27th Episode of GreenNews4U

Problems and Solutions with E-waste In this edition I will be talking about e-waste in other words electronic recycling. Electronic recycling is in its infancy stages. So many components are being used to extend the life (battery life) of electronic products that it becomes a challenge on the recycling end. It seems there are very few laws on e-waste that the black market is thriving and in the process eco systems and human lives are being destroyed. Just watch the documentary GHANA: DIGITAL DUMPING GROUND. It's so easy to focus on the negatives on e-waste so let's begin to focus on âchangeâ and the positive things taking place to correct this problem. To do this my special guest is Steve Skurnac who is the North American President with Sims Recycling Solutions.

Melvin Wylie

Teamsters Sue To Close Border To Unsafe, Polluting Mexican Trucks

WASHINGTON - The Teamsters on Wednesday sued to block the U.S. Department of Transportation from opening the U.S. border to dangerous Mexican trucks through an illegal pilot program.   "Opening the border to these dangerous, dirty trucks is an attack on highway safety, an attack on American truckers and warehouse workers, an attack on border security and an attack on our environment," said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. "It's outrageous enough that we've outsourced millions of jobs to foreign countries, but now we're bringing foreign workers across the border into the United States to take our jobs. This is another pressure the American middle class doesn't need." The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Public Citizen and the Sierra Club challenged the program in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. The suit claims the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration breaks the following laws: It waives a law that trucks must display certain proof that they meet federal safety standards. It breaks the law requiring the pilot program to achieve an equivalent level of safety because Mexican drivers don't have to meet the same physical requirements as U.S. drivers. It breaks the law that Mexico must provide simultaneous and comparable access to U.S. trucks. Mexico cannot do so because of the limited availability of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel in Mexico. It breaks the law that the pilot program must include enough participants to be statistically valid. The FMCSA's proposal ensures that only the best Mexican trucks participate, which would allow it to justify letting any Mexican truck over the border in the future. It doesn't comply with the environment requirement of the National Environmental Policy Act. "Congress has repeatedly and overwhelmingly set tough safety conditions for any cross-border trucking program, and this one clearly doesn't meet those conditions," Hoffa said. The pilot program got off to a rocky start when the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration approved trucking operator Grupo Behr from Tijuana, Mexico. The carrier owned one 20-year-old semi-tractor trailer with numerous safety issues. FMCSA had to disqualify it from the program after the Teamsters Union and others brought Grupo Behr's safety record to light. A second carrier, Transportes Olympic, of Monterrey, Mexico, started operating in the U.S. last month. Safety concerns have also been raised about Transportes Olympic.

Melvin Wylie

SustainU Opens Its First Retail Store

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - SustainU, a leading producer of apparel using fabrics made from 100% recycled materials that are manufactured in the USA, today announced the opening of its first retail store in Morgantown, WV on Tuesday, November 29th. Located in the Wharf District, the store will feature SustainU's line of t-shirts, hoodies and polos made from 100% recycled material and manufactured entirely in the United States. "We are the only apparel company in the United States that uses only recycled material and American labor to manufacture its clothing," said Chris Yura, CEO and founder of SustainU. "It is important for future generations that businesses become more sustainable. This is why we are trying to bring back jobs to the US and do it in an environmentally responsible way." Using recycled cotton scraps and plastic bottles, SustainU partners with factories like the Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind (WSIFB) to manufacture its apparel. The White House recently recognized the young West Virginia company in its blog: "Chris hoped to create a more authentic garment, one that embodied the social, environmental and economic values with which he was raised. With a small loan from his parents, he moved to North Carolina, a vibrant textile region, to learn how to make quality, affordable apparel. He brought this knowledge back to his home state of West Virginia and in June of 2009, at the age of 28, Chris founded SustainU." The SustainU retail store, located at 63 Wharf Street across from Oliverio's Restaurant, will be open weekdays from 9 am to 7 pm and Saturdays from 12 noon to 5 pm and will carry SustainU and WVU merchandise. Products can also be purchased online at SustainUclothing.com/store.

Melvin Wylie

Diseased Dogs Rescued From Dinner Plates in China

BEIJING - Hundreds of dogs who narrowly escaped the fate of being on a restaurant menu, received emergency vaccinations provided by the International Fund for Animal Welfare - IFAW (www.ifaw.org). At the same time, IFAW issued an open letter to the Chinese authorities, calling for enforcement of health and quarantine regulations to prevent the illegal, unsafe and inhumane inter-province transport of dogs for human consumption. On October 14, concerned residents intercepted a truck packed with more than 800 dogs in Zigong, Sichuan province heading to Guangxi for slaughter. The dogs were cramped into 100 cages without food or water for three to four days. Veterinarians conducted health examinations and found the dogs were not only suffering from various degrees of dehydration, fractures and trauma, but many were also infected with potentially lethal infectious diseases, such as canine distemper and Parvovirus and serious illnesses caused by fungi and mites. Twenty-seven dogs have died so far due to injury and disease. "The transport of live animals in urban and rural areas carries a high risk of spreading infectious diseases to both animals and people. It also brings great challenges to the prevention of epidemics," said Dr. Kati Loeffler, IFAW's Veterinarian Advisor. "It poses a direct threat to human health and public safety." IFAW questions the mishandling of the case by local authorities who failed to uphold existing regulations to ensure public safety. In a letter to authorities, IFAW appeals for strengthening existing regulation to protect companion animals from the illegal meat trade and advocates for the anti-cruelty legislation to protect all animals, including dogs and cats. "This is the second time this year that concerned citizens have intercepted companion animals headed for slaughter – showing that times are changing," said Grace Gabriel, IFAW's Asia Regional Director. "The Chinese public is speaking up and taking action against animal cruelty. IFAW's team on the ground will continue to call for China's laws to catch up with the growing desires of Chinese people for greater dog protection." About IFAW (the International Fund for Animal Welfare) Founded in 1969, IFAW saves animals in crisis around the world. With projects in more than 40 countries, IFAW rescues individual animals, works to prevent cruelty to animals, and advocates for the protection of wildlife and habitats. For more information, visit www.ifaw.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Melvin Wylie

