Live Earth blogs

Friends of Live Earth Featured Event: Dominican Republic

jgeeslin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:00:00 +0000

We are proud to begin highlighting the wonderful Friends of Live Earth Run for Water events being planned around the world for April 18, 2010. The 2010 Friends of Live Earth Run for Water Race in Santo Domingo will be a high-level event, helping the Dominican community to acknowledge the importance of prevention regarding the world water situation and reaching the top of mind of the public by helping the fund raising to support water projects. They are expecting over 1,000 participants for the event so far!

This event will include a 6K Race/Walk at an ocean view location, located in Santo Domingo City, the Capital of the Dominican Republic, as well as a post run concert with a local artist.

Like every Friends of Live Earth event, this race will also go the extra mile to make sure it is produced with eco-friendly efforts. For example - using alternative energy to power up, cleaning up the hydration areas post event as well as the surroundings of the race area, medals and/or trophies friendly to the environment (wood, stone, etc).

Click here to RSVP to the Friends of Live Earth event in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and join the cause!

Click here to find a Live Earth Run for Water event near you or click here to register your own event.

Green Blogger Convention Today

jgeeslin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:20:40 +0000

If you’re in Southern California area, then join stylish EcoStiletto.com at Environment Furniture, located at 8126 Beverly Blvd for the Green Blogger Convention today – November 6th! More than an opportunity to discuss the past, present and future of green blogging, there will also be some wonderful green products to sample.

You’ll meet and greet other green bloggers, writers and editors, while you sip organic Cafe de Olla and nibble piping hot churros from the Border Grill Truck and enjoy first-come, first-served sustainable beauty treatments from Steam Salon and mini-makeovers from Terra Firma Cosmetics. Thirsty? Water is provided by NIKA, which donates all proceeds to communities in need.

Some of the speakers include:

Kim Barnouin, (co-author of New York Times Bestseller Skinny Bitch and founder of HealthyBitchDaily.com)

Starre Vartan, (environmental journalist, editor and publisher of Eco-Chick.com)

Jen Boulden, (co-founder of IdealBite.com)

Siel Ju, “Green LA Girl”

Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff, founder & editor of EcoStiletto.com

Where: Today (11/6) at Environment Furniture - 8126 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Entry is $30 cash at the door so head on over!

Declare a Greener Future with Your Friends

jgeeslin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:06:14 +0000

Make your friends the star of a music video and declare energy independence! Check out Crush Global Warming - the world's first personalized music video.

Crush Global Warming supports the Declaration of Independence from Fossil Fuels, written by 15-year-old ACE youth leader Alec Loorz to tell leaders that youth want action on climate change now. Climate change will affect young people the most, and it's essential that we do something about it. ACE :: Alliance for Climate Education will deliver signatures to key leaders working on the climate crisis and make sure youth voices are heard.

Try it now, share it with your friends and declare your energy independence!

Al Gore’s 'Our Choice: A Plan to Solve the Climate Crisis'

jgeeslin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:02:03 +0000

Al Gore's new book "Our Choice: A Plan to Solve the Climate Crisis" is now on sale! Following up on his wildly successful 2006 book "An Inconvenient Truth," "Our Choice" goes into more detail about the solutions we can pursue to prevent the irreversible damage to our planet, as opposed to just making us aware of the problem.

According to Vice President Al Gore, it "offers the most up-to-date and deepest thinking on climate change cross a variety of disciplines.” It is also meant to inspire others to take action"

Not surprisingly, the book has been produced to be as green as possible, locally produced on 100% recycled paper, using low VOC inks, and a carbon neutral process. And 100% of the proceeds will go towards the Alliance for Climate Protection.

Mr. Gore writes in his forward that, "[This book] is meant to depoliticize the issue as much as possible and inspire readers to take action—not only on an individual basis but as participants in the political processes by which every country, and the world as a whole, makes the choice that now confronts us."

Click here to purchase the book.

