Environment
Ohio's Steve Stivers votes to gut the Clean Air Act
Posted October 14th, 2011 by sdybiecStivers, R-Columbus, voted to delay two Clean Air Act standards that would limit soot, smog, mercury and other pollutants. Mercury and its compounds are particularly toxic to fetuses and infants. Women who have been exposed to mercury in pregnancy have sometimes given birth to children with serious birth defects.
Ohio is the third highest emitter of mercury pollution from coal-fired power plants in the nation and tops the NDRC's 'Toxic 20' list as the most polluted state. [http://www.nrdc.org/media/2011/110720.asp]
Environmental Justice
Posted March 31st, 2011 by gmcluckie
"Environmental Justice: Redefining Environmentalism?"
Anna Willow, assistant professor of anthropology, OSU Marion
6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, 090/070 Science & Engineering Library (basement), 175 W. 18th Ave., Ohio State Columbus campus (parking available Tuttle Park Garage)
Environmental Justice (EJ) is simultaneously an environmental and a social movement. Far from the distant wilderness areas and endangered species that have frequently preoccupied mainstream environmentalists, EJ activists redefine “the environment” as the places we all live, work, and play. This evening’s talk will overview the history, main principles, and unifying goals of this emerging movement. Dr. Willow will describe her experiences as a cultural anthropologist working with indigenous anti-clearcutting activists in Northwestern Ontario. She will introduce and encourage stories about environmental justice issues that have arisen much closer to home.
Anyone is welcome, although seating may be limited.
-- > Contact: Danny Dotson at mailto:dotson.77@osu.edu
-- > Read more >
OSU's Dr. Lonnie Thompson to speak on climate change
Posted November 29th, 2010 by sdybiecLonnie Thompson, OSU Distinguished Professor of Geological Sciences and Research Scientist in the Byrd Polar Research Center will be the featured speaker of the Columbus Natural History Society monthly meeting on Monday, December 6, 7:45 p.m. at the OSU Museum of Biological Diversity, 1315 Kinnear Road on campus. Professor Thompson will present "Climate Change: The Evidence and Our Options".
Includes 17-minute video showing a research team actually drilling an ice core.
Rolling Stone magazine says that there is no person in the world that has spent more time above 18,000 feet than Lonnie Thompson.
Also featured, two short documentaries: Core Catchers filmed by Ryan Vachon on a 2009 Cordillera Blanca, Peru expedition and a recent May/June 2010 ice core drilling in New Guinea. Don't miss this opportunity to meet Professor Thompson, and learn about his world renowned work.
How to Save a Dying Ocean
Posted June 6th, 2010 by sdybiecPretty cool when progressives and libertarians agree on protecting the commons --- Reason is on-board with fishing caps and quotas. Watch it.
Key West environmentalist gives true picture
Posted June 4th, 2010 by gmcluckieA disaster, not a spill:
"A 'spill' is what you get when you tip over a glass"
Environmentalist Dennis Henize, an Ohio native who has lived in Florida for decades, gives insight into the BP oil situation. A hurricane expert, he retired as station chief of the NOAA weather station in the Florida Keys. His report:
I'm trying to be objective, but I cannot help some of my cynicism escaping -- this whole thing has been characterized by lying and more lying. The honcho from the Coast Guard STILL sounds like his scripts are written by BP.
Here's a web blog by a non-professional scientist who has been doing an excellent job of tracking oil using satellite imagery ( http://www.skytruth.org/ ). His analyses early-on gave the first indications that oil was getting close to, and then some entrained in, the Loop Current. And his analyses yielded the first estimates, later validated by other scientists and eventually admitted by BP and the government agencies, that the amount gushed was far greater than first admitted. (I don't call this disaster a spill; a "spill" is what you get when you tip over a glass.)
Update on UA green efforts April 14
Posted April 12th, 2010 by gmcluckieSustainable Upper Arlington
Monthly meeting
Wednesday, April 14
6:45-9 p.m.,
Municipal Services Center, Tremont Road.
Topics: Green Roads, community rain garden at SUNY 95 Park, Kingsdale project.
http://sustainableupperarlington.org/ or sustainableua@live.com.
Community Vegetable Garden April 10, 17, 24
Posted April 3rd, 2010 by gmcluckieCommunity Vegetable Garden Project
Volunteer to prepare 5 plots
Saturday, April 10, 17 and 24
Tremont Elementary School, 2900 Tremont Road, Upper Arlington, Ohio
Join students, teachers, and parents in building a 5-plot community vegetable garden. The garden will provide multiple learning opportunities. All produce will be donated to food pantries.