Hawaii's 2012 State Teacher of the Year Receives Use of an Electric Car; Two Charging Stations

HONOLULU - With Hawaii focusing on the development of the state's abundant wind, wave, sun, geo-thermal, ocean-thermal and bio-mass energy resources, this year, an electric car (use for a year) was awarded to the 2012 State Teacher of the Year during ceremonies held at historic Washington Place, across from the State Capitol. Chad Miller, a language arts teacher at Kailua High School, received the prestigious designation as the 2012 Hawaii State Teacher of the Year during ceremonies hosted by the Hawaii State Department of Education. Miller will represent the state of Hawaii at the 2012 National Teacher of the Year program next year. The use of the Mitsubishi iMiEV was provided by Cutter Mitsubishi and was presented by Mitsubishi Motors North America president and CEO Yoichi Yokozawa, who said, "I believe the state of Hawaii is a great location for electric vehicles. The state can be an example to the world for zero emission cars. Hawaii can show others how to make it work." Two electric vehicle charging stations –one for the teacher's residence and one for the teacher's school parking space-- were provided compliments of AeroVironment, a Monrovia, California-based supplier of EV charging stations. Pat Ah You, general manager of Cutter Mitsubishi, reminded Miller that Honolulu allows free parking for electric vehicles at all City and County public parking facilities and parking meter stalls on streets and roadways throughout the island of Oahu. "The electric car presentation to the teacher is significant this year in that it demonstrates Hawaii's new car dealers' commitment to education, the new renewable energy transition, and to the next generation of young people who are customers in the future," said Ah You.

Melvin Wylie

26th Episode of GreenNews4U

Organically Grown Clothing In this episode of GreenNews4U I interview Sebastian with Right as Rain. Right as Rain is an organic piece of clothing grown and produced by mother earth. Now how can the earth produce a piece of clothing that a farmer from Scotland, now living in Italy, can harvest? Well you will have to listen to this episode to find out. You can find Right as Rain on Facebook and to purcahse their products go to their web page.

Melvin Wylie

Organica Sustainable Water on PBS (Huffington Post & National Geographic)

A few months ago I had the privilege of interviewing Melissa with Organica Sustainable Water. Since then they have been in the the Huffington Post and National Geographic. I'm sure with their publicity that many more news organizations will come forward to interview this great company that's on the cutting edge in dealing with our water crisis. This Thursday, November 17th the company will be featured and the centerpiece of PBS's Nightly Business Report. I hop you will support this great company and tune in! You can find the listings for PBS here.

Melvin Wylie

WATER: The Great Mystery

Amazing documentary about the power of the mind and the secrets of water.

Melvin Wylie

New Poll: 9 out of 10 Americans Support Solar

Survey by Kelton Research finds continued widespread public support for development of solar energy, federal incentives for solar, across political spectrum.

Americans overwhelmingly support the use and development of solar energy as well as federal incentives for solar, according to the 2011 SCHOTT Solar Barometer™, a nationally representative survey conducted annually by independent polling firm Kelton Research. For the fourth consecutive year, the survey found that about nine out of 10 Americans (89 percent) think it is important for the United States to develop and use solar energy. Support for solar is strong across the political spectrum with 80 percent of Republicans, 90 percent of Independents and 94 percent of Democrats agreeing that it is important for the United States to develop and use solar. The survey also found that more than eight out of 10 Americans (82 percent) support federal tax credits and grants for the solar industry similar to those that traditional sources of energy like oil, natural gas and coal have received for decades. Seventy-one percent of Republicans agree, as well as 82 percent of Independents and 87 percent of Democrats. "It's clear that solar has the strong support of the American people," said Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association. "Now it needs the support of U.S. policymakers in extending job-creating policies like the 1603 Treasury Program to make sure solar continues to work for America." Furthermore, when asked to select an energy source they would financially support if they were in charge of U.S. energy policy, 39 percent of Americans chose solar over other sources such as natural gas (21 percent), wind (12 percent), nuclear (9 percent) and coal (3 percent). "The fourth annual Solar Barometer shows that Americans overwhelmingly understand the benefits of solar energy for our country," said Tom Hecht, President, Sales, Marketing and Business Development, SCHOTT Solar PV, Inc. Eight out of 10 Americans (82 percent) think it is important for the federal government to support U.S. solar manufacturing, according to the poll. Also, a majority of Americans (51 percent) said they would be more likely to purchase a product if they knew it was made using solar energy.