A Campaign to Save Tibet's Endangered Glacial Reserve

Geoff Livingston — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:45:06 +0000

It's one of the remotest places on Earth. Yet even Tibet and its mountain resources cannot escape the wrath of climate change wrought by industrialization (Midui Glacier photo by reurinkjan).

In one of the most far reaching consequences of China's rapid economic acceleration and its somewhat related occupation of Tibet, the world's largest non-polar glacier reserve is endangered. Dubbed the Third Pole or the Roof of the World, this beautiful and remote resource is greatly endangered.

In a bizarre way, the disastrous glacial melt in Tibet represents a much slower version of the ecological apocalypse envisioned in Roland Emmerich's 2012. The movie trailer shows a Tibetan monastery in the Himalayas overcome by a tsunami.
Readying to bring the world's attention to the calamity is Tibet Third Pole, a group consisting of Tibetan, Chinese, and western scientists, development specialists, campaigners, and more than 170 Tibet Support Groups around the world. Third Pole will launch a series of campaigns in the run-up to and during the UN's climate change conference in Copenhagen on Tibet's behalf.

One thing is for sure about this year's Copenhagen conference: More and more stories like the Third Pole's plight will come to light. Each of our individual actions has very serious and real global impact.

Geoff Livingston is a regular contributor to the Live Earth blog.

Add Your Voice to the Repower America Wall

jgeeslin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:01:33 +0000

Repower America has just launched their new major call to action with The Wall. A place where thousands of people have committed to a revolutionary new energy future for our nation, and coming together to express their hopes, share their resolve, and step up to a leadership role in building a grassroots movement for change.

In a letter from Al Gore, Repower America is asking all people to "stand up and be a part of the generation that makes future generations proud -- join the movement and share your voice on The Repower America Wall today."

By asking people from all over the country to share their thoughts and images on the Wall, they are fueling a campaign that brings together the power of national media with the strength and connection of on-the-ground organizing. The voices, and the voices of friends, neighbors and colleagues will then be used in their campaign on TV, in print, on billboards, online, etc. It's an opportunity for you to be part of the climate movement in a new way.

The political will to transition America to a clean energy economy already exists, but now we must make sure our leaders know it too. The Wall will become a collective voice and work to transform the debate into action.

Click here to share your voice on the Repower America Wall.

A Child's Right to Safe, Clean Drinking Water

admin — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:09:39 +0000

Every Monday we profile a Dow Live Earth Run for Water partner organization that works toward providing solutions to the nearly 1 billion people who lack access to clean, safe water. To donate to one of these projects, visit liveearth.org/give.

A Child's Right (ACR) is unique in the water field as its sole focus is bringing clean, safe, purified drinking water to vulnerable children in impoverished urban and peri-urban centers – specifically to sites burdened with unsafe water quality and high concentrations of at-risk children. In the last three years alone, they have provided safe drinking water to more than 250,000 children in orphanages, street shelters, rescue homes, schools, displacement camps and children's hospitals in cities around the world.

ACR is an implementing organization and has projects, offices and staff in Cambodia, China, Ethiopia and Nepal. All projects are monitored routinely by in country staff for efficacy and safety, and each site project assists between 100 - 5,000 children (depending on the site). The process and system coverage are scalable and have been used in both Cambodia and Nepal's largest pediatric hospitals to assist more than 100,000 children per site annually.

ACR's most ambitious project to date is their five-year mission to bring clean drinking water to every orphanage in China – an undertaking that will encompass more than 500 orphanages in every province and municipality across China. ACR launched this project in partnership with the Chinese government in May 2008, and has already completed more than 150 system installations in orphanages throughout the country. With staff and offices in 5 cities, they will be averaging 200 orphanage installations annually in China.

Thirty percent of ACR's work is focused on cleaning well water, while the remaining projects target contaminated municipal or surface water sources. Prior to every project they undertake comprehensive water quality testing and site analysis to ensure each location is provided unique care and any dangerous water parameters are remedied. Post-project all sites receive constant and continuous support via ACR's international staff.

