ZeDay: The Global Moratorium on Fossil Fuel Combustion

ZeDay takes place on September 21 and it is a day for people all over the planet to strive for zero emissions. In 2011, the fourth ZeDay, has the theme, “Get creative!” How can we all make the most of the moratorium? Rather than feeling disempowered – how might we all feel energized without using fossil fuel energy?

Creating Climate Wealth Summit North America

Creating Climate Wealth Summit North America, will take place in Washington DC, between May 3-4, 2011. Two other summits are also scheduled for this year including a July Summit in Sydney, Australia and a September summit in London, England. These summits are dedicated to accelerating wealth creation opportunities, economic growth, and good green jobs. Creating climate wealth can also reduce carbon by one billion tons.

The green economy is the 21st century's most lucrative opportunity. In the US alone the green economy is valued at $500 billion and it is poised for growth. There could be between 1.8 million and 2.4 million green jobs in energy conservation, resource conservation and pollution control.

A new UN report has suggested that investing $1.3 trillion each year in green sectors would deliver long-term stability in the global economy. Spending about 2% of global GDP in 10 key areas would kick-start a global low carbon, resource efficient green economy.

Since the oil crises of the 1970s, billions of dollars have been pumped into technology development in the areas of energy efficiency, low carbon energy, efficient transportation, bio-fuels, and other areas. This investment has led to hundreds of breakthroughs that are today cost effective. Yet, full commercial utilization of this innovation and their financial rewards still elude us.

Creating Climate Wealth (CCW) Summit North America aims to fast-track this amazing wealth creation opportunity to create economic growth, entrepreneurial wealth, well paid jobs, and a gigaton of carbon reductions.

The summits are an invitation only event that provide a unique workshop-driven convening of US executives, investors, entrepreneurs, and leaders from the private and public sector. The purpose is to identify specific US pathways to accelerate deployment of green solutions in the face of low expectations and weak mandates.

During the summit, delegates will address ways to bring existing technologies to scale, while meeting employment, economics and sustainability goals. The technologies are spread across seven clean tech tracks: Distributed Generation, Energy Efficiency, Island Nations, Renewable Fuels, Shipping and Freight, Sustainable Agriculture, and Future of Person Transportation.

Each working track begins ahead of the Summit with a Carbon War Room pre-read report on market barriers where delegates use their entrepreneurial expertise to problem-solve and technology expertise to build new approaches to delivering high-profit solutions.

For more information click here.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Leadnow: Voting for Change in Canada

To help auger political change in Canada, Jamie Biggar and Adam Shedletzky are spearheading a new organization called Leadnow. The duo was inspired by Canadian national elections scheduled for May 2, 2011. They are seeking greater political involvment from Canadians. With the ruling Conservative government failing to heed the views of Canadians on issues like climate change, the need for change in Ottawa is urgent.

Leadnow is a grassroots movement that seeks to bring Canadians together to hold politicians accountable and take action for a cleaner future. Leadnow is Canada’s embryonic answer to Moveon.org, the US site that helped put Barack Obama in the White House in 2008.

In Leadnow's online surveys, thousands of Canadians are ranking the environment as the issue they most care about. According to these surveys the environmental issues that are most pressing to Canadians include:

-Establishing climate legislation to meet international and science-based targets
-Putting a price on global warming pollution
-Ending subsidies to fossil fuel companies
-Investing in renewable energy, energy efficiency and home retrofits
-Investing in creating sustainable economies in resource dependent communities
-Investing in public transportation and rail networks
-Protecting half of Canada's wild land and ocean areas

Using the revolutionary power of social media, the non-partisan site leadnow fights against voter apathy and generates debate about national values. At their site, users can rank policy issues, then pledge support to the party leader who conforms to the values of Canadians.

According to Leadnow, it's time to work together for change to combat toxic politics and divisions that are holding Canada back and hurting Canadians and the planet.

