Sierra Club News A Publication for Members and Friendsof the Roanoke Group of the Sierra Club August-September 2006 Contents (quick links): Earth Friendly Friday - August 11, 2006 - "KILOWATT
OURS" Earth Friendly Friday - August 11, 2006 - "KILOWATT OURS" What would you find if you traced the wires from your light switch to the energy source? Mountain top removal, global climate change, childhood asthma… or hope? Vice President Dick Cheney, in his infamous energy policy speech of April 30, 2001, claimed that America must build 1900 new power plants by 2020. That is one new power plant per week for the next two decades in order to meet projected electricity demands. The independent film "Kilowatt Ours" challenges this assertion by
presenting an alternative based on conservation and renewable power. Produced on a $20,000
budget, this documentary reveals the underreported side effects resulting from America's
voracious appetite for coal-generated electricity. "Kilowatt Ours" follows
filmmaker Jeff Barrie on his Leaving the devastation behind, the story makes an uplifting turn, uncovering hope-filled examples of conservation, efficiency and renewable power at work today. Barrie makes the case that environmental problems could be minimized by utilizing alternative technologies that are available today. The solutions are surprisingly accessible and affordable to the average American. "Kilowatt Ours" presents viewers with an ambitious plan for shifting America's energy paradigm towards conservation and renewable power. We are proud to present the first Roanoke area public showing of this provocative film at our August Earth Friendly Friday (Aug. 11, 2006; 6:30 PM at Roanoke Unitarian Universalist Church, 2015 Grandin Rd - see map for location). Following the screening, we'll have time for an open discussion. This presentation is part of the Earth Friendly Friday series, jointly sponsored by the Roanoke Sierra Club and the Environmental Concerns Committee of the Roanoke Unitarian Universalist Church. All programs are free and open to the public. Starting at 6:30 we'll have refreshments, music, and socializing - everyone is invited to bring a snack to share with others. The film and discussion will run from 7:00 to approximately 8:00, and will be followed by more socializing, food and music! IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ARRANGE A SCREENING OF "KILOWATT OURS" FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION, PLEASE CONTACT US AT 540-387-0930 (Mark McClain or Diana Christopulos) In this long, hot summer punctuated by gusty thunderstorms, the Executive Committee of the Sierra Club's Roanoke Group has voted to make Cool Cities its top priority. Cool Cities is a grass roots response to federal inaction on global climate change. The program reduces energy use, saves taxpayer dollars, improves public health and protects the environment. The campaign asks mayors to: 1. Sign the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement to curb global warming pollution in their city by 7% below1990 levels by 2012\ 2. Develop a plan for smart energy solutions such as
As of July 14, 2006, a total of 266 mayors representing over 47 million Americans had signed the agreement - including the mayors of Charlottesville, Alexandria and Virginia Beach. In two nights of tabling at "An Inconvenient Truth," we gathered 90 signatures asking Mayor Harris to designate Roanoke as a Cool City. The public wants these changes, and our local cities and counties have already undertaken a number of efforts to reduce energy use. For example, the Roanoke County schools have had an energy program since August 1998. In that time they have avoided spending over $4.5 million through energy savings. More improvements and savings are in the planning stages. You can help. Roanoke City is the first priority, as it has the largest population and uses the greatest amount of energy in the Roanoke Valley. Whether you live in the city or not, you are affected by its emissions Please help by doing one or more of these things:
Sept. 8 - PopHike: Mexico to Canada by way of Cairo Earth Friendly Friday September 8 will feature long distance hiker David Nova. From April to September 2005, Planned Parenthood of the Blue Ridge CEO David Nova hiked the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. He faced hundreds of miles of desert, deep snows and elevations above 13,000 feet while carrying minimalist gear, including a homemade tarp and homemade alcohol stove. He did so to raise awareness of population growth and consumption issues that threaten the environment and our natural resources. While the Pacific Crest Trail is more remote and isolated than the Appalachian Trail that David hiked in 1984, both trails face increased threats from encroaching development. David used his hike to champion the "Cairo Agreement." This agreement, established during the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, Egypt, addresses population issues in developing nations. The Cairo Agreement also deals with concerns about over-consumption in countries such as the United States. David will discuss his adventures and the Cairo Agreement while showing images from his PopHike (Population Hike). DATE/TIME: September 8 - 6:30 PM. There will be socializing , music and food before and after the program which will start at 7:00 PM. (Feel free to bring a snack dish to share). Location: Roanoke Unitarian Universalist Church, 2015 Grandin Rd (See map above). A word from the Chair - "Environmental Community" - A Work in Progress by Roanoke Group Chair Mark McClain Those of you who have attended one or more of our "Earth Friendly Friday" programs have already met Diana Christopulos. Now it's time that the rest of you meet her. Diana, along with fellow ExCom member and former Group Chair Bob Egbert, conceived the idea of an environmental program series, not just as a Sierra Club program but for the entire community. Buoyed by the success of the "Earth Friendly Friday" series and inspired to action by Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth", Diana is taking the lead role in our campaign to mobilize the community to tackle the issue of Global Climate Change (see "Make Roanoke A 'Cool City'" on page 1). We will be reaching out to all who share our belief that we must act locally to begin the reversal of our potentially disastrous course. We plan to collaborate with leaders from all parts of our community: business, government, education, other environmental groups, religious organizations, neighborhood associations, civic groups, and others. This broad-based campaign will work toward transforming the Roanoke Valley into a model of energy and environmental responsibility. This is the most critical issue we face today. I sincerely urge you to answer the call for action. To find out how you can help, just call Diana at 387-0930. GET LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS BY EMAIL FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON OUR LOCAL EVENTS, CLICK HERE! |
Roanoke Group
of the Virginia Chapter
18-month journey across the southeast
United States, where more than six tons of coal are burned to generate electricity for the
average home annually. Barrie takes viewers from our light switches at home to the sources
of our energy, examining social and environmental consequences such as global warming,
mountain top removal, air pollution, childhood asthma and mercury contamination.