Take Action!
President Obama sees the Big Picture.
He and his administration understand that by shifting to clean energy, and cracking down on the corporations that pollute the water we drink and the air we breathe, we will create economic prosperity, reduce our dependence on oil and coal, while tackling global warming at the same time.
That's why the EPA has just issued a finding that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases represent a significant threat to public health and welfare.
Please join us in thanking the EPA for taking this historic step in addressing global warming.
This is the first in what we expect to be many rulings from the Obama Administration that establish the U.S. as a leader in clean energy and the fight against global warming.
So we're launching the "Big Picture" campaign to support President Obama and his Administration as they make rulings to build our clean energy future.
Please join our Big Picture campaign and pledge to support the Obama Administration as we blaze a path toward a clean energy future and addressing global warming. Use the link below to get started:
http://www.sierraclub.org/bigpicture
The EPA now has both the authority and the obligation to regulate global warming pollution. Their actions will surely be met with fierce resistance by Big Oil and Coal companies who have spent tens of millions of dollars on lobbying efforts in Washington D.C. We will need your help to generate public comments and grassroots support for the numerous administrative findings, rules and regulations expected to follow over the coming months.
Join us in thanking the EPA for taking this giant step in addressing global warming and putting the U.S. on the path to a clean energy future!
Thanks for all that you do,
Mary Anne Hitt
Deputy Director
Sierra Club National Coal Campaign
Refuse to Use ChemLawn
Sign the Pledge:
Refuse to Use ChemLawn
Toxics Action Center calls on TruGreen ChemLawn, as the industry leader in pesticide-based lawn care services, to take immediate steps to protect the health and safety of children, families, and the environment from the dangers of their services. We demand that TruGreen ChemLawn:
- Phase out the use of pesticides.
TruGreen ChemLawn should immediately stop the use of those pesticides considered possible carcinogens by the USEPA and the IARC.
- Disclose all ingredients in their pesticide products, including the so-called inert ingredients.
TruGreen ChemLawn should educate consumers by readily providing information to its customers over the phone, in writing, and on its website about the health and environmental effects of its products.
- Offer a comprehensive organic lawn-care program that does not use pesticides or synthetic fertilizers.
TruGreen ChemLawn should require its applicators to pass an accredited organic lawn care program.
- Protect workers while phasing out pesticides.
Until phasing out the use of dangerous pesticides, TruGreen ChemLawn should provide adequate protective equipment to employees who apply its products and require companies that wash its uniforms to protect workers by handling the contaminated laundry separately.
- Stop using children to market its products.
TruGreen ChemLawn should not enter into any promotional campaign similar to its partnership with United States Youth Soccer Association, which encouraged families to hire TruGreen ChemLawn with promises of financial support for the town’s youth soccer league.
Refuse to Use ChemLawn and choose a lawn care program that is pesticide free and safe for our children, our pets and our environment.
Dear TruGreen ChemLawn,
As the nation’s largest lawn and turf pesticide applicator, you have a special responsibility to ensure that your business practices do not harm the people that you serve. Right now, that is not the case. Until you agree to the following demands, we will not participate in your services.
- Start the phase out of toxic pesticides, starting with possible carcinogens.
- Readily provide information on the dangers of the pesticides you use.
- Establish a comprehensive organic turf management product.
- Stop all future marketing campaigns targeted at children.
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 To
find out how your town is doing in the race to sign up citizens for the clean
energy option visit: http://www.ctcleanenergy.com/communities/
Your town should sign on to the
20% by 2010 campaign and for every 100 people in town that sign up for the
clean energy option, the town receives a free solar panel!
SUPPORT CLEAN ENERGY
Customers of CT Light and Power can choose to support clean energy from
wind power, small-scale hydroelectric power, and landfill gas. Sign
up for the CT Clean Energy Options and you'll be taking a big step towards
cleaner air and healthier communities. http://www.ctcleanenergyoptions.com/
You can also encourage your town, business, faith community, and others
to join the 20% by 2010 campaign and commit to supporting 20% clean
energy by the year 2010. http://www.ctcleanenergy.com/communities/
CLEAN UP YOUR COMMUTE
About 40% of Connecticut's greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation.
Try some cleaner options:
Bike to work - http://www.wecyclect.org/btw.htm
Take the bus, train, or join a van pool - http://www.ctrides.com/
Take a SEAT - Southeast Area Transit's bus schedules are available at
www.seatbus.com, on the bus or at the regional bus agency's facility,
21 Route 12 in Preston.
Avoid unnecessary engine idling - If you're stopped more than 10 seconds,
turn off your engine to save money and energy and leave the air cleaner.