ACR designs and distributes all equipment, oversees all water station construction, water system installations, scheduled maintenance and review, resupplies of spare parts and provisions, and periodic water quality tests through their US and international offices and staff.

ACR was established in 2006 by founder and executive director, Eric Stowe, and is headquartered in Tacoma, Washington.

You can find out more about A Child's Right by visiting www.achildsright.org.

'In My Prius'

jgeeslin — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:47:27 +0000

The Toyota Prius has been highlighted through just about every media format possible, and the number of them on the road keep growing.

Leave it up to the folks of the comedy team Casual Mafia to put it all into perspective with their hilarious video - "In My Prius." It glorifies this culturally iconic eco-friendly vehicle to a whole new, catchy level.

"Ya won't see me ever hit E with my MPGs..."

Watch the video below.

Taking Back the Tap – One City at a Time

jgeeslin — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Grand Rapids, Michigan is the next U.S. city to join the effort to “Take Back The Tap.” Following New York, San Francisco and Portland, the Midwestern city has pledged to stop using bottled water in city facilities or at its events.

Take Back The Tap is a two-pronged campaign. It convinces businesses to switch from bottled water to tap water and then further asks people to petition congress for a public trust fund that will finance water infrastructure.

Grand Rapids officially joined this movement Tuesday, as the city promised to stop buying bottled water for use in city facilities or at city events. “Tap water is a better choice than the bottled brands, for our health, our environment and our wallets,” said Mayor George Heartwell.

The city resolution notes that in 2006 Americans bought 33 billion bottles of water, which requires nearly 900,000 tons of plastic and more than 17 million barrels of oil for production. This is outrageous! According to the resolution, bottled water, at $1 per pint, is 2,400 times more expensive than tap water for residents. City water is less than a penny per gallon.

Hopefully other major cities will follow their lead. And fast.

Click here for more info.

Hopenhagen: We Can Lead Our Leaders to Make the Right Decisions at the UN Climate Change Conference

Geoff Livingston — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:24:10 +0000

More than 190 countries will gather at the UN Climate Change Conference this December 7-18 in Copenhagen to determine the environmental fate of our planet (see the Guardian's ongoing coverage for baseline facts). With less than 40 days remaining before the Copenhagen conference, a new effort -- Hopenhagen -- seeks to unite citizens across the world in political action.

The Hopenhagen site features a petition, which will be delivered to the conference. The goal: Get participating countries to seal the deal and sign an effective climate pact.

There is a mandatory Hopenhagen Facebook fan page. In one of the more interesting Facebook applications I have seen in a while, the Hopenhagen app seeks to create word of mouth engagement by giving people a Passport to Hopenhagen. To get passport points one must agree to tell friends or participate in sustainable activities (all of which are conveniently posted to your wall).

I like this app because it shows people some of the activities they can engage in to make their own contribution to the environment. Gaming and education will become an increasingly important part of the sustainability and general environmental movement. Most citizens don't understand how their own carbon footprint affects energy demand. So more and more applications like this one and sites like Chevron's willyoujoinus.com will endeavor to educate the general public and change citizen behavior.

Self described as a movement, Hopenhagen was created with the support of numerous corporate partners. The site lists other environmental campaigns such as 350 that interested parties can engage in.
Hopenhagen is also on Twitter. Get on board today and spread the hope!

Obama Announces Billions for 'Smart' Power Grid

Andy Sternberg — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:15:12 +0000

President Barack Obama on Tuesday announced $3.4 billion in grants to help build a "smart" electric grid.

"At this moment, there's something big happening in America, when it comes to creating a clean-energy economy," President Obama said. “But getting there will take a few more days like this one, and more projects like this one."

The projects include installing smart, energy-saving electric meters in homes, automating utility substations, and installing thousands of new digital transformers and grid sensors.

