I’ve written Governor Bredesen and my other TN representatives opposing MTR. I’m proud to say that our Clarksville Senator, Rosalind Kurita, was ranked as one of the top three Tennessee senators for her voting record on protecting the environment. If you’d like to know how other Tennessee legislators voted on environmental issues in 2008 see http://www.tnconservationvoters.org/.

I first heard about MTR around 6 years ago from Dr. Joe Schiller, a Biology professor at APSU. He’s been educating people about this horrific practice and battling against it for many years. I’ve seen video and pictures of MTR but this will be the 1st time I’ll actually see this destruction in person. I’m a member of Save Our Cumberland Mountains (SOCM) and other organizations which oppose MTR.

United Mountain Defense, Mountain Justice and Three Rivers Earth First! ask you to march with us for Appalachia. This is a call from the Mountains of Tennessee to those who understand the value of a living forest, clean water and a place to call home. This is a call for you to take a Sunday out of your life to help preserve some of the oldest mountains on Earth.

National Coal is blowing up the three peaks of Zeb Mountain for the coal beneath even though there are other methods of mining that are less destructive and at the same time create more jobs for local residents. National Coal has a terrible record of over 50 violations on Zeb Mountain - including illegally mining through two streams. National Coal has wrecked the watershed of Zeb Mountain - and the New River Watershed is next if we don ’t stop them. There’s a story on Channel 5’s web site detailing some of these issues.

Email unitedmountaindefense@yahoo.comor call (865) 689-2778 for more information. If you’d like to carpool with some other Clarksvillians, contact me at beth_faith@hotmail.com.

I thought she’d somehow pull off the Democratic nomination for President in 2008. Soon I’ll need to embrace the other democratic candidate but today I’m just disappointed that Senator Clinton does not have enough delegates.

The USA has had 43 presidents and it goes without saying that zero were female.

Americans lament that Muslim-majority countries and others treat women badly - which is true. However, my 16-year-old daughter is amazed when I tell her that I remember my maternal grandmother wore ONLY dresses. Pants were for men. I’m 47 years old and my Grandmother Robinson could not vote when she turned 18 because women were not allowed to vote. Women have only been able to vote here is the USA since 1920! This is not ancient history; instead it is people I knew personally.

I know that we’ve never had a African-American President either but statistically speaking HE represents less than 15% of the US population and SHE represents over 50% of us. How much longer will we have to wait for another viable female presidential candidate in the US?

Ask not what your Earth can do for you.

Ask what you can do for your Earth.

I know alot of wonderful people that are working hard to make this a healthier planet. I’m sure we have many, many people in the Clarksville area that are living with the environment in mind. As a Earth Day activity, I invite you to comment to this post and let others know at least one of the actions you take to Reduce-Recycle-Reuse.

Here is a list of some of the things I do:

1. Bought a Prius (even though no rebates or tax incentives remain)
2. Buy Green Power
3. Recycle paper, plastic, glass, cardboard, tin, aluminum
4. Compost
5. Write my local, state and other government representatives to support environmental measures
6. Eat less meat
7. Use my programmable thermostat
8. Buy energy efficient appliances & HVAC system
9. Active in local environmental groups
10. Buy only CFL’s

What is one thing I haven’t done but commit to do? Calculate my CO2 footprint. I’ll post it below once I’ve figured it out.

Thanks for all you do to save energy and prevent pollution.

For in the final analysis, our most basic common link, is that we all inhabit this small planet, we all breathe the same air, we all cherish our children’s futures, and we are all mortal. - John F. Kennedy

Imagine, for a moment, if you had to keep all your trash. Those plastic trash bags would pile up in your yard or spare room week after week, month after month, year after year. You’d also have to pack and take that garbage with you when you move to another residence. When we roll our big plastic container to the end of the street every week, we don’t usually see or think about that trash any more. We can go visit most of that same trash we’ve been throwing out for years at the Bi-County landfill off Dover Road.

Being a treehugger, I’ve recycled aluminum, paper, plastic, cardboard, and glass for many years. I also donate used clothes, toys and other items which is another form of recycling. If you’ve had a yard sale then you’re also a recycler. My daughter and I have much less garbage than most because so many items go in our recycle bins instead of the garbage can.