BUY AN EFFICIENT, LOW-POLLUTING VEHICLE
Hybrid cars rated at 40 mile/gallon or greater are exempt from CT sales
tax until October 1, 2008. Before you buy your next car, do some research
on "greener" cars. You'll save money on gas and contribute
to cleaner air. Visit http://greencarclub.org/ and also the EPA's http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/ which ranks new cars based on air pollution and global warming
pollution.
CUT ENERGY USE AND COSTS AT HOME
The CT Energy Efficiency Fund web site provides information on Energy
Star lights and appliances, federal tax credits for energy efficient
home improvements, appliance rebates, appliance retirement, incentives
for efficient new home construction, and lots more http://www.ctsavesenergy.org
Buy Energy Star appliances and lights, weatherize your home, and improve
the efficiencies of your heating and cooling systems. until June 30,
2007 residential weatherization products are sales tax exempt in CT http://www.ct.gov/drs/cwp/view.asp?a=1514&g=310326
INSTALL SOLAR PANELS
The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund provides incentives for the installation
of solar panels on residence. Learn about the program and contact installers
here: http://www.ctinnovations.com/funding/ccef/solar_rebates.php
BUY LOCALLY GROWN FOOD
Buy food that is grown locally to support Connecticut's farmers and
reduce food packaging and transportation emissions. You can buy locally
grown food at CT farmer's markets - http://www.ctfarmersmarkets.com
from farmers or food co-ops - http://www.ctnofa.org/programs/farms.php
or by buying a share in a local farm, known as Community Supported Agriculture
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http://www.ctnofa.org/programs/csa.php
Schools can also buy local produce directly from farmers through the
Farm to School program. http://www.ct.gov/doag-
search "Farms to Schools"
Local Harvest (http://www.lcoalharvest.org)
LocalHarvest serves the public interested in buying food from family
farms.
RECYCLE
For more information on recycling see www.ct.gov/dep/recycle
REDUCE FERTILIZER USE
A portion of nitrogen applied to soils is released as a green house
gas. Reducing the use of chemical fertilizers also improves water quality
and soil health. Adopt some tips from organic land care guidelines or
use a certified organic land care professional; - http://www.ctnofa/org/programs/landcare.php
CALCULATE YOUR "CARBON FOOTPRINT"
Your carbon footprint is a way to measure your individual contribution
to global warming. it calculates the total amount of greenhouse gases
you generate based on your lifestyle and choices (measured in units
of carbon dioxide). Use the "Safe Climate Carbon Calculator"
to determine your carbon footprint and get some tips on how to reduce
it. http://www.safeclimeate.net/calculator/
____________________________________________________________________________
Did
you know you have a clean energy option right here in Connecticut!?
If you're a CL&P or UI (United Illumiating) customer, check your
September bill. There is scheduled to be a clean energy sign up form.
The new form should have a referral box and you can write in "Sierra
Club." Or, if you are a Sierra Club member already, you can click
on the form below and download the clean energy sign up form to mail
to us. We are keeping track of how many Sierra Club members sign up
for clean energy. After all, if we can't get out members to do it,
then.....
___________________________________________________________________________________________
 Be
Truly Green -- Refuse to use ChemLawn (click
here to find out more!)
The desire for the perfect lawn is leading millions of homeowners
to expose their children, pets and water supplies to toxic lawn care
pesticides.
Children
are at Risk: Research links the pesticides used by TruGreen ChemLawn
to nausea, vomiting, dizziness and headaches and chronic illnesses
such as lymphoma, leukemia, bladder cancer, and learning disabilities.
Children are especially vulnerable to toxic pesticides.
Pets are Vulnerable:Your pet has an increased risk of cancer when
exposed to lawn pesticides. Our Environment is Being Poisoned:
Pesticides can contaminate drinking water and can harm or kill birds,
fish, and other beneficial wildlife.
The Sierra
Club is a non-profit member-supported, public interest organization
that promotes conservation of the natural environment by influencing
public policy decisions--legislative, administrative, legal, and
electoral.
Sierra Club, 85 Second St., Second Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105-3441,
USA.
Telephone (415) 977-5500 (voice), (415) 977-5799 (FAX).
Sierra Club® and One Earth, One Chance® are
registered trademarks of the Sierra Club.
This page created & maintained
for the Connecticut Chapter of the Sierra Club by RootGrafix
Web Design.
E-mail the webmaster at birchbark@rootgrafix.com
with any site-related questions, updates, or needs.
Last Update: September 30, 2004.
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