According to former Clerk of the Privy Council Alex Himelfarb, Leadnow.ca is exactly what Canada needs. “Leadnow addresses what has arguably been an infrastructure deficit: they provide the much needed opportunity to work with others from every region and sector of the country, to influence the political agenda by defining the Canada we want based on environmental stewardship, equality and justice," Himelfarb said.

“Our federal government is dividing us, damaging our democracy and failing to address the major challenges that face our country,” said Jamie Biggar, co-founder and Executive Director of Leadnow.ca. “Whether we’re talking about the lack of action for our environment, the unequal economic recovery, or the erosion of democratic values – this government is failing to take action on the issues that matter to Canadians. It’s time we work together for change.”

Canadians are coming together in support of political cooperation. Canadians are creating the Declaration for Change—a call for politicians to work together for progress on the major challenges facing our country.

A nationwide event took place from March 6-12, 2011, it was titled (Re)Generation: Voices for Canada. Canadians from across the country participated in face-to-face gatherings to discuss their hopes and ideas for their country and their future. Dozens of Canadian cities hosted events from coast to coast.

Through Leadnow, thousands of Canadians are sharing their values and ideas for Canada and politicians should take notice. The Declaration for Change has identified four major areas: reforming our democracy, protecting our environment, promoting equality and economic opportunity, and improving our systems of care. See the Declaration for Change online values survey.

Many of the people working with Leadnow.ca started organizing in the youth climate movement, and they have participated in many 350 events. They are excited because they know that if Canadians work together, they can change Canadian politics.

Leadnow is enriching Canada's democracy encouraging people to participate in a new kind of politics that asks people to lead. Click here to join the process online, share your views with politicians and see what Canadians want for Canada.

As explained by Jamie Biggar, "Our goal is to create a new way for Canadians to come together online to talk about their hopes and priorities for the country and create a really strong voice that's going to be heard in Ottawa. Today is the beginning of a new type of politics in Canada. We will no longer wait to be told who and what we should vote for. Leadnow.ca will enable people to take politics into their own hands - by coming together around shared values, and telling our politicians what they can do to earn our vote...We will be a united force in the next election, strengthening the voices of thousands of Canadians who want a different type of politics in Ottawa.”

See Leadnow on Facebook or follow them on Twitter. For more information, contact: Jamie Biggar, Co-Founder & Executive Director (jamie@leadnow.ca, 778-847-8205 - Vancouver) or Adam Shedletzky, Co-Founder (adam@leadnow.ca, 647-213-6591 - Toronto).

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Environmental Activism and Social Media

The failure of governments to make progress on climate change is leading climate campaigners to renew their focus on social media to get people involved in the push for carbon emission controls.

The Global Work Party organized by 350.org is at the forefront of a successful new approach to social change. The 10/10/10 event is a prime example of the new social movement powered by the extraordinary reach of the Web. The proliferation of increasingly powerful mobile technologies have radically increased the reach and immediacy of social advocacy.

The unprecedented success of 350.org's "International Day of Climate Action" on October 24th 2009, was eclipsed only by this year's 10/10/10 Global Work Party event. Thanks to digital media like chat, text messaging, and social networks, the 350.org team mobilized over 7000 actions in 188 countries this year.

Some have called this reliance on accessible online tools "open source" activism. The use of new media is building an enduring climate constituency.

Activists are downloading online toolkits for decentralized events and using the power of social media to push for greater climate protection. Coordinated online outreach has made the immense scale of the Global Work Party possible.

Thanks to social media, climate activists are cultivating resources that are mobilizing people in ways that are transforming our cultures and our civilizations.

Climate activists are up against the immense resources of the fossil fuel industry and their powerful propaganda machines. While environmental groups cannot outspend or outmaneuver the fossil fuel industry, social media is leveling the playing field and democratizing the debate.


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The Global Work Party and US Midterm Elections

In the US, over 2000 events took place on 10/10/10 for 350.org's Global Work Party. With the midterm elections looming on the horizon, this high profile event may help some Americans to consider casting their vote for an imperiled environment.

According to the 2010 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) the US has a score of 63.5 which puts it well behind Western European nations. Although this Congress did not succeed in passing environmental legislation, we are much less likely to see climate or energy legislation if the Republicans get the majority they seek in November 2010.

Judging by the polls, American voters do not seem to understand that the environment is a priority issue and not only for the planet but for the economy and for jobs as well.

Perhaps this historic day of action will help galvanize Democrats to get out and vote to stave off a Republican majority that will kill any hope legislative progress.


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Canada and 350.org's 10/10/10 Event

The Global Work Party was a big success in Canada. To organize the 10/10/10 event throughout Canada, May Boeve, the Canadian Coordinator for 350.org and her team of regional coordinators worked with Climate Action Network-Canada.

A wide range of events took place in communities all across Canada, some people toured local renewable energy facilities, other hosted citywide bike repair workshops, and others planted or harvested community gardens. The event also sent a message to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Canadian politicians: "We're getting to work solving the climate crisis. Are you?"

According to the 2010 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) Canada has a score of 66.5. The EPI ranks 163 countries on 25 performance indicators tracked across ten policy categories covering both environmental public health and ecosystem vitality. These indicators provide a gauge at a national government scale of how close countries are to established environmental policy goals.

With Canada lagging well behind Western European countries on the EPI and a Conservative government that has shown no environmental leadership, Canada has a lot of work to do.

At last year's 350.org events Canadians from all across the country called for climate leadership. This year Canadians engaged the fight against climate change, while demanding action from the Prime Minister and his government.


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Letter of Thanks from Bill McKibben

Dear Friends,

How do you say 'thank you' 7,347 times?

People got to work yesterday in at least that many places around the world -- the planet has never seen anything quite that widespread. Or quite that beautiful.

I hope you'll take a few minutes to visit 350.org to look through some of the thousands of pictures that we have managed to sort through so far. View the Slideshow at 350.org. And if you haven't sent in your photos yet, now's the time: here's how to submit your photos to 350.org.

We're looking forward to reading your reports over the next few weeks, and we'll be in touch with next steps and ideas. And in a few days, we’ll send along a video of a few of the day's highlights that you can share with friends. But today is a day for you to mostly just feel good.

We know we can't build the movement we need on just one day--but 10/10/10 made the foundation for our fight much larger and much stronger. And your message is getting out to media and politicians alike--we've already seen your work party photos in newspapers and on television shows all over the planet.

We hope 10/10/10 left you feeling connected with people all across this beautiful globe. You are helping shape the future of this planet, and we are deeply grateful for everything you do. "Thank you" doesn't seem nearly strong enough.

Onwards, always,

Bill McKibben for The 350.org Team

P.S. 10/10/10 isn’t the end of our work this year, and it’s vital that we keep the pressure on world leaders in the coming days and weeks. We could use more phone calls to let politicians know we expect them to lead the fight on the climate crisis. Please take a few mintues today to make a quick call by using our easy call-in gadget--our leaders won't hear our message if we don't send it to them.


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Message of Thanks from the President of the Maldives

Dear friends,
As President of one of the world's most climate vulnerable countries, I want to thank you for your tireless work and offer my wholehearted support for the Global Work Party on 10/10/10.

I shall be working hard in support of 10/10/10, up on my roof installing solar panels donated by Sungevity. But my event is just one of dozens of activities planed in the Maldives and thousands worldwide in support of this campaign.

I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to continue working to ensure that the planet meets the sustainable goal of returning CO2 concentrations to 350ppm.

For the Maldives, 350 is more than just a number: it is a passport to survival for our entire nation.

With best wishes,

President Mohamed Nasheed
President of the Maldives


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Global Work Party Events Around the Globe

The events being staged around the world for the 10/10/10 event are a diverse assortment of efforts that respond to local realities. From tree planting to solar and wind power projects people are acting to protect the planet.