When I asked Tim what prompted him to start the business, he said thought for a few moments and responded:

“I began to develop a conviction about being a good steward of the earth as I delved into the concept of what God will do to the earth when he come back in fresh creative power. He will transform the earth into a new heavens and a new earth. As such, our participation in caring for the earth is a foreshadowing of that event. When we take care of the earth we are participating in the culture of God and his desire to take care of all his creation, both people and the earth.”

Tim’s initial plan was to do this for his neighbors at no cost. “We felt like there would be people who would recycle and do it more often if it was convenient for them. We then started thinking about doing some surrounding neighborhoods and then the issue of gas and time came up. So then we said to ourselves ‘Why not do the whole city for an affordable price?’”

The recycling business is a family affair. “My wife helps me with whatever she can do. She works full time with the state so her opportunities to participate are limited. She is very kind and patient however in this start up phase that eats up a lot of time and money.”

When it comes to sorting and handling recycling at home, Tim, who has lived in Clarksville for five years, has some recycling tips and a list of recyclables on his website. He notes that stores such as Lowe’s and Home Depot have stackable containers that allow you to save space.

He only requires his customers to keep paper separate, so sorting is not really an issue for the consumer. All aluminum, cardboard and plastic and glass can be placed in the same container, and paper in another container.

“Because we come by once a week, you do not have to worry about things stacking up and starting to smell.
Composting is also another option if you have space in your backyard. 15% of your trash is food or biodegradable.”

The response to date has been very encouraging, Tim said.

“While we will probably not be signing up half the city, or a fourth for that matter, it has been encouraging to see hear from the people who do recycle, even the ones who are still taking theirs to the drop off locations. No matter how you do it, to know that there is a sector of the city out there that cares about the environment has been very encouraging.”

Yeah, it’s a little inconvenient and takes a little time but I’m sure it is the right thing to do.

Over 80% of household trash is recyclable. As a result most people who recycle see a major reduction in the amount of trash that ends up in their trash cans. This reduction allows them to scale back from weekly trips to the dump to bi-monthly and sometimes even once a month.

Contact Tim: www.recycleclarksville.com 931.338.5027 email recycleclarksville@gmail.com

Photo by Faith Robinson

As we are all painfully aware, energy prices are accelerating upward. Geothermal energy is a clean alternative source. Geo-thermal simply means the earth’s underground heat. The U.S. Department of Energy says geothermal energy can provide “a stronger economy, a cleaner environment, and a more secure energy future for our nation”.

Our county wisely decided to use geothermal heat/air systems at Rossview High, the central office and West Creek Elementary School. The choice to use geothermal when building the new Rossview Elementary school - instead of electric energy from burning coal - is in the hands of our Montgomery County Commissioners. They will vote on this issue on Monday, April 14. A geothermal system will be cost effective overall and better for the environment.

In 2008, the Lung Association ranked Tennessee as the worst place to live if you have asthma. We produce enormous amounts of pollution because over 60% of our electricity comes from burning coal. This was shocking to me because Knoxville, Nashville, and Chattanooga were rated worse than New York and Los Angeles.

“Unless citizens of Montgomery county speak to their commissioners, they will NOT approve using this cleaner form of energy. I had a difficult time finding my Montgomery County Commissioner on the web, so below I provide a list which I created by combining 3 other lists.

“It may well be that our means are fairly limited and our possibilities restricted when it comes to applying pressure on our government. But is this a reason to do nothing? Despair is nor an answer. Neither is resignation.” - Elie Wiesel

A List of elected officials for Montgomery County Tennessee at the Election commission web site.

Related links

• www.asthmacapitals.com
• http://www.montgomerycountytn.org/county/commission/default.aspx

We felt pretty helpless and uncounted in our seats watching the hearings since neither bill we supported was even voted on in committee. However, we could tell that phone calls and emails to Senators and Representatives really have an impact on what happens in session.

While visiting our Clarksville Senator co-sponsoring this bill, Rosalind Kurita, she reminded us that Senators and Representatives have a rough and winding road to get bills passed - enduring frequent delays and other obstacles. Experience is critical to getting things done within this system. Senator Kurita was enthusiastic when she told us about her role on the Governor’s new task force to develop a Tennessee Comprehensive Energy Policy.

