Staunton Green 2020

Get your Staunton Green 2020 bumper sticker, take our “emboiled by Gulf Oil” survey, learn about Green Loans, chat with fine folks  and nosh on some locally sourced food and drink. See you at 5pm at Zynodoa (115 E. Beverley St. – downtown Staunton).

Staunton might seem far away from the Gulf of Mexico, but our dependency on oil is inextricably linked to the millions of gallons of oil gushing into the gulf. The proportions of the Deepwater Horizon environmental and human tragedy grow each day which makes looking at this immense disaster even more overwhelming. Nonetheless, consider viewing this underwater footage from ABC news on the Repower America web site to get a sense of the impact of this gusher.

Commentators locally, like Ed Scerbo, and elsewhere have smartly pointed out that calling the disaster in the gulf a “spill” is misleading. A spill suggests an accident with a finite amount that can be cleaned up. The gusher in the gulf is a result of decades of decisions (and indecisions) and our addiction to oil.

Let’s work locally to reduce our dependence. Use the comments section to identify one or two ways you are going to lessen your use of petroleum.

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Staunton Green 2020 logo

Oil spill in the gulf got you down? We’re frustrated and bummed out too. We can sit on our hands or we can take some action and come together. Here are some ways to help to get things going locally:

Next Thursday, June 10 at 5pm head over to Zynodoa (115 E. Beverley) in downtown Staunton for Green Drinks. No, not  shots of algae biofuel, but getting together in a fun and hip spot with some of the best local food and drinks, while meeting others interested in greening our environment, energy and economy.  We hope you’ll come. Let us know if you plan to swing by: RSVP to stauntongreen<at>gmail.com (replace the <at> with an @)

I’ll be wearing my recycled 1974 green blazer from Stuyvesant Thrift Store (you don’t have to wear green, but let’s make Staunton Green).

On the following Thursday, June 17 at 7pm it’s King Corn, the first installment of the local motion summer film series sponsored by Transition Staunton Augusta, in partnership with Staunton Green 2020 at the Mockingbird Restaurant at 123 W. Beverley. Free admission.

Come early to enjoy a special dinner in the Music Hall featuring food from local farmers (call 540.213.8777 for reservations). King Corn is a feature documentary about two friends, one acre of corn, and the subsidized crop that drives our fast-food nation.

On July 3 Staunton Green 2020 will again be driving a hybrid vehicle in the Staunton July 4th parade. We hope to see you at Gypsy Hill Park.

local motion summer film series

June 17 King Corn

July 15: Save Our Land, Save Our Towns

Aug. 19: A Crude Awakening

Sept. 16: The Green House

Soon will be sharing more information about our fall “re-skilling” workshops and additional efforts to reduce our carbon footprint here in Staunton.

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico just got scarier. NPR reported today that the spill could be considerably worse than originally believed. See the story here. It would be easy to get bummed out by the environmental damage, angry about the economic consequences and worried about the potential increase in gas prices. Instead take action to reduce your dependence on oil. Here are some steps to consider:

1. Help SG2020 in our efforts to create clean energy and green jobs in our community. EMAIL US: StauntonGreen AT gmail.com (insert @ in place of AT, no spaces!)
2. Make better transportation choices: walk, cycle, take the train, carpool, or recycle an old car for an energy efficient model. Plus, turn off the mower, blower and other small engines. Finally, combine errands into one trip.
3. Talk to friends, neighbors and local politicians; discuss what we all can do to move the entire city to greener and lower carbon practices.
4. Shop at locally owned businesses, support Augusta County agriculture. Join a CSA this summer.
5. Attend Staunton Green 2020 events — such as End of Suburbia at the Mockingbird on Thur. May 20 @ 7pm
6. Buy less stuff and when you do make a purchase, bring your own (petro free) bag!  Rethink your purchasing priorities. And of course recycle, reduce, reuse, renovate and restore.
7. Reduce your home’s carbon footprint by 20% by 2020 and save on your monthly bills and be eligible for BIG state and federal income tax incentives.
8. Demand environmental education in local schools; talk to school board members and teachers.  Instruct children in sustainable living.
9. Let  local, state and national lawmakers know your feelings.
10. Support SG2020 by making a tax-deductible donation through the Staunton Creative Community Fund.  Make your checks payable to SCCF and place SG2020 on your memo line. Your donation is  fully deductible to the extent allowed by law. Send checks to:  SCCF, 35 S. New St. Staunton VA 24401