Freedom Lawn Leader Strikes Again
Connecticut environmentalist Nancy Alderman, who has pushed pesticide free school grounds up and down the mountain like a green sisyphus has been featured in the Sunday
NY Times.
She is a tireless advocate for the planet and deserves recognition--congrats Nancy!
Also, here's another link to an NY Times article on
Bottle Bills in the US.NYT Magazine
The Unintended Consequences of Hyperhydration
By JON MOOALLEM
Published: May 27, 2007
Health-conscious Americans consume 30 billion single-serving containers of bottled water a year. Supporters of new bottle bills are trying to figure out what to do with all the plastic.
Labels: legislation, NY Times
HB5234 Passes Senate Unanimously
from Jerome Silbert MD,
Watershed Partnership Director:
BILL TO PROTECT SCHOOL CHILDREN FROM TOXIC LAWN PESTICIDES PASSES SENATE UNANIMOUSLY
NOW FACES 2ND HOUSE VOTE
(Hartford, CT) On Wednesday, May 23rd, the Senate voted unanimously to support HB 5234, An Act Banning Pesticide Use on School Grounds. Connecticut officials, health professionals and child advocates are urging swift passage of the bill through the House now as the final days of the session approach. The bill, which passed the House with overwhelming support on a vote of 145-2 earlier this month, would phase out the use of lawn pesticides in primary and middle schools up to 8th grade thereby preventing harm to student and school worker health. Minor amendments relating to enforcement were added to the bill version passed by the Senate so the bill must return to the House for a final vote before session’s end.
“We are so close to achieving historic and broadly supported protections for Connecticut’s school children,” said Jerome Silbert, M.D., Executive Director of The Watershed Partnership. “But with time running out, it is now up to the leadership of the House to see that the bill is passed this session.”
Lawn pesticides are associated with a range of health impacts and disorders including certain cancers, asthma, birth defects, nervous system damage, and disruption of hormones essential for growth and development. Children are considered more vulnerable to health damage from pesticides because their organs, nervous and immune systems are still developing, they have a higher respiratory rate and inhale pesticides at a faster rate than adults, and they take in more pesticides in proportion to their body weight than adults.
“We know that safer alternatives to lawn pesticides help protect children and workers’ health,” said Tim Morse, Ph.D., CPE , spokesperson for Connecticut Public Health Association. “This bill should be a top priority for the legislature. A few minutes’ attention in the House will produce a lasting achievement in children’s health this session.”
Labels: legislation, pesticides
Ban on School Pesticides--We Are Almost There!
DEAR ECC MEMBERS,
YOU HAVE BEEN WONDERFUL AND VERY PATIENT AND MADE CALLS THAT HAVE BEEN VERY EFFECTIVE, BUT PLEASE ONE LAST CALL TO DICK ROY (800-842-1902) AND HOUSE SPEAKER JIM AMANN (800-842-8267). JUST TO LET THEM KNOW THAT YOU ARE STILL INTERESTED IN GETTING THIS BILL PASSED IN THIS SESSION. WE ARE DOWN TO THE CRUNCH AND THINGS HAVE A WAY OF GETTING OUT OF CONTROL AND WE DON'T WANT THIS BILL TO GET LOST IN THE SHUFFLE OF MADNESS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE CALLS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN MAKING, IT HAS REALLY COUNTED AND MADE A DIFFERENCE IN HOW IT HAS BEEN RECEIVED. .
WE THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL YOUR HELP. SEE BELOW THE NEWS RELEASE BY DR.
JERRY SILBERT IF YOU WANT TO SEE WHY THE REVISIT TO THE HOUSE FOR ANOTHER VOTE.
BEST WISHES FOR A GOOD WEEK-END
ANN BERMAN
Labels: legislation, pesticides
Bienvenue
First, big thanks to Christine for redoing the website and cheerfully uploading content.
As I wrote this one of the wild green parrots who have chosen to settle in Milford, tapped my window. How auspicious! The parrots were the center of a battle to protect their habitat in San Francisco. We have had the same issues in Milford ..
Strangely enough like those parrots, my life is now divided between Milford and San Francisco, two very different habitats... but the environmental issues unite us all, New Englanders and Westerners, green parrots and people! I hope this blog gives us a chance to informally exchange ideas and dreams.
By the way, "
The Parrots of Telegraph Hill" is a great flick.
LL
Labels: commentary, media
What You Can Do To Make Milford More Sustainable
The information below were some thoughts Alan Brewster (who spoke at the May 17th ECC meeting) had about how the ECC could work to make Milford more sustainable.
- Get Milford to accept more materials for recycling
- Modify zoning for smart growth--higher density, mixed use linked to public transit
- Improve public transit--frequency, more routes, connections to Metro-North
- Improve conditions for bicycle riders
- Improve energy efficiency in all public facilities
- Invest in renewable energy sources
- Advocate for better public transit
- Advocate for other green house gas reduction programs--e.g., carbon tax, better car mileage (CAFE) standards
- Plant more trees
Labels: meeting notes, sustainability
