Boston GreenScene

Boston Falling Short on 2020 Goal?

"I'm not sure a story on the problems would be positive." 

These words come straight from the mouth of Jeremy Dick, the man in charge of a program put forth by Boston's Mayor Menino in 2007, which promised to plant 100,000 trees in Boston by 2020. This was an aspiring plan in its nascence. Increasing the verdance of Boston's landscape would underscore the beauty that is already alive in the city's old architecture, naturally amplifying its aesthetic. However, this only the icing on the cake when it comes to the benefits that Bostonians will enjoy if this project proves successful. Planting trees is a fantastic way to increase air quality by reducing the content of carbon dioxide in the air, as well as by providing cooling shade to buildings and side walks, and control the flow of stormwater runoff.

When you lay the plan out in terms of the benefits that abound from something as simple and wholesome as planting a tree, there's no question that Menino's initiative sounds like a smart goal for the city. But, is it SMART? 

That is, is this tree planting program Spefic? Is it Measurable? Attainable? Is it Realistic and can it be completed in the amount of Time that is allowed for it? In the planning stages, the goal seems to satisfy those general requirements. Menino's plan called for 100,000 trees (Measurable) to be planted in the Boston metropolitan area (Specific) by 2020. He allowed some thirteen years for the plan to come to fruition and set a person in charge of the project. This could reasonably be expected to satisfy the final three requirements that the goal be realistic, achievable, and timely.

GREENING YOUR SUPERBOWL PARTY

Grab your favorite football jersey and park yourself in front of the tube for a face-off with the Steelers and the Packers. Planning on having some friends join you, too? Here are some tips to help you make your party eco-friendly. Thanks to Sustainability Ninja, eHow.com, and Earth911.com, we've got a nice little list to keep you green and clean this February 6th.

• Use cloth napkins and resuable dishes and glassware.
• Recycle your bottles and cans or think about getting a keg and have extra glasses on hand.
• Serve local and organic foods. You can make some kick-ass vegetarian chili without destroying your carbon footprint.
• Send e-vites, e-mail, or text for invitation. It doesn't hurt to pick up the phone once in a while either.
• Skip the decorations. They're only going to end up in the trash anyway, so why bother? Try candles or Chinese lanterns. Choose from what you already have on hand to make your space more festive.
• Don't order take-out and give any leftovers to a local food bank.

Whatever your plans are for Super Bowl LXV, there are a number of ways to have fun and still maintain a green lifestyle. Have any other tips we didn't mention here? Leave a comment and let our other readers know!

Image courtesy of NFL.com via Associated Press.

EVENT: Sustainable Preservation: The Power Of Preservation/Reuse As A Green Strategy

Buildings account for nearly 40% of all U.S. energy use and carbon emissions.  With one of the country's leading preservation architects as your guide, the lecture will explore the power of adaptive reuse to reduce those numbers and move us toward sustainability.  

Jean Carroon, FAIA, LEED AP, a principal in Goody Clancy''s highly regarded preservation practice, has earned national recognition for her expertise in applying sustainable-design technology to historic buildings, including Trinity Church and more than a dozen National Historic Landmarks.  In this lecture, Carroon explores the power of adaptive reuse to reduce energy use and carbon emissions, and move us toward sustainability.  Learn how an icon such as H.H. Richardson's Trinity Church in Boston can go green and why a 1970's strip-mall supermarket not only deserves similar attention but also can emerge as a building that delights users and protects the environment.

 

When: Wednesday, January 26th, 2011, 7:00 PM

Where: Trinity Church, 206 Clarendon St, Boston, MA

Contact: Kathy Acerbo-Bachmann - kacerbobachmann@trinitychurchboston.org or go here for more information.

Cost: $15 to the general public

Milking the corporate cow

By Ryan Parker

Ryan Parker is a former staff member of the United States House of Representatives. Currently, he runs a diversified, beyond organic, small family farm.

 A recent BDN article by Dr. Stephen Sears probably left readers wondering why it was relevant and what they should do about the deadly toxin raw milk. It might surprise the majority of Mainers that the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control have been spending lots of our tax dollars raiding small farms, sending FBI agents into stores with guns drawn, misleading consumers, shutting down family cheese artisans and issuing cease and desist orders to family farms (in Maine) that sell milk to their neighbors.

After Dr. Sears’ (Maine’s state epidemiologist) article, you’re probably breathing easy knowing these agencies are fighting such terrible threats as raw milk. Indeed, as the doctor wrote, according to the CDC, raw milk has been responsible for two deaths in the United States since 1998.