Events include Pakistan's "Celebration of Survival," a climate awareness event that is happening in Balochistan, a region hit hard by the devestating floods earlier this year.

At United Nations headquarters in New York, staff collected 350 old incandescent light-bulbs, replacing them with efficient compact fluorescent bulbs.

In Mexico City, the mayor of the largest city in the Americas pledged that the metropolitan area would cut its carbon emissions 10%.

In the Namib Desert, Namibia, a rural education center is installing six panels to try and go carbon neutral

In Alexandra Towship, South Africa, citizens will install solar-hot water on a home for the mentally disabled

In Iraq students are working to put solar panels up at the University of Babylon.

In Las Cruces, New Mexico a group of community members are putting up panels on a local homeless shelter.

In Illinois, the governor pledged to put solar panels on the roof of his official residence, following a similar promise earlier in the week from Barack Obama.

Other events around the globe include tree plantings in rural Tanzania, solar installation in China, and an international bike-ride from Jordan to Israel, along with thousands of much simpler events organized by smaller groups.


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Fossil Fuel Calamities and Deadly Weather Underscore the Urgency of the 10/10/10 Event

While governments are dithering, the climate crisis is accelerating. The Gulf oil spill, the coal mining disaster in Virginia and a number of weather related natural disasters have repeatedly thrust fossil fuels and climate change into the news headlines in 2010.

It is already clear that 2010 is on track to be the hottest year on record. However the effects of climate change extend beyond the break up of Arctic ice sheets witnessed this summer. Devastating floods in Pakistan and massive wildfires in Eastern Europe, are but two examples of extreme weather that have claimed thousands of lives.

Record setting temperatures were set in Asia, in the US, Los Angeles also set a new all-time temperature record at 113 degrees.

Many Americans have begun to do their part, making small changes in their own lives in the hopes of helping create a more sustainable planet.

However, despite the costs of extracting fossil fuels and the plethora of extreme weather events, the Congress is letting fossil fuel companies off the hook instead of holding them accountable.

The need for government action on climate change is increasingly urgent. The Global Work Party tells governments that if we can get to work for the planet so can you.

It is time for leaders to stop playing politics and get to work on legislation, regulation and treaties that will protect our planet for future generations.


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2010 Green Schools Summit Workshop & Conference

On October 4 & 5, the Colorado chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council is holding an event known as the Green Schools Summit. The two day event will feature a workshop and conference.


Workshop

On October 4, between 12:00 PM – 4:30 PM, there will be a half-day preconference workshop titled Green Your District, Your Schools, and Your Teaching.

This workshop will capitalize on the experiences of three local experts. Interactive activities will keep participants engaged and provide opportunities for networking with other professionals. This workshop endeavors to help provide the resources needed to improve existing sustainability initiatives or to build a program from the ground up.

Brian Dunbar, Director, Institute for the Built Environment, Colorado State University will present the first segment about how to develop an SMS, SDG, and partner-enhanced integrated sustainable design.

Bill Franzen, SAGE 2 Associates, LLC is responsible for the second segment, he will focus on the process, importance, and benefits of green school design and operations.

Farah McDill, Green School Specialist will conduct the final segment. She will focus on the end-users, the teachers and students, and how they can best understand the built environment of educational facilities, through building-focused sustainability clubs and behavior change.

Reception

On October 4, between 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM there will be an evening networking reception that is open to the public (cash bar).

Conference

On October 5, between 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM there will be a full day educational conference providing professional development and continuing education credits. The conference is called the 2010 Green Schools Summit: Graduate to Green

The conference offers three tracks: Design (for architects, engineers, contractors and those involved in construction), Maintenance (for district personnel including facilities, administrators, energy managers) and Curriculum (for teachers, parents, students and eco-advocates). View Session Descriptions

There will also be updates from U.S. Green Building Council’s national green schools movement, Governor’s Energy Office, and the Colorado Department of Education.

Companies that work with schools are being asked to sponsor a school district to help them attend the Green Schools Summit.


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Montreal 2010 World Energy Congress

The World Energy Congress is committed to working toward responsible growth that reconciles economic development, environmental protection, and the reduction of global inequalities.

The 2010 Congress, was held in Montreal, Québec (Canada) between September 13 -16. The World Energy Congress is the premier international multi-energy forum with exhibitors from the field. Every three years the World Energy Council organizes the Congress. It brings together approximately 3500 top world leaders in the field of energy, coming from industry, governments, and international organizations, as well as the media, universities and energy industry associations.

Throughout the duration of the conference, at precisely 8:40 AM, a well known speaker addressed the conference audience. On Monday, it was Daniel Yergin, the chairman of the IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates (IHS CERA), the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “The Prize,” a history of the oil industry. On Tuesday it was Fatih Birol, the IEA chief economist and the principal author of the much-awaited annual World Energy Outlook. On Wednesday, Lester R. Brown, the president of the Earth Policy Institute. And on Thursday the concluding day of the Congress, Pascal Lamy, the director general of the World Trade Organization.

Special efforts have been made to ensure that at this years Congress includes developing nations, youth and the public. Beyond discussions about the future of energy prices the Congress discussed some very contentious issues including assistance to the developing world.

It is more than a bit ironic that as OPEC was celebrating its 50th anniversary, the world's energy leaders were convening to discuss alternatives to fossil fuels. Although all the major names in the energy industry were present at the Congress, OPEC was conspicuously absent.

The energy industry is ready to begin building a future beyond oil, however, due to the urgency of the climate change issue, governments will have to get actively involved in the growth of clean energy.
___________________________________

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Conference on Pricing Carbon Emissions

Wesleyan University, in conjunction with the Price Carbon Campaign, an umbrella organization of climate-policy advocates, is convening a fall conference that will address new approaches to carbon pricing. Wesleyan University’s College of the Environment was established in 2009 to help students become better stewards of the Earth. Wesleyan's Carbon Pricing Conference begins Friday, November 19, 2010 and runs through to Sunday, November 21, 2010. Headline speakers include climatologist Dr. James Hansen, author-activist Bill McKibben, and environmental-justice lawyer and advocate Angela Johnson Meszaros. Carbon pricing is vital to reducing CO2. According to economist Charles Komanoff, director of the Carbon Tax Center, “only with a predictable and steadily rising price on CO2 emissions—one that rewards sustainable forms of energy without harming Americans—will the US be able to curb our carbon emissions and oil dependence. A direct and transparent fee on fuels’ carbon content will give entrepreneurs and families the incentives they need to put industries and households on a profitable low-carbon diet.” Despite the need for large scale reductions of CO2, carbon emissions continue to increase and this is destabilizing the Earth’s climate and driving global warming. The conspicuous absence of legislative progress in the US this summer makes the carbon emissions pricing conference prescient. According to Laura Bonham, deputy director of Progressive Democrats of America.“With the continuing failure of the cap/trade/offset mechanism to gain support in Congress, it’s time for climate policy makers and concerned citizens to rethink carbon-pricing options. This conference will allow a broad spectrum of climate activists to seek a common agenda that will define the basic principles of good climate legislation, beginning with putting a clear price on carbon.” A list of confirmed speakers and registration information can be found at www.pricingcarbon.org/.

Start and the Electric Eco-Car Spectacular

The Prince of Wales is hosting a 12 day party called "Start: A Garden Party to Make a Difference." The goal of the event is to help celebrate and promote sustainable issues. It is taking place in central London, and runs until September 19.

The Garden Party combines exhibitions, interactive displays, activities and live performances from speakers, musicians and comedians as well as workshops in sustainable fashion and gardening.

The event showcases Start's Energy for All, work around the world. The Prince of Wales also spoke with school children about the virtues of trying to live more sustainable and energy-efficient lives.

On Sunday Semptember 12, at the Mall in London, the Prince of Wales hosted the electric eco-car spectacular, an event that included an eco-car parade. Citroën's stunning Survolt concept race car and city oriented subcompact electric cars such as the MINI E were on display.

