The Cleveland Model

A must read article in the March edition of the The Nation.

Something important is happening in Cleveland: a new model of large-scale worker- and community-benefiting enterprises is beginning to build serious momentum in one of the cities most dramatically impacted by the nation's decaying economy. The Evergreen Cooperative Laundry (ECL)--a worker-owned, industrial-size, thoroughly "green" operation--opened its doors late last fall in Glenville, a neighborhood with a median income hovering around $18,000. It's the first of ten major enterprises in the works in Cleveland, where the poverty rate is more than 30 percent and the population has declined from 900,000 to less than 450,000 since 1950.

The Cleveland Model

BILLBOARDS, AIR POLLUTION & SPEED, OH MY!

Akron City Council voted to raise the speed limit from 55 to 65 miles per hour on 77 between Vernon Odom and Cleveland-Massillon Road. Quick history lesson. Congress previously used a national speed limit as an approach to conserve fuel when, in 1974, it provided a national 55 speed limit to reduce gasoline consumption in response to the 1973 Arab oil embargo.

Fuel savings resulting from the 55 mph national speed limit ranged from 0.2 to 3 percent of annual gasoline consumption. According to DOE’s 2008 estimate, a national speed limit of 55 mph could yield possible savings of 175,000 to

275,000 barrels of oil per day.

So using the traffic count from ODOT, not only will the raised limit cost drivers over $140.00 a year in lost fuel economy, but will increase air pollution, including Co2. In 2006, transportation sources emitted approximately 40% of all GHG emissions in the United States.

This 5.7 mile stretch of fast moving traffic is also the location of one of the digital billboard in Akron. Even though these digital billboards reduce energy with the LED lights, when used on a small scale can save substantial amounts of energy, but any savings are lost by the very existence of the billboard. They require LEDs on a large, scale. One electronic or digital billboard can use 390,000 kWh a year, an equivalent to the use of 49 conventionally lighted billboards. Or the amount of electricity to run about 52 homes.

Such large electrical use has a much greater carbon footprint, and the other pollution caused by coal power plants. 1 billboard would generate 534,300 lbs of carbon. If the 13 new billboards go electronic- a staggering 6,945,900 lbs will be emitted into the atmosphere.

BILLBOARDS IN AKRON, OHIO: A CONCERNED INVESTIGATION

By

Ben Stabler and Dana Williams

One of the top five billboard advertising companies is the Phoenix based Eller

Media, which was acquired in 1997 by Clear Channel Communications (CCC). Eller

Media owns over half a million outdoor displays around the world. They have the ability

to reach over half the entire U.S. population, and over 75 percent of the U.S. Hispanic

population. According to Eller Media (2001): “Outdoor [advertising] is great because

you can’t turn it off, throw it away, or click on the next page.” Clear Channel

Communications, a publicly traded San Antonio based corporation on the New York

Stock Exchange, is one of the world’s largest media companies. As of December 1999,

CCC owns 509 radio stations, 24 television stations, 555,157 display faces, and 120 live

entertainment venues. It also owns 400,000 display faces in 36 countries around the

world. From September 1999 to September 2000, CCC’s sales were $4.2 billion, with a

net income of $431 million (Yahoo!, 2001).

Injustice

A new study called Pollution in People: Cord Blood Contaminants in Minority Newborns underscores the deeply entrenched institutional racism that continues to plague the US. It should be noted that Ohio is a leading state for being home to the most unsustainable and highly toxic industries.

Waste generated (tons)	Gen. and managed (tons)	Received and managed (tons)	Gen. and shipped offsite (tons)	Received for transfer storage	Number of facilities
1,607,840 #5	1,676,808 #6	764,529 #1	713,549 #2	38,532 #2	955 #4
The Biennial Reporting System (BRS) database contains data on the generation, shipment, and receipt of hazardous waste.

Number of handlers	Number of LQGs Large Quantity Generators	Number of TSDs Treatment, Storage or Disposal handler	Number with violations since 2000	Number with penalties since 2000
28,326 #10	1,652 #4	35 #4	3,237 #2	193 #11
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Information System (RCRIS) database contains data on hazardous waste handler permits and activities.

Releases (lbs)	% of total	Transfers (lbs)	Waste (lbs)	Number of facilities
275,137,262 #2	6.71%	294,145,666 #3	1,088,112,704 #4	1,472 #1
The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) is a database of information about releases and transfers of toxic chemicals from facilities in certain industrial sectors, including manufacturing, waste handling, mining, and electricity generation. Facilities must also report the total amount of toxic chemicals in waste that they produce.

Is Rationing the way to protect our future?

This environmental infographic by Arimn Reller, University of Augsburg and Tom Graedel of Yale University shows levels of natural resources and relative timelines until they are depleted at the current global consumption level. It also shows how many years earlier those resources would be exhausted if the world’s per capita consumption rate was just half that of the United States.