For schedule and information, contact: tremontgrowingtogether@gmail.com
Community Vegetable Garden April 10, 17, 24
Posted April 3rd, 2010 by gmcluckieCommunity Vegetable Garden Project
Volunteer to prepare 5 plots
Saturday, April 10, 17 and 24
Tremont Elementary School, 2900 Tremont Road, Upper Arlington, Ohio
Join students, teachers, and parents in building a 5-plot community vegetable garden. The garden will provide multiple learning opportunities. All produce will be donated to food pantries.
For schedule and information, contact: tremontgrowingtogether@gmail.com
Solar Installations Information Meeting April 5
Posted April 3rd, 2010 by gmcluckieSpecial Improvement District for solar installations
Information session
Monday, April 5, 7 p.m., UA Public Library, Tremont Road
The Upper Arlington High School Environmental Club and Tipping Point Renewable Energy are promoting a Special Improvement District for solar installations in Upper Arlington.
A new law in Ohio allows municipalities to help finance solar projects. The city can recoup finance and administrative costs through assessments. Residents and businesses can have their properties assessed and solar panels installed without the major obstacle of upfront cost.
http://uahsenvironmental.typepad.com
uasolar1@gmail.com
Climate Change -- Those hacked e-mails
Posted December 8th, 2009 by sdybiecThis is an excellent response to the furious and unfounded assertions of the right-wing denialists that have followed from the release of private email by climate change scientists.
Popular Mechanics has a good review of Climategate. The final page sums up what we know about global warming.
And here's a concise explanation of what the scientists at East Anglia were grappling with.
Upper Arlington Clean Energy Forum
Posted September 18th, 2009 by Pathadler
Upper Arlington
Clean Energy Forum
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
7:00 – 9:00 pm
Hastings Middle School Auditorium
1850 Hastings Lane, Upper Arlington
Join the discussion with panelists:
Ohio State Representative Ted Celeste (D-24 District)
Chairman of the Alternative Energy Committee
Samantha Herd
District Director for Congresswoman Mary Jo Kilroy (D-15 District)
Caleb Bell, Bricker and Eckler
Justin Milam, Upper Arlington City Planner
Wendy Patton, Policy Matters
Mary Flint, Community Affairs Manager, American Electric Power
Introduction by Eric Zimmer
Tipping Point Renewable Energy
Get the answers to these questions:
• How will federal and state legislation
affect energy use in our city?
• What alternative energy sources make sense?
• What is Gridsmart?
• Will clean energy really bring green jobs?
Sponsored by
Sustainable Upper Arlington
For more information, contact Diane Sturges at 486-3046.
Celebrate Earth Day Tomorrow!
Posted April 24th, 2009 by Pathadler
April 24, 2009 • www.UAProgressiveAction.com
Earth Day Event Tomorrow at Wickliffe School!
Please join the Wickliffe Progressive School community, UAPA and Sustainable UA for an Earth Day Event on Saturday, April 25, 2009, at Wickliffe School, 2405 Wickliffe Road. These groups will be working together to get volunteers, Ohio-native plants and monetary donations for a community beautification event in celebration of Earth Day.
This is a great way for residents to provide community support for the school, for Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts to earn merit badges, and for high school students to fulfill community service requirements. Volunteers will be planting trees and plants, pruning old trees, and spreading mulch.
Two shifts are available for volunteers: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon, and 12:00 noon – 3:00 p.m.
To volunteer, send an email to either Kris Rojas at krisrojas@sbcglobal.net or Robyn Harper at robynharper@sbcglobal.net to let them know you're coming, or just simply show up! Bring a shovel, spade or hand trowel marked with your name, and work gloves.
If you would like to make a monetary donation, please send a check, made payable to Wickliffe PTO, with "Earth Day event" written in the memo line, and send to Wickliffe Progressive School, 2405 Wickliffe Road, UA, 43221.
Mother Earth thanks you!
Organizing for America Listening Tour in Columbus April 27
Itching to get re-involved? Anxious to see some local response to the Republican campaign of NO? Wandering how to reconnect with the folks you worked with during the campaign? Have something to say about what direction the grassroots should take over the next four years? Looking to be involved in a grassroots movement to CHANGE the country?
Organizing for America has hired staff and will be in Columbus on APRIL 27th to listen to your thoughts and ideas. They have compiled the email comments and ideas contributed on-line. Now, they are ready to talk person to person.
Ohio remains a key state in this effort. "As Ohio goes, so goes the nation." When we succeed, we can be key leaders in a nationwide grassroots effort for CHANGE in America.
Join us to hear what is happening in Ohio and to express your views on the direction this movement should take.
Sign up today. Contact your friends and encourage them to sign up as well! This is your opportunity to be heard.