Melvin Wylie

Dominion Virginia Power Proposes Community Solar Power Program

- Company would lease space for solar panels on rooftops of businesses, public facilities RICHMOND, Va. - Dominion Virginia Power, in continuing its exploration of alternative energy technologies, wants to lease rooftops and grounds of commercial businesses and public facilities for electricity-generating solar panels. The panels would generate enough electricity to power about 6,000 homes during peak daylight hours. The initiative would be part of a multi-year program designed to help expand the company's understanding of community-based solar energy, study its impact and assess its benefits. The company made its request for approval Monday to the Virginia State Corporation Commission. "To successfully implement solar energy projects, we have to understand how community-based solar energy will integrate in our existing distribution system," said Kenneth D. Barker, vice president-Customer Solutions and Energy Conservation. "In addition, the program would provide more renewable energy to our generation mix, support Virginia's renewable energy goals and further the goals of the commonwealth's energy policy." While specific locations have not yet been identified, at least four of the solar sites would be located in community settings, such as local government buildings, schools, community associations, neighborhood associations or nonprofit organizations. In all, the company plans to install solar panels on 30 to 50 sites in its service area. Participants would receive payment for leasing space for the solar panels. A Web-enabled monitor located at the facility would display information about the installation's output. Throughout the program, the company would report the study results of each project to the commission annually. The company would continue to own and operate the solar panels as generation facilities after a site has been operating for five years. The company's application also includes plans for a new rate under development in which the company would purchase solar energy from customers who have panels on their property. Additional information about the proposed program is available on the Dominion website, www.dom.com.

Melvin Wylie

Mining and Military Address Health & Safety with Eco Waste Technology

BURLINGTON, ON - Eco Waste Solutions (EWS) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded two new contracts to bring point-of-need waste solutions to the mining and military sectors. A multinational mining company operating in West Africa has selected EWS to supply 3 ECO Model batch incinerators. This equipment will process 23 tonnes per day - all of the domestic waste generated on-site. With large camps, the installation of these facilities can improve sanitation by reducing vermin and disease vectors, enhancing personnel health and safety. Utilizing clean burning systems to manage solid waste also minimizes the environmental impacts of the mine and is preferred to the long-term legacy of a landfill. EWS also has been awarded a contract to supply the ECO Mobile incineration system to a foreign Department of Defense. The fully containerized mobile system has been procured as part of a readiness program for public health protection. Crises in recent history such as the Avian Bird Flu and H1N1 have highlighted the need for governments to react quickly to quarantine and destroy diseased animals. In these emergencies, most agencies resort to open pit burning which is inadequate for infection containment and creates air pollution. The ECO Mobile will provide rapid response to the site of a disease outbreak and operates at temperatures that will destroy even the more resistant prion - the infectious agent associated with BSE (mad cow disease). The ECO Mobile is designed to international military specifications and is the most advanced mobile incinerator available globally. With on-board pollution control and monitoring equipment it will meet the strictest emissions standards in place today. "This year, despite the slowdown globally, EWS has continued to grow. Our business services markets that require proven solutions that operate reliably with high environmental standards" said Eco Waste Solutions President, Steve Meldrum. "Our equipment is unique in delivering on these objectives." Company Information: Eco Waste Solutions (EWS) is a privately-held Canadian environmental technology company that custom engineers and manufactures advanced thermal treatment technologies for solid and liquid waste. For over 17 years we have demonstrated leadership in design-quality, environmental integrity and excellent customer service. Unlike many emerging technologies still in development, the EWS systems are fully commercialized and process waste reliably. Our technological innovations include 4G controls, containerized mobile incinerators designed for rapid deployment and scalable modular incinerators that can offer heat recovery in the form of hot water, steam and small scale energy from waste. www.ecosolutions.com

Melvin Wylie

Research Suggests Orange Juice Evokes Positive Emotions

BARTOW, Fla. - Americans have been enjoying the great taste of orange juice for decades, and now research suggests they may turn to this refreshing beverage for how it makes them feel. A new study from the Florida Department of Citrus found drinking orange juice actually made participants feel positive, carefree and rejuvenated. Through a patented research process designed to reveal unconscious emotions, consumers shared their thoughts and feelings about orange juice and its role in their lives. Findings showed that while participants view their daily life as a "hard road," the simple act of drinking orange juice provides a momentary "escape" to a more positive mindset. The rejuvenating feelings they get from a glass of orange juice helps give them the energy and resolve to take on the day. Research participants shared positive emotions about orange juice through analogies and memories. For example, one respondent likened orange juice to a "water station" in the marathon of life, while another described life as an everyday battle in which orange juice helps to "carry you through the day and help you win the war." Another participant shared, "orange juice almost makes me feel like a child again, where I was comfortable, cozy, and secure." The link between orange juice and a more positive outlook revealed through in-depth interviews with a small group of participants was also supported by a recent survey of 1,002 adults nationwide, which showed more than half of the respondents believe drinking a glass of orange juice provides an energizing boost, while 33 percent said it is a simple way to help improve their mood. Furthermore, when American adults drink orange juice, 56 percent of those surveyed said they feel rejuvenated, followed by calm, positive, happy and alive. Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, a positive psychology expert and author of The How of Happiness, suggests the positive power of orange juice may do even more for people: her research shows happiness can actually lead to a more successful and fulfilled life. In fact, studies suggest happy people are more energetic and productive, have richer networks of friends, are better leaders and have stronger immune systems. Some research even reports happy people may live longer. "One key to happiness is focusing on the simple things that can improve your outlook on life," said Dr. Lyubomirsky. "No life is without stress or adversity, but by stepping back and appreciating the simple things, you can look at the bigger picture and learn to cope with obstacles. Such adjustments are small, but can have a big impact on many areas of your life." Further research suggests that adopting this approach to life can have added benefits throughout the years. Recent studies have found that those people who focus on and savor positive thoughts on a daily basis are the most well-adjusted and mentally healthy as they age. Moreover, this positive mindset can also support a more productive and fulfilling life as those who adopt an optimistic outlook are more likely to achieve their goals of growth and advancement. "Find pleasure in ordinary moments to give yourself a break and boost your mood," Dr. Lyubomirsky said. "Try taking a few minutes to appreciate the little things, even something as simple as the taste and smell of your glass of orange juice as you drink it each day." For more information on 100 percent Florida Orange Juice and additional tips from Dr. Lyubomirsky, please visit www.Facebook.com/FloridaOrangeJuice.