Other attractions at the eco-car spectacular included electric cars from Think, Mitsubishi and Smart, the event also included electric motorcycles and scooters.

The electric TAG Heuer Tesla Roadster completed its world tour as it reached the Mall in London. This innovative electric car helped the pioneering luxury Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer celebrate its 150th anniversary.

There are some remarkably efficient antique small cars but antique hybrids are exceedingly rare. This makes the display of the Lanchester Petrol-Electric Mark 7 Prototype, particularly interesting. It was built in 1926, making it the world's first hybrid car.
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McKibben Calls Extreme Weather Events Climate Disasters

An August email from 350.org's Bill McKibben, referred to this summer's floods in Pakistan, fires in Russia, and mudslides in China as climate disasters.

McKibben is America's leading environmentalist, he is also a prolific award winning author and educator. Although 350.org is primarily committed to the fight against global warming to prevent climate disasters, the organization is also helping with relief efforts by encouraging monetary donations to assist those besieged by extreme weather (see www.350.org/disasters).

Even though it is impossible to blame anthropogenic climate change for a single weather event, the torrential rains in Pakistan and China, and the heatwaves and drought in Russia are consistent with extreme weather predictions caused by global warming.

Regionally there have been record breaking temperatures from Finland to Kuwait, and downpours in China, Germany and Poland. It is a documented fact that 2010 is on tract to be the warmest year ever and with CO2 levels now at 392 many credible organizations including U.N. World Meteorological Organization (WMO) are attributing global warming to man made CO2.

According to Reinsurer Munich Re's natural catastrophe database the number of extreme weather events like windstorm and floods have tripled since 1980, and the trend is expected to continue.

The U.N. panel of climate scientists said in a 2007 report that global warming had doubled the chances of heatwaves similar to a scorching 2003 summer in Europe, in which 35,000 people died. The report also indicates that with at least 90 percent certainty that most of the warming in the past 50 years was caused by mankind.

As Bill pointed out in his email, all of the countries recently devastated by the floods, mudslides, and heatwaves were hugely active in the International Day of Climate Action last October 24 and they're all planning events for 10/10/10: the Global Work Party.

The 350.org 10/10/10 event is a day to celebrate climate solutions and push political leaderships to do the same. The floods, fires and mudslides that have killed thousands of people around the world draw attention to the most pressing concern of our time. Finding solutions to climate change will save thousands of lives today and millions of lives in the future.


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The Clean Energy Manufacturing Summit

The Clean Energy Manufacturing Summit (CEMS) is scheduled for June 25, 2010, it is a special feature of The 5th Annual Michigan Energy Fair. The CEMS is hosted by The Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (GLREA), a non-profit organization that educates, advocates, promotes, and publicly demonstrates renewable energy technologies. The Mission of GLREA is to increase the mainstream use of renewable energy technologies and sustainable energy practices

Featured speakers include Obama administration energy expert Matt Rogers, ‘Senior Advisor’ to Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu. Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm and US Senator Debbie Stabenow will also address the summit.

The CEMS will host a pannel of experts who will discuss topics of interest for businesses. The event will also be of interest to professionals, local governments, students, and all citizens interested in the latest successes and visions of Michigan’s Clean Energy Sector.

Summary Agenda Friday, June 25th

11:00am Opening Address by Governor Jennifer Granholm

11:30am Address by Matt Rogers, Senior Advisor to US Department of Energy Secretary

11:30am Battery Manufacturing Panel

1:00pm Address by US Senator Debbie Stabenow

1:15pm Solar Manufacturing Panel

2:00pm Wind Energy Manufacturing Panel

3:00pm Energy Efficiency Programs, Incentives and Business Opportunities

4:00pm Review of Incentives and Policies

The Michigan Energy Fair runs Friday, June 25th- Sunday June 27th and is Michigan's largest 'Energy Event', with over 80 exhibitors, 60 workshops.

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