AGENDA
ANNOUNCEMENTS
EVENTS
NEWS

Berkeley California votes a goal and starts a plan

In November, Berkeley voters issued a strong mandate for the City to aggressively reduce greenhouse gas emissions by passing Measure G with over 81% of the vote.  The Measure directs the mayor to work with the community to prepare an emissions reduction plan with specific targets by the end of 2007 for submission to the City Council.

Recent news coverage in San Francisco Chronicle

Berkeley Climate Action Campaign

AGENDA for Meeting, June 6, 2007 at 6:30 pm

at the Harvest Coop, 531 Mass Ave, 2nd floor Community Meeting Room (at the back of the store, upstairs on the left).

Please join us to work for Climate Solutions in Cambridge!

Introductions and Greetings
Administrative items
Outreach including June 16 Riverfest
Environmental Candidates Night for City Council Election
Grant Updates: NEGEF to promote Green Condos, Oak Foundation for Cooler Globe
Projects inc. MCAN efficiency project, New England Wind Fund and CFL promotion
Green Cabs
Invite newcomers to get involved and review tasks for coming month

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Volunteer for Green Decade/Cambridge

Please contact info@greencambridge.org if you would like to get involved. We need volunteers to attend upcoming climate related meetings (see events below for details), help write articles, test the new killawatt library lending kits, help investigate options for supporting fuel efficient and/or hybrid taxicabs, organize an environmental candidates night for the upcoming local election, and staff an outreach table at the Cambridge Riverfest on June 16th.

New Green Decade Cambridge Board

Officers:
Sue Butler, President
Kathy Reine, Vice-President
Gordon MacFarland, Treasurer
Alison Field-Juma, Secretary

Board members include officers as well as Sam Seidel, Keren Schlomy and John Tagiuri.

Support Local Clean Renewable Energy

The Wind for Solar Challenge has finished successfully thanks to the participation of over 300 residents, with Cambridge receiving two 2kW solar photovoltaic arrays for schools or other public buildings. Residents and businesses can continue to support local renewable power through the New England Wind Fund, and Cambridge will receive dollar for dollar matching funds for renewable projects. In addition, a second dollar goes to support energy retrofits for low income housing across the state. Contributions are tax deductible. More information and signup: http://www.newenglandwind.org/wind/home.php

EVENTS

Sat. June 2. 1-3 pm JFK Library Forum: Rachel Carson Centennial

At the Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston

May 27, 2007 is the centennial of Rachel Carson's birth. Her book, Silent Spring, transformed our nation and its understanding of the dangers of pesticide use. In response to the issues she raised, President Kennedy appointed a special Science Advisory committee that subsequently affirmed her findings. Stewart Udall, Secretary of the Interior in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, will deliver opening remarks. The other speakers to discuss Carson's life and legacy include: Professor E.O. Wilson, Pulitzer Prize-winning biologist; Linda Lear, Carsons's biographer; and, Roland Clement, former Vice President of the Audubon Society and her defender during the 1950s and 1960s. Annick Smith, nature writer and co-producer of A River Runs Through It, will moderate.
For directions and to register:
http://www.jfklibrary.org/Education+and+Public+Programs/Kennedy+Library+Forums/

Tues. June 12. 1PM Cambridge Wind Taskforce

in the Sophie Anastos Room on the second floor of City Hall.

Including a report on the MIT student wind studies from Radu Raduta and/or other students, as well as an update from George Fernandes about the anemometer he is placing on a municipal building and the possibilities for the Channel 56 tower.  There will also be a discussion of next steps.  Green Decade contact person, Sue Butler, if you plan to attend or for more information.

Tues. June 12. 6-8PM Building and Grounds Subcommittee Meeting of School Committee

in the Media Cafeteria, Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, 459 Broadway

for the purpose of discussing the upcoming high school renovation project and options for additional green and other upgrades.  Green Decade contact person, Michele Sprengnether, if you plan to attend or for more information.

Wed. June 13.  5:00PM The Cable TV, Telecommunications and Public Utilities Committee

public meeting to discuss Building Code revisions on Green Buildings.  Green Decade contact person, Kathy Reine, if you plan to attend or for more information.

Sat. June 16 10:00 am Bicycle Committee spring ride "Rolling through Cambridge Geography from 1776 to Today"

meet at City Hall and end at Cambridge Riverfest.  See www.cambridgebikes.org for more info.

Sat. June 16 noon-6pm Cambridge Riverfest rain or shine.

This is a fun activity to meet other members of Green Decade Cambridge and to promote climate action.  Please contact Kathy Reine to volunteer an hour or so of your time. 

Sat. June 23. noon-4PM Boston Solar Day  Solstice Pizza Picnic

Somerville Community Growing Center, located at the corner of Summer St. and Vinal Ave., near Union Square

Come for conversation, networking, information on clean energy optionssubsidies and incentives to help add solar to your home, school, or business, share information on projects you/your organizations are working on, connect with local organizations dedicated to a clean, sustainable, peaceable solar future!   Visit www.basea.org for more information.

NEWS

City Council Declares May 27 Rachel Carson Day

in honor of the 100th birthday of the renowned biologist and nature writer

WHEREAS: In her numerous writings, including Silent Spring, Rachel Carson stressed the web of life and connected our attitudes to nature, and often our actions, to harmful practices toward the environment;

WHEREAS: In the midst of adversity and strong opposition from industry and corporate interests Rachel Carson called attention to our responsibility towards the environment, and as a biologist she insisted on the importance of educating the public about the dangers of contamination by toxic substances; and

WHEREAS: Rachel Carsons work has influenced public policy about the environment all over the world and since her publications, research has increasingly shown the links of contamination of water, air, and soil to disease and illness; and

WHEREAS:  The City of Cambridge has committed itself to energy conservation, realizing that climate change and global warming constitute a serious threat to the wellbeing and the future of our planet, and in so doing has taken seriously Rachel Carsons warnings about our responsibilities; now therefore be it

RESOLVED: That the City Council declare May 27 as annual Rachel Carson Day in Cambridge.

Bicycle, Public Transportation and Shared Ride Enthusiasts use the Internet to Ease Their Rides

Check out recent websites on the transporation section of our links page.

For an insider's view of making bike and pedestrian travel safer in Cambridge, read traffic engineer Jeff Parenti's piece, Cambridge Plans a Livable Community.