In all, 100 energy vendors, equipment manufacturers and other Smart Grid-related companies were named to divvy up the grant money. These companies fall into four categories: $1 billion for consumer-facing home energy monitors and other devices that will help average people make real-time conservation choices based on pricing; $400 million to retrofit energy distribution and transmission with digital and automation technology to increase efficiency and security; $2 billion dedicated to making sure the various components of the new Smart Grid can communicate and work together; and $25 million to expand Smart Grid manufacturing operations, like the assembly of smart meters, transformers and wireless devices.

Conserving Water Significantly Lowers Your Greenhouse Gas Footprint

jgeeslin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Ever wonder how water makes it up to your top floor apartment? This is something that most of us don’t think twice about because we’re lucky enough to turn on the faucet and its just there. Well not only does it takes hundreds of energy sucking pumps to get us the water we need, but it is in fact one of the highest uses of energy in the United States. According to a 2005 California Energy Commission report (pdf), about 25 % of America’s electricity goes to moving and treating water!

But this can actually vary greatly by state. Water distribution is the most energy-intensive in a lot of the dry states. One of the most water indulgent states appears to be Utah. The water consumption average there is 250 gallons, with 60% of all water consumed going for yard irrigation!!

Now hopefully you’re not living in Utah with your massive sprinkler system going on all hours of the day. Every gallon of water that you do not use represents a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. There are many things you can do to reduce your footprint with smart water choices. Check out our Live Earth water saving tips at http://liveearth.org/save/water

Click here for more info.

Pump Aid's Solutions Provide Clean, Safe Water for Millions in Rural Africa

admin — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:46:25 +0000

Pump Aid is an international Water and Sanitation charity that tackles poverty by working with local communities in southern Africa. Pump Aid does this by establishing sustainable supplies of clean water and safer sanitation solutions. The long-term effects of our work will ensure improved health and increased agricultural production by improving the availability and quality of water for domestic consumption; promoting the productive use of water in agriculture, tree-planting; and providing sanitation with health education.

Pump Aid began in 1998 when 3 teachers working at a local school in Zimbabwe saw firsthand how unsafe, open sources of water affected the community, and as a result worked together to develop the Elephant Pump, which is a low cost solution providing clean water to rural communities and has to date installed over 5,000 elephant pumps which has provided over 1 million people with access to clean water supplies.

Improving sanitation provision for rural communities is also one of Pump Aid's aims, and has such developed the Elephant Toilet with communities to tackle this issue. Clean, safe sanitation is a pressing issue, as 2.5 billion people do not have access to this basic necessity - a toilet. The Elephant Toilet provides dignity to its users and health benefits to the community as a whole.

With established programs in Malawi and Zimbabwe, Pump Aid decided to move into Liberia at the beginning of 2009. Liberia was decimated by 25 years of economic mismanagement and 14 years of brutal civil war. The highest priority for the economy is rebuilding infrastructure especially roads, electricity and water which are crucial to nearly every aspect of its recovery. One of the world's poorest countries, Liberia suffers from high unemployment and illiteracy.

Pump Aid is currently working with former child soldiers in Liberia. This will have the duel benefit of providing clean water and sanitation but also giving key skills to this group of vulnerable people which will in turn help them to reintegrate into their communities and give something back to their country.

You can find out more about Pump Aid and our work by visiting www.pumpaid.org or donate using by clicking on the button at right.

Thousands of Events in 181 Countries Call for Action and Leadership on the Climate Crisis

Andy Sternberg — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:57:34 +0000

On Saturday, people in 181 countries came together for the most widespread day of environmental action in the planet's history. At over 5,200 events around the world, people gathered to call for strong action and bold leadership on the climate crisis.

The international day of climate action, spearheaded by Bill McKibben's 350.org, made headlines around the world this weekend and news clips and video from YouTube and elsewhere continue streaming in.

Thanks to everyone who participated in this massive day of action. Let us know how you took part in the comments below or submit your video or photos here. "There's no way we could have done this even two years ago, before the web, now firmly connected to cell phones even in remote regions, was built out," said 350's Bill McKibben. The same can be said of Live Earth events.