Melvin Wylie

S&C Electric Company Boosts Production at California Wind Farm

S&C Electric Company, a global leader in renewable energy integration, announces that it will provide a complete procure-construct solution for Coram Ridge Wind Farm in Mojave, California. S&C will procure and construct the electrical equipment necessary to connect 34 Vestas 3.0-MW turbines to the grid. The plant's capacity, at completion, will be 102 MW. The plant is owned by Coram California Development, L.P. Increasing renewable energy production at existing plants is a major priority in California considering the renewable energy goals set forth in the new California Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS). The new goals, as of April 12, will require 33 percent of total energy supplies to come from certified renewable sources by 2020 – one of the most aggressive renewable energy goals in the United States. However, upgrading infrastructure economically while minimizing plant downtime is both critical and extremely challenging. "Given the difficulties inherent in updating an existing plant, we wanted an EPC electrical system provider with a proven track record of swiftly completing complex projects," says Rick Ortiz Construction Executive for . "S&C offers extensive experience in developing customized approaches for renewable energy integration." S&C has provided EPC services for renewable energy projects around the world, integrating gigawatts of energy to the grid. For this particular project, S&C will integrate a 69-kV underground transmission line, which is very unusual for renewable energy projects and as such, requires a high level of technical expertise and customization. S&C will also develop two 66-kV substations and overhead and underground collector systems. "We are drawing on our extensive renewable energy and electric utility experience to customize a solution to increase the wind farm's capacity," says Dan Girard, director of renewable energy, S&C. "This is just another example of how working closely with our customers, we can develop effective approaches to meet even the most difficult renewable energy integration challenges." About S&C Electric Company S&C, with global headquarters in Chicago, USA, is applying its heritage of innovation to address challenges facing the world's power grids and is thus shaping the future of reliable electricity delivery. The mission of employee-owned S&C is to continually develop new solutions for electricity delivery, fostering the improved efficiency and reliability required for the intelligent grid. Additional information about S&C is available at www.sandc.com.

Melvin Wylie

UL and the Muppets Team Up to Help Make the Holiday Season Safe and Bright

National Campaign Encourages Families to Commit a Minute to Safety NORTHBROOK, Ill. - Every minute, 17 children visit the ER due to unintentional injuries, a startling number that equates to an estimated 9.2 million injuries a year. Household injuries are especially top of mind during the hectic months of November and December, with an estimated 230 people in the United States visiting emergency rooms each day as a result of holiday-related injuries. In response to these alarming statistics, UL, a global safety organization, is working with stars of Disney's The Muppets, including Kermit the Frog, Swedish Chef, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his assistant Beaker, on a national campaign - Commit a Minute to Safety. The campaign's goal is to raise awareness of the importance of holiday safety and make sure parents know valuable holiday safety information - water your tree daily, never leave a lit candle unattended, turn pot handles in while cooking, and always look for the UL Mark. Beginning today, UL is asking families to take time out of their busy schedules to ensure they are making safety a priority this holiday season. To illustrate the simple steps families can take to dramatically cut the risk of injuries, UL, with the help of The Muppets characters Kermit the Frog, Swedish Chef, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his assistant Beaker, is launching a series of online safety videos and a national public service announcement (PSA) that provides families with vital safety tips to ensure a safe and bright holiday season. The first video focuses on the importance of fire safety and can be viewed at www.SafetyAtHome.com. "The holidays are a happy time and we want to help keep them that way. Commit a Minute to Safety shows folks how easy it is to keep their home and family safe," said Kermit the Frog, who adds an additional holiday safety tip of his own: "Never mix mistletoe and romantic pigs. Trust me on this." In addition to The Muppets holiday safety videos and PSA, UL has revamped its website and is offering downloadable holiday safety content such as the Safety Time learning and activity book for children. UL will also be updating its SafetyAtHome Facebook and Twitter pages with news about upcoming events including UL's presenting sponsorship of the City of Chicago Tree Lighting and the National Tree Lighting in Washington, D.C. "During the holidays, UL reminds families to look for the UL Mark on decorations, lights and electronics," said John Drengenberg, Consumer Safety Director at UL. "When you see the UL Mark, you can rest assured that the highest safety standards have been met." UL independent engineers and scientists perform thousands of rigorous tests on products such as holiday lights, electric decorations and artificial trees. This year, UL offers the following safety guidelines to show how safety can take as little as one minute and help families identify and prevent hazards that too often result in accidents or tragedy.