Poorest pay highest price for warming

Poorest pay highest price for warming

By Wangari Maathai

The Calgary Herald

September 18, 2009

In my home country of Kenya, a major drought is wreaking havoc on the lives and livelihoods of millions of people. Crops are shrivelled, cattle are dying--and there is an imminent threat of widespread hunger and starvation.

The situation is desperate and heartbreaking--but unfortunately, not completely surprising.

Decades of environmental mismanagement, coupled with global warming, is making extreme weather like droughts, hurricanes, floods, cyclones and erratic rainfalls a more regular occurrence everywhere. However, scientists say that 'developing countries,' especially those in Africa, whose economies are already precarious and where so many people, especially women, depend directly on the natural world for food, water and fuel, are being hardest hit. Mother Nature is, for much of the world's population, a rapidly diminishing source of human security.

In Darfur, for example, the lack of water is fuelling conflict as different groups fight over access to limited farm and pasture land, and deal with rapid desertification. Last summer, when I visited refugee camps in Eastern Chad, next to door to Darfur, I met an overwhelming number of women who had been raped while gathering firewood. Deforestation obliges women to walk farther and farther from the camps--and thus put themselves at risk of sexual violence.

Thank God for Don Blankenship!

During a speech to the Tug Valley Mining Institute on Nov 20, 2008, Don Blankenship, Chairman and CEO of Massey Energy Co., said in Europe "they've already learned that trying to sequester carbon and shut power plants down doesn't work"



So what does this coal usher know?

Blankenship also serves as a director of the Center for Energy and Economic Development, the National Mining Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. On November 10, 2008, Don L. Blankenship's title was changed from Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Unfortunately, Blankenship an associate and former member of the Board of Massey Energy, James "Buck" Harless was an energy policy adviser during the White House transition.

Coal is not going to last, and Mountain top mined coal only provides 4% of the energy we use, which could easily be reduced by energy efficiency retrofits of all our buildings.

It's time to stop burning fossil fuel.

Funny spoof on fossil fuel industry

As President Obama hosts the world’s 17 largest economies to discuss a new desperately-needed global binding treaty on climate change, the oil, coal and gas companies are in overdrive trying to undermine the process and maintain their profits.

The Avaaz team has just put the finishing touches on our climate spoof ad, exposing the polluter's propaganda. It's ready for high rotation on CNN, but to ensure it reaches negotiators before the talks conclude we need more than $100,000 to pay for the campaign and airtime. Watch the ad and donate here -- even a small donation will help get it on the air!

MAGNET Launches New "eco-SMART Manufacturing Program"

 The Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network, (MAGNET) has introduced an new program.  ecosmart

“eco-SMART Manufacturing Program” is Designed to Meet Growing Worldwide Consumer and Regulatory Demand for Sustainable Products.

Cleveland--April 8, 2009--The Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network (MAGNET), today announced the launch of a new comprehensive set of services designed to help manufacturers meet the growing worldwide consumer and regulatory demand for products that are made which respect environmental, conservation and safety concerns.

Titled The eco-SMART Manufacturing Program, the services have been designed to meet the U.S. Department of Commerce’s definition for sustainable manufacturing as, "...the creation of manufactured products that:

    * use processes that minimize negative environmental impacts
    * conserve energy and natural resources
    * are safe for employees, communities and consumers
    * are economically sound."

“Companies that adopt our sustainable manufacturing approach will see their top line increase through greater market share, enhanced reputation and customer satisfaction, and process efficiencies they will experience. They will also see reduced waste disposal, packaging and raw materials costs as well as substantially lower electricity and water use which will impact their bottom line,” said Ed Nolan, Vice President of Consulting Delivery for MAGNET.

For more information about MAGNET's ecoSMART Manufacturing Program contact:

Bob Sichau
(216) 426-2050

Linda Barita
(216) 391-7766

Our future is mad as hell and I don't think they're going to take it any more

When I get discouraged by the lack of action and greenwashing by local elected officials, or worse, political self interest that undermine efforts to bring about meaningful changes, it's so inspiring to see this kind of movement taking place. Wonder how many of the protesters are University of Akron students?

TED speaker

Making Sense of Place

Making Sense of Place is a documentary film and educational outreach project launched by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. The first film, Phoenix: The Urban Desert examined explosive, dispersed growth in the booming Southwest metropolis and the practical and environmental issues that have accompanied. The second film, Cleveland: Confronting Decline in an American City, traces urban decay, and efforts at revitalization, in what was once America's 5th largest city. Work on a third film is underway, exploring innovation and conflict about growth and land use regulation, in Portland, Oregon.

The First Green Enterprise Zone!