We also met with our Representative, Joe Pitts. “How are our issues doing?” asked Rep. Pitts as he took time out of his busy schedule to say hello and take a picture with Rossview High School students, Faith Robinson and Nicole Donnelly.

*SB 3822 Finney R.: Issuance of permits for surface mining.

This bill prohibits the department of environment and conservation from issuing permits related to surface mining until a new programmatic environmental impact statement (EIS) addressing direct and indirect site specific and cumulative impacts is completed and a record of decision is published in the Federal Register by the office of surface mining.

Recommended action: Support this bill, attend the committee hearing. This bill would stop mountain top removal in Tennessee.

The Senate committee did not vote on 4/2/08 and re-scheduled the hearing for 4/9/08. Unfortunately, a House subcommittee voted to kill the bill and adjourned for the year. Therefore, this bill cannot be passed this year. However, let the Senators know your views because it will probably resurface next year.

As far as the action in the House, here are the votes for and against the bill. Legislators voting for the bill were Reps. Frank Buck, D-Dowelltown; Brenda Gilmore, D-Nashville; and Mike Kernell, D-Memphis.

Those voting no were Reps. William Baird, R-Jacksboro; George Fraley, D-Winchester; Joe McCord, R-Maryville; Frank Niceley, R-Strawberry Plains; and John Tidwell, D-New Johnsonville.

Some of this information was obtained from Knoxnews.com

The Senate met to discuss the same bill.

Senate Environment, Conservation & Tourism Committee members: Chair Kilby (D), Vice Chair Bunch (R), Secretary Jackson (D), R. Finney (R), Herron (D), Ketron (R), Roller (D), Southerland (R), M. Williams (I).

Senator Kilby, Chair, wanted to drop this bill several times but Senator Finney and Jackson argued successfully to put the bill back on the calendar for next week. They had to force the issue. Senator Bunch wanted to delay the vote for further study about the fiscal impact.

Debbie Boen overheard Senator Kilby telling someone in the hallway after session that he tried and tried and tried to kill it, but they wouldn’t let him. That’s how it went. We heard expert testimony to the effect that there is no agency or law that determines exactly how mountain top removal will be regulated and by whom.

Please thank Senators Finney and Jackson for insisting on taking action on this bill. Thank chair Tommy Kilby and Senator Bunch for taking the issue seriously at this time. Let him know that this is a very important issue to us and Tennessee and we want the Senate to lead our state in saving our mountains.

Bottle deposit bill

The other bill we were most interested in supporting, the bottle deposit bill, was put off for a week because there was no time to hear the case. Container deposit bills change behavior and are the single most effective tool yet devised to significantly and permanently reduce litter—more effective than curbside recycling, more effective than penalties, more effective than education programs, and certainly more effective than prisoner pickup programs.

Senate Government Operations — Wednesday at 2:00 pm
MEMBERS: Chair Harper (D), Vice Chair Marrero (D), Secretary O. Ford (D), Bunch (R), Crowe (R), J. Johnson (R), Stanley (R), Watson (R), Williams (I).

*SB 1408 Jackson: TN Deposit Beverage Container Act of 2007 (AKA the Bottle Bill). Requires deposit beverage distributors to pay a fee to the department a fee of one-half of one cent (increasing to three cents by July 2008) per deposit container and a separate deposit of 5 cents on each beverage in a deposit container manufactured in or imported to the state.

Recommended action: Support this bill, attend committee meeting.

SB 1408/HB 1829 creates the TN Beverage Container Act to increase recycling rates and reduce litter. This bill would place a refundable deposit on containers of beer, soda and other designated beverages. A large, nonpartisan coalition of organizations, including the Tennessee Federation of Garden Clubs, Cumberland Harpeth Chapter of the Audubon Society, Scenic Tennessee, TN Conservation Voters, Tennessee Scenic Rivers, Loudon County Commission, Maury County Commission, Maury County Farm Bureau, Lebanon Beautification Board, Davy Crockett Ruritan District, Trout Unlimited, Keep Bristol Beautiful, Kