much eliminate the need for cars and the need completely for podcar systems and their costs, since almost all residents would be within easy walking distance of about any place they need or want to go to, and we could have a bus system schedule that provides for pick-ups every 10-15 minutes, not every hour or two. ? ? George Frantz ? --- ? From elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us Mon Sep 22 07:50:35 2008 From: elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us (Elan Shapiro) Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2008 10:50:35 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] inspiring solar tech news Message-ID: http://news.yahoo.com/s/zd/20080919/tc_zd/232218;_ylt=AoBOPkJ70xEZF_FWg7GGQQQDW7oF -- Elan Shapiro Sustainable Tompkins Community Partnership Coordinator Sustainable Living Associates, Principal Frog's Way B&B 211 Rachel Carson Way Ithaca, NY 14850 607-275-0249 607-592-8402 Cell "We must be the change we want to see in the world" Mohandas Gandhi From Joel.and.Sarah.Gagnon at lightlink.com Mon Sep 22 07:26:35 2008 From: Joel.and.Sarah.Gagnon at lightlink.com (Joel and Sarah Gagnon) Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2008 10:26:35 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Sustainability of Podcar systems In-Reply-To: <18849.67626.qm@web44912.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> References: <48D07942.2000106@ithacacarshare.org> Message-ID: <5.2.1.1.2.20080922101613.02061d30@pop.lightlink.com> Buses aren't cheap to acquire or run, and the dual obstacles to expanding mass transit of operator cost and off-peak operating inefficiency would both be addressed by a podcar system, so I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss it. Compared to the cost of roads, costs do not seem all that outrageous, and I think the economics look better and better as the cost of energy rises, at least for some of the versions that are out there. Joel At 11:42 AM 9/21/08 -0700, you wrote: >On Wed, 9/17/08, Andy Goodell wrote: > >"We don't need new infrastructure and we don't need expensive new >systems.. So far ocean liners, locomotives, dirigibles, airplanes, and >personal cars have all seen their peak moments and are proving to be oney >sinks that only cost more as time goes on. To fantasize that podcars are >any different seems a bit irrational to me. It was neat to >get the information, but I still strongly favor on the side of >relocalization rather than creating new ways to get around that require >such an investment and enormous system to be functional. > >I agree with Andy. > >I for one don't find anything sustainable about spending $20-$30 million >or so to build the type of "personal rapid transit" podcare system that >was being hawked at the conference, particularly when you multiply that >figure by hundreds of other cities across the U.S. that are the size of >Ithaca or larger and hence would have the same type of system. > >And who will build these systems? Certainly not local companies, but >rather some big multinational corporation, and probably not one with the >high-paying design, engineering and skilled production jobs located here >in the US. > >Also the reality of demographics and systems costs - both construction and >operating costs - require minimum residential development densities of >15-20 dwellings per acre, which would be 3-4 times the existing densities >in Ithaca city proper, and 6-10 times the existing residential densities >in the Town of Ithaca, Village of Cayuga Heights, Ellis Hollow, Lansing >and other suburban paradises. > >Given the responses to previous posts by me on the subject of residential >densities, I don't see THAT happening in Ithaca and Tompkins County. > >Of course if Ithaca and the hundreds of other similar size cities in the >country were to evolve into denser, more compact communities, we could >pretty much eliminate the need for cars and the need completely for podcar >systems and their costs, since almost all residents would be within easy >walking distance of about any place they need or want to go to, and we >could have a bus system schedule that provides for pick-ups every 10-15 >minutes, not every hour or two. > > >George Frantz > >--- > > > > > >_______________________________________________ >For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, >please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > >RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: >SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org >http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins >free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org From northsheep at juno.com Mon Sep 22 08:35:31 2008 From: northsheep at juno.com (northsheep at juno.com) Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2008 11:35:31 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] inspiring solar tech news Message-ID: <20080922.113531.420.20.northsheep@juno.com> Again, technological solutions to our predicament, if they succeed in replacing any large amount of fossil energy with renewables, continue to ignore a major part of our problem: continued production of energy production of any kind at anything like current levels will perpetuate the damaging results of current global excessive energy consumption: rapid depletion not just of oil and gas but of all sorts of finite resources, and production of goods and services of kinds that are destroying the ecological resource base human civilization must depend on to survive. Greenhouse gas emissions are only one of the many kinds of destructive pollutants that our high energy consumption permits. It is true that some of this could be avoided if we made revolutionary, wrenching changes in the way we use energy - to support truly regenerative systems of farming, for example - but I see the invention and massive use of alternative energies goodies like those proposed in this news article as just making that kind of revolution in cultural values harder to accomplish. Karl North Northland Sheep Dairy, Freetown, New York USA www.geocities.com/northsheep/ "Mother Nature never farms without animals" - Albert Howard "Pueblo que canta no morira" - Cuban saying On Mon, 22 Sep 2008 10:50:35 -0400 Elan Shapiro writes: > http://news.yahoo.com/s/zd/20080919/tc_zd/232218;_ylt=AoBOPkJ70xEZF_FWg7G GQQQDW7oF > > > > > -- > Elan Shapiro > Sustainable Tompkins Community Partnership Coordinator > Sustainable Living Associates, Principal > Frog's Way B&B > 211 Rachel Carson Way > Ithaca, NY 14850 > 607-275-0249 607-592-8402 Cell > > "We must be the change we want to see in the world" > Mohandas Gandhi > _______________________________________________ > For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County > area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > > RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: > SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > > ____________________________________________________________ Protect your PC from Spyware. Click now! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3mEzAkRtc2WhMHLflPxOUUpRnkl9mL5KVZFtEKihA09NdZcZ/ From globalclimatesolutions at gmail.com Sun Sep 21 11:24:38 2008 From: globalclimatesolutions at gmail.com (Ryan Hottle) Date: Sun, 21 Sep 2008 14:24:38 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Dr. James Hansen and Others Endorse Biochar as Vital Solution to Climate Change Message-ID: <1515a9290809211124r7cd9ae74t83b4df76d2dca7e0@mail.gmail.com> Dear Climate Solution Thinkers: Read the latest endorsements of Carbon Negative Energy from Biochar Production at www.GlobalClimateSolutions.org including Dr. James Hansen who has recently stated that: "Carbon sequestration in soil also has significant potential. Biochar, produced in pyrolysis of residues from crops, forestry, and animal wastes, can be used to restore soil fertility while storing carbon for centuries to millennia. Biochar helps soil retain nutrients and fertilizers, reducing emissions of GHGs such as N2O. Replacing slash-and-burn agriculture with slash-and-char and use of agricultural and forestry wastes for biochar production could provide a CO2 drawdown of ~8 ppm or more in half a century." As always, we're looking for serious sustainable solutions to climate change. If you would like to submit a piece please visit our website for instructions. What we choose to do--or not to do--will make all the difference. Be determined to work together and to win! Respectfully, Ryan D. Hottle -- GLOBAL CLIMATE SOLUTIONS www.GlobalClimateSolutions.org serious, sustainable solutions to climate change including carbon-negative energy submit your ideas and articles on-line at: www.GlobalClimateSolutions.org From chefjulia at earthlink.net Mon Sep 22 09:08:33 2008 From: chefjulia at earthlink.net (Julia Crookston) Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2008 09:08:33 -0700 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Community Food Kitchen/Cannery/Preservation Message-ID: <000501c91ccd$7a9b6ed0$882d0644@peteys> Dear Robert, My name is Julia Crookston out here in California. I'm putting together the preliminaries for a similar 'community cannery/kitchen' and wonder how things are progressing in Tompkins.. if you have a few minutes and would send an update I'd sure appreciate your effort. Thanks and good luck to us all. Julia Crookston peteys_place at earthlink.net chefjulia at earthlink.net From tjs1 at cornell.edu Mon Sep 22 20:13:11 2008 From: tjs1 at cornell.edu (Thomas Shelley) Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2008 23:13:11 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] inspiring solar tech news In-Reply-To: <20080922.113531.420.20.northsheep@juno.com> Message-ID: <5.2.1.1.2.20080922221217.0214c828@postoffice10.mail.cornell.edu> Dear Friends--Not only do I think Karl is correct in his assessment of our situation, but I have a feeling that such technological innovations as proposed in the Web article, as encouraging as they are made out to be, probably aren't going to happen since the economic, energy, and environmental crises we are approaching are going to overtake us first. The amount of resources and energy, and the economic climate required to mass-produce such technological innovations will become increasingly infeasible in the time framework bounded by the approaching crises. We are best off developing human community and local resources so that we may support each other to the extent possible in the trying times ahead. My $.02. Tom At 11:35 AM 9/22/2008 -0400, Karl North wrote, in part: >Again, technological solutions to our predicament, if they succeed in >replacing any large amount of fossil energy with renewables, continue to >ignore a major part of our problem: continued production of energy >production of any kind at anything like current levels will perpetuate >the damaging results of current global excessive energy consumption: >rapid depletion not just of oil and gas but of all sorts of finite >resources, and production of goods and services of kinds that are >destroying the ecological resource base human civilization must depend on >to survive. Greenhouse gas emissions are only one of the many kinds of >destructive pollutants that our high energy consumption permits. It is >true that some of this could be avoided if we made revolutionary, >wrenching changes in the way we use energy - to support truly >regenerative systems of farming, for example - but I see the invention >and massive use of alternative energies goodies like those proposed in >this news article as just making that kind of revolution in cultural >values harder to accomplish. > >Karl North >Northland Sheep Dairy, Freetown, New York USA > www.geocities.com/northsheep/ >"Mother Nature never farms without animals" - Albert Howard >"Pueblo que canta no morira" - Cuban saying > >On Mon, 22 Sep 2008 10:50:35 -0400 Elan Shapiro > writes: > > >http://news.yahoo.com/s/zd/20080919/tc_zd/232218;_ylt=AoBOPkJ70xEZF_FWg7G >GQQQDW7oF Tom Shelley 118 E. Court St. Ithaca, NY 14850 607 342-0864 tjs1 at cornell.edu http://www.myspace.com/99319958 P I thank you for printing this e-mail only if it is necessary "Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." The World Commission on Environment and Development, Gro Harlem Brundtland Our Common Future, Oxford University Press, 1987 MY NOTE: Sustainable development does not mean "sustainable growth" as growth per se is not sustainable. And the term "sustainable" has to mean "for a very long time" (A. Bartlett). "The frog does not drink up the pond in which he lives." Sioux proverb From senecajean at aol.com Tue Sep 23 08:10:49 2008 From: senecajean at aol.com (senecajean at aol.com) Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:10:49 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] inspiring solar tech news In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <8CAEBA5B142EB3A-16EC-32DE@webmail-ne06.sysops.aol.com> Thanks Elan. It seem such a basic concept when you think about it.? And yet?it waited for a 12 year old to think there might be other parts?of the light spectrum that could be utilized. Whew! More posibility for green jobs!.. I'm facing hip surgery at an as yet undermined time...which makes me feel very personally vulnerable in addition to everthing else....I still need to be able to feel some hope. I really like all that stuff about Bio-char, too! Jeanne? -----Original Message----- From: Elan Shapiro To: sustainabletompkins at lists.mutualaid.org Sent: Mon, 22 Sep 2008 10:50 am Subject: [SustainableTompkins] inspiring solar tech news http://news.yahoo.com/s/zd/20080919/tc_zd/232218;_ylt=AoBOPkJ70xEZF_FWg7GGQQQDW7oF -- Elan Shapiro Sustainable Tompkins Community Partnership Coordinator Sustainable Living Associates, Principal Frog's Way B&B 211 Rachel Carson Way Ithaca, NY 14850 607-275-0249 607-592-8402 Cell "We must be the change we want to see in the world" Mohandas Gandhi _______________________________________________ For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org From michael at fingerlakespermaculture.org Tue Sep 23 13:16:25 2008 From: michael at fingerlakespermaculture.org (Michael Burns) Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:16:25 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Ithaca Freeskool Permaculture Book Club: Holmgren Message-ID: <35839.216.162.28.201.1222200985.squirrel@mail.panix.com> The Ithaca Freeskool http://www.ithacafreeskool.wordpress.com offers a Permaculture Book Club with Holmgren?s book: "Permaculture: Principles & Pathways Beyond Sustainability" Facilitator: Michael Burns Contact: michael at fingerlakespermaculture.org Date and Time: Wed?s Oct 8,15, & 29; Nov. 12 & 19; Dec 3; 6-8pm Location: Caf? above Autumn Leaves books on the Commons, Ihaca. NY We will read David Holmgren?s book ?Permaculture: Principles & Pathways Beyond Sustainability.? In each of our six sessions we will discuss two of Holmgren?s 12 principles for permaculture. This book uses permaculture principles as a framework for an empowering but challenging vision of creative adaptation to a world of energy descent. David Holmgren builds on the extraordinary success of the permaculture concept (which he co-originated with Bill Mollison 25 years ago) and the global permaculture movement, to provide a more cerebral and controversial contribution to the sustainability debate. (from: http://www.holmgren.com.au/) Copies of the book can be purchased at: http://www.permacultureactivist.net/booksvid/BooksnVid.htm#DH Please RSVP to michael at fingerlakespermaculture.org ??????????????? Ithaca Freeskool is a decentralized, interactive skillshare network that goes beyond the institutions of capitalism and the state. Classes, discussion groups, skill shares, projects, and events hosted in a variety of environments. We are all students, we are all teachers. Questions, ideas, want to participate, etc? Email us at ithaca_freeskool at riseup.net Join our listserv: send a blank email with ?subscribe? in the subject to ithaca_freeskool at lists.riseup.net For information on how to teach a class or to get updates on current classes, guerilla workshops and events, check our blog: http://www.ithacafreeskool.wordpress.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Michael Burns http://www.cayuta.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Earn your permaculture design certificate. The Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute offers affordable local classes. http://www.fingerlakespermaculture.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From rab38 at cornell.edu Tue Sep 23 11:53:26 2008 From: rab38 at cornell.edu (Rich Bernstein) Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:53:26 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] inspiring solar tech news References: <8CAEBA5B142EB3A-16EC-32DE@webmail-ne06.sysops.aol.com> Message-ID: <002401c91dad$a9b7c2f0$5289ec84@scicentr.cornell.edu> Unfortunately, a bunch of the claims in the article are just not true. The amount of energy available in the UV spectrum is extremely small compared to the amount in the visible range. There are a couple of nice charts here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_radiation , especially the one in the "climate effect" section. The area under a section of the curve is proportional to the amount of incident energy in that wavelength range. There is no way this can harness 500 times the light of a typical solar cell. Most current devices are around 10% efficient or more, which means they convert 10% of ALL of the incident solar radiation (including UV and infrared) to electricity. The record so far is about 40%. So there is no way this could get close to even 10 times as much conversion as a typical cell, or double the best proven technology. Could he have developed a more efficient design for a solar device? Maybe. Could the design be easier to install? Maybe. Is there something groundbreaking and new here that will completely change the solar industry on its own? I doubt it. Is it cool that this was done by a 12-year old? Sure, assuming it's true, and it still would be if he was a college student. I think that's the nice part of the story, even though the technological claims are questionable. -- Rich ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 11:10 AM Subject: Re: [SustainableTompkins] inspiring solar tech news > Thanks Elan. > > It seem such a basic concept when you think about it.? > > And yet?it waited for a 12 year old to think there might be other parts?of > the light spectrum that could be utilized. Whew! > > More posibility for green jobs!.. I'm facing hip surgery at an as yet > undermined time...which makes me feel very personally vulnerable in > addition to everthing else....I still need to be able to feel some hope. > > I really like all that stuff about Bio-char, too! > > Jeanne? > > > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Elan Shapiro > To: sustainabletompkins at lists.mutualaid.org > Sent: Mon, 22 Sep 2008 10:50 am > Subject: [SustainableTompkins] inspiring solar tech news > > > > http://news.yahoo.com/s/zd/20080919/tc_zd/232218;_ylt=AoBOPkJ70xEZF_FWg7GGQQQDW7oF > > > > > -- > Elan Shapiro > Sustainable Tompkins Community Partnership Coordinator > Sustainable Living Associates, Principal > Frog's Way B&B > 211 Rachel Carson Way > Ithaca, NY 14850 > 607-275-0249 607-592-8402 Cell > > "We must be the change we want to see in the world" > Mohandas Gandhi > _______________________________________________ > For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, > please > visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > > RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: > SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > > _______________________________________________ > For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, > please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > > RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: > SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org From andy at ithacacarshare.org Tue Sep 23 13:57:22 2008 From: andy at ithacacarshare.org (Andy Goodell) Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:57:22 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] inspiring solar tech news In-Reply-To: <002401c91dad$a9b7c2f0$5289ec84@scicentr.cornell.edu> References: <8CAEBA5B142EB3A-16EC-32DE@webmail-ne06.sysops.aol.com> <002401c91dad$a9b7c2f0$5289ec84@scicentr.cornell.edu> Message-ID: <48D95832.7090506@ithacacarshare.org> I believe the claims were meant to explain that the collector would also bring in nearby light by reflection, effectively allowing a smaller area of photovoltaics to collect 500x what we currently would use to collect the same. Basically seemed like if you point some mirrors at the panel, it brings in more light, but still needed the space for the reflectors. So, is IS possible to harness 500x the amount of energy per surface area of photovoltaics, but it is not 500x more efficient photovoltaics. If that is true, then more area would go towards reflective material which is likely much cheaper than photovoltaics, which could make this a good step towards cheaper solar. However... we can't expect the world to run on solar power anywhere near the same amount we use currently. Efficiency, conservation, relocalization, population reduction, economies of scale, passive solar designs... yada yada ... let's use less power rather than try to find ways to keep our crazy energy hogging lifestyles. I average 3kWh per day for 2 people living together, and I know that is still way too much to ever be sustainable. -Andy Rich Bernstein wrote: > Unfortunately, a bunch of the claims in the article are just not true. > > The amount of energy available in the UV spectrum is extremely small > compared to the amount in the visible range. There are a couple of nice > charts here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_radiation , especially the > one in the "climate effect" section. The area under a section of the curve > is proportional to the amount of incident energy in that wavelength range. > > There is no way this can harness 500 times the light of a typical solar > cell. Most current devices are around 10% efficient or more, which means > they convert 10% of ALL of the incident solar radiation (including UV and > infrared) to electricity. The record so far is about 40%. So there is no > way this could get close to even 10 times as much conversion as a typical > cell, or double the best proven technology. > > Could he have developed a more efficient design for a solar device? Maybe. > Could the design be easier to install? Maybe. Is there something > groundbreaking and new here that will completely change the solar industry > on its own? I doubt it. Is it cool that this was done by a 12-year old? > Sure, assuming it's true, and it still would be if he was a college student. > I think that's the nice part of the story, even though the technological > claims are questionable. > > -- > Rich > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: > To: > Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 11:10 AM > Subject: Re: [SustainableTompkins] inspiring solar tech news > > >> Thanks Elan. >> >> It seem such a basic concept when you think about it.? >> >> And yet?it waited for a 12 year old to think there might be other parts?of >> the light spectrum that could be utilized. Whew! >> >> More posibility for green jobs!.. I'm facing hip surgery at an as yet >> undermined time...which makes me feel very personally vulnerable in >> addition to everthing else....I still need to be able to feel some hope. >> >> I really like all that stuff about Bio-char, too! >> >> Jeanne? >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Elan Shapiro >> To: sustainabletompkins at lists.mutualaid.org >> Sent: Mon, 22 Sep 2008 10:50 am >> Subject: [SustainableTompkins] inspiring solar tech news >> >> >> >> http://news.yahoo.com/s/zd/20080919/tc_zd/232218;_ylt=AoBOPkJ70xEZF_FWg7GGQQQDW7oF >> >> >> >> >> -- >> Elan Shapiro >> Sustainable Tompkins Community Partnership Coordinator >> Sustainable Living Associates, Principal >> Frog's Way B&B >> 211 Rachel Carson Way >> Ithaca, NY 14850 >> 607-275-0249 607-592-8402 Cell >> >> "We must be the change we want to see in the world" >> Mohandas Gandhi >> _______________________________________________ >> For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, >> please >> visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ >> >> RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: >> SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org >> http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins >> free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org >> >> _______________________________________________ >> For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, >> please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ >> >> RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: >> SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org >> http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins >> free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > > _______________________________________________ > For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > > RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: > SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > > > -- Andy Goodell Assistant Director www.IthacaCarshare.org 607.277.3210 From rab38 at cornell.edu Tue Sep 23 14:23:30 2008 From: rab38 at cornell.edu (Rich Bernstein) Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:23:30 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] inspiring solar tech news References: <8CAEBA5B142EB3A-16EC-32DE@webmail-ne06.sysops.aol.com><002401c91dad$a9b7c2f0$5289ec84@scicentr.cornell.edu> <48D95832.7090506@ithacacarshare.org> Message-ID: <013a01c91dc2$a053d7c0$5289ec84@scicentr.cornell.edu> They're not talking about a solar concentrator; there are no mirrors. They mean this type of device: http://gtresearchnews.gatech.edu/newsrelease/3d-solar.htm You still only have the amount of light that is incident on the device, determined by the cross-section and the light angle. You know, I'll bet where they say "times" they mean really mean "percent." That would be more in line with physics rather than magic. -- Rich ----- Original Message ----- From: "Andy Goodell" To: "Sustainable Tompkins County listserv" Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 4:57 PM Subject: Re: [SustainableTompkins] inspiring solar tech news >I believe the claims were meant to explain that the collector would also > bring in nearby light by reflection, effectively allowing a smaller area > of photovoltaics to collect 500x what we currently would use to collect > the same. Basically seemed like if you point some mirrors at the panel, > it brings in more light, but still needed the space for the reflectors. > So, is IS possible to harness 500x the amount of energy per surface area > of photovoltaics, but it is not 500x more efficient photovoltaics. If > that is true, then more area would go towards reflective material which > is likely much cheaper than photovoltaics, which could make this a good > step towards cheaper solar. > > However... we can't expect the world to run on solar power anywhere near > the same amount we use currently. Efficiency, conservation, > relocalization, population reduction, economies of scale, passive solar > designs... yada yada ... let's use less power rather than try to find > ways to keep our crazy energy hogging lifestyles. I average 3kWh per day > for 2 people living together, and I know that is still way too much to > ever be sustainable. > -Andy > > Rich Bernstein wrote: >> Unfortunately, a bunch of the claims in the article are just not true. >> >> The amount of energy available in the UV spectrum is extremely small >> compared to the amount in the visible range. There are a couple of nice >> charts here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_radiation , especially >> the >> one in the "climate effect" section. The area under a section of the >> curve >> is proportional to the amount of incident energy in that wavelength >> range. >> >> There is no way this can harness 500 times the light of a typical solar >> cell. Most current devices are around 10% efficient or more, which means >> they convert 10% of ALL of the incident solar radiation (including UV and >> infrared) to electricity. The record so far is about 40%. So there is >> no >> way this could get close to even 10 times as much conversion as a typical >> cell, or double the best proven technology. >> >> Could he have developed a more efficient design for a solar device? >> Maybe. >> Could the design be easier to install? Maybe. Is there something >> groundbreaking and new here that will completely change the solar >> industry >> on its own? I doubt it. Is it cool that this was done by a 12-year old? >> Sure, assuming it's true, and it still would be if he was a college >> student. >> I think that's the nice part of the story, even though the technological >> claims are questionable. >> >> -- >> Rich >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: >> To: >> Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 11:10 AM >> Subject: Re: [SustainableTompkins] inspiring solar tech news >> >> >>> Thanks Elan. >>> >>> It seem such a basic concept when you think about it.? >>> >>> And yet?it waited for a 12 year old to think there might be other >>> parts?of >>> the light spectrum that could be utilized. Whew! >>> >>> More posibility for green jobs!.. I'm facing hip surgery at an as yet >>> undermined time...which makes me feel very personally vulnerable in >>> addition to everthing else....I still need to be able to feel some hope. >>> >>> I really like all that stuff about Bio-char, too! >>> >>> Jeanne? >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: Elan Shapiro >>> To: sustainabletompkins at lists.mutualaid.org >>> Sent: Mon, 22 Sep 2008 10:50 am >>> Subject: [SustainableTompkins] inspiring solar tech news >>> >>> >>> >>> http://news.yahoo.com/s/zd/20080919/tc_zd/232218;_ylt=AoBOPkJ70xEZF_FWg7GGQQQDW7oF >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> Elan Shapiro >>> Sustainable Tompkins Community Partnership Coordinator >>> Sustainable Living Associates, Principal >>> Frog's Way B&B >>> 211 Rachel Carson Way >>> Ithaca, NY 14850 >>> 607-275-0249 607-592-8402 Cell >>> >>> "We must be the change we want to see in the world" >>> Mohandas Gandhi >>> _______________________________________________ >>> For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, >>> please >>> visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ >>> >>> RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: >>> SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org >>> http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins >>> free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, >>> please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ >>> >>> RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: >>> SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org >>> http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins >>> free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org >> >> _______________________________________________ >> For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, >> please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ >> >> RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: >> SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org >> http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins >> free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org >> >> >> > > -- > Andy Goodell > Assistant Director > www.IthacaCarshare.org > 607.277.3210 > > > _______________________________________________ > For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, > please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > > RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: > SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org From sean at sustainabletransitions.com Tue Sep 23 14:53:33 2008 From: sean at sustainabletransitions.com (Sean Vormwald) Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:53:33 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Going Further on a Tank of Gas; Seminar on Oct. 8 Message-ID: <48D9655D.6070508@sustainabletransitions.com> /Going Further on a Tank of Gas: A Practical Talk on Vehicle Fuel Efficiency/ Wednesday, October 8, 2008 6:30-8:30pm Unitarian Church Annex 306 N. Aurora St., Ithaca, NY Please join the Green Resource Hub of the Finger Lakes and learn ways to increase your car's fuel efficiency and save money at the pump! Special guests Dana Paul and Andy Goodell will explain how you can make your current vehicle more fuel efficient through a variety of simple maintenance steps and driving techniques. /*Please note that this event was originally scheduled to take place at the Human Services Building, but has been relocated to the Unitarian Church Annex.*/ This is the first in a series of sustainability-related seminars. For more information on this topic or to learn about other upcoming seminars, visit us at www.greenresourcehub.org. The Green Resource Hub of the Finger Lakes is a non-profit that seeks to expand the regional marketplace for sustainable living through consumer education and workforce training in energy efficiency, renewable energy, green building, and green purchasing. From evk4 at cornell.edu Tue Sep 23 15:37:33 2008 From: evk4 at cornell.edu (Elizabeth Karabinakis) Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:37:33 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Farmers Ball- Saturday, Sept. 27 Message-ID: <48D96FAD.9090606@cornell.edu> Greetings Local Food Enthusiasts, It has been an incredible season to enjoy and savor the bounty of our region. While our fields are still bursting with vibrant colors, and crops waiting to be harvested, let's gather in celebration to enjoy great food, music, and community. Please join us for the 4th Annual Farmers Ball to be held at the Ithaca Farmers Market Pavilion on Sat. Sept. 27th at 6pm. Bring your favorite dish to pass and get ready to have fun! Old time dance tunes with Steve Selin, Ritchie Stearns and friends, and special guest Nancy Spero will call dances. Please remember your place setting so we can reduce and reuse before we even get to recycling. Come show off your local food dishes, enjoy what other people have to share, socialize and dance! Free and everyone welcome. Rain or shine. Donations accepted to benefit the Healthy Food For All program, a collaborative effort of local farms and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County to provide over 60 low-income families in our community with affordable CSA shares and free nutritional cooking classes this year. The Farmers Ball is put on by the Tompkins Area Community Supported Agriculture Coalition. For more information please contact: Katie Church, coordiantor Full Plate Farm Collective 607.342.7632 info at fullplatefarms.org --- Elizabeth Viviana Karabinakis Community Food Educator Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County evk4 at cornell.edu (607) 272-2292 From elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us Tue Sep 23 19:39:09 2008 From: elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us (Elan Shapiro) Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:39:09 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Tompkins "Go Green" County of the Year Message-ID: County "Go Green Initiative" Wins National Recognition Tompkins County is being honored as the nation's first-ever Go Green County of the Year, in recognition of the Solid Waste Management Division's innovation and success with its Go Green Initiative program through area schools. The award will be presented October 18 at a Go Green summit in Syracuse. The local Go Green Initiative (GGI) program, adapting principles of the national GGI movement, was initiated by the Solid Waste Management Division a few years ago. The program unites parents, students, teachers, staff and administrators to create a culture of environmental responsibility in schools throughout Tompkins County. Linnett Short, communications and administrative coordinator at the Solid Waste Management Division, calls the Go Green Initiative a national effort to "GREEN" schools, the acronym "GREEN" standing for Generate compost, Recycle, Educate, Evaluate, and Nationalize principles of responsible consumption. Currently, about half of Tompkins County schools participate in the program, with the hope that the program will be extended countywide by the end of the year. National Go Green Initiative founder Jill Buck says she is "very, very proud" of the County's commitment to make Go Green an integral part of its composting and recycling programs, and she hopes it will serve as an example to other county environmental and solid waste coordinators across the nation. "We've seen schools registering in Tompkins County all year long on a very regular and consistent basis," Buck observes. "We believe that this is because of your county's commitment to make the Go Green Initiative part of your plan and process." In a radio interview September 19, coordinator Short, Stephanie Egan, and Kat McCarthy of the Solid Waste Management Division talked about the County's Go Green program to a nationwide audience on the web site www.voiceamerica.com, where a pod cast of the interview is available for download. Ms. Short says any school interested in GGI should contact her. The next step is a 20-minute presentation at the school, followed by a free school waste assessment, with recycling bins and other materials provided. Once the school has its first Go Green team meeting, the Division supports half of the school's composting costs. To find out more about the County's Go Green Initiative, contact Linnett Short at the Solid Waste Management Division at 273-6632. To listen to the pod cast, go to: http://www.modavox.com/voiceamericacms/WebModules/HostModaview.aspx?ShowId=848&BroadcastId=37473&ScheduleTime=9&Flag=1). Media Contact: Linnett Short, Tompkins County Solid Waste Management Division, 273-6632. - END - ------ Marcia E. Lynch Public Information Officer Tompkins County 125 E. Court Street Ithaca, NY 14850 Tel: 607-274-5555/Fax: 607-274-5558 -- Elan Shapiro Sustainable Tompkins Community Partnership Coordinator Sustainable Living Associates, Principal Frog's Way B&B 211 Rachel Carson Way Ithaca, NY 14850 607-275-0249 607-592-8402 Cell "We must be the change we want to see in the world" Mohandas Gandhi From senecajean at aol.com Wed Sep 24 06:40:47 2008 From: senecajean at aol.com (senecajean at aol.com) Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2008 09:40:47 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Reminder Final 2 Comprehensive Energy Plan Meetings In-Reply-To: <48D9655D.6070508@sustainabletransitions.com> References: <48D9655D.6070508@sustainabletransitions.com> Message-ID: <8CAEC6248A3EC56-178-8B8@webmail-nc07.sysops.aol.com> The one in Ithaca is tonight. Link to the Final Draft Tompkins county Comprehensive Energy Plan. http://www.co.tompkins.ny.us/planning/compplan/index.htm http://www.co.tompkins.ny.us/planning/compplan/documents/9-2-08DraftEnergyElement_001.pdf Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Element Project Background The Tompkins County Planning Department is drafting a new Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions element to be added to the County Comprehensive Plan. It is envisioned that this element will help guide the County in decisions that influence local energy and greenhouse gas emissions and will provide a framework to address community goals in a proactive and coordinated manner. This Comprehensive Plan element will identify the critical issues at the County level, present existing conditions, and establish policy and action items for the County government and its partner agencies to implement. - September 24th at 6:30 pm at the Tompkins County Public Library, Borg Warner Room - October 1st at 6:30pm at the Dryden Town Hall, 93 E. Main St., Dryden Draft Element - Now available for public review and comment! The final draft Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Element will be presented at fall public meetings to be held in four municipalities. Comments and ideas will be collected at these meetings. We also welcome your email comments that can be sent to planning at tompkins-co.org. Final Draft Energy Greenhouse Gas Emissions Element ? ? From mbrown at ithaca.edu Wed Sep 24 12:56:19 2008 From: mbrown at ithaca.edu (Marian Brown) Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:56:19 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Sustainability Internship Projects sought for Spring semester 2009 Message-ID: <48DA9B63.6040501@ithaca.edu> Greetings! Students in the Environmental Studies Program at Ithaca College are willing, able and very engaged?and looking for internship opportunities for the Spring 2009 semester or beyond. Interning is an important part of IC?s ESP program, giving students a chance to apply their knowledge to real-world situations and to give back to the community. If you have field research projects, database development needs, or other activities that would be good internship opportunities, please do let us know! We have a quick survey form that you can fill out to describe your needs and the skill sets you?d like an intern to bring. To complete the survey, click on the brown ?survey? box on ESP?s internship web page: http://www.ithaca.edu/hs/depts/envstudies/internships/ Please reply by October 15. Thanks for helping IC students learn and grow! From tonydelplato at gmail.com Wed Sep 24 18:44:32 2008 From: tonydelplato at gmail.com (Tony Del Plato) Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:44:32 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Water Crisis In-Reply-To: <24537893.1222257328366.JavaMail.websphere@scntdear01> References: <24537893.1222257328366.JavaMail.websphere@scntdear01> Message-ID: I know that may TC Sustainers want a Tompkins County or Central NY focus to our posts. However, this is a critical issue that I believe needs to come up regularly especially since Cayuga Lake is at risk. Water connects us to the planet and each other like air. Tony Del Plato Click here to see the page on wired.com: http://www.wired.com/politics/law/magazine/16-10/sl_gleick/ -- "Justice is what love looks like in public." ~ Dr. Cornel West From andy at ithacacarshare.org Wed Sep 24 20:08:25 2008 From: andy at ithacacarshare.org (Andy Goodell) Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2008 23:08:25 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Water Crisis In-Reply-To: References: <24537893.1222257328366.JavaMail.websphere@scntdear01> Message-ID: <48DB00A9.1050602@ithacacarshare.org> So here's a question to those that claim density will help solve some of our problems... If Ithaca was much denser to allow for the benefits that come from that, how would our water supply be affected? Can the lake and aquifers come close to handling that? (I have no idea, but maybe someone here does?) -Andy From mmccasla at twcny.rr.com Wed Sep 24 20:21:00 2008 From: mmccasla at twcny.rr.com (Margaret McCasland) Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2008 23:21:00 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Water Crisis In-Reply-To: <48DB00A9.1050602@ithacacarshare.org> References: <24537893.1222257328366.JavaMail.websphere@scntdear01> <48DB00A9.1050602@ithacacarshare.org> Message-ID: Hi Andy, We have LOTS of water, but most of it is in the lakes. Two cautions though: --climate change is likely to decrease groundwater recharge, so it may become more difficult to get water from wells, and thus to live in locations without municipal water (depending, of course, on the local groundwater geology). --if we become more dependent on lake water, keeping contaminants from flushing into the lake will become more challenging, especially if the population gets much bigger. Margaret On Sep 24, 2008, at 11:08 PM, Andy Goodell wrote: > So here's a question to those that claim density will help solve > some of > our problems... If Ithaca was much denser to allow for the benefits > that > come from that, how would our water supply be affected? Can the lake > and > aquifers come close to handling that? (I have no idea, but maybe > someone > here does?) > > -Andy > > > _______________________________________________ > For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County > area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > > RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: > SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org From gjem5760 at yahoo.com Thu Sep 25 05:04:09 2008 From: gjem5760 at yahoo.com (George Frantz) Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2008 05:04:09 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Water Crisis In-Reply-To: <48DB00A9.1050602@ithacacarshare.org> Message-ID: <310578.74171.qm@web44904.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> So here's a question to those that claim density will help solve some of our problems... If Ithaca was much denser to allow for the benefits that come from that, how would our water supply be affected? Can the lake and aquifers come close to handling that? (I have no idea, but maybe someone here does?) -AndyThis is an easy one. Increased density does not equal increased population.What it does mean is that we would have cities and towns that consume far lessland, generate far less pollution, including those associted with urban stormwaterrun-off, have far more available greenspace, including community garden space, and make far more efficient use of land, air, water, minerals and just about every otherresource at our disposal.The argument for density is not a claim. It's a reality manifested in about everyother country in the world outside ours.George Frantz???George Frantz _______________________________________________ For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org From Cnielsen56 at aol.com Thu Sep 25 05:07:00 2008 From: Cnielsen56 at aol.com (Cnielsen56 at aol.com) Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2008 08:07:00 EDT Subject: [SustainableTompkins] car pooling to Syracuse Message-ID: I am starting a new job in Syracuse, and wonder if there are many Ithacans interested in car pooling on a semi-regular basis. Christian Nielsen 227-7477 _cnielsen56 at gmail.com_ (mailto:cnielsen56 at gmail.com) (don't clutter the listserv with responses) **************Looking for simple solutions to your real-life financial challenges? Check out WalletPop for the latest news and information, tips and calculators. (http://www.walletpop.com/?NCID=emlcntuswall00000001) From mbrown at ithaca.edu Thu Sep 25 06:37:27 2008 From: mbrown at ithaca.edu (Marian Brown) Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2008 09:37:27 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Sustainability Cafe on Monday, September 29 to feature Jon Jensen from the Park Foundation Message-ID: <48DB9417.5060206@ithaca.edu> The next topic for Sustainability Caf? will be, "One Thing Leads to Another: Environment, Nonprofits and Philanthropy." This Caf? will be held on Monday, September 29, at 4:00 p.m. in the Taughannock Falls Room in the Campus Center at Ithaca College http://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20080924095754760 For those coming from off-campus, this event is free and open to the public. Link to Ithaca College campus map: http://www.ithaca.edu/map/ Campus Center is building 9A/9B on the map Free visitor parking is available. Link to Ithaca College parking map: http://www.ithaca.edu/map/parking.php Ithaca College is also accessible via TCAT Route 11: http://tcat.nextinsight.com/routes.php?mrnid=183 From andy at ithacacarshare.org Thu Sep 25 07:45:59 2008 From: andy at ithacacarshare.org (Andy Goodell) Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2008 10:45:59 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Water Crisis In-Reply-To: <310578.74171.qm@web44904.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> References: <310578.74171.qm@web44904.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <48DBA427.7070809@ithacacarshare.org> How would Ithaca become more dense without the county population rising? Do you expect everyone outside of Ithaca to just pack up and move to the city? Population is rising in just about every place in the world. If Ithaca becomes more dense, I highly doubt that would make the people farther out want to live in a congested city. It is more likely that the increased density would just allow for more people aka more resource use. I know that a higher density CAN be more efficient, but you would need to restructure the way that people outside cities live, and there is absolutely no feasible way of doing that. Andy George Frantz wrote: > So here's a question to those that claim density will help solve some of > our problems... If Ithaca was much denser to allow for the benefits that > come from that, how would our water supply be affected? Can the lake and > aquifers come close to handling that? (I have no idea, but maybe someone > here does?) > > -AndyThis is an easy one. Increased density does not equal increased population.What it does mean is that we would have cities and towns that consume far lessland, generate far less pollution, including those associted with urban stormwaterrun-off, have far more available greenspace, including community garden space, and make far more efficient use of land, air, water, minerals and just about every otherresource at our disposal.The argument for density is not a claim. It's a reality manifested in about everyother country in the world outside ours.George Frantz George Frantz > > _______________________________________________ > For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please > visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > > RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: > SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > > > > > _______________________________________________ > For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > > RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: > SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > > > -- Andy Goodell Assistant Director www.IthacaCarshare.org 607.277.3210 From andy at ithacacarshare.org Thu Sep 25 08:09:49 2008 From: andy at ithacacarshare.org (Andy Goodell) Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:09:49 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Water Crisis In-Reply-To: <48DBA427.7070809@ithacacarshare.org> References: <310578.74171.qm@web44904.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> <48DBA427.7070809@ithacacarshare.org> Message-ID: <48DBA9BD.8040309@ithacacarshare.org> Let me rephrase that... Population is the single largest threat to human civilization. The world is already overpopulated, and we just reached Overshoot day. That is the day in the year when we have already used the amount of resources that could be generated in one year. We need drastic measure to reduce population in order to reduce emissions, resource use, etc, but obviously there are many moral issues to limiting population. Attempting to add density allows an easy step to allow more residents in the county. Unless at the same time there is a great effort to lower the population elsewhere, trying to make Ithaca more dense will only bring in more people wanting to use more resources. I don't know how many people the current water system here can handle, but increasing the population is a great way to find that limit. I can only hope that we don't need to find that limit. -Andy Andy Goodell wrote: > How would Ithaca become more dense without the county population rising? > Do you expect everyone outside of Ithaca to just pack up and move to the > city? Population is rising in just about every place in the world. If > Ithaca becomes more dense, I highly doubt that would make the people > farther out want to live in a congested city. It is more likely that the > increased density would just allow for more people aka more resource use. > > I know that a higher density CAN be more efficient, but you would need > to restructure the way that people outside cities live, and there is > absolutely no feasible way of doing that. > > Andy > > George Frantz wrote: >> So here's a question to those that claim density will help solve some of >> our problems... If Ithaca was much denser to allow for the benefits that >> come from that, how would our water supply be affected? Can the lake and >> aquifers come close to handling that? (I have no idea, but maybe someone >> here does?) >> >> -AndyThis is an easy one. Increased density does not equal increased population.What it does mean is that we would have cities and towns that consume far lessland, generate far less pollution, including those associted with urban stormwaterrun-off, have far more available greenspace, including community garden space, and make far more efficient use of land, air, water, minerals and just about every otherresource at our disposal.The argument for density is not a claim. It's a reality manifested in about everyother country in the world outside ours.George Frantz George Frantz >> >> _______________________________________________ >> For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please >> visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ >> >> RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: >> SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org >> http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins >> free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ >> >> RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: >> SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org >> http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins >> free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org >> >> >> > -- Andy Goodell Assistant Director www.IthacaCarshare.org 607.277.3210 From Joel.and.Sarah.Gagnon at lightlink.com Thu Sep 25 08:57:11 2008 From: Joel.and.Sarah.Gagnon at lightlink.com (Joel and Sarah Gagnon) Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:57:11 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Water Crisis In-Reply-To: <48DBA427.7070809@ithacacarshare.org> References: <310578.74171.qm@web44904.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> <310578.74171.qm@web44904.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <5.2.1.1.2.20080925115233.020655a0@pop.lightlink.com> Even if the increased density in the city were due to population growth in the region, that would be far preferable to a continuation of the sprawl we have seen. Focusing future growth in our historic population centers, perhaps augmented by nodal growth near or on major transportation routes, would be the most efficient way to accommodate growth while minimizing environmental impacts. We have the water. We have the land. We have the climate and the isolation from environmental extremes. In short, we have a place to which others may well move to get away from areas that will be much harder to live in as environmental extremes worsen. I don't think we should be trying to prevent in-migration, but we should be acting to preserve and husband our resources. Joel At 10:45 AM 9/25/08 -0400, you wrote: >How would Ithaca become more dense without the county population rising? >Do you expect everyone outside of Ithaca to just pack up and move to the >city? Population is rising in just about every place in the world. If >Ithaca becomes more dense, I highly doubt that would make the people >farther out want to live in a congested city. It is more likely that the >increased density would just allow for more people aka more resource use. > >I know that a higher density CAN be more efficient, but you would need >to restructure the way that people outside cities live, and there is >absolutely no feasible way of doing that. > >Andy > >George Frantz wrote: > > So here's a question to those that claim density will help solve some of > > our problems... If Ithaca was much denser to allow for the benefits that > > come from that, how would our water supply be affected? Can the lake and > > aquifers come close to handling that? (I have no idea, but maybe someone > > here does?) > > > > -AndyThis is an easy one. Increased density does not equal increased > population.What it does mean is that we would have cities and towns that > consume far lessland, generate far less pollution, including those > associted with urban stormwaterrun-off, have far more available > greenspace, including community garden space, and make far more efficient > use of land, air, water, minerals and just about every otherresource at > our disposal.The argument for density is not a claim. It's a reality > manifested in about everyother country in the world outside ours.George > Frantz George Frantz > > > > _______________________________________________ > > For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, > please > > visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > > > > RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: > > SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org > > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, > please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > > > > RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: > > SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org > > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > > > > > > > >-- >Andy Goodell >Assistant Director >www.IthacaCarshare.org >607.277.3210 > > >_______________________________________________ >For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, >please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > >RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: >SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org >http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins >free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org From arf1945 at hotmail.com Thu Sep 25 09:41:06 2008 From: arf1945 at hotmail.com (Anne Rhodes) Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:41:06 +0000 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Water Crisis In-Reply-To: <48DBA9BD.8040309@ithacacarshare.org> References: <310578.74171.qm@web44904.