• WATER YOUR TREE DAILY: Dry trees pose a substantial fire risk. After bringing your tree home, make a fresh cut at the base of the trunk before putting it in a sturdy stand. Be sure to water it daily. Additionally, know your tree's expiration date. After about four weeks, the tree will stop absorbing water and dry out, and should be properly discarded or recycled.
• CHECK YOUR LIGHTS, CHECK THEM TWICE: Inspect all of your electric lights and decorations for damage or wear. Cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires and loose connections may pose a fire or shock hazard.
• DECORATE WITH A SAFE EYE: Cords should not be run under carpets or tacked up with metal nails or staples. Small decorations can be a choking hazard for small children or pets and should be kept out of reach.
• BE FLAME AWARE: Always blow out unattended candles and keep flammable materials "three feet from the heat" of lit candles or fireplaces.
• INDOOR OR OUTDOOR? LOOK FOR THE UL MARK: Indoor-use-only light strings are marked with UL's green holographic label. Indoor-or outdoor-use light strings are marked with UL's red holographic label. Only use light strings and other electrical decorations that bear the UL Mark near the plug, signifying that safety standards have been met.

  To learn more about UL's Commit a Minute to Safety holiday campaign and for valuable safety information for keeping your home safe and bright this holiday season, please visit www.SafetyAtHome.com.

Melvin Wylie

Death Valley Wilderness Protected by Creative Corporate Merger

CARBONDALE, Colo. - The Wilderness Land Trust recently completed a complex corporate merger resulting in the donation of a 2,450-acre property in the Death Valley Wilderness Study Area to the Bureau of Land Management. The donation was made possible through a grant from the Resources Legacy Fund Foundation's Preserving Wild California Program and will help clear the way for the designation of the Death Valley Wilderness Area with the proposed passage of Senator Dianne Feinstein's sponsored Desert Protection Act. "This is one more step to protect California's pristine desert, another private donation to our great public lands. I want to thank the Kerckhoff family, The Resources Legacy Fund Foundation and the Wilderness Land Trust for their generosity. This donation falls within the boundaries of land to be permanently preserved by my California Desert Protection Act, which is currently pending before the Energy and Natural Resources Committee," Senator Feinstein said. The property was the sole asset of the Avawatz Salt and Gypsum Company formed by one of Los Angeles most active founding families in 1912. When the Kerckhoff family moved to Los Angeles in the late 1800s, there was no shortage of wilderness and natural resources in California, and the family took advantage of those natural resources to help form the Pacific Light and Power Company, the Kerckhoff-Cuzner Lumber Company, and participate in the development of Beverly Hills. Los Angeles was going through a building boom in 1912, and the Kerckhoff family and a group of investors thought they had the critical property to serve that growth. Kerckhoff and his investors were attracted to the gypsum as the prime ingredient in cement and wall plaster. Kerckhoff sold stock to investors who believed in his ability to bring gypsum out of the remote Avawatz Mountains to the bungalows of Los Angeles and Pasadena. A key component to the plan was the formation of the Amargosa Railway Company which planned to build a rail line over the sixteen miles from the mine to the main railroad line for delivery to Los Angeles. The corporation spent large sums on engineering reports, soil samples, surveys, and the railroad. But then World War I began in 1914 and made it difficult for the company to secure financing for its ambitious plans. Without the completion of the crucial railroad, the activity of the corporation was put on hold, and it remained mostly stagnant for the next one hundred years. While the family-maintained records of the Avawatz Salt and Gypsum Company are extensive, a visitor today to the Death Valley Wilderness Study Area would be hard pressed to differentiate the Avawatz property from the surrounding wilderness. It is harsh country, a baked landscape of craggy peaks, weathered into rock skeletons guarding the salt and gypsum flats. The Avawatz Salt and Gypsum Company filed mineral claims and made some minor scars on the landscape, but the magnificent desert has outlasted those brief human efforts, enduring as it changes on a timeline that humans can't comprehend. "This area's vast, rugged terrain is not only home to two protected species, the desert tortoise and the desert big horn sheep, but its remote rugged mountains and canyons offer outstanding opportunities for backpacking, hiking, and solitude," said Monica Argandona of the California Wilderness Coalition. "We are very grateful to the Wilderness Land Trust and the Kerckhoff family for this land donation. Their work, along with Senator Feinstein's legislation, ensures that this area will not be mined or developed ever again." The Wilderness Land Trust specializes in these types of acquisitions in wilderness where, as the 1964 Wilderness Act states, "Man himself is a visitor who does not remain." The Trust approached the heirs of the Kerckhoff family about purchasing the Avawatz property to add to the Death Valley Wilderness Study Area, but the family was adamant that they would only sell the Avawatz Salt and Gypsum Company rather than the land separately. This request presented a complex problem for The Wilderness Land Trust: how to purchase a company in which so many of the shareholders were deceased or unable to be located because of the long passage of time. The solution involved creating a new company called Avawatz Acquisition Corporation and then merging the two companies so the Trust could work with the majority of shareholders still living. "The Trust never intended to purchase a corporation," said Reid Haughey, President, "But the flexibility to structure the deal to meet the family's wishes shows the Trust's determination to protect wilderness. We saw this property as a once in a generation opportunity to secure the Death Valley and Avawatz Mountains Wilderness Areas, and we are very thankful to the family for choosing conservation rather than exploring other development options. We know the corporation has been in the family for close to one hundred years, and we believe this solution is a perfect legacy to the family's history in southern California." With the corporate transaction completed, the Trust, as the main shareholder of the new corporation, directed the corporation to donate the property to the Bureau of Land Management for an addition to the Death Valley Wilderness Study Area. "This is a spectacular piece of land with incredible vistas and lush riparian areas," said Roxie Trost, manager of the Bureau of Land Management's Barstow Field Office. "This donation includes historic mining areas and Sheep Creek Springs, which supports a population of endemic toads and is used by Bighorn Sheep. We are thrilled to add this donation to the public lands for the enjoyment of future generations." Visitors to the potential new wilderness areas will now be able to access the Avawatz property and not worry about private property signs or potential energy development. A hundred years from now future generations may look back on 2011, like we now look back at 1912. It's hard to know what the population of Los Angeles will be or what resources will be critical to the year 2111 economy, but we now know that the Death Valley Wilderness will be preserved, outlasting us all in its mystery and natural grace. The Wilderness Land Trust The Wilderness Land Trust is a small, highly specialized nonprofit organization established to buy and protect wilderness land. Since it was founded in 1992, the non-profit organization has preserved more than 344 parcels comprising of more than 31,000 acres of wilderness inholdings in 76 designated and proposed wilderness areas. The Wilderness Land Trust, a 501 (c)(3) organization, has offices in California, Colorado and Washington State. For more information visit our website www.wildernesslandtrust.org. The Wilderness Land Trust is a 1% for the Planet Non-Profit Partner. Visit www.onepercentfortheplanet.org for more information.