Visit 350.org to read more about the thousands of events that took place on October 24 and watch the hundreds of videos below!

Inglourious Basterds' Mélanie Laurent With Greenpeace in Indonesia

jgeeslin — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:29:14 +0000

Actress Mélanie Laurent of the film Inglourious Basterds is joining Greenpeace on a trip to Indonesia this week to see the incredible beauty of one of the most important and threatened tropical forests on the planet. The purpose is to publicly highlight the importance of protecting these amazing forests in the run up to critical UN climate talks this December in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Melanie will witness first hand the destruction and burning of the forests and the underlying carbon rich peat. She will meet local communities who are dependent on the forest for their survival. We may also be able to see endangered biodiversity, for example we may be able to visit a Sumatran elephant refuge or a rehabilitation centre where orangutans are being introduced back into the wild.

WHY FORESTS?
Forests store enormous quantities of carbon. When they are destroyed, this carbon is released, contributing to climate change. In fact, forest destruction accounts for 20% of all our global greenhouse gas emissions - more than all airplanes, cars and trains put together. Bringing an end to such destruction is one of the quickest and easiest ways we can tackle climate change and the issues surrounding it.

Our future will be decided at the United Nations Climate Conference in Copenhagen. Any deal our leaders make will only be effective if they cut emissions from both fossil fuels and deforestation. To get the level of political action we need to avert a climate disaster, we need to create a public outcry and secure enough funds to end deforestation.

Laurent's been active on urging nations to seal the deal in Copenhagen - she also appeared in last months' "Beds are Burning" video.

Mott Hall Students Discuss the Run for Water on CBS' Early Show

jgeeslin — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:35:40 +0000

On Tuesday, October 13th, the students at Mott Hall Science and Technology Academywere up at 4:30 A.M. to show their support for clean drinking water. The students have committed to participate in the Dow Live Earth Run for Water on April 18th and were helping us tell the world about the event by appearing on CBS’s The Early Show. It was cold, but the kids from Mott Hall realized that there were kids like them all over the world who didn’t have water in their schools. In fact, half of the world’s schools lack access to clean drinking water and safe sanitation.

The students also attended the official press conference held later that day where Global Water Challenge President, Paul Faeth recognized them for their commitment by. The kids got to take photos with the celebrities in attendance.

The students will be learning about the water issue for the next several months and working with Global Water Challenge to connect with students in poor countries who don’t have access to water now or who didn’t until recently. The culmination of their lessons on the global water crisis will be on April 18th, when the entire Academy will be running/walking in the Dow Live Earth Run for Water. Funds raised in the U.S. will go to water and sanitation projects around the world that GWC is supporting. Every person who runs/walks on April 18th is not only helping by providing funding for these projects, but also by showing their commitment to the issue, and bringing this issue to the forefront of people’s minds.

Mott Hall Science and Technology Academy is a new, public middle school located in South Bronx. The students represent the diversity of the area with a current enrollment of about 130 6th graders, and expanding to 7th and 8th grade over the next two years. It is a rigorous math, science, and technology focused middle school that offers families the opportunity for their children to meet the highest academic expectations and standards, to make smooth transitions to selective high schools, and to compete successfully for admission to top public and private colleges.

Their school culture is characterized by a shared vision for academic excellence, the healthy personal growth of all students, and a commitment to our strong belief that all students can and will succeed in their endeavors. We are truly part to be involved with the Mott Hall Science and Technology Academy.

Safe Drinking Water: A Global Cause Needing Continued Support

jgeeslin — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:03:33 +0000

The global water crisis is affecting everyone all over the world in a major way. And it's about time it was brought to the mainstream attention of the world. Water seems like such an easy accessible, everyday resource – that people do not realize it is a luxury for millions around the world.