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> <48DBA427.7070809@ithacacarshare.org> <48DBA9BD.8040309@ithacacarshare.org> Message-ID: I am responding to this part of Andy's message: "We need drastic measure to reduce population in order to reduce emissions, resource use, etc, but obviously there are many moral issues to limiting population."> The clear, moral, efficient, and workable way to reduce population worldwide: EDUCATE WOMEN. Simple, but not easy. But research shows that when girls and women are educated and given choices in their society they opt to have fewer babies. These changes can happen in one generation - as in, those who are girls right now. What are the implications for Tompkins County? Are we doing a good job of educating girls and women county-wide? Do girls and women across NYS in all demographics have sufficient choices? How can we support these efforts in order to reduce population pressure? Those are my thoughts, Anne Rhodes> Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:09:49 -0400> From: andy at ithacacarshare.org> To: sustainabletompkins at lists.mutualaid.org> Subject: Re: [SustainableTompkins] Water Crisis> > Let me rephrase that...> > Population is the single largest threat to human civilization. The world > is already overpopulated, and we just reached Overshoot day. That is the > day in the year when we have already used the amount of resources that > could be generated in one year. We need drastic measure to reduce > population in order to reduce emissions, resource use, etc, but > obviously there are many moral issues to limiting population.> > Attempting to add density allows an easy step to allow more residents in > the county. Unless at the same time there is a great effort to lower the > population elsewhere, trying to make Ithaca more dense will only bring > in more people wanting to use more resources.> > I don't know how many people the current water system here can handle, > but increasing the population is a great way to find that limit. I can > only hope that we don't need to find that limit.> > -Andy> > Andy Goodell wrote:> > How would Ithaca become more dense without the county population rising? > > Do you expect everyone outside of Ithaca to just pack up and move to the > > city? Population is rising in just about every place in the world. If > > Ithaca becomes more dense, I highly doubt that would make the people > > farther out want to live in a congested city. It is more likely that the > > increased density would just allow for more people aka more resource use.> > > > I know that a higher density CAN be more efficient, but you would need > > to restructure the way that people outside cities live, and there is > > absolutely no feasible way of doing that.> > > > Andy> > > > George Frantz wrote:> >> So here's a question to those that claim density will help solve some of > >> our problems... If Ithaca was much denser to allow for the benefits that > >> come from that, how would our water supply be affected? Can the lake and > >> aquifers come close to handling that? (I have no idea, but maybe someone > >> here does?)> >>> >> -AndyThis is an easy one. Increased density does not equal increased population.What it does mean is that we would have cities and towns that consume far lessland, generate far less pollution, including those associted with urban stormwaterrun-off, have far more available greenspace, including community garden space, and make far more efficient use of land, air, water, minerals and just about every otherresource at our disposal.The argument for density is not a claim. It's a reality manifested in about everyother country in the world outside ours.George Frantz George Frantz> >>> >> _______________________________________________> >> For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please> >> visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > >>> >> RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for:> >> SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org> >> http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins> >> free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org> >>> >>> >>> >> > >> _______________________________________________> >> For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > >>> >> RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for:> >> SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org> >> http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins> >> free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org> >>> >>> >>> > > > -- > Andy Goodell> Assistant Director> www.IthacaCarshare.org> 607.277.3210> > > _______________________________________________> For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > > RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for:> SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org> http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins> free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org _________________________________________________________________ See how Windows connects the people, information, and fun that are part of your life. http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/msnnkwxp1020093175mrt/direct/01/ From jeniwightman at gmail.com Thu Sep 25 12:09:20 2008 From: jeniwightman at gmail.com (Jenifer Wightman) Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:09:20 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] critique of LEED buildings Message-ID: Hey folks, so Henry Gifford gave a talk last night and has written a critique on LEED/Green building certification. thought it might interest. for the article he wrote which is a little redundant, go to www.henrygifford.com and scroll down to: Building Measuring Systems: My favorite way to rate the energy efficiency of buildings: By how much energy they actually use. Click Here for the article Read the e-mail the US Green Building Council sent to each chapter leader in response to the revelation that LEED buildings use more energy than comparable buildings: Click Here for e-mail, with rebuttal *** the second document is the USGBC answer to his article with Henry's rebuttal in red. amazing how there are 6 billion ways of seeing this single world. what is the path to global rationality through locally contextual logic? j From levelgreeninstitute at yahoo.com Thu Sep 25 12:39:47 2008 From: levelgreeninstitute at yahoo.com (Patricia Haines) Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:39:47 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [SustainableTompkins] engagaing the Water Crisis through the arts In-Reply-To: <5.2.1.1.2.20080925115233.020655a0@pop.lightlink.com> Message-ID: <27685.97854.qm@web62101.mail.re1.yahoo.com> there are a growing number of artists dedicating their work to opening minds to the growing water crisis. One of the most prominent of these is ICHI IKEDA, who - with assistance from Cornell's East Asia Program - did a residency with the South Cayuga School District several years ago - and is interested in coming back to Ithaca.I'm in conversation with the Cornell E.Asia program, Waterfront Trail and Erie Canal folks, and Ikeda himself about this possibility. We would like him to come here, anchor a symposium on the global water situation, and create a work on or by the Lake.Everything Ikeda does involves community members, of all ages. For information on his passionate commitment to art as activism - in his case, about water - see , www.greenmuseum.org/content/artist_index/artist_id-91.html, <3r2n.cfa.cmu.edu/groundworks/statements/IchiIkeda.pdf>, and/or www.un.org/Pubs/chronicle/tolerance/ichi.html . This last is from last May's seminar on art & environment at the UN, when I met Ikeda and introduced the idea of a return Ithaca visit. From greenmuseum.org:Ichi Ikeda The remarkable Osaka-born artist Ichi Ikeda, considers water to be Earth's most precious resource and the medium which will help deliver our planet safely into the future. As a result, he has dedicated the majority of his prolific career to raising global awareness around water issues and conservation through international conferences, community activism, public performance and interactive WaterArt installations. Ikeda encourages people to think of the larger context in which they live and to see how our current actions as individuals affect the Earth's future. He views the conscious networking of concerned individuals as a key to sustainability. His art serves as a catalyst for change and an inspirational focal point for the exchange of water-related information. The artist addresses these important issues through both large and small scale interventions. During his Big Hands Conference in 2002, Ikeda orchestrated an educational symposium in Bangkok which featured an interactive gallery installation with images of large cupped hands holding water, factual information and a recording of poetry by the artist. "We the Peoples are to be born on the earth, caressed in a cradle of water and growing as it grows. All lives live in harmony. The rivers ??.?.(Read more)If any of you would like to be part of this project, let me know.Patricia Haines 339-9472 From gaynicholson at aol.com Thu Sep 25 18:03:00 2008 From: gaynicholson at aol.com (Gay Nicholson) Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2008 21:03:00 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Fwd: Planning & Zoning Initiative on Senior Housing References: <48DB9916.3DB1.0030.0@ofa.state.ny.us> Message-ID: Hello Friends, Would those of you who provided comments on the Planning and Zoning Initiative for Senior Housing please let me know if you would like to receive updates on the project? They seemed to really appreciate the quality of your feedback! See below. thanks, Gay Begin forwarded message: > From: "Vera Prosper" > Date: September 25, 2008 1:58:58 PM EDT > To: > Subject: Planning & Zoning Initiative > > Gay, > > I am finishing up with organizing the numerous comments we received > from attendees in the break-out sessions at the September 4 Planning > and Zoning Initiative meeting. > > I wanted to thank you for the packet of comments you solicited from > members of your Sustainable Tompkins project--that was such a great > idea and I appreciate your thinking of doing it. The comments were > excellent, and I have incorporated them into the summary I am > preparing to send back out to everyone. > > I hope to get the summary out next week. > > If you think it is okay, and you think they would be interested, I > can add your members' names to the email group to receive updates on > the project. Let me know whether I should do this or not. > > Best, > Vera > > Vera Prosper, PhD > Senior Policy Analyst > Principal, Project 2015 National Initiative > New York State Office for the Aging > 2 Empire State Plaza > Albany, New York 12223 > (518) 474-4382 > vera.prosper at ofa.state.ny.us > > Save the date of November 12 & 13 for Conference on Community > Empowerment: Empowering Communities for Successful Aging...Housing, > Neighborhood Supports, and Services to be held in Saratoga Springs. > Registration is now available at http://www.empoweringnycommunities.org > > Please visit NYSOFA's website at http://www.aging.ny.gov > > IMPORTANT NOTICE: This e-mail and any attachments may contain > confidential or sensitive information which is, or may be, legally > privileged or otherwise protected by law from further disclosure. > It is intended only for the addressee. If you received this in > error or from someone who was not authorized to send it to you, > please do not distribute, copy or use it or any attachments. Please > notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and delete this from > your system. Thank you for your cooperation. ---------------------------------------------------- Gay Nicholson, Ph.D. 607-533-7312 (home office) 607-279-6618 (cell) 1 Maple Avenue Lansing, NY 14882 gaynicholson at aol.com Sustainable Tompkins Program Coordinator www.sustainabletompkins.org Southern Tier Energy$mart Communities Regional Coordinator Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850 agn1 at cornell.edu From nidus at pinax.com Thu Sep 25 17:58:59 2008 From: nidus at pinax.com (Bethany Schroeder) Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:58:59 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Fwd: Planning & Zoning Initiative on Senior Housing In-Reply-To: References: <48DB9916.3DB1.0030.0@ofa.state.ny.us> Message-ID: <48DC33D3.30001@pinax.com> I'd be interested to hear what happened, Gay. Bethany Gay Nicholson wrote: > Hello Friends, > > Would those of you who provided comments on the Planning and Zoning > Initiative for Senior Housing please let me know if you would like to > receive updates on the project? > > They seemed to really appreciate the quality of your feedback! See > below. > > thanks, > Gay > > > Begin forwarded message: > > >> From: "Vera Prosper" >> Date: September 25, 2008 1:58:58 PM EDT >> To: >> Subject: Planning & Zoning Initiative >> >> Gay, >> >> I am finishing up with organizing the numerous comments we received >> from attendees in the break-out sessions at the September 4 Planning >> and Zoning Initiative meeting. >> >> I wanted to thank you for the packet of comments you solicited from >> members of your Sustainable Tompkins project--that was such a great >> idea and I appreciate your thinking of doing it. The comments were >> excellent, and I have incorporated them into the summary I am >> preparing to send back out to everyone. >> >> I hope to get the summary out next week. >> >> If you think it is okay, and you think they would be interested, I >> can add your members' names to the email group to receive updates on >> the project. Let me know whether I should do this or not. >> >> Best, >> Vera >> >> Vera Prosper, PhD >> Senior Policy Analyst >> Principal, Project 2015 National Initiative >> New York State Office for the Aging >> 2 Empire State Plaza >> Albany, New York 12223 >> (518) 474-4382 >> vera.prosper at ofa.state.ny.us >> >> Save the date of November 12 & 13 for Conference on Community >> Empowerment: Empowering Communities for Successful Aging...Housing, >> Neighborhood Supports, and Services to be held in Saratoga Springs. >> Registration is now available at http://www.empoweringnycommunities.org >> >> Please visit NYSOFA's website at http://www.aging.ny.gov >> >> IMPORTANT NOTICE: This e-mail and any attachments may contain >> confidential or sensitive information which is, or may be, legally >> privileged or otherwise protected by law from further disclosure. >> It is intended only for the addressee. If you received this in >> error or from someone who was not authorized to send it to you, >> please do not distribute, copy or use it or any attachments. Please >> notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and delete this from >> your system. Thank you for your cooperation. >> > > ---------------------------------------------------- > Gay Nicholson, Ph.D. > > 607-533-7312 (home office) > 607-279-6618 (cell) > > 1 Maple Avenue > Lansing, NY 14882 > gaynicholson at aol.com > > Sustainable Tompkins > Program Coordinator > www.sustainabletompkins.org > > Southern Tier Energy$mart Communities > Regional Coordinator > Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County > 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850 > agn1 at cornell.edu > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > > RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: > SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > > From lennon_kat at hotmail.com Thu Sep 25 19:39:11 2008 From: lennon_kat at hotmail.com (Kat McCarthy) Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2008 02:39:11 +0000 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Chapter House * Friday at 5 * Sustainability Happy Hour Message-ID: Sustainability Chappy Hour! Again? Welllllll, in honor of an esteemed guest, we have moved SHH back up the hill this Friday. Stop by to learn who on earth it could be... Or just stop by for good drink, good convo, and a good time. Sustainability Happy Hour Friday at 5 Chapter House From mmw5 at cornell.edu Fri Sep 26 05:14:09 2008 From: mmw5 at cornell.edu (Micheal Wheeler) Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2008 08:14:09 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Joanna Macy in Ithaca In-Reply-To: <229355.79100.qm@web52505.mail.re2.yahoo.com> References: <229355.79100.qm@web52505.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <7e85ac6a0809260514s387ba288j4eebc3badd2e481b@mail.gmail.com> And for those who can't make it (or want a taste even before tonight) she has video on the web at http://www.turntowardlife.tv/ On Fri, Aug 15, 2008 at 11:40 AM, Eric Banford wrote: > A weekend with Joanna Macy!! > > Hope to see some of you there! > Eric > > > The Great Turning > > Friday, Sept. 26, 2008 7PM - 9:30PM Cost: $25 Children under 17: > $10 > (NO credit cards accepted. Just cash or personal checks, please.) > > First Presbyterian Church 315 N. Cayuga St. Ithaca, N.Y. 14850 > > This evening, combining experiential work with lecture and discussion, > will focus on the larger context of our lives and work: the shift from the > industrial growth society to a life-sustaining civilization. This > revolution is the essential adventure of our time. Joanna will reflect on > the character and dimensions of this "Great Turning," and the many ways we > can take part in it. Joanna will share concepts and methods from her work > empowering social and environmental activists around the world. > > > Taking Heart in Tough Times > > Sat.&Sun., Sept. 27-28, 2008 9AM ? 4:30PM Cost: $175. (At > Nature's Song, 217 Peter Rd., Willseyville, NY 13864) > > (Must attend Friday night since that is the beginning of the workshop. > Friday night fee will be applied to the cost.) > To ensure an intimate environment, attendance will be limited to 70 > people. > > There are powers for the healing of our world, and they have nothing to do > with military might or military technology. These powers arise directly from > the self-organizing and life-generating relationships of Earth, our deep > ecology. In our days together we will learn to apply the power of our deep > ecology to guide and sustain us in our work for the world. > > The most remarkable feature of this historical moment on Earth is not that > we are on the way to destroying our world--we've actually been on the way > for quite a while. It is that we are beginning to wake up, as if from a > millennia-long sleep, to a whole new relationship to our world, ourselves > and each other. > > The Work That Reconnects is a pioneering form of group work which brings > direct experience of our interconnectedness in the web of life and our > authority to take action on its behalf. It has helped many thousands around > the globe find insight, solidarity, and courage to act, despite rapidly > worsening conditions. > > We will draw insights from systems theory, deep ecology, and movements for > social change, as well as ancient teachings (primarily Buddhist). > Interactive exercises will help us see more clearly the changes we want to > make in our lives and the roles we can play in creating a just and > nonviolent world. Spiritual and social practices that sustain during tough > times will be shared. > > Full time attendance is required. Come prepared to fall in love again with > life. > > -- "A backward poet writes inverse." From elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us Fri Sep 26 08:17:36 2008 From: elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us (Elan Shapiro) Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2008 11:17:36 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Urban farming/Food Equity hero get genius award -great video Message-ID: Will Allen of Growing Power Milwaukee, wins McArthur Genius Grant Award : inspiring short video, great food equity project http://www.metafilter.com/75169/Lets-Eat From jeniwightman at gmail.com Fri Sep 26 08:53:57 2008 From: jeniwightman at gmail.com (Jenifer Wightman) Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2008 11:53:57 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] hydrogen student design contest Message-ID: *From:* J Serfass [mailto:J.Serfass at carboncouncil.org] * * The Hydrogen Education Foundations' Hydrogen Student Design Contest this year is focused on buildings and hydrogen use. Take a look at the website and the just-published rules at www.hydrogencontest.org . Encourage students you know to take a look at this. Regards, Jeff Serfass President, Carbon Management Council 1211 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 600 Washington, DC 20036 202 640-6599 x312 202 223-5537 fax From brew_bird at yahoo.com Fri Sep 26 09:44:01 2008 From: brew_bird at yahoo.com (Eric Banford) Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2008 09:44:01 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Urban farming/Food Equity hero get genius award -great video Message-ID: <736773.86265.qm@web52502.mail.re2.yahoo.com> It took me some poking around to find the mentioned video, so I share here a direct link: http://www.macfound.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lkLXJ8MQKrH&b=4513915&ct=5984659 Inspiring stuff! Eric ----- Original Message ---- From: Elan Shapiro Sent: Friday, September 26, 2008 11:17:36 AM Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Urban farming/Food Equity hero get genius award -great video Will Allen of Growing Power Milwaukee, wins McArthur Genius Grant Award : inspiring short video, great food equity project http://www.metafilter.com/75169/Lets-Eat From winn.christopher at gmail.com Fri Sep 26 10:09:00 2008 From: winn.christopher at gmail.com (Christopher Winn) Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:09:00 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Urban farming/Food Equity hero get genius award -great video In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Imprint Magazine Life Editor Jessie Cacciola recently published an article concerning the growing student movement to localize the food served in the dining halls, and in homes. http://imprintmagazine.org/life/weekend_foodies > > > This list-serve is intended as a forum for free exchange of ideas and > information related to sustainability, including notices of upcoming > educational opportunities, on-campus or off-campus, that might be of > interest to the members of this group. > Members of this list are expected to be respectful of the opinions of > others and able to disagree without being disagreeable. > > To unsubscribe, go to Computing @ Ithaca to the MajorCool site, and follow > the directions. > From janq at zoom-dsl.com Fri Sep 26 11:13:39 2008 From: janq at zoom-dsl.com (Jan Quarles) Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2008 14:13:39 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Green Collar Career Fair Message-ID: <4A6131819E1D476385B662DAB5BB064C@user> Save the Date! We are pleased to announce a ground-breaking event -- the first of its kind in our region: Sustainable Tompkins' Green Collar Career Fair. It will be held on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 (8:30 am - 4:00 pm) at TC3's new athletic facility on the Dryden campus. TC3 is partnering with ST in hosting this event. Approximately 30-40 regional exhibitors will promote careers in various aspects of sustainability including energy, transportation, building, farms and food, green products, "catalyzers for change," and organizations who help us live more sustainably by adopting the "4Rs" (reduce, reuse, recycle or resell). >From 8:30 am to 1:30 pm, the Fair will be open to area youth (Grades 9-12) by registering on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, contact Victoria Zeppelin zeppelv at tc3.edu . We are expecting 500-700 high school students to be bussed in from Tompkins and surrounding counties to the event. >From 2:00-4:00 pm, the Fair will be open to college students and the public; no pre-registration is required. We anticipate that hundreds of college students from TC3, SUNY-Cortland, IC and CU, as well as adults will attend. Interested sponsors or press should contact Jan Quarles, Event Coordinator: jan at sustainabletompkins.org (607) 532-9288. From nidus at pinax.com Fri Sep 26 12:20:00 2008 From: nidus at pinax.com (Bethany Schroeder) Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2008 15:20:00 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] sealant for asphalt In-Reply-To: <4A6131819E1D476385B662DAB5BB064C@user> References: <4A6131819E1D476385B662DAB5BB064C@user> Message-ID: <48DD35E0.40902@pinax.com> Has anyone ever heard of acrylic sealant? We're researching the product but wondered whether anyone has had direct experience with it. Thanks. Bethany From jrstack at gmail.com Fri Sep 26 12:23:10 2008 From: jrstack at gmail.com (Josh Stack) Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2008 15:23:10 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] sealant for asphalt In-Reply-To: <48DD35E0.40902@pinax.com> References: <4A6131819E1D476385B662DAB5BB064C@user> <48DD35E0.40902@pinax.com> Message-ID: Bethany: What is the name of the actual product? Josh On Fri, Sep 26, 2008 at 3:20 PM, Bethany Schroeder wrote: > Has anyone ever heard of acrylic sealant? We're researching the product > but wondered whether anyone has had direct experience with it. > > Thanks. > > Bethany > > > _______________________________________________ > For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, > please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > > RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: > SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > -- This electronic mail transmission is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential information belonging to the sender which is protected by the attorney-client privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately by e-mail and delete the original message. From levelgreeninstitute at yahoo.com Fri Sep 26 12:36:40 2008 From: levelgreeninstitute at yahoo.com (Patricia Haines) Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:36:40 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [SustainableTompkins] The Arts of Sustainable Community: DOWNTOWN CREATIVITY DAY Sat Oct 4 In-Reply-To: <4A6131819E1D476385B662DAB5BB064C@user> Message-ID: <392385.27994.qm@web62107.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Thanks for passing this along to Friends & Relations (flower and butterfly fairies especially welcome):On Saturday, October 4th, from 1-5 pm on and around the Ithaca Commons, the Downtown Ithaca Alliance will host the 2nd in its series of family-friendly afternoons designed around themes from this year's Art in the Heart of the City outdoor sculptures.October 4th celebrates Kathy Bruce's "The Graces" and Kathleen Griffin's "Butterflies of Memory" with FREE- face painting with Barbara Ann Jordan & Friends- chalk drawing with Ithaca artist Ryan Curtis: create your own masterpiece!- Ithaca Children's Garden activities - dancing with local choreographers Kate Jones & Maren Waldman- 1000 Cranes for Peace with creative sustainability activist Julie Berger - magic show with Mike Stanley & the Cayuga Wizards - ICircus performance and on-going workshop- poetry-writing with Katharyn Howd Machan- open reading of The Poetry of Lois O'Connor- CRYSALIS workshop on The Art of Becoming, with Jaydn McCune- conversation with Wally Woods about the Butterfly Effect: Skills for 21st Century Living- and we're still trying to find a good space for a showing of Damaris & Eric 12th Moon's breathtaking multi-arts MANDALA performance, which was part of the Pranadhanas Spring '08 concert.Information will also be available on the Dept of Horticulture's "Garden-Based Learning" program, the new Living Sculpture movement, New Roots School, and other sustainability-related groups. If you'd like to table for your own organization, contact Patricia Haines at 339-9472. From andy at ithacacarshare.org Fri Sep 26 12:53:12 2008 From: andy at ithacacarshare.org (Andy Goodell) Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2008 15:53:12 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] critique of LEED buildings In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <48DD3DA8.6080101@ithacacarshare.org> There was quite a fuss made about the Golisano Hall LEED building which is now finished at Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY. In order to make room on the terraced slope of Oyaron Hill, they took down the college's second oldest building. To meet a certain amount of LEED points, only 18% of the building needed to be recycled, and the rest was added to the landfills. The question that everyone had was: Is it more sustainable to add a $16 million LEED building while landfilling an old one, or put that money towards renovating the old building to become efficient. To my understanding, LEED certification cannot be applied to existing buildings, which is likely why that option was not seriously considered. In my opinion, LEED certifications need to be completely overhauled. If it's true that many of these actually use more power than conventional buildings, that confirms that this system is highly flawed. The problem is that most of these buildings are not going up for sustainability reasons, but for marketing. College like Hartwick can now say "Look! We are sustainable with a LEED building!" But I can assure you that Hartwick has little care in the way of sustainability. -Andy Jenifer Wightman wrote: > Hey folks, > > so Henry Gifford gave a talk last night and has written a critique on > LEED/Green building certification. thought it might interest. > for the article he wrote which is a little redundant, go to > www.henrygifford.com > > and scroll down to: > Building Measuring Systems: My favorite way to rate the energy efficiency of > buildings: > By how much energy they actually use. Click Here for the > article > > Read the e-mail the US Green Building Council sent to each chapter leader > in response to the revelation that LEED buildings use more energy than > comparable buildings: Click Here for e-mail, with > rebuttal > *** > > the second document is the USGBC answer to his article with Henry's rebuttal > in red. > > amazing how there are 6 billion ways of seeing this single world. what is > the path to global rationality through locally contextual logic? > j > _______________________________________________ > For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > > RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: > SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > > > -- Andy Goodell Assistant Director www.IthacaCarshare.org 607.277.3210 From nidus at pinax.com Fri Sep 26 12:57:20 2008 From: nidus at pinax.com (Bethany Schroeder) Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2008 15:57:20 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] sealant for asphalt In-Reply-To: References: <4A6131819E1D476385B662DAB5BB064C@user> <48DD35E0.40902@pinax.com> Message-ID: <48DD3EA0.2070104@pinax.com> It's just called Acrylic Sealant, a product that Big Boys Sealant Inc. likes to use rather than coal tar products. Bethany Josh Stack wrote: > Bethany: > > What is the name of the actual product? > > Josh > > > On Fri, Sep 26, 2008 at 3:20 PM, Bethany Schroeder wrote: > > >> Has anyone ever heard of acrylic sealant? We're researching the product >> but wondered whether anyone has had direct experience with it. >> >> Thanks. >> >> Bethany >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, >> please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ >> >> RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: >> SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org >> http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins >> free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org >> >> > > > > From drk5 at cornell.edu Fri Sep 26 13:45:27 2008 From: drk5 at cornell.edu (Dean Koyanagi) Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:45:27 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] critique of LEED buildings In-Reply-To: <48DD3DA8.6080101@ithacacarshare.org> References: <48DD3DA8.6080101@ithacacarshare.org> Message-ID: <48DD49E7.6020309@cornell.edu> Hi Andy, Just an FYI: There actually is an entire program of the US Green Building Council for Existing Buildings- they call it LEED-EB. (http://www.usgbc.org/LEED/eb/ ) There will also be a new LEED-NC (that's new construction) rating system coming out shortly that increases how points are weighed for energy. I agree that where possible, renovation is preferable, but since I don't know if the previous building was able to be renovated to fit their needs, I won't comment on Golisano Hall. I suspect the building was going up for a specific set of needs, and that the LEED rating was never a driver to build a 36,000 sq ft building. Dean Andy Goodell wrote: > There was quite a fuss made about the Golisano Hall LEED building which > is now finished at Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY. In order to make > room on the terraced slope of Oyaron Hill, they took down the college's > second oldest building. To meet a certain amount of LEED points, only > 18% of the building needed to be recycled, and the rest was added to the > landfills. > > The question that everyone had was: Is it more sustainable to add a $16 > million LEED building while landfilling an old one, or put that money > towards renovating the old building to become efficient. To my > understanding, LEED certification cannot be applied to existing > buildings, which is likely why that option was not seriously considered. > > In my opinion, LEED certifications need to be completely overhauled. If > it's true that many of these actually use more power than conventional > buildings, that confirms that this system is highly flawed. > > The problem is that most of these buildings are not going up for > sustainability reasons, but for marketing. College like Hartwick can now > say "Look! We are sustainable with a LEED building!" But I can assure > you that Hartwick has little care in the way of sustainability. > > -Andy > > > From janq at zoom-dsl.com Fri Sep 26 15:12:02 2008 From: janq at zoom-dsl.com (Jan Quarles) Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:12:02 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Green Collar Career Fair - save the date! Message-ID: Save the Date! We are pleased to announce a ground-breaking event -- the first of its kind in our region: Sustainable Tompkins' Green Collar Career Fair. It will be held on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 (8:30 am - 4:00 pm) at TC3's new athletic facility in the Fieldhouse on the Dryden campus. TC3 is partnering with ST in hosting this event. Approximately 30-40 regional exhibitors will promote careers in various aspects of sustainability including energy, transportation, building, local farms and food, green products, "catalyzers for change," and organizations who help us live more sustainably by adopting the "4Rs" (reduce, reuse, recycle or resell). >From 8:30 am to 1:30 pm, the Fair will be open to area youth (Grades 9-12) by registering on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, contact Victoria Zeppelin zeppelv at tc3.edu . We are expecting 500-700 high school students to be bussed in from Tompkins and surrounding counties to the event. >From 2:00-4:00 pm, the Fair will be open to college students and the public; no pre-registration is required. We anticipate that hundreds of college students from TC3, SUNY-Cortland, IC and CU, as well as adults will attend. Interested sponsors or press may contact Jan Quarles, Event Coordinator: jan at sustainabletompkins.org (607) 532-9288. From Joel.and.Sarah.Gagnon at lightlink.com Sat Sep 27 07:28:44 2008 From: Joel.and.Sarah.Gagnon at lightlink.com (Joel and Sarah Gagnon) Date: Sat, 27 Sep 2008 10:28:44 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] sealant for asphalt In-Reply-To: <48DD35E0.40902@pinax.com> References: <4A6131819E1D476385B662DAB5BB064C@user> <4A6131819E1D476385B662DAB5BB064C@user> Message-ID: <5.2.1.1.2.20080927102058.020650d0@pop.lightlink.com> Acrylic is the plastic in so-called "latex" caulks and paints. The highest quality paints are 100% acrylic latex in the resin portion of the paint. Among caulks, there are several competing high-quality bases, including urethane. I have no experience using these caulks on asphalt or concrete cracks, but they would have superior elasticity compared to petroleum-based products. Joel At 03:20 PM 9/26/08 -0400, you wrote: >Has anyone ever heard of acrylic sealant? We're researching the product >but wondered whether anyone has had direct experience with it. > >Thanks. > >Bethany > > >_______________________________________________ >For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, >please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > >RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: >SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org >http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins >free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org From levelgreeninstitute at yahoo.com Sat Sep 27 07:57:51 2008 From: levelgreeninstitute at yahoo.com (Patricia Haines) Date: Sat, 27 Sep 2008 07:57:51 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Biochar for Ithaca area? In-Reply-To: <1515a9290809211124r7cd9ae74t83b4df76d2dca7e0@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <578037.65226.qm@web62103.mail.re1.yahoo.com> how can we produce biochar locally? given county prohibitions about open burning - I'd like to learn more about this promising way to bring the Earth's soils back to high productivity, essential given growing food shortages ??? --- On Sun, 9/21/08, Ryan Hottle wrote: > From: Ryan Hottle > Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Dr. James Hansen and Others Endorse Biochar as Vital Solution to Climate Change > To: > Date: Sunday, September 21, 2008, 2:24 PM > Dear Climate Solution Thinkers: > Read the latest endorsements of Carbon Negative Energy from > Biochar > Production at www.GlobalClimateSolutions.org including Dr. > James Hansen who > has recently stated that: > > "Carbon sequestration in soil also has significant > potential. Biochar, > produced in pyrolysis of residues from crops, forestry, and > animal wastes, > can be used to restore soil fertility while storing carbon > for centuries to > millennia. Biochar helps soil retain nutrients and > fertilizers, reducing > emissions of GHGs such as N2O. Replacing slash-and-burn > agriculture with > slash-and-char and use of agricultural and forestry wastes > for biochar > production could provide a CO2 drawdown of ~8 ppm or more > in half a > century." > > As always, we're looking for serious sustainable > solutions to climate > change. If you would like to submit a piece please visit > our website for > instructions. > > What we choose to do--or not to do--will make all the > difference. Be > determined to work together and to win! > > Respectfully, > Ryan D. Hottle > > -- > GLOBAL CLIMATE SOLUTIONS > > www.GlobalClimateSolutions.org > serious, sustainable solutions to climate change including > carbon-negative > energy > > submit your ideas and articles on-line at: > www.GlobalClimateSolutions.org > _______________________________________________ > For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins > County area, please visit: > http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > > RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: > SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org From levelgreeninstitute at yahoo.com Sat Sep 27 08:02:59 2008 From: levelgreeninstitute at yahoo.com (Patricia Haines) Date: Sat, 27 Sep 2008 08:02:59 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Level Green Sustainability Sundays on hold until next summer In-Reply-To: <1515a9290809211124r7cd9ae74t83b4df76d2dca7e0@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <223076.53790.qm@web62104.mail.re1.yahoo.com> We had planned two more sunday afternoon gatherings - but, thanks to reminders from some of you, we are pleased to yield to other important activities elsewhere - especially the October 5th Grandmothers (in lieu of Tina's update on the New Roots School, scheduled for Oct 5th at Level Green) CONGRATS to Tina & Crew for success with the charter!!! surely worth a celebration - with significance reaching far beyond Ithaca. Charter schools are intended to be trial-runs that will enrich schooling at larger, and ours is sure to generate important validating evidence of the power and efficacy of collaborative community approaches to learning From jcn at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us Sat Sep 27 08:11:03 2008 From: jcn at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us (Joe Nolan) Date: Sat, 27 Sep 2008 11:11:03 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Biochar for Ithaca area? In-Reply-To: <578037.65226.qm@web62103.mail.re1.yahoo.com> References: <578037.65226.qm@web62103.