Fresh AIRE

Thinking + Drinking + Sustainability = GREEN DRINKS

If you haven't heard of Green Drinks before, it is an informal networking event for people of all kinds with a personal and/or professional interest in local sustainability. The drinks aren't green but the people are! 

It's a low-key, accessible way to:

• find out what positive things are happening in Arlington
• share what you know and do
• learn what you can do to green your own lifestyle at work, home, or play
• connect with like-minded people
• or even find a job/an employee  

The spirit of Green Drinks is that anyone can come, and this makes for interesting interactions. 

Green Drinks is NOT directly associated with the Green Party or any other political, corporate or government groups in any way (although they are more than welcome to come…and we will).

There are lots of benefits to green drinks; they are hard to quantify, but when you have seen people come and make new links and learn and argue and set up new schemes and get new jobs etc, it is a good feeling.  

Don't miss the first meeting for our local chapter of Green Drinks!  Visit their Facebook page, become a Fan, and mark your calendars for the inaugural meeting! 

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=info&gid=298277643025 

DC Environmental Film Fest Starts Next Week!

Don't miss out on this incredible event!  This is the 18th year of the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital, and the biggest.  155 films will be shown in various locations around DC this month, starting on Tuesday, March 9th.  The 2010 Festival explores the vital connections between food and the environment (an area of focus for Arlington too!).  What we eat is essential to our health and wellbeing; how food is produced and transported to our tables affects the condition of our planet. There are films for everyone, adults, kids, and families.  Search the film schedule online. 

International Day of Climate Action - How It Went

Saturday was the International Day of Climate Action organized by 350.org. Check out their website for the photos, which are inspiring. I personally participated in three different events. The site claims over 5200 events in 181 countries, which is enormously impressive, but might be padded slightly based on my own experience.

The first event took place in the Twittersphere. Between noon and 1:00 PM EDT, everyone with a twitter account was to twitter to Barack Obama this message: "@barackobama USA MUST formally adopt the 350ppm CO2 target at Copenhagen 09 – the ONLY WAY to prevent runaway climate change NO EXCUSES!"

For those not familiar with Twitter, the "@" sign is used to direct a message to a particular twitterer, but all your followers can see it, too. The idea was that the White House would receive literally thousands of tweets with this message in it. Unfortunately, by my count, fewer than 200 people actually did it (including me; you can follow me on twitter at twitter.com/steveoffutt).

Second was an event at Bourbon Coffee at 21st and L. I wanted to join the big rally at the White House at about 4:00, which I was biking to, so I passed literally right past the coffee shop. This event was described on the site thus:
Come to Bourbon Coffee on at 21st & L Streets NW at 3:50 pm! Join other like-minded 350.org supporters in grabbing an afternoon coffee drink.
I used this as an excuse to get a cup of coffee to take with me to the rally. The girl behind the counter when I got there (at 4:03) had no idea what I was talking about. Good thing I stopped in, so at least that event had one participant.

Finally I got to the rally at the White House. This event had started in Malcolm X Park at noon with entertainment, speeches and other activities. The crowd then marched down 16th St. to Lafayette Park, which is where I met up with them. They got soaked on the march, because it was raining like crazy (I got a bit wet, too, on my bike).

This event was more successful. Even with the rain, there were probably at least 1000 people there at the White House with a 350 foot banner, encouraging the administration to take a strong leadership role in the Copenhagen negotiations in December.

I hope you were able to participate in an event. If not, keep an eye on 350.org for more opportunities to help in the effort to avert dangerous climate change.

-----------------------------
Steve Offutt, Arlington resident

International Day of Climate Action This Saturday

 
This Saturday, October 24, is the International Day of Climate Action organized by 350.org, an organization co-founded and directed by famous environmentalist, Bill McKibben.   The number 350 represents the maximum CO2 concentration the atmosphere can hold without causing significant climate disruption according to highly regarded climatologist, James Hansen.  As of the writing of this post, more than 4000 events in 170 countries have already been organized.  Join an event and show your support for strong action on climate from our political leaders.
===========================
Steve Offutt, Arlington

For more information about the U.S. DoE Solar Decathlon

The Department of Energy is holding an hour long webinar on September 15, 2009 starting at noon EST.  Some of the topics the webinar will address are the history of the U.S. DOE Solar Decathlon, the technology, and the students who make it happen.  From homeowners, professors to residential and commercial industry professionals anyone who is interested in solar energy can participate.  Check it out; it’s free but registration is required.

The Next Generation

 

I really have to hand over some kudos to the group of Wakefield High School students that participated in the school's environmental fair with their educational display on CFLs.  These students reached out to the community and their local government to get materials and information.  What a great way to get the message out to other students and fair attendees!  So, kudos!! 

And I'm sure there were many other informational and educational displays at the fair as well - congrats and thanks to Wakefield High for hosting an event on this very important topic!

Busboys & Poets in Shirlington Starts new Sustainability Series May 6th!

This is the start of a new ongoing sustainability series for Busboys & Poets that continues their commitment to raise awareness and create action in our community for the environment.

 

 

Don't miss this *FREE* movie and discussion! 

 

G.R.a.S.P. {Green Resources and Sustainable Practices}

Wednesday, May 6, 2009        7pm - 9pm

Interested in leading a more "earth-friendly" life but not sure how? Join us each month for our new sustainable living series, G.R.a.S.P. {Green Resources and Sustainable Practices}, during which we offer a forum for people to learn about, ask questions, and actively engage in ways to live a more eco-conscious lifestyle. There will be a new theme each month! *G.R.a.S.P. takes place on the first Wednesday of the month* This week's theme is *FAIR TRADE* Join us for our kick-off event, featuring the film "Black Gold", a discussion led by Global Exchange and samples of fair trade coffee and chocolate. 

"BLACK GOLD": As westerners revel in designer lattes and cappuccinos, impoverished Ethiopian coffee growers suffer the bitter taste of injustice. In this eye-opening expose of the multi-billion dollar industry, Black Gold traces one man's fight for a fair price. 

GLOBAL EXCHANGE is an international human rights organization dedicated to promoting environmental, political and social justice. Since their founding in 1988, they have increased the US public's global awareness while building partnerships worldwide. 

Film screening and discussion will take place at the Shirlington Library with tasting to follow at Busboys and Poets. Free and open to the public!

 

    

Mission: Successful

Earth Hour that is!  Local Arlingtonians - businesses and residents - participated in this year's global event.  This event, calling on organizations and individuals to turn off their lights for one hour, sends a powerful signal about the environment:  we all need to take responsibility for our environment --climate change is upon us.  Thanks to all of you who participated!  Check out this link for some cool shots of the world going dim.

Boys just want to have “green” fun!

That’s right…they do!  A local Arlingtonian celebrated his 10^th birthday at Long Branch Nature Center with 13 friends to remove invasive plants from park grounds (check out another local blog for more).  In lieu of gifts, party attendees made donations to the park…you heard that right.  This 10-year-old passed on gifts for the sake of the environment.  By my account, this is a win all-around.  The kids got to be outside, learn something about protecting and conserving the environment, take part in something that will make a difference in the Arlington community, and hopefully gain an appreciation for our planet.  Talk about making learning fun!  And major props go to the parents of this very committed 10-year-old!

Come one, come all...Town Hall on EE!

Come on out this Wednesday, November 12th, to learn more about energy efficiency in Virginia!  This  Town Hall will review our options for electrical energy efficiency programs and recommend the best for Virginia.  With a great line-up of speakers and exhibitors (including AIRE), as well as Q&A session, you just shouldn't miss it.  Details here.