Live Earth and its partners are happy to share in helping the cause with the likes of other organizations doing what they can to bring awareness to the cause - Cirque du Soleil’s founder flew to outer space; Jessica Biel – one of our Dow Live Earth Run for Water spokespeople - has gone the extra mile for the cause and pledged to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, and Matt Damon has been very outspoken about raising awareness of safe drinking water and sanitation.

In the end it is all about helping the cause and we truly hope this will all create enough buzz and that everyone will come together to build a community who can trigger the level of awareness and resources to a degree that address the water and sanitation crisis in a way that is deserving of the issue.

Click here to read more on this topic from John Sauer.

Click here here for more information on the Dow Live Earth Run for Water. Click here to donate to a Run for Water partner project.

350 - Combatting the Climate Change Crisis

Geoff Livingston — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:25:00 +0000

350, the number of parts per million, the level scientists have identified as the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere. It's also the name of an open-sourced campaign to create an international day of climate action this Saturday, October 24. The goals are simple:

Lifting public awareness on the need for an international climate treaty to reach 350
Assembling a coalition of hundreds of organizations committed to this vision of a more sustainable world
Connecting people within their local community and across the planet who are building this movement
Providing on-line resources and tools that make pulling together an event easy
Linking hundreds of actions at iconic places around the world
Leveraging the day of action for meaningful political change

The campaign has already organized more than 2000 events, and has won the attention of climate-action heavy weights like Al Gore. After Blog Action Day last week, people across the globe worldwide can continue the momentum with 350’s Day of Action.

What is striking about 350 is not political undertones, rather a general motive of raising interest and connectivity amongst climate-change minded individuals throughout local towns, regions and globally. If there's one thing we know about combating climate change, the greatest battle is not the politicians, rather the everyday citizen and his/her apathy towards climate change. When citizens care and voice their concerns, politicians follow suit.

It’s outstanding to see 350's work. Check out this back story on 350 Founder Bill McKibben in the Harvard Gazette for more information. If you don't have plans yet for October 24 find or create a 350 event in your area.

Constructing Rainwater Harvesting Systems in Tanzanian Schools

jgeeslin — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:30:31 +0000

In the Mtwara region, one of the poorest in Tanzania, the health status of the people is below the national average and infant mortality is well above it. Only around 30% of the population has access to safe water and adequate sanitation.

Malaria is prevalent throughout the region, and many of diseases afflicting people are water related.

Global Water Challenge and African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) have partnered and are constructing rainwater harvesting systems in schools in the Mtwara region of Tanzania, Africa. This will help to implement clean water, safe sanitation and hygiene practices in this impoverished region of Tanzania.

Women and children can travel around six kilometers a day to collect water. The opportunities for women to earn incomes are severely limited by the time and effort in fetching water, and girls often miss school to collect water for their families. Children's health and school attendance rates, especially among girls, are clearly improved when school-based programs are accompanied by community strengthening and infrastructure development.

A rainwater harvesting system carries rainwater from roof tops using pipes where it is then collected in a large storage tank. The stored water is used for drinking. Providing rainwater harvesting at schools and the community will eliminate the need for children to walk for hours to fetch water and gives students the opportunity to focus on their education. It will also prove to significantly improve basic hygiene behaviors, decrease absenteeism among students, and decrease water- and sanitation-related diseases.

For more information click here.

Global Water Challenge is the U.S. beneficiary partner for the Dow Live Earth Run for Water.

Jessica Biel, Pete Wentz, Alexandra Cousteau, Angelique Kidjo, and Jenny Fletcher Introduce the Dow Live Earth Run for Water

admin — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:50:49 +0000

Dow Live Earth Run for Water Spokespeople, Oct. 13, 2009. / Photo by Stuart Ramson

Video from introductions and interviews with Jessica Biel, Pete Wentz, Alexandra Cousteau, Angelique Kidjo, Kevin Wall, Paul Faeth, Ian Barbour, and Jenny Fletcher, at the Dow Live Earth Run for Water event announcement.

Click here to see photos from the event and Click here for more Live Earth video