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <48DE4D07.3040606@ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us> Patricia Haines wrote: > how can we produce biochar locally? given county prohibitions about open burning - > Come to the biochar talk at Home Green Home on Oct. 15 at 6:30pm... From elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us Sun Sep 28 03:59:44 2008 From: elansla at ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us (Elan Shapiro) Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2008 06:59:44 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Sustainability picks from "Best of Ithaca 2008"? Message-ID: Here's an interesting catalogue of what some Ithaca Times readers think about "best" local sustainability initiatives (existing or needed). Elan Best Sustainability Idea/Initiatives from Best of Ithaca 2008 section of current Ithaca Times -Can't wait to see how Ithaca Car-share works out! hopefully that will sail, and we will have more car-sharing! -Wind and solar energy everywhere we can install it! -Text book rental service for students -Mandatory Composting -Teach local community development. Participating in CSA's or local food growth, supporting local business and caring and supporting those in the local community who may not be so fortunate as to afford these initial steps. I know this is already being done but it needs to be broadcast louder and deeper to people. -Car Share -Carless hours on selected streets, diagonal crosswalks, Bike lanes (2008!), Municipal farm and energy production. -Wind Turbine Farm -Fix some of the water flows/pollution. -The amount of CSA's in the area! -Car Free - ok i settle for 50 education- and an increase of trolleys and trains and water vehicles. -Lets REALLY get progressive. Enough patting ourselves on the back and being one better than the worst. F---ing bike lanes already, and free public transport, and enough goddamn stores that funnel $$$ out of the community. I mean come on! -Ithaca Hours -That it's an open minded community (some of it) -Solar Power -Do better night police patrols -Solar power on all downtown buildings -Hydrogen Fuel Stations -Cheaper housing /community living -Local Food Initiative -Carshare -Carshare -Continue no-waste at the festivals -Better, more efficient public transportation. -recycling -CarShare -Carshare -compost-able utensils, take-out boxes, places, etc. -Carshare -Get rid of parking meters. -Safe bike trails on sides of roads, carhare, all the local produce and markets. -Help Ithaca become more walker/biker/mass transit friendly. -Go More Green! -Carshare -Electric Trolley -Bike plan -Cheaper Public transportation that goes to more places. Less cars in general. Car free zones -Continue recycling h20 bottles, etc.. -local foods campaign -Car free zone -50 cent fares for TCAT -Solar power on public buildings, wind power. -Solar panels, like on the library. -geo-thermal for new construction -local food program, CSA's etc.. -Bike to work, build bike paths -Green business building at Ithaca College -Green fund for local carbon offsets! -Bring back Stewart Park for swimming and picnic. -Go Green! -Carbon Offsetting -A Train Station!! -Sustainability is the silliest word in the lexicon, for now. -Use the pavements to heat our homes -Corn recycle and compost-able plastic ware. -Keep cost of living down -Co-op extension -Large scale composting -WInd Power -Geothermal, lake shore cooling -More stores, jobs, and housing. -Designated Bike Lanes -Carshare -Walk. No really. Just walk to where you're going. Or ride your bike. It's simple. -Ithaca Car Share -A bridge over the lake connecting 96 and 13 -Produce a book that highlights the many wonderful, sustainable programs, organizations, and initiatives in Ithaca. Include histories and advice from initiators, and leaders of these sustainable programs and market it to people in other cities , especially policymakers, who want to help make their area more sustainable. -Finish waterfront trails -Functional bike trails/paths around town -Create city co-op for purchasing energy--efficient home and business supplies (insulation, windows, lights, etc.) at lower cost. -Comprehensive bus service to outlying communities -The new Reuse center -Pod Cars -Better public transportation -Sustainable Tompkins -Add more events -Windmill project -Wind farms -More initiatives for solar panel usage on houses, more initiatives for composting everywhere. Incentives get people to try new things. -Public transport -Green senior housing -Local community gardens like in New York City, not just the co-op! -More TCAT buses at cheaper prices and higher parking fees to encourage bus usage -Green power for all city buildings/offices -More affordable quality housing -Green power/wind power -Organic farming -The transport circle CU is thinking of putting in -All city cars hybrids -Cooking, gardening and composting classes at the Farmer's Market -LEED buildings at IC -Six Mile Creek water plant -Bicycle lanes. I know I would ride my bike more places if I didn't think I would die -Medical marijuana -Enfield Elementary's Go Green Project -Wind and solar power for every house -Compost initiative, more recycling (how about every week?) -Mass transit gondola system ... like in Disney World -Backyard gardening -Get off the grid, the entire city. -Renewable energy source -TCAT free to all -More bike paths -Make the city pedestrian -Compost bins on the commons at all times, not just during events. Possibly a composting center(s) around the downtown area, so that people in the downtown area without the room to compost (or for instance people like me who move every year or don't stay in the same home long enough to start a compost) can start to do so. The compost can be used during the spring when Ithaca plants flowers/plants. Etc. -Bike lanes -Create a coalition of engineers and economists (to join the usual "activists" here in Ithaca) to address the idea offered above [compete with other cities to become the Sustainable Energy capital of the U.S.] - The Green Building on the top of State Street seems like a good idea -Carshare -Bike lanes -Vertical wind turbine and solar panel installation -Go solar and hybrid all the vehicles -Wind farms -More tax breaks for solar power, especially for businesses -Alleviate traffic issues/cut down on driving -- Elan Shapiro Sustainable Tompkins Community Partnership Coordinator Sustainable Living Associates, Principal Frog's Way B&B 211 Rachel Carson Way Ithaca, NY 14850 607-275-0249 607-592-8402 Cell "We must be the change we want to see in the world" Mohandas Gandhi From phillipsville at gmail.com Mon Sep 29 15:14:03 2008 From: phillipsville at gmail.com (Miranda Phillips) Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 18:14:03 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] October 2 "Sustainable Health Care for All" -- If you're planning to come and wish to lend a hand... Message-ID: <665d29880809291514j74bc9factefcefb7711d86e78@mail.gmail.com> As recently advertised, Sustainable Tompkins' October monthly gathering "Sustainable Health Care for All" is this Thursday, Oct. 2, 6-8:30PM, at the Unitarian Church of Ithaca (306 N. Aurora). If you plan to come and wish to lend a hand, help is needed with the following: --Set-up (5-6PM) --clean-up (8:30-9:30PM) --potluck offerings: we encourage all attendees to bring a dish to pass to supplement the main course we provide. If you can offer something particularly ample (to serve 12), that would be warmly welcome. To help with any of the above, please be in touch. many thanks in advance for your support! Miranda -- Miranda Phillips Sustainable Tompkins Volunteer Coordinator miranda at sustainabletompkins.org 402 Utica St Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 277 1241 From mbrown at ithaca.edu Mon Sep 29 06:03:55 2008 From: mbrown at ithaca.edu (Marian Brown) Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:03:55 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] critique of LEED buildings In-Reply-To: <48DD3DA8.6080101@ithacacarshare.org> References: <48DD3DA8.6080101@ithacacarshare.org> Message-ID: <48E0D23B.7050902@ithaca.edu> Hi, Andy (et al). Actually, there is a separate LEED system for Existing Buildings (LEED_EB) which should have helped address some of those considerations. Certainly the LEED system recognizes that it is more sustainable to preserve existing than to "start over". However, I can also attest to the fact that many old buildings are extremely problematic to renovate, both for energy efficiency AND for accessibility AND for integration of modern technology... I certainly cannot speak to Hartwick's decision-making in this way, but it is equally possible to be proud of a LEED-certified renovated building, too. Marian Andy Goodell wrote: > There was quite a fuss made about the Golisano Hall LEED building which > is now finished at Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY. In order to make > room on the terraced slope of Oyaron Hill, they took down the college's > second oldest building. To meet a certain amount of LEED points, only > 18% of the building needed to be recycled, and the rest was added to the > landfills. > > The question that everyone had was: Is it more sustainable to add a $16 > million LEED building while landfilling an old one, or put that money > towards renovating the old building to become efficient. To my > understanding, LEED certification cannot be applied to existing > buildings, which is likely why that option was not seriously considered. > > In my opinion, LEED certifications need to be completely overhauled. If > it's true that many of these actually use more power than conventional > buildings, that confirms that this system is highly flawed. > > The problem is that most of these buildings are not going up for > sustainability reasons, but for marketing. College like Hartwick can now > say "Look! We are sustainable with a LEED building!" But I can assure > you that Hartwick has little care in the way of sustainability. > > -Andy > > > Jenifer Wightman wrote: > >> Hey folks, >> >> so Henry Gifford gave a talk last night and has written a critique on >> LEED/Green building certification. thought it might interest. >> for the article he wrote which is a little redundant, go to >> www.henrygifford.com >> >> and scroll down to: >> Building Measuring Systems: My favorite way to rate the energy efficiency of >> buildings: >> By how much energy they actually use. Click Here for the >> article >> >> Read the e-mail the US Green Building Council sent to each chapter leader >> in response to the revelation that LEED buildings use more energy than >> comparable buildings: Click Here for e-mail, with >> rebuttal >> *** >> >> the second document is the USGBC answer to his article with Henry's rebuttal >> in red. >> >> amazing how there are 6 billion ways of seeing this single world. what is >> the path to global rationality through locally contextual logic? >> j >> _______________________________________________ >> For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ >> >> RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: >> SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org >> http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins >> free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org >> >> >> >> > > From andy at ithacacarshare.org Mon Sep 29 08:56:32 2008 From: andy at ithacacarshare.org (Andy Goodell) Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:56:32 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] critique of LEED buildings In-Reply-To: <48DD49E7.6020309@cornell.edu> References: <48DD3DA8.6080101@ithacacarshare.org> <48DD49E7.6020309@cornell.edu> Message-ID: <48E0FAB0.3000800@ithacacarshare.org> Dean et. al., Thanks for the info. I was unaware that LEED was extending to existing buildings, but that is good to hear. Who knows with Golisano/Arnold Halls what the options could have been, but the new building actually had one less classroom and smaller office spaces in exchange for "break out" rooms to promote more group work. It sounds like a good idea, but I think they made a few too many of those very small rooms that cannot be expanded to make larger rooms, which could have been incorporated into the design. Since this building was funded in part by the politician Golisano, I am leaning very far on the view that this was unnecessary building to have a new building named after someone with some power behind his name. Hartwick was itching to have a large donation to name the 2 newest residence halls, which were unnamed for about 10 years. Also, there were many "sustainable" practices that easily could have been made during this process, which were not, and lead to the students comments in disgust of a new building for the sake of sounding green. If efforts were made to recycle more than the minimum of Arnold Hall, or leave the trees infront of nearby halls, maybe people would have felt differently. -Andy Dean Koyanagi wrote: > Hi Andy, > > Just an FYI: There actually is an entire program of the US Green > Building Council for Existing Buildings- they call it LEED-EB. > (http://www.usgbc.org/LEED/eb/ ) There will also be a new LEED-NC > (that's new construction) rating system coming out shortly that > increases how points are weighed for energy. > > I agree that where possible, renovation is preferable, but since I don't > know if the previous building was able to be renovated to fit their > needs, I won't comment on Golisano Hall. I suspect the building was > going up for a specific set of needs, and that the LEED rating was never > a driver to build a 36,000 sq ft building. > > Dean > > Andy Goodell wrote: >> There was quite a fuss made about the Golisano Hall LEED building which >> is now finished at Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY. In order to make >> room on the terraced slope of Oyaron Hill, they took down the college's >> second oldest building. To meet a certain amount of LEED points, only >> 18% of the building needed to be recycled, and the rest was added to the >> landfills. >> >> The question that everyone had was: Is it more sustainable to add a $16 >> million LEED building while landfilling an old one, or put that money >> towards renovating the old building to become efficient. To my >> understanding, LEED certification cannot be applied to existing >> buildings, which is likely why that option was not seriously considered. >> >> In my opinion, LEED certifications need to be completely overhauled. If >> it's true that many of these actually use more power than conventional >> buildings, that confirms that this system is highly flawed. >> >> The problem is that most of these buildings are not going up for >> sustainability reasons, but for marketing. College like Hartwick can now >> say "Look! We are sustainable with a LEED building!" But I can assure >> you that Hartwick has little care in the way of sustainability. >> >> -Andy >> >> >> > > _______________________________________________ > For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > > RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: > SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > > > -- Andy Goodell Assistant Director www.IthacaCarshare.org 607.277.3210 From michael at fingerlakespermaculture.org Mon Sep 29 12:51:37 2008 From: michael at fingerlakespermaculture.org (Michael Burns) Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:51:37 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Permie Party! Oct. 18 Message-ID: <42035.216.162.28.201.1222717897.squirrel@mail.panix.com> THE FINGER LAKES PERMACULTURE INSTITUTE http://www.FingerLakesPermaculture.org invites you to celebrate three good years with our ANNIVERSARY PARTY AND FUNDRAISER Saturday, October 18 3 p.m. until late at CayutaSun, Cayutaville NY http://www.cayuta.org $5 minimum suggested donation. *Live local music *Cob Bread Oven baking and BBQ *Late-night Haunted Swamp Walk *Permaculture Scavenger Hunt *Raffle (Items include massage, salsa lessons, permaculture consultation, and more.) *Purchase mushroom logs and FLPCI T-Shirts by donation Join FLPCI for our annual celebration with friends, past students, and newcomers interested in the design of regenerative systems. Help support our mission to promote permaculture education in the Finger Lakes bioregion. Network with local enthusiasts. Please bring a dish to supplement the bread baking and pizza making, and something to grill. Feel free to bring drinks. We will offer local Ithaca Beer. Feel free to bring a tent and spend the night. We have outhouses and a shower for campers. DIRECTIONS From Ithaca ~ Drive ten miles west on state route 79 to Mecklenburg. ~ Slow down at the five-way funky intersection in Mecklenburg and take the sharpest left onto county route 6. ~ Watch for deer as you head six miles south, past Cayutaville Rd and turn right onto South Swamp Road. ~ Look for the green metal roof, a windtower and party-goers on the right. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Earn your permaculture design certificate. The Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute offers affordable local classes. http://www.fingerlakespermaculture.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - From duckchow at potkettleblack.com Mon Sep 29 16:13:18 2008 From: duckchow at potkettleblack.com (Mark Piepkorn) Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:13:18 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] critique of LEED buildings In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <48e16111.4403be0a.76c9.61d9@mx.google.com> Henry's great. Here's an article about his critique, followed by a ton of great discussion - http://www.buildinggreen.com/live/index.cfm/2008/9/2/Lies-Damn-Lies-and-Are-LEED-Buildings-iLessi-Efficient-Than-Regular-Buildings or http://tinyurl.com/5m4bpr Mark Piepkorn At 03:09 PM 9/25/2008, Jenifer Wightman wrote: >Hey folks, > >so Henry Gifford gave a talk last night and has written a critique on >LEED/Green building certification. thought it might interest. >for the article he wrote which is a little redundant, go to >www.henrygifford.com > >and scroll down to: >Building Measuring Systems: My favorite way to rate the energy efficiency of >buildings: >By how much energy they actually use. Click Here for the >article > >Read the e-mail the US Green Building Council sent to each chapter leader >in response to the revelation that LEED buildings use more energy than >comparable buildings: Click Here for e-mail, with >rebuttal >*** > >the second document is the USGBC answer to his article with Henry's rebuttal >in red. > >amazing how there are 6 billion ways of seeing this single world. what is >the path to global rationality through locally contextual logic? >j From siki at frontiernet.net Mon Sep 29 11:44:02 2008 From: siki at frontiernet.net (Kristie) Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:44:02 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] flooring Message-ID: <10DCEC9751664347A41807C20BAE240B@Main> I'm looking to replace the flooring in three carpeted rooms in my house in the spring (two bedrooms, a playroom and a hall), and thought I would draw on the wisdom of others here... The current carpet is installed over a plywood subfloor that's in good condition. I am trying to decide between bamboo, hardwood or cork. We have tenants below us, and I know hardwood (or bamboo) transmits lots of noise -- there is such a thing as a cork underlayment that is designed to reduce noise, wondering if anyone has used this or knows anything about it. Cork is probably the best choice for noise -- but I am wondering about its durability, especially in a house with a young child. Also wondering what the installation process entails. I am getting the idea it's not a DIY job, which is a downside for me, as I can install bamboo or wood myself. I've only seen it in one house, and the installer hadn't done a very good job. I've also heard it needs frequent refinishing. Any of you have cork in your house? Any thoughts on durability, or recommendations as to brands, or installers? And, general thoughts on the "greeniness" of bamboo vs. cork vs. hardwood? Any thoughts on any of the above welcome, on- or off-list! Thanks, Kristie From truthisonepathsaremany at yahoo.com Mon Sep 29 13:53:42 2008 From: truthisonepathsaremany at yahoo.com (pete meyers) Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:53:42 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Rally in Ithaca, Wednesday, 10/1, at 5:30: Main Street, Not Wall Street! Message-ID: <376067.42721.qm@web34806.mail.mud.yahoo.com> ?Rally to Demand an Economy That Works for Everyone Main Street, Not Wall Street ! What: A Rally on The Commons in Ithaca to Demand an Economy That Works for Everyone When: Wednesday, October 1, 2008 @ 5:30 p.m. Where: Bernie Milton Pavilion (Center Pavilion, on edge of Bank Alley at corner of E. State and Tioga Sts. in Ithaca ) Who: Tompkins County Workers' Center The Tompkins County Workers Center today condemns the government?s response to the financial crisis that is enveloping the United States and beyond. ? Failed policies have created the worst crisis in our economy and financial markets since the Great Depression. A bail-out for Wall Street is not enough. We demand an end to the failed policies of deregulation, taxation that benefits only the rich, trickle down economics that never trickles down and unrestrained corporate greed. We insist on new policies and a new politics and a new economy that works for everyone, not just the few ? Where is the bail out for the 30 million working families in the United States, including many right here in Tompkins County and central New York, who are paid less than a living wage and consequently work all day and all week and find at the end of the week that their pay cannot support their families. Isn?t that a crisis? ? Where is the bail out for 1 billion people throughout the world, including many right here in Tompkins County and central New York , who go to bed hungry each night?? Isn?t that a crisis? ? Where is the bail out for our environment, on the brink of ecological disaster?? Isn?t that a crisis? ? Where is the bail out for the millions of children who are failed by our under-funded schools and young people failed by a society that puts a college education out of financial reach?? Isn?t that a crisis? ? Where is the bailout for the millions and millions of American workers denied basic rights on the job and even any effective right to form unions?? Isn?t that a crisis? ? Where is the bail out for millions of struggling homeowners and tenants faced with the threat of foreclosure or ever escalating rents that they cannot afford.? Isn?t that a crisis? ? Where is the bail out for the 47 million uninsured Americans without healthcare and the many millions of others facing unaffordable increases in costs for basic healthcare. Isn?t that a crisis? ? Where is the bail out for those communities impacted by plant closings that throw thousands out of work. Isn?t that a crisis? ? Why is it only a crisis in our country when it involves Wall Street banks, private equity firms, investment houses and the wealthy that control their shares?? And why does Wall Street?s crisis suddenly become Main Street ?s problem? ? The American people are willing to share the burden, but we should not be expected to pay for any effort to bail the banks out of this financial crisis, without also having in place the policies and programs and funding to deal with our own daily crises. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To communicate with your Congresspeople and Senators via fax through the Jobs with Justice website about the 'bail out', click here. ? To learn about what one of the national partners of the Workers' Center (the Poverty Initiative) is saying about the crisis, particularly focused on the housing crisis, click here. From sean at sustainabletransitions.com Mon Sep 29 05:21:23 2008 From: sean at sustainabletransitions.com (Sean Vormwald) Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 08:21:23 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Sustainable Health Care for All; Sustainability Gathering this Thurs. Oct. 2 Message-ID: <48E0C843.2070203@sustainabletransitions.com> Sustainable Health Care for All: Current Choices and the Future of Health Care Policy Thursday, October 2 6:00-8:30 pm Unitarian Church Annex, 306 North Aurora St. *Are you concerned about the lack of affordable health care? *Do you wonder what local options and resources are available? *Can we envision more comprehensive solutions together? Having healthcare options is a concern to most people, especially at a time of diminishing resources and rising medical costs. Join a panel of healthcare activists and experts in a discussion about current choices and those being developed by various groups who aim to have an influence on healthcare policy. For more information please e-mail bethany at sustainabletompkins.org or visit www.sustainabletompkins.org. **Dinner provided. If you can, please bring potluck offerings to supplement, and table settings to minimize clean-up. If you plan to come and wish to lend a hand, please contact miranda at sustainabletompkins.org. For childcare, please RSVP: Miranda, 277-1241** This is the fifth 2008 gathering of the ?Equity & Sustainability? series organized by Sustainable Tompkins and its community partners. This event is made possible in part by a community grant from the Ithaca Health Alliance and contributions from Cayuga Medical Center, Island Health and Fitness, Moosewood Restaurant, Rasa Spa, and Westhaven Farm. Other program partners include Tompkins County Health Care Task Force, Ithaca School District (Nursing), Planned Parenthood, Physicians for a National Health Plan, Cancer Resource Center, Human Services Coalition, Patient Vacations, and Southern Tier Aids Prevention. From shawn at energyteachers.org Mon Sep 29 11:16:14 2008 From: shawn at energyteachers.org (Shawn Reeves) Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:16:14 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Sustainability Internship Projects sought for Spring semester 2009 In-Reply-To: <48DA9B63.6040501@ithaca.edu> References: <48DA9B63.6040501@ithaca.edu> Message-ID: Just a fix on the link for internships at IC that Marian Brown posted: http://www.ithaca.edu/hs/depts/envstudies/jobsandinternships/ BTW, I added my organization to the list, and the process was relatively painless...Thanks Ithaca College Environmental Studies Program for making this possible. -- -Shawn Reeves shawn at energyteachers.org http://energyteachers.org From simonstl at simonstl.com Mon Sep 29 14:04:17 2008 From: simonstl at simonstl.com (Simon St.Laurent) Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:04:17 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Preparedness and energy descent Message-ID: <48E142D1.5010804@simonstl.com> September is Preparedness month. Most of us will think about being 'prepared' in today's context, where we can have fueled cars ready us to take us someplace if we have to go, where odds are good that even if the power goes out we still have fuel, and where we figure that water won't be hard to get. As higher energy costs sink in, the meaning of 'preparedness' is going to change. Katie Quinn-Jacobs takes a first look at what that will mean for Tompkins County residents in her 'Preparedness Basics' article at: http://tclocal.org/ Quinn-Jacobs provides concrete answers to questions of how to be ready with the basics when things go wrong, including energy, shelter, water, sanitation, food, and, yes, evacuation. She also examines the changing interdependencies we'll encounter as we shift from short-term challenges to longer-term challenges. We'd definitely be interested in comments and suggestions on this piece, and welcome feedback. We'd love to hear questions, criticisms, and additional ideas. TCLocal is a group of citizens developing strategies for dealing with energy descent in Tompkins County. To that end, we're publishing periodic articles, examining specific topics in the harsh light of higher energy prices. You can find them at: http://www.tclocal.org/ Previous articles have examined growing fruit and managing roads and bridges in Tompkins County after the peak, as well as water systems and land use planning. Upcoming articles will cover small livestock, waste disposal, and health resources. We're working toward publishing around one article per month. The TCLocal web site is specifically designed to get your feedback on these ideas they are developed. These articles are a starting point for a conversation we hope will include a wide variety of readers coming at these issues from different perspectives. We welcome comments - they work now! - and hope to find more good ideas through public discussion. Thanks, Simon St.Laurent Chair, TCLocal From Cnielsen56 at aol.com Mon Sep 29 18:04:30 2008 From: Cnielsen56 at aol.com (Cnielsen56 at aol.com) Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:04:30 EDT Subject: [SustainableTompkins] critique of LEED buildings Message-ID: To expand a bit on Dean's response: The "new" LEED-NC he mentions is version 3.0 (the very first one was 1.0, then 2.0 and now 2.2). When (years ago) USGBC created LEED-EB for existing buildings, they had to rename the original LEED to LEED-NC (for new construction and major renovations). There is also a LEED-CI (commercial interiors), LEED-CS (core and shell), LEED for homes, LEED for neighborhood development and LEED FOR SCHOOLS. Christian (LEED AP) In a message dated 9/29/2008 6:58:03 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, andy at ithacacarshare.org writes: Dean et. al., Thanks for the info. I was unaware that LEED was extending to existing buildings, but that is good to hear. Who knows with Golisano/Arnold Halls what the options could have been, but the new building actually had one less classroom and smaller office spaces in exchange for "break out" rooms to promote more group work. It sounds like a good idea, but I think they made a few too many of those very small rooms that cannot be expanded to make larger rooms, which could have been incorporated into the design. Since this building was funded in part by the politician Golisano, I am leaning very far on the view that this was unnecessary building to have a new building named after someone with some power behind his name. Hartwick was itching to have a large donation to name the 2 newest residence halls, which were unnamed for about 10 years. Also, there were many "sustainable" practices that easily could have been made during this process, which were not, and lead to the students comments in disgust of a new building for the sake of sounding green. If efforts were made to recycle more than the minimum of Arnold Hall, or leave the trees infront of nearby halls, maybe people would have felt differently. -Andy Dean Koyanagi wrote: > Hi Andy, > > Just an FYI: There actually is an entire program of the US Green > Building Council for Existing Buildings- they call it LEED-EB. > (http://www.usgbc.org/LEED/eb/ ) There will also be a new LEED-NC > (that's new construction) rating system coming out shortly that > increases how points are weighed for energy. > > I agree that where possible, renovation is preferable, but since I don't > know if the previous building was able to be renovated to fit their > needs, I won't comment on Golisano Hall. I suspect the building was > going up for a specific set of needs, and that the LEED rating was never > a driver to build a 36,000 sq ft building. > > Dean > > Andy Goodell wrote: >> There was quite a fuss made about the Golisano Hall LEED building which >> is now finished at Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY. In order to make >> room on the terraced slope of Oyaron Hill, they took down the college's >> second oldest building. To meet a certain amount of LEED points, only >> 18% of the building needed to be recycled, and the rest was added to the >> landfills. >> >> The question that everyone had was: Is it more sustainable to add a $16 >> million LEED building while landfilling an old one, or put that money >> towards renovating the old building to become efficient. To my >> understanding, LEED certification cannot be applied to existing >> buildings, which is likely why that option was not seriously considered. >> >> In my opinion, LEED certifications need to be completely overhauled. If >> it's true that many of these actually use more power than conventional >> buildings, that confirms that this system is highly flawed. >> >> The problem is that most of these buildings are not going up for >> sustainability reasons, but for marketing. College like Hartwick can now >> say "Look! We are sustainable with a LEED building!" But I can assure >> you that Hartwick has little care in the way of sustainability. >> >> -Andy >> >> >> > > _______________________________________________ > For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > > RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: > SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > > > -- Andy Goodell Assistant Director www.IthacaCarshare.org 607.277.3210 _______________________________________________ For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org **************Looking for simple solutions to your real-life financial challenges? Check out WalletPop for the latest news and information, tips and calculators. (http://www.walletpop.com/?NCID=emlcntuswall00000001) From mmccasla at twcny.rr.com Mon Sep 29 18:12:53 2008 From: mmccasla at twcny.rr.com (Margaret McCasland) Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:12:53 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] flooring In-Reply-To: <10DCEC9751664347A41807C20BAE240B@Main> References: <10DCEC9751664347A41807C20BAE240B@Main> Message-ID: Hi Kristie, I have not installed bamboo OR cork because I decided they were not very green on two counts: Not very healthy for you or the folks creating the panels: they are both glued together with chemicals that off-gas (though there are less volatile versions of both). Not necessarily sustainable: both cork and bamboo can be harvested sustainably, or not, and it is usually impossible to know which. Also they are both shipped long distances. So "renewable" isn't always ecological. A nice wool rug can cut noise and you can find ones with NO VOCs to off-gas (wool doesn't need flame-retardents). Also, Pioneer sells reclaimed hardwoods, most of which are from the Northeast. I installed Marmoleum and love it--true linoleum, from linseed oil. That plus cotton or wool area rugs might work well in a play room or a hall. Margaret PS You can get both Earthweave wool rugs and Pioneer flooring at Home Green Home, where I happen to work, but I did flooring research and rejected bamboo and cork before I started working there. I also know a woman who is selling some wool "runner" rugs from Western Asia. On Sep 29, 2008, at 2:44 PM, Kristie wrote: > I'm looking to replace the flooring in three carpeted rooms in my > house in the spring (two bedrooms, a playroom and a hall), and > thought I would draw on the wisdom of others here... The current > carpet is installed over a plywood subfloor that's in good > condition. I am trying to decide between bamboo, hardwood or cork. > We have tenants below us, and I know hardwood (or bamboo) transmits > lots of noise -- there is such a thing as a cork underlayment that > is designed to reduce noise, wondering if anyone has used this or > knows anything about it. Cork is probably the best choice for noise > -- but I am wondering about its durability, especially in a house > with a young child. Also wondering what the installation process > entails. I am getting the idea it's not a DIY job, which is a > downside for me, as I can install bamboo or wood myself. I've only > seen it in one house, and the installer hadn't done a very good job. > I've also heard it needs frequent refinishing. Any of you have cork > in y > our house? Any thoughts on durability, or recommendations as to > brands, or installers? And, general thoughts on the "greeniness" of > bamboo vs. cork vs. hardwood? Any thoughts on any of the above > welcome, on- or off-list! > Thanks, > Kristie > > _______________________________________________ > For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County > area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > > RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: > SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org From ejwray99 at gmail.com Mon Sep 29 19:52:42 2008 From: ejwray99 at gmail.com (Evan Wray) Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:52:42 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Sustainability Internship Projects sought for Spring semester 2009 In-Reply-To: References: <48DA9B63.6040501@ithaca.edu> Message-ID: <001601c922a7$9cce2c10$d66a8430$@com> I think this is the correct link http://www.ithaca.edu/hs/depts/envstudies/internships/ -----Original Message----- From: sustainabletompkins-bounces at lists.mutualaid.org [mailto:sustainabletompkins-bounces at lists.mutualaid.org] On Behalf Of Shawn Reeves Sent: Monday, September 29, 2008 2:16 PM To: Sustainable Tompkins County listserv Subject: Re: [SustainableTompkins] Sustainability Internship Projects sought for Spring semester 2009 Just a fix on the link for internships at IC that Marian Brown posted: http://www.ithaca.edu/hs/depts/envstudies/jobsandinternships/ BTW, I added my organization to the list, and the process was relatively painless...Thanks Ithaca College Environmental Studies Program for making this possible. -- -Shawn Reeves shawn at energyteachers.org http://energyteachers.org _______________________________________________ For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org From gjem5760 at yahoo.com Tue Sep 30 06:23:26 2008 From: gjem5760 at yahoo.com (George Frantz) Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2008 06:23:26 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [SustainableTompkins] flooring In-Reply-To: <10DCEC9751664347A41807C20BAE240B@Main> Message-ID: <378794.31311.qm@web44909.