Obviously, Dr. Sears simply stated numbers from agency press releases and e-mails rather than actually looking at the Foodborne Outbreak Online Database. There, he would have found that, indeed, in the decade between 1998 and 2008, in a country now home to a population of more than 300 million, raw milk caused two deaths. What he neglected to mention regarding “public health” was that in 2007, in Massachusetts alone, there were three deaths from pasteurized milk.

How could Dr. Sears miss this information when he is so concerned about public health? Presumably, the same way he could quote an oft-stated CDC figure of 1,614 reported illnesses from raw milk. Why the CDC uses this figure is unbeknownst to the population, since its own data reveals 1,254 reported illnesses for the decade in question.

So what is going on here?

This is part of a nationwide campaign to take away your right to eat and feed your children healthy, real food. Sound like a conspiracy theory? Don’t take my word for it. Take the FDA’s. The Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund recently sued the FDA because its ban on interstate sales of raw milk is unconstitutional. In the motion to dismiss, the FDA stated the following: “There is no right to consume or feed children any particular food. There is no generalized right to bodily and physical health.”

Scared? It gets worse.

It's about literacy, not landfill.

 

The Great American Book Drive™ to benefit the Prison Book Program and the City Mission Society!

Are your bookshelves bursting at the seams? Do you have books you'd like to donate to a good cause? The Prison Book Program and the City Mission Society are joining forces for the fourth year in a row to make it easier than ever for gently used books to benefit others by presenting The Great American Book Drive™. Let us find your used books a new home! A percentage of the profits from their sale will fund two great programs. It's about literacy, not landfill.

Saturday, November 6th 
10 am - 3 pm (rain or shine!)
  
The NonProfit Center 
89 South Street 
Boston, MA 02111(directions)

 

10/10/10

 

Frustrated about climate change legislation not getting off the ground in D.C.? Concerned about oil spills and the rising ocean levels?  Want to work with others in your community to increase awareness about environmental issues? Well, 350.org is inviting you to a party.  

On October 10th, the folks at 350.org are hosting what they are calling a Global Work Party, and they want you to come.  Or better yet, to throw your own party.  According to 350.org founder, Bill McKibben:  

"On 10/10/10 we'll show that we the people can do this--but we need bold energy policies from our political leaders to do it on a scale that truly matters.  The goal of the day is not to solve the climate crisis one project at a time, but to send a pointed political message: if we can get to work, you can get to work too--on the legislation and the treaties that will make all our work easier in the long run.

It’s been a tough year—but it can be a beautiful day on the 10th Of October if we work together, and party together. And if we do it right, then we’ll take a big step towards the kind of political solutions we desperately need."

 

To sign up to host an event or to find one in your area, check out the 350.org Action Website. 

Let us know if you are planning on hosting an event in the Greater Boston Area and we will make sure the word gets out!

Reminder: Massachusetts State Primary Day

Don't forget that Tuesday, September 14th, is Massachusetts State Primary Day.  Polls will be open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM and you can find polling location and other election information at the Massachusetts Elections Division.  If you are looking for more information about what races are being held in your area, the Boston Globe's Voter Guide is a great place to start.  Over 4 million Massachusetts residents are eligible to vote on Tuesday, let's make sure we all turn out and support candidates who have green priorities!

ARE YOU A PARENT? ARE YOU AWAKE?

by Heather Burns

I only needed to open the door a few days ago to my child's gymnasium and take one whiff of the newly polished floor to be reminded of how much work still needs to be done to create awareness, turn inaction into action and create real change when it comes to the toxic environment our children are exposed to. 

And while I may not be able to instantly control what school administrators put on floors, on the lunch menu, or on the school yards - I can create change to the degree I feel comfortable, have time for or feel compelled. 

Healthy Child, Healthy World is a stand up organization helping keep "conscious" parents like me well informed so I can make sound choices on behalf of my children. 

Explore the Changing Tide of Recycling’s Future

NERC’s Fall Conference, November 3 & 4, 2010

Interested in learning about changes on the horizon for recycling and waste management? Then plan on attending the Northeast Recycling Council Fall Conference. Complete agenda details are available online at www.nerc.org

When: November 3 – 4, 2010
Where: Hotel Northampton, Northampton, Massachusetts
Other Event Information: Register now for this exciting gathering at www.nerc.org Exhibit space and sponsorship opportunities are available.
Contact:  Mary Ann Remolador, NERC’s Assistant Director & Conference Organizer, (802) 254-3636 or maryann@nerc.org.

 

bGreen Mobile Showroom

Our friends over at bGreen have recently completed their mobile showroom and were just covered by the Boston Globe's Innovation Economy.  bGreen founders Barry Greenstein and Lee Schneider have been working hard to ensure that living green is second nature and we are excited to see this green Boston start-up getting recognition.  Check out bGreen for your green lifestyle and building needs and be sure to keep your eye out for the bGreen mobile showroom!