- Comment: Implications would be clearly devastating for NJ. We'll need to increase our level of urgency and hope everyone else does the same. If the article I referenced doesn't offer enough alarm, try this one: "Climate Change: Chasm Widens Between Science and Policy." Policy is improving, but at a slower rate than the climate warnings are worsening.
Corzine's Carbon Roads. Yesterday I wrote that Corzine's road-building plans threaten to overwhelm the carbon reduction efforts implicit in his hopes to improve public transportation. Today I see a new report from Texas A&M saying that making cement creates 5% of the world's greenhouse gases. Given the quickly rising urgency of the climate crisis (see above), folks like Corzine need to start taking overall emissions reduction much more seriously.
Jersey City. "Green City Goals." Paul Koepp writing for Jersey Journal, reports, "[Jersey City] is now trying to put on a more environmentally friendly face, with Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy rolling out proposals aimed at energy-efficient and pollution-free vehicles, buildings and supplies." The Mayor's office has sent numerous proposals to the City Council for review and are expected to be introduced more formally to the public in January. The proposals "Really put Jersey City as one of the leaders" in the state, according to a DEP official. (hat tip Shore11)
- Comment: Let's hope the Jersey City Council acts quickly. Doing so will bolster efforts to win Obama funding that's aimed specifically at environmental initiatives in urban centers. Let's also hope the Mayor and Council take a comprehensive approach to improving efficiency (see my next comment, below)
Morris County / Energy. The Daily Record reviews Morris County's extensive plans to support renewable energy projects in approximately 100 school districts and municipal offices.
- Comment: Laudable. But remember that investing energy efficiency is often even more cost effective way to cut fuel costs and improve the environment. Read this post for more: "An efficiency portfolio standard is as important as a renewable standard -- and should come first." Closer to home, there was a nice little piece in the NY Times yesterday saying how cost-efficient it is to weatherize homes -- NJ should shift its emphasis from paying poor folks' utility bills, to lowering them.
NJ & Hydro Power. The NJ Herald picked up the important story of Sparta's efforts to turn a quarry into a significant source of hydroelectric power.
- Comment: I wrote about this project and implications in "NJ & Hydro Power: Still Perfect Together."
Preservation. Madison inked $13m deal for 50 acres of open space, writes Jake Remaly for The Daily Record. The acquisition "protects aquifers that supply the borough's water and averts traffic problems that would have been created...." Instead, "handicap-accessible trails through the woods and a community garden are projects that could start in the foreseeable future."
Ocean Power. Ocean Power Technologies of Pennington, NJ signed an agreement last week with an Australian firm to develop wave power projects off the coasts of Austrialia and New Zealand. "This is the latest in a number of deals for Ocean Power over the past year," Earth2Tech reports.
Green Hiring Opportunity? Kudos to the Asbury Park Press for profiling three young guys touring the country in a bus fueled by vegetable oil.
- Comment: How many environmental groups will be contacting Connor Effenberger, Lucas Benjamin and Eric Loundy to join?
Legal Talent. The Delaware Riverside Conservancy honored attorney Jeffrey Russo for his expertise in aiding the cause. (hat tip Shore11)
Pollution. An editorial in The Record laments the decision to cut from the budget two Meadowlands anti-dumping patrollers. (hat tip Shore11)
Global Warming / NJ. The Courier Post picks up the much-discussed Draft Global Warming Response Act Recommendation Report.
Passaic River Coalition. The Coalition will be moving into a beautiful new permanent headquarters -- Willow Hall in Morristown.
NJ Green Winter Newsletters - Update. I'm continuing to post brief updates on each newsletter coming from the 200-or-so NJ green organizations that I try to track. If I've missed your Dec./Jan./Winter newsletter, please let me know. And don't hesitate to "sign me up!" My high-volume email inbox is: josephbasralian at yahoo dot com.
- New Jersey Conservation Foundation - Winter newsletter. A colorful, inspiring presentation of the Foundation's achievements and '09 ambitions.
Posts
0 comments
Post a Comment