Melvin Wylie

Donna Morton with First Power on TEDx

Earlier in the year I had the opportunity to interview Donna Morton who is the CEO and co-founder of First Power on the 19th Episode of GreenNews4U. Recently she was a speaker at TEDx were she talked about the end of poverty and climate change through %100 renewable energy. I highly recommend watching this video. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.  

Melvin Wylie

Consumers win the Right to Know About Their Food

State of Ohio dropping regulation in face of organic community pressure The State of Ohio today agreed that it will no longer pursue regulations limiting labeling on organic dairy products. Ohio had attempted to prohibit statements on labels which informed consumers that organic dairy products are produced without antibiotics, pesticides or synthetic hormones. After the Organic Trade Association (OTA) sued the State of Ohio, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals sided with consumers' right to know and gutted the Ohio rule, finding that it was unconstitutional. Ohio has now agreed to abandon the rule rather than trying to revive it, recognizing that the First Amendment allows organic dairy products to proudly state that they are produced in accordance with the organic standards, without the use of synthetic growth hormones, pesticides, or antibiotics. "This is significant for all of us who support what the organic foods are about, and for consumers who carefully read food labels to find out what's in their food and how it's produced," said Christine Bushway, Executive Director and CEO for OTA. "The Sixth Circuit opinion made it clear that states cannot unduly restrict organic labels or consumers' right to know how their food is produced, and the State of Ohio's actions today make it clear that the fight to keep labels accurate by OTA, its members, farmers, and consumers was worth it." In 2008, the State of Ohio issued an emergency regulation that restricted the free speech rights of organic and conventional farmers and marketers of milk within the State of Ohio. The regulation illegally restricted the right of farmers and marketers to state that some dairy products are produced without the use of synthetic and artificial ingredients. OTA and its members, including Horizon Organic®, Organic Valley®, and Stonyfield Farm®, appealed a lower court decision that upheld the rule in question to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. In 2010, the Sixth Circuit reversed the lower court decision, agreeing that consumers have a right to know how their dairy products are produced. Critical to the decision was the Court's reliance on an amicus brief filed by The Center for Food Safety and other organizations to rule that milk produced with synthetic hormones is different than milk produced without it (as all organic milk is). "Ohio's abandonment of this misguided rule is a victory for consumers, farmers and manufacturers alike," said Bushway, adding, "The organic label is a federally regulated program that provides consumers with the knowledge that their food is produced without the use of antibiotics, pesticides or added growth hormones. Consumers have the right to make informed choices about the foods they eat, and farmers and manufacturers can continue to communicate truthfully with consumers." OTA was represented by Randy Sunshine of Liner Grode Stein Yankelevitz Sunshine Regensteif & Taylor LLP. OTA looks forward to continuing the fight for transparency in labeling as part of the Just Label It: We Have a Right to Know initiative that kicked off earlier this month. This initiative is driven by a coalition of more than 400 businesses and organizations interested in seeing genetically engineered (GE) foods labeled as such. With increasing consumer interest in health and food safety, people want to know more than ever about what is in their food and how it was produced. The campaign has submitted a petition to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with the goal of inspiring consumers to contact FDA to show their support of mandatory labeling of GE foods. Consumers can visit www.justlabelit.org to submit support of labeling to FDA.

