Take Charge: Olympic Champs in Greenhouse Gas Emissions
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This week in Dirty Energy:
With China and the United States recently topping the medal count in the Summer Olympics, it's also interesting to note that together they produce over 40 percent of the world's contribution to atmospheric greenhouse gases.
With this interactive map, you can see how China, our fellow "big emitter," is being impacted by its own environmental issues that are the costs of its rapid economic growth over the past decades.
Although we often focus on the aspects of China's growth, such as new coal-fired power plants and a booming population, I would like to consider several of the more hopeful parts as well. The China Environmental Forum, a program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, was designed to encourage dialog between American and Chinese individuals and organizations.
Started in 1997, it includes initiatives to examine China's environmental health, energy, and water. In 2007, Prime Minister Wen Jiabo made 48 references to the "environment" in his equivalent State of the Union.
And yet, fundamental change seems to remain elusive, a problem that sounds all too familiar to us as we watch car fuel standards, gas taxes and other "grass top" programs go nowhere. Our government isn't exactly willing to take the actions necessary to fight climate change either. American consumers are also tied to China's increasing carbon footprint when they choose to buy products manufactured in the same environmentally damaging plants we criticize.
However, the United States differs greatly from China because it has numerous grassroots advocates who are pushing for change in even small increments and actually getting things done. That could be what China really needs, instead of an American-based institute and politicians' talk, but not all nations are willing to allow such movements.
In 2007, at least two major environmental activists were prosecuted for crossing the "thin line between advocacy and political agitation." Our ability to have an impact as individuals in the United States shouldn't be taken for granted and, hopefully, we will continue to "Take Charge" and make a difference.
In Our Community:
New Faces!
I would just like to take a minute to thank Morgan Goodwin for all of his hard work and great accomplishments and to introduce myself as one of the new interns for Take Charge.
My name is Madeline King and I am a sophomore at Williams College who is a member of the leadership team for our environmental club, Thursday Night Grassroots. I'm looking forward to being more involved in the community, and hope to connect Williams with the Northern Berkshires throughout the year. Please let me know if you have any comments or questions.
My name is Kara McCall and I will be working with Madeline. I am a senior at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, where I major in elementary education and fine and performing arts. I am a member of the Sustainability Committee and started a student "green team" on campus last semester. I am excited to be working with such a great group of people and to continue the wonderful work that has been started on the Take Charge campaign.
Take Charge Home Energy Use Workshop: Thursday, Sept. 18, 6:30 p.m.
This event will feature Mike Tillous sharing how changes can be made in your home to help you and your family save energy. Located at the North Adams Public Library, third floor. Contact Madeline with questions.
Green Jobs Now! Event: Saturday, Sept. 27, 1-3 p.m.
State Sen. Benjamin B. Downing's office has organized an event in conjunction with Green For All, a national group advocating for job creation as an energy solution.
Green Jobs Now aims to raise awareness for green jobs training - mostly for minority populations and those living in poverty. The senator would like to have this day focus on the potential for such training in the Berkshires, tout local green businesses, and educate participants on how they can prepare for the coming winter by reducing their energy consumption. The event will take place at the Berkshire Community College cafeteria.
North Adams energy group meeting: Thursday, Sept. 25, 3:30 p.m.
The Take Charge campaign is organized by an ad-hoc citizens group. We meet at the North Adams Public Library on the third floor. This week's meeting will focus on how to continue the program through the fall and winter. All are welcome to join. Contact Madeline with questions.
Thoreau Program in Green Design at Williams College: Thursday, Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m.
Sponsored by the Center for Environmental Studies and the Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives, Bill Moomaw, professor of international environmental policy at the Fletcher School at Tufts, will be presenting the lecture "Living and Working Deliberately in the 21st Century: The Need for Sustainable Buildings." This event will be located in Griffin Hall, Room 6, and a map of the campus can be accessed here.