In order for the United States to begin transforming itself into a Green economy, we must first re-develop our existing policies and physical infrastructures to promote and support Green enterprise. Instead of using a piece-meal strategy of small policy changes and isolated investments in Green infrastructure, we believe that a testing ground is needed to research and develop new technologies and strategies, and to build a critical mass of businesses and expertise that will spur Green development across country.
We propose that Wilmington be designated as the country’s first Green Enterprise Zone to serve as a model and incubator for businesses, technologies, and ideas–the mid-Western Silicon Valley of the Green economy. We believe that Wilmington can serve as the launching point needed for initiating Green economic re-development efforts across the state of Ohio.
We share our vision for development with an acknowledgment of the growing imperative that we feel to begin providing a policy framework for our ideas. Yet, we look at this as a living model which we hope will grow and evolve with new ideas and changing circumstances and sincerely encourage your thoughts and feedback.
Roadmap to Development: Our Vision for Building a Green Future
Weatherize Clinton County: A plan for near-term economic stimulus in Clinton County
Why Wilmington is Primed for Green Development
Our Proposal for ENERGIZING Clinton County
GREEN ENTERPRISE ZONE NEWS:
ECC forms partnership with Pure Blue Energy to develop Green Enterprise Zone – 2/3/2009
And for more on Green development:
What is a Green Enterprise? What are Green enterprises? Are they only wind and solar farms? What about a company which makes wind turbines but produces high levels of waste and carbon emissions? Can a plumber, construction worker, lawyer, or farmer be Green? Can a business become Green or do they have to be made that way?
What is a Green Collar Job? There have been many attempts and offers to define a ‘Green-Collar’ job, and to this day, it still remains to be a classification without a concrete definition that has a strong consensus. For many people, the term ‘Green-Collar’ job has yet to be fully grasped, and rightfully so, as the Green Economy is still not completely conceived. So to help alleviate this problem, and to provide our definition within the scope of our envisioned Green economic policy, we have listed below our take on the enigma that is the Green-Collar job.

Green For All

This week, Green For All welcomes our new leader: Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins!

This change in leadership reflects a larger transition for Green For All - and this movement. Together, we are moving from hope to change, from INSPIRATION to IMPLEMENTATION.

Implementation means turning BILLIONS of Economic Recovery dollars into actual green jobs for the folks in our streets and neighborhoods.

Watch Phaedra and Van Jones (now Special Advisor for Green Jobs to the White House!) talk about this transition.

Then join us in implementation - starting with a Conference Call next week: Grassroots Action Toward a Green Recovery for All.

Generation WE

Generation WE: The Movement Begins... from Generation We on Vimeo.

After working with local officials who are dragging their feet, or worse, greenwashing, it's refreshing and hopeful to come cross Generation We. I don't know what its going to take for these old school(not the good kind) politicians to realize people are pissed and it's their fault our country is circling the drain.

Green For All

Akron needs a Van Jones of our own!

What are we waiting for?

What is it going to take to for our leaders and ourselves to stand up and do the right thing?

How much water does it take to make one latte?

Can the USA grow its own coffee?

The Vienna Vegetable Orchestra

This is fun.

A concert of the Vegetable Orchestra appeals to all the senses. As an encore at the end of the concert and the video performance, the audience is offered fresh vegetable soup.

In artistic, aesthetic and infrastructural decisions of importance all members of the orchestra have their equal vote. The ensemble is a mix of people with different artistic backgrounds - musicians, visual artists, architects, designers, media artists, writers and sound poets all come together here.

The further exploration and refinement of performable vegetable music is a central part of the orchestra's aesthetic quest. Every individual background that is brought into the project is of vital importance in sustaining the fundamental artistic objective of the Vegetable Orchestra.The broad variety of creative approaches at the same time secures the artistic autonomy of this unique ensemble.

Green Economy

Akron needs this program.

FirstEnergy is on a path of self destruction, problem is they're taking us with them.

Just one week after announcing fourth quarter profits were up 24%, FirstEnergy is going to cut 335 jobs.

FirstEnergy Corp. plans 335 job cuts

AKRON, Ohio (AP) - Electric power company FirstEnergy Corp. plans to cut 335 managers and support staff, including 216 in Ohio. The Akron, Ohio-based company said Tuesday that the reduction is part of a larger effort to improve efficiencies and respond to the global economic downturn. Sixteen job cuts will take place in New Jersey, and the remaining 103 in Pennsylvania. The reduction represents about 4 percent of the company's nonunion work force. It also comes a week after FirstEnergy said its fourth-quarter profit rose 24 percent to $332 million, or $1.09 per share, on revenue of $3.2 billion. FirstEnergy says it expects to take a one-time, after-tax charge of $16 million for severance-related benefits. FirstEnergy's power plants supply electricity to customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

The $16 million for "severance-related benefits" divided among 335 people is nothing compared to the $29,769,784 the combined total pension benefits for the 6 Executive Officers, the CEO's is $13,666,167 alone.

For all of 2008, FirstEnergy earned $1.34 billion, or $4.38 per share, versus $1.31 billion, or $4.22 per share, in 2007. Revenue was $13.6 billion in 2008, compared with $12.8 billion in 2007.