Melvin Wylie

Fracking Litigation Conference in Dallas Dec. 13

DALLAS, TX - Responding to the controversy and need for clear legal perspectives around "hydraulic fracturing," commonly called "fracking," HB Litigation Conferences will hold its second conference on the subject in Dallas on Dec. 13, 2011, HB CEO Tom Hagy has announced. A panel of experts, including plaintiff and defense attorneys, will join chairs Marc Bern of Napoli Bern Ripka LLP and Joshua Becker of Alston & Bird LLP to discuss a variety of topics relating to hydraulic fracturing litigation. "The increased use of fracking to extract natural gas from underground rock formations raises environmental and legal challenges and will be the topic of discussion by attorneys, professors and scientists at this program," Hagy said. HB's first program, held in Philadelphia, drew more than 100 attendees. The "Gas Drilling Operations Conference" will be held Dec. 13, 2011 at the Cityplace Conference and Event Center in Dallas. The event is fully accredited for CLE. Experts include: John Imse, RG, Principal, Environ International Corp.; Gary Brown, PE, RT Environmental Services, Inc.; and Phillip Watters, P.E., Kleran Purcell, P.E. and John Orr, CPCU, all of Rimkus Consulting, Inc. Litigators include: Adam Orford of Marten Law; Keith Hall of Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann; Hope Friewald of Dechert; Corey Zurbuch of Thomas Genshaft; William Jackson of Jackson Gilmour & Dobbs.; Beverlee Silva of Alston & Bird; Allen Stewart of Allen Stewart; Jennifer Quinn-Barabanov of Steptoe & Johnson; Richard Faulk of Gerdere Wynne Sewell; John Nevius of Anderson Kill & Olick; and Steven Pate of Fulbright & Jaworski. Topics include: the fracking process; the role of government; shale gas plays; land valuations; health and environmental risks; remediation; case intake; discovery; damages; examining contamination and injury cases; insurance coverage implications, plus a mock session illustrating what can go right and wrong for landowners, drillers and brokers. Discounts are available for groups and based on need. Some sponsorship opportunities are still available. Press passes are available upon request. For more information call Brownie Bokelman at (484) 324-2755, x212 or email her at Brownie.Bokelman@litigationconferences.com. See the latest agenda at www.LitigationConferences.com. HB Litigation Conferences is a nationwide provider of continuing legal education for plaintiff, defense and in-house counsel, focusing on emerging issues in mass torts and insurance. HB is an independent provider of legal education, formerly operating as Mealey's Conferences. It is not funded or affiliated with any organization.

Melvin Wylie

Gardner Mountain Conserved, Lyman's Scenic Backdrop

More than 1,000 acres protect bat habitat, working forest LYMAN, N.H. - Critically important bat habitat and a significant portion of Gardner Ridge, the scenic backdrop for New Hampshire's Town of Lyman, have been conserved, Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust and The Trust for Public Land announced. The conservation of 1,081 acres on Gardner Mountain includes an easement, supports timber management, protects important habitat, and guarantees public access, while restricting development not related to agriculture or forestry. This property has been operated as a commercial forest for more than 200 years and the current owner, the Merrill Family Trust, wished to see the property conserved rather than developed. In 2004 a wind farm development along Gardner Ridge was proposed and rejected by Lyman voters. A conservation project was then proposed for a new town forest for Lyman, but residents voted down a bond for the purchase of the property in March of 2009. Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust (ACT), the North Country's land conservancy, and The Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national conservation organization, pursued an alternative conservation strategy, conserving the land with an easement but keeping it in private ownership. After three years working with ACT and TPL the land has now been sold to a new owner, who will operate it as a commercial working forest subject to the conservation easement. Continued forestry will be done on a sustainable basis and will continue to support New Hampshire's rural economies. ACT will manage the easement. "Land protection projects often take a lot of time and work, as this one did," said ACT Executive Director Rebecca Brown. "I'm sure we all wish John Merrill had lived to see this happen. It's a great tribute to him and his family, and a tremendous gift to people everywhere who care about seeing our landscape conserved for future generations." "Gardner Mountain is a remarkable Lyman landmark worthy of protection," said J.T. Horn, project manager for The Trust for Public Land. "Our sincere thanks to the Merrill Family, New Hampshire's LCHIP fund, our other funding partners, and the Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust for seeing this project through to the end." Gardner Mountain includes some of the most important wildlife habitat in New Hampshire. Paddock Mine, an abandoned copper mine on the property, is one of the largest bat hibernacula in New Hampshire. Bats are under severe stress from a new and mysterious disease known as White Nose Syndrome, which is causing high mortality rates among several common species of bats. New Hampshire Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service believe that conservation of the Paddock Mine hibernacula is a critical part of the response to White Nose Syndrome in New Hampshire. "We appreciate the work that The Trust for Public Land and ACT have done in protecting this land," said Emily Brunkhurst, wildlife biologist for the NH Fish and Game Department. "Conserving this hibernacula provides a safe wintering habitat for bats who survive white-nose syndrome and their offspring. As you enjoy this newly conserved land, please help save our bats by staying out of the mine to allow them to hibernate without disturbance." Lyman is a rural community that set goals to maintain its heritage of agriculture, forestry, and open recreational access. The property contains a significant portion of the Gardner Ridge, Lyman's scenic backdrop with western views from the church and fields in the center of the Town. The property will also remain open to pedestrian access for hiking, cross-country skiing and hunting. Visitors will be able to enjoy the dramatic views from the property toward Mount Moosilauke and the Kinsman Ridge in the White Mountain National Forest. Funding for the $600,000 project came from the New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP), Open Space Institute - Saving New England Wildlife Fund, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation - Upper Connecticut River Mitigation and Enhancement Fund, the McIninch Foundation, Fields Pond Foundation, the Byrne Foundation, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department through the Landowner Incentive Program, and many private individuals.