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> On Mon, 9/29/08, Kristie wrote: I'm looking to replace the flooring in three carpeted rooms in my house in the spring (two bedrooms, a playroom and a hall), and thought I would draw on the wisdom of others here...? .?? ? ? Kristie, ? With the continuous abandonment of agricultural lands in the Northern Tier of PA and Southern Tier of New York our forests are rebounding at a rapid rate. (hence bears in Ithaca) The vast tracts of forests in the region that were clear-cut in the late 19th and early 20th centuries are now matured to the point of being commerically marketable in a sustainable manner.? ? Today although it is not?generally recognized we?have a growing hardwood lumbering industry in NY and PA based on sustainable selective-cut?harvesting of trees and with regulatory measures not found in the Second- or Third World to control erosion, sedimentation and other adverse impacts of logging. ? Cherry and locust are local hardwoods that?are extremely rot resistant and great substitutes for pressure treated lumber.? Cherry is a really tough wood to work with but after using it for a porch step there is no turning back for me.? Maple and oak are also regionally grown and harvested woods. ? Bamboo had taken on a certain "green" cachet, thanks more to marketing savvy that reality.? I have serious concerns about the lack of any sort of real regulatory control over the harvesting of bamboo, lack of any real confirmation?that it is really harvested in a sustainbable manner,?(aside for industry stamp of approval) and the environmental cost of transporting it so far, I would avoid it.? ? Staying local and utilizing our own regional wood resources, even if they may be more expensive in the short term, is what I recommend.? It's just another way in which we can relocalize. ? George Frantz ? ? --- On Mon, 9/29/08, Kristie wrote: From: Kristie Subject: [SustainableTompkins] flooring To: sustainabletompkins at lists.mutualaid.org Date: Monday, September 29, 2008, 6:44 PM I'm looking to replace the flooring in three carpeted rooms in my house in the spring (two bedrooms, a playroom and a hall), and thought I would draw on the wisdom of others here... The current carpet is installed over a plywood subfloor that's in good condition. I am trying to decide between bamboo, hardwood or cork. We have tenants below us, and I know hardwood (or bamboo) transmits lots of noise -- there is such a thing as a cork underlayment that is designed to reduce noise, wondering if anyone has used this or knows anything about it. Cork is probably the best choice for noise -- but I am wondering about its durability, especially in a house with a young child. Also wondering what the installation process entails. I am getting the idea it's not a DIY job, which is a downside for me, as I can install bamboo or wood myself. I've only seen it in one house, and the installer hadn't done a very good job. I've also heard it needs frequent refinishing. Any of you have cork in y our house? Any thoughts on durability, or recommendations as to brands, or installers? And, general thoughts on the "greeniness" of bamboo vs. cork vs. hardwood? Any thoughts on any of the above welcome, on- or off-list! Thanks, Kristie _______________________________________________ For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org From senecajean at aol.com Tue Sep 30 07:33:57 2008 From: senecajean at aol.com (senecajean at aol.com) Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:33:57 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Fwd: Ithaca DSA Presents: Local Energy Independence In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <8CAF120B4BE05C4-CB0-DF3@webmail-dd18.sysops.aol.com> -----Original Message----- From: Theresa Alt To: talt at igc.org Sent: Tue, 30 Sep 2008 9:19 am Subject: Ithaca DSA Presents: Local Energy Independence Ithaca Democratic Socialists of America Presents #368:? ? "Local Energy Independence" Dominic Frongillo talks with Judith Van Allen about many things people can do to move toward energy independence. Even more interesting are things a municipality can do. The Town of Caroline has pioneered purchasing wind energy and may go to producing it.? ? Tuesday, September 30 7:00-7:30 pm on Channel 13? Wednesday, October 1 1:00-1:30 pm on Channel 13? Thursday, October 2 11:00-11:30 pm on Channel 13? Friday, October 3 11:30 am-noon on Channel 13? ? This week's program is available in the Alternatives Library in Anabel Taylor Hall on the Cornell Campus. Now on DVD.? ? If you would like to help out with our community access cable television? series, call Theresa Alt at 273-3009 or email talt at igc.org.? ? For further public access TV programs, see? http://www.pegasysaccess.org/info/channel_lineup.shtml? -- Theresa Alt? talt at igc.org? From Joel.and.Sarah.Gagnon at lightlink.com Tue Sep 30 07:58:00 2008 From: Joel.and.Sarah.Gagnon at lightlink.com (Joel and Sarah Gagnon) Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:58:00 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] flooring In-Reply-To: <10DCEC9751664347A41807C20BAE240B@Main> Message-ID: <5.2.1.1.2.20080930105030.0208cec0@pop.lightlink.com> I think I would go with hardwood and area rugs. Both cork and bamboo are produced and shipped from far away, while hardwood can be produced and procured relatively locally. I know of no way to effectively reduce the noise transmission problem at reasonable cost, though. There are high-tech sound-deadening materials that could be interposed between the new floor and the existing subfloor, but you would probably need a new subfloor over the sound-deadening layer. A new ceiling could be erected on the downstairs apartment suspended from resilient channel to isolate the sound, but that wouldn't be cheap either. Area rugs in traffic areas would be the low-tech and traditional solution. Joel At 02:44 PM 9/29/08 -0400, you wrote: >I'm looking to replace the flooring in three carpeted rooms in my house in >the spring (two bedrooms, a playroom and a hall), and thought I would draw >on the wisdom of others here... The current carpet is installed over a >plywood subfloor that's in good condition. I am trying to decide between >bamboo, hardwood or cork. We have tenants below us, and I know hardwood >(or bamboo) transmits lots of noise -- there is such a thing as a cork >underlayment that is designed to reduce noise, wondering if anyone has >used this or knows anything about it. Cork is probably the best choice for >noise -- but I am wondering about its durability, especially in a house >with a young child. Also wondering what the installation process entails. >I am getting the idea it's not a DIY job, which is a downside for me, as I >can install bamboo or wood myself. I've only seen it in one house, and the >installer hadn't done a very good job. I've also heard it needs frequent >refinishing. Any of you have cork in y > our house? Any thoughts on durability, or recommendations as to brands, > or installers? And, general thoughts on the "greeniness" of bamboo vs. > cork vs. hardwood? Any thoughts on any of the above welcome, on- or off-list! >Thanks, >Kristie > >_______________________________________________ >For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, >please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > >RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: >SustainableTompkins at lists.mutualaid.org >http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins >free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org From brew_bird at yahoo.com Tue Sep 30 09:27:03 2008 From: brew_bird at yahoo.com (Eric Banford) Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2008 09:27:03 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Wed 10/1 12:15pm Cornell talk: The Quest for a Sustainable World Message-ID: <625127.31774.qm@web52504.mail.re2.yahoo.com> GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGIST TO SPEAK ON SUSTAINABILITY The Quest for a Sustainable World Prof. Jason Hamilton, Ithaca College Sage Chapel, Cornell University Wednesday, October 1, 2008, 12:15pm Jason Hamilton, associate professor of biology at Ithaca College and a founding member of the New Roots Charter School of Ithaca, will speak on the scientific and moral imperatives of sustainability on October 1, 2008 at 12:15 in Sage Chapel on the Cornell campus. His presentation is part of Sage Wednesdays, a program that offers presentations and music at midday. Music will be provided by Cornell Chamber Singers, directed by Holland Jancaitis, and light refreshments will be available. This program is free and open to all, and is 45 - 50 minutes in duration. In the two decades since a UN conference gave new and specific meanings to the word, sustainability has morphed from a moral imperative to a marketing strategy. This presentation explores the evolution of sustainability and the role it plays in dealing with our current environmental, social and economic dilemmas. From the perspective of global change biology, Prof. Hamilton will highlight the critical role that we can play in moving our selves, and our local and global community to a more secure future. A global change biologist, Prof. Hamilton has worked to develop theories and practices of sustainability education that are applicable at the high school and university levels, and as community outreach programs. He is a founding member and chair of the Board of Trustees of the newly- approved New Roots Charter School of Ithaca, scheduled to open its doors in Fall 2009 in downtown Ithaca. Sage Wednesdays is a midday series in the chapel that alternates programs of words and music addressing issues of contemporary concern with organ recitals (listed at http://www.arts.cornell.edu/music/ concerts.php). Sponsored by Cornell United Religious Work and the Department of Music, Sage Wednesdays offer midday reflections, musical respite and light refreshments at the center of Cornell?s campus. For additional information, please contact Cornell United Religious Work at 607-255-4214 or visit http://www.curw.cornell.edu/sage.html. From levelgreeninstitute at yahoo.com Tue Sep 30 13:34:37 2008 From: levelgreeninstitute at yahoo.com (Patricia Haines) Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:34:37 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Schedule for Downtown Creativity Day, Sat. Oct 4 Message-ID: <23403.28010.qm@web62103.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Thanks for passing this along to Friends & Relations of all ages: ? ALL AGES INVITED The Arts of Sustainable Community Series, Art in the Heart of the City 2008 ? Downtown Creativity Day: GARDENS OF DOWNTOWN DELIGHT, the Art of Kathy Bruce & Kathleen Griffin Saturday, October 4th, 1:00-5:00 p.m. Ithaca Commons (rain space: Center Ithaca) ? On-Going: - face painting with Cinda Baskin-Bey & Barbara Ann Jordan (The Grove) - chalk drawing with Ithaca artist Ryan Curtis (Butterfly Alley) -?1000 Cranes for Peace with Ithaca artist Julie Berger (The Grove) - information about the Ithaca Children's Garden, Cornell Dept of Entomology Learning About Butterflies Program. Dept of Horticulture's Living Sculpture & Garden-Based Learning programs, and New Roots Charter School (The Grove) ? 1:00 p.m. Mike Stanley & the Cayuga Wizards (Amphitheatre), Workshop: CRYSALIS, the Art of Becoming, with Jaydn McCune (Center Ithaca); Poetry writing with Katharyn Howd Machan (Owl Cafe); film: the making of the Mariann Loveland History Center Mural "Looking Out from History" and Q&A with the Artist (Aurora St. Pavilion) ? 2:00 p.m. ICircus Performance & on-going Workshop:introduction to the Arts of the Circus?(Amphitheater 2-4 pm); Dancing with "The Graces", with CSMA's Kate Jones - Flower Fairies especially welcome (Aurora St. Pavilion) ? 2:30 p.m. Film: Ithaca Art Trail (Aurora St Pavilion) ? 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Butterfly Dancing with Ithaca choreographer Maren Waldman, Butterfly Alley (between Home Dairy Alley & Green Street); Workshop: Butterfly Effects, Skills for 2st Century Living, with Wally Woods, Co-President of the Ithaca Center for Environmental Sustainability (Center Ithaca Atrium); Open Reading: the Poetry of Lois O'Connor, with inaugural Tompkins County Laureate Katharyn Howd Machan (Owl Cafe) ? 4:00 p.m. Film: The Story of Stuff (Aurora St. Pavilion) ? Brought to you by the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, with support from the Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County, Gannett Foundation, Tompkins County Room Occupancy Tax Fund, and Anonymous Donors ************************ LEVEL GREEN - fostering sustainable community through collaborative initiatives in hospitality, education and the arts, in the 150 year-old democratic spirit of the Danish Folk School. 1519 Slaterville Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 339-9472 From earthdayithaca at yahoo.com Tue Sep 30 14:19:53 2008 From: earthdayithaca at yahoo.com (Joey Gates) Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:19:53 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [SustainableTompkins] Earth Day 2009 Kick Off and Celebration dates Message-ID: <492818.19257.qm@web56408.mail.re3.yahoo.com> Hello sustainability community, ? It is time once again to start planning the Earth Day Ithaca?2009 Celebration!? The first meeting will be on Monday, October 27th from 7-9 PM at the Women's Community Building.? Our kick-off session this year will be focused on bringing out what sustainability means to you and will be a fun,?participatory experience.? ? Save the date - Earth Day '09 will be held on Sunday April 26th from noon to 5, again at the Ithaca Farmers' Market Pavilion.?? ? Stay tuned for more details! ? See you soon, Joey From alh54 at cornell.edu Tue Sep 30 16:37:33 2008 From: alh54 at cornell.edu (Allison L H Jack) Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2008 19:37:33 -0400 Subject: [SustainableTompkins] [NWAEG] Apple extravaganza weekend Message-ID: <6.2.1.2.2.20080930193211.01df9368@postoffice8.mail.cornell.edu> >Hi everyone, > >Come join us for a series of apple picking and processing events October >3rd, 4th and 5th hosted by Farm to Cornell, The Cayuga Nation SHARE Farm >and New World Agriculture and Ecology Group at Cornell. Please distribute >widely :-). > >-Allison > >++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ > >Apple Extravaganza! > >++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ > >Friday October 3rd: >U-pick at Little Tree Orchard in Newfield (4 pm) & potluck (6 pm) with >Farm to Cornell. > > >Contact person: Matt Stasiewicz, ms984 at cornell.edu, (313) 212-7486 >Meet to carpool: Watermargin Co-op (tentative) at 4:00 pm. 103 McGraw >Place. Go to the corner of University and West. Head north, it is the >blue house on the left past the large white frat. A few cars can park in >the loading zone, it always fine. >Directions to orchard: Take 96 south about 5mi, be sure to stay on >96S/34S when it splits from 13S. Turn right onto Newfield Depot, go 1mi, >where it will split and take Adams 1mi until reaching Shafer. Little tree >should be 1/4 mi down. http://littletree-orchards.com/ >Directions to potluck: Return to Watermargin/Arts Quad (103 McGraw Place) > >+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ > >Saturday October 4th: >Work Day at Cayuga SHARE (Strengthening Haudensaunee-American Relations >through Education) Farm in Aurora with the American Indian Program and NWAEG > >Work day will include getting the gardens ready for winter (weeding, brush >removal, composting dead plants etc), apple picking at the SHARE farm >orchard and potentially raspberry picking >Information about the Cayuga Nation and SHARE Farm: >http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cayuga_nation, >http://www.ithaca.edu/icq/2006v2/depts/south_hill/cayuga.htm > >Event contact person: Scott Perez sp287 at cornell.edu (607) 351-8198 >Meet to carpool: Plant Science Building parking lot on Tower Rd. Cornell >Campus 9am, we will return to campus around 3 or 4 pm. >Carpool contact person: Allison Jack alh54 at cornell.edu (607) 273-5762 >Directions to farm: (45 minutes one way) Rte 34B to 90 throughway. Take 90 >to Aurora. 4-5 miles past town take a R on Great Gully Rd. Take the 1st >left on Trusdale and you will see the farm (lots of cars parked out front) >Bring: Dish to pass, buckets or containers for apples, work gloves, >general gardening tools > >+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ > >Sunday October 5th: >Apple processing (canning & drying) with NWAEG >Learn how to safely can applesauce & apple butter and dehydrate apples for >storage. Finished products will be brought up to campus Monday for >distribution to all volunteers. > >Contact person: Matt Cogger mtc36 at cornell.edu (607) 342-1260, please RSVP >if possible! >Where: Watermargin Co-op (directions above) >When: 9am - 4pm drop by anytime! Potluck lunch at 12 pm. >Bring: Dish to pass, If available: extra canning jars, apples, large stock >pots, paring knives, food mills etc. >There will be a $5 charge to cover some of the costs if you'd like to pick >up applesauce and/or dried apples on campus the following Monday. > >These events are free and open to the Cornell Community, funded in part by >the GPSAFC. > >************************************************************************************** >Allison L H Jack >Graduate Student >Department of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology >http://pppmb.cals.cornell.edu >Cornell University >335 Plant Science >Ithaca, NY 14850 >607.273.5762 >************************************************************************************* > > >"...Advancing a productive and sustainable agriculture" >from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences mission statement ************************************************************************************** Allison L H Jack Graduate Student Department of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology http://pppmb.cals.cornell.edu Cornell University 335 Plant Science Ithaca, NY 14850 607.273.5762 ************************************************************************************* "...Advancing a productive and sustainable agriculture" from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences mission statement