Staunton Green 2020

Staunton Green 2020 remains non-partisan.  We encourages discussion and participation from all residents and all viewpoints.

Do you have questions regarding good jobs for the Valley? Green jobs for the Valley? If so, you must come to the Staunton Public Library tomorrow night at 7pm.

SG2020 co-founder, Erik Curren, is currently running for Virginia’s 20th District.  Come and hear Erik unveil his plan, “Good Jobs for the Valley”.

All interested parties are encouraged to attend.

Did you hear that the White House is seeking LEED certification? This impresses me as an outstanding way to “lead by example” and demonstrate environmental leadership. Of course, not everyone can afford to make sufficient changes for LEED certification in their own home.

However, a few energy efficiency changes around the house can really pay — namely, these offer an  average return on investment of up to 16%. (Here’s a place to do your own home energy audit).

Here’s an excerpt from President Obama’s speech yesterday about our collective need to address climate change and create green jobs:

The journey is long. The journey is hard. And we don’t have much time left to make it. It is a journey that will require each of us to persevere through setback, and fight for every inch of progress, even when it comes in fits and starts. So let us begin. For if we are flexible and pragmatic; if we can resolve to work tirelessly in common effort, then we will achieve our common purpose: a world that is safer, cleaner, and healthier than the one we found; and a future that is worthy of our children. — President Obama

Please review our goals for SG2020 and consider the action steps you can take on a personal level. What specific goals should Staunton make to combat climate change?

Related articles by Zemanta

• Green living: 19 ways to save the planet list (telegraph.co.uk)
• Green-collar workers say job security rising (thestar.com)
• NAACP Commits To Help Fight Climate Change (takepart.com)
• Govt Announces Money for Green Jobs and Training (abcnews.go.com)

Does what happen in Brussels stay in Brussels?

Restrictions on the import and sale of incandescent bulbs went into effect across most of Europe recently. The mission is to save energy and combat global warming. Retailers are selling off their stock of traditional bulbs until they run out, says The New York Times.

Could a similar ban make sense on these shores? It might …Changing a light-bulb to a more energy-efficient CFL or LED can collectively make a significant difference. Yes, the bulbs are more expensive on the front-end but will pay for themselves in energy costs over the long haul. (In fact, depending on bulb, they last five or more years!)

Here are some ways to let the (energy-efficient) light shine

What do you think about a proposed ban on traditional light bulbs?

Related articles by Zemanta

• Backlash over light bulb ban continues to build in Europe (dailyfinance.com)

FREE! OPEN TO THE PUBLIC…RSVP by September 28:

The second meeting of the Virginia 25x’25 State Alliance will be held on the campus of Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA on Tuesday, October 6th. Please share this with others whom you think may be interested in attending on October 6. This session will begin at 2 PM and be held in Moody Hall.

We have organized this meeting to be held prior to the Commonwealth of Virginia Energy Symposium (COVES) to help maximize travel and facilitate new connections across Virginia. Please visit: www.vmi.edu/coves for more information on COVES and to register for the event. A panel is being coordinated to focus on 25x’25 in Virginia as a part of COVES and will be held on October 8th.

I hope you will be able to join us in Lexington on October 6. Please RSVP to Ryan Cornett (cornetrp AT jmu.edu) by September 28.

Virginia Energy Work Session

Image via Wikipedia

By Bruce Dorries, SG2020 Founding Member

After my last column about a green-living pledge, this note appeared in my mailbox: “I wonder about something,” it begins.

“Perhaps you might answer: Why can’t we recycle plastics at the Augusta County sites along with cans, bottles, paper, cardboard? I strongly believe in recycling all we can,” the writer declared. “I tried purchasing ‘without plastic’ — it isn’t possible.”

The globe is awash in post-consumer use plastic. Haphazardly discarded bottles, bags, and other packaging have become an eyesore and environmental problem everywhere. The scale of problem, on land and sea, and its economic complexity makes the issue seem nearly impossible to address.

People everywhere want to do good by the earth. They just don’t always know how.

There is evidence, both at home and abroad, of progress being made to better manage used consumer plastics.

Continue reading at The News Leader

Bonus: A Washington, DC company is working to make recycled plastic power our vehicles

In case you missed the announcement last week…

The City of Staunton, through the assistance of the Staunton Creative Community Fund (SCCF),  is distributing $200,000 to local entrepreneurs who are starting or expanding a small business through the new SPARC-PLUG program. Preference will be given to women, minorities, and low-to-moderate income individuals. SCCF is particularly committed to small businesses that are economically viable, socially equitable, and environmentally sound.

If you have a good idea and are ready to act, the time is now! These funds will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Questions? Contact Meghan Williamson or Tanya Brockett at SCCF (9 South Augusta Street). Or, stop in and chat with us at George Bowers Grocery; we in the first group of entrepreneurs last year to receive micro-lending financing through SCCF. We’ve been through the process and can answer questions. We’ve also got the SPARC-PLUG application and info available for download at our website.

Looking for a family activity with the kids this weekend? Join folks at the Frontier Culture Museum forthe 2009 Virginia Environmental Assembly meeting… events all weekend.

More details here.

Here in Staunton we’re fortunate to have clean water and regular rainfall. So, it’s easy to take water for granted.  (Check out some of the water improvements locally). However, clean water is rare in many parts of the world (including several areas in the U.S.), and, transportation and storage of water via pumps or water tanks indirectly contribute to climate change thanks to use of fossil fuel.

So, with that in mind here are ways you can reduce water usage in your home or apartment. Your goal is to have your home sip water, not chug it.

Showers, Not Baths
A quick shower will save water compared to a bath.

Aerate
You can inexpensively add an aerator to shower heads and faucets. They are easy to install and you won’t suffer from lost pressure. You’ll simply use less water.

Run Full
If you have a dishwasher, don’t run it unless it is totally full. If you wash by hand, do not let water run freely unless into a stopped sink.

Continue reading at AOL’s Rented Spaces.