Melvin Wylie

Pew Calls for Extra Resources to Protect Penguin Food

Actors Damon and Pitt Give Tiny Krill Big Exposure in New "Happy Feet" Sequel WASHINGTON, D.C. - Tiny krill are about to take centre stage at the 30th Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) meeting, where governments will consider greater protection for the shrimplike crustaceans that are the building blocks of the Antarctic food chain. The attention these little animals receive will be amplified in mid-November, when the sequel to the film "Happy Feet" opens, with Matt Damon and Brad Pitt playing krill characters. Krill, a largely unknown but critical ocean species, are the primary food source for penguins, whales, and seals in the Southern Ocean. However, demand for these animals as feed for industrially farmed fish and to produce high-value oils used in nutritional supplements is triggering an expansion of the fishery beyond a level that its population can sustain. Left unchecked, krill fishing in certain areas could outpace efforts to protect the well-known species that depend on it. "It is perfect timing that two of Hollywood's biggest names are portraying the smallest actors in one of the world's most pristine ocean ecosystems," says Gerald Leape, a senior officer at the Pew Environment Group. "Existing efforts to regulate krill catch must be sustained and enforced, so that animals such as penguins and seals are not competing against industrial fishing vessels just to survive." In the past decade, fleets from more countries have begun to fish for krill. Some have adopted fishing technologies and methods that allow them to catch and process this species continuously, resulting in much higher catches. These operations, combined with accelerating loss of the sea ice that provides essential habitat for krill, threaten to deplete stocks in key feeding areas for penguins, seals, and whales. From 24 October - 4 November 2011, CCAMLR, a regional fisheries management organization whose mandate is to conserve the marine life of the Southern Ocean, is meeting in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Its 25 member governments include the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, the European Union, China, South Korea, Russia, Ukraine, Norway, and Japan. The Pew Environment Group is asking CCAMLR delegates at this month's meeting to:

• Require observers on all krill-fishing vessels.
• Set up a dedicated fund to monitor populations of krill predators.
• Maintain smaller sub-area divisions of the ocean to manage krill, in order to prevent local depletions that will harm animals such as penguins.

Melvin Wylie

Zidisha.org Facilitates $100,000 in P2P Microloans, "Turns Microfinance On Its Head"

While conducting fieldwork for a microfinance organization in West Africa in 2006, Zidisha.org founder Julia Kurnia noticed something startling. Loans that were funded at zero interest by well-meaning participants in the popular microlending website Kiva.org were costing the impoverished beneficiaries more than 35% on average in interest and fees. The exorbitant rates were charged by the local intermediary organizations that administered the loans, in order to cover their operating costs. It is generally assumed that such high interest rates are a necessary cost of making small loans in isolated and impoverished areas.  Microlending websites that administer "crowd-funded" loans through local intermediaries assume that the borrowers not only lack the necessary computer skills to communicate with lenders themselves, but also that they cannot be trusted to repay loans without constant visits by loan officers. Kurnia believed these assumptions were outdated, and to test her theory she founded Zidisha.org, a peer-to-peer microlending platform that turns the traditional approach to microfinance lending on its head. First, there are no intermediaries: instead, the entrepreneurs themselves post loan applications and communicate directly with lenders via facebook-style profile pages.  Zidisha does not outsource loan disbursements and repayment collection to local organizations either, but rather uses grassroots technology like mobile banking to conduct financial transactions with borrowers directly.  The result?  Radical transparency, and lower cost to borrowers than has ever before been possible in the developing world - even though Zidisha.org lenders earn interest as well. Zidisha is tapping into the growing population of computer-literate, but still economically disadvantaged, small business owners and explosive growth of internet access that have transformed developing countries in recent years.  Borrowers log in to Zidisha.org to share business updates with lenders from cheap internet cafés, old laptops donated to local schools, and solar-powered smartphones shared by entire villages. Today, loans funded through Zidisha.org surpassed the $100,000 mark. Since making their first microloans - to three nomadic herders in Kenya's remote Masai Mara - in October 2009, Zidisha lenders from around the world have financed 181 small business ventures in Burkina Faso, Indonesia, Kenya and Senegal. Zidisha's average lender interest rate is 2.96%, and the repayment rate to date is 99.5%. Zidisha believes in transparency. So ask questions, meet our remarkable entrepreneurs, and become part of the conversation. Join us at www.zidisha.org.

Melvin Wylie

National Race to End Women’s Cancer 2011

November 8, 2011 – This past Sunday, November 6, 2011, I was privileged to attend the National Race to End Women's Cancer. I was invited by Pam, a fellow high school graduate of Osbourn Park High School, to be part of her team "I Dream of Jeanie". It was a nice sunny brisk morning with a very large crowd of people from all over the country attending the event. Many had stores on how they got there. Some were there to honor loved ones, some cancer survivors, some still battling cancer and some for support. I was there to help celebrated the life of Pam's mother, Jeanie Nay Watson, who passed away from battling cancer. The love and encouragement from the attendees, onlookers, police, and support personnel could be felt in their cheers of encouragement. As we walked by, many cheered "Go team I dream of Jeanie", they clapped, nodded their heads in encouragement and some took pictures and video. The rout started in front of the Old Posts Office Pavilion, went up Pennsylvania Avenue, near the Capitol and wound its way back to the Old Post Office. The highlight of the race had to be nearing the finish line as the announcer said "Here comes Team I Dream of Jeanie, thank you for all your support…" Crossing the line was emotional as I have lost my mother who battled cancer for many years eventually passing away from the disease. After crossing the line Pam broke down as this race meant a lot to her. I've come to realize that cancer not only hurts the victim but also affects the family, loved ones and friends. It's a tough road filled with pain and hopefulness that everything will get better. If anyone had to be there for a parent or loved one can truly understand what it's like rushing to the hospital late at night because something went wrong. I'm happy I lived close enough to be a support for my mother who battled cancer and my father who needed the strength to cope with the situation.

I want to thank Mike, Teresa, Christina and Beth for showing up to making Pam's race a success. I also want to thank all the people and organizations that work day in and day out to help find a cure to end this disease.

It was great getting together with people I have not seen in over 20 years and making new friends. If you have not given to any causes I would encourage you to help support ending cancer. I will be running this race next year in Washington D.C. as part of Team I Dream of Jeanie and I will be asking the readers of GreenNews4U to help raise money for team I Dream of Jeanie.

Melvin Wylie