Monday, April 27 from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Host: Judy Kress
Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Hall (Columbus, OH)
1250 Kinnear Road
RSVP here.
Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner to Recap the 2008 Election April 30
Join UAPA as we welcome Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner on Thursday, April 30, to speak about the 2008 Election and what went right, what went wrong and what still needs to happen to ensure fair and honest elections in Ohio.
The event will be held at the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Hall, 1250 Kinnear Road, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. (See map here.) The presentation is free and open to the public.
Please RSVP here.
Funnies

Join Sherrod Brown at a Question and Answer Presentation on Alternative Energy at COSI this Wednesday
Posted April 13th, 2009 by Pathadler
Please join U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown and Battelle Memorial Institute for an informational summit on alternative energy opportunities in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Date: April 15, 2009
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: Center of Science and Industry (COSI), 333 W Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio
Speakers will include:
U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown
Jeff Wadsworth, CEO of Battelle Memorial Institute
Representatives from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Representatives from the Office of Governor Ted Strickland
This event is free and open to the public. Parking is available at COSI.
To RSVP, click here.
Celebrate Earth Day on April 25, 2009
Posted April 13th, 2009 by Pathadler
Please join the Wickliffe Progressive School community, UAPA and Sustainable UA for an Earth Day Event on Saturday, April 25, 2009, at Wickliffe School, 2405 Wickliffe Road. These groups will be working together to get volunteers, Ohio-native plants and monetary donations for a community beautification event in celebration of Earth Day.
This is a great way for residents to provide community support for the school, for Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts to earn merit badges, and for high school students to fulfill community service requirements. Volunteers will be planting trees and plants, pruning old trees, and spreading mulch.
Two shifts are available for volunteers: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon, and 12:00 noon – 3:00 p.m.
To volunteer, send an email to either Kris Rojas at krisrojas@sbcglobal.net or Robyn Harper at robynharper@sbcglobal.net to let them know you're coming, or just simply show up! Bring a shovel, spade or hand trowel marked with your name, and work gloves.
If you would like to make a monetary donation, please send a check, made payable to Wickliffe PTO, with "Earth Day event" written in the memo line, and send to Wickliffe Progressive School, 2405 Wickliffe Road, UA, 43221.
Mother Earth thanks you!
Mertro Parks Levy (Issue 1) Explained
Posted April 13th, 2009 by Pathadler
Franklin County voters will have the opportunity to approve a 0.75-mill property tax on May 5, 2009.
Why now?
Metro Parks’ current 10-year levy expires at the end of 2009. Central Ohio residents have enjoyed the benefits of the previous 10-year levy. This levy will allow Metro Parks to continue to operate clean, well-maintained, safe parks that are open daily throughout the year and are free to the public while continuing to acquire and manage natural areas to protect wildlife and water resources.
Did Metro Parks fulfill all of its promises during the last levy?
Yes. During the current levy period, Metro Parks added five new parks, acquired more than 7,500 acres of land, built 80 miles of trails, provided educational programming for more than 50,000 school children and thousands of visitors each year, developed programs for senior citizens and urban youth, enhanced protection of wildlife habitat especially in the Darby Watershed, and increased yearly visitation by more than a million people. Each year more than 6 million people enjoy a visit to a Metro Park.
How much will the levy cost?
The cost to the owner of a $100,000 home would be about $23 a year or about six cents a day.
How long will the levy last?
The ballot issue is a proposed 10-year levy, so it would run until 2019.
How much money would the levy provide?
The 0.75- mill levy will provide about $21.5 million a year.
How will Metro Parks use the money from the levy?
Metro Parks will:
- Maintain existing park grounds, trails and other facilities, as well as provide programs and activities throughout the 15 Metro Parks
- Expand programming for school children, senior citizens, and special populations and continue the urban youth initiative
- Build a nature center in the Darby Watershed and develop programs and exhibits to highlight the importance of this valuable water resource to the community
- Acquire land and build 50 miles of trails and manage more of the Greenways Trail system
- Expand the Scioto Audubon Metro Park on the Whittier Peninsula near downtown Columbus
- Open three new parks: 1. Within the Rocky Fork Headwaters in northeast Franklin County in Plain Township near New Albany 2. Along Little Walnut Creek in Madison Township near Canal Winchester and Groveport 3. Along the Scioto River in southern Franklin County near Grove City
- Acquire land and restore habitat to further protect the rare species of Big Darby Creek as a partner in the Darby Accord
- Restore 1,000 acres of wetlands to attract wildlife and improve water quality, continue programs to enhance the forests and prairies at existing parks
How can you help? The levy committee needs phone bankers, people to display yard signs, letters to the editor, and financial support.
For more information, visit the Metro Parks Levy website.

