invites anyone interested in or curious about green, ecological, environmental, organic, renewable, regenerative, or restorative issues for drinks and conversation with like-minded individuals in their community.
WHEN: first Wednesday of each month from 6-8 pm
WHERE: Fergie’s Pub . 2nd floor . 1214 Sansom Street . Philadelphia, PA . www.fergies.com . (no smoking!)
CONTACT: info@greendrinksphiladelphia.org

It’s almost impossible to sum up the accomplishments of the inimitable Wangari Maathai. She recently returned to Pittsburgh (she received her Master’s degree in biology at the University of Pittsburgh in 1965) to receive an honorary doctorate, and to speak at the national convention of the Society of American Foresters. The 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate has impacted the lives of countless people. Perhaps one of her most important contributions to the world is her ability to inspire great action in others.

In this podcast, PennFuture’s D.J. Trischler speaks with Wanjira Maathai, Wangara’s daughter and the Executive Director of Green Belt Movement International, the organization her mother founded. Wanjira shares how each person must follow our hearts in order to enjoy whatever it is we do in life. She believes it would be impossible to follow in her mother’s footsteps. So she is creating her own path, based on her own interests, and although her path was very different, she is now working alongside her mother.

Whether you are an environmental activist or not, the words of Wanjira Maathai are compelling. She speaks of how we might all conquer our fears, and accomplishing all that you wish to in your lifetime.

Leave us a comment about this podcast by clicking "comment" below. We’d love to hear about what inspires you. To learn more about PennFuture, visit our Web site, or e-mail us at podcast (at) pennfuture (dot) org.

The GreenPlan for Philadelphia is forming and now is the time to get involved.
Greenadelphia co-founder Sustain US has organized a number of outings to visit some of the community meetings that will drive the GreenPlan (see greenplan mtgs on the calendar).
For those not in the know, GreenPlan is an unprecedented planning process brining in […]

from Climatemash.org

This week the citizens of Pennsylvania proved that when they speak and act together, they are (as they should always be) more powerful and more influential than high-priced industry lobbyists. Thanks to citizens and editorial writers across the state, and their vocal opposition to proposed legislation to kill the Clean Vehicles Program, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives decided not to consider this legislation as initially planned. This decision means that the clean cars program, which would help protect Pennsylvania seniors and children from air pollution that sickens and kills, will move forward. The failure to consider Senate Bill 1025, a bill to kill the Clean Vehicles Program, allows Pennsylvanians to have easy access to the cleanest and most fuel-efficient cars, cutting gasoline use and our reliance on foreign oil.

In this podcast, PennFuture’s Jan Jarrett speaks with PennFuture President and CEO John Hanger about this rare and glorious win for public health, national security, the economy and the environment. John outlines what happened, why this program is so critical for Pennsylvania, and what needs to occur over the next month to ensure that the Pennsylvania Clean Vehicles Program stays in place so that we can all breathe a lot easier. 

With the Clean Vehicles Program, Pennsylvanians will finally be able to purchase the most technologically advanced, fuel-efficient and cleanest cars, striking a blow against our addiction to foreign oil from Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. Saving the Clean Vehicles Program also saves Pennsylvania jobs and industry, since federal law requires that we cut air pollution, and the clean cars program cuts one-third of that pollution, avoiding stricter standards on many businesses.

Senate Bill 1025, which passed the Senate in February, was considered dead by most observers. The Clean Vehicles Program regulations requiring cars sold in the Commonwealth to meet more protective pollution standards beginning with the 2008 model year were passed by a 16-2 vote of the Environmental Quality Board on September 19, following public comments of nearly 5,000 citizens in favor of the new rule and an extensive public involvement process. However, SB 1025 was raced through the House Transportation Committee on October 17, after a full-page ad paid for by out-of-state special interests appeared in the Harrisburg Patriot-News, and less than 24 hours after the committee leadership suddenly announced the consideration of the bill. House leadership then put the bill on a fast track, to be considered on the last voting day of the House session before the election break.

The Clean Vehicles Program standards were developed by the state of California, and are the only option besides the weak standards of the federal government. Once the clean cars program is fully implemented, Pennsylvania will join Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Oregon, Washington and California in opting for the clean cars program.

To stay informed, please visit PennFuture’s Web site and click "Take Action," where you can sign up to receive up-to-the-minute action alerts on this and other critical environmental issues. To learn more, e-mail us at podcast (at) pennfuture (dot) org.

Energy is arguably the most important environmental and national security issue we face as a nation today. Global warming and its impacts demand immediate action, and development and use of renewable energy for electricity production, together with energy conservation, are critical components of the solution.

In Pennsylvania, we have significant wind energy development potential. Thanks to the Commonwealth’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS), ever-increasing percentages of renewable energy production must be part of Pennsylvania’s electricity supply. As a result, we will grow economically as the industry expands, but at the same time, we will be curbing our state’s contribution to global warming, as we decrease our dependence on fossil fuels.

In this podcast, PennFuture’s Jan Jarrett speaks with two leaders in the field of wind energy about the development of commercial-scale wind farms in Pennsylvania. In less than a decade, our state has become a trail-blazer in the field of wind energy, and this will continue. Jan talks first with Sam Enfield from PPM Atlantic Renewable, a company that sites and builds large wind farms. He describes the complex challenges in getting projects off the ground. Jan then talks with Community Energy founder and Executive Vice President Brent Alderfer, a pioneer in wind and supplying green energy choices to Pennsylvania’s electricity consumers.

Stay tuned to our podcasts for a subsequent piece by Jan that explores the challenges at hand for siting wind farm developments across the state, including local zoning, developing a process to avoid wildlife impacts, and examining the possibilities of developing renewable energy projects on public lands.

To learn how you can make the switch to clean, renewable, local energy, visit Clean Your Air. For more information on this and other renewable energy issues, visit our Web site or e-mail us at podcast (at) pennfuture (dot) org.

Philly environmentalists scored a slight victory when legilsators broke for the election break w/o voting on a bill that would declaw the Clean Vehicles Program.
From Rueters:
The Clean Vehicles Program, originally adopted in 1998 when Republican Tom Ridge was governor, sets tougher emissions standards for new passenger cars and light-duty trucks. Currently, Pennsylvania follows federal emission […]

The Great Warming will be opening across the country on November 3rd. In the Philly area you will be able to check it out at the Warrington Theater on Easton Road.
Here is a message the producer sent to me:

Hello,

I want to let you know about a new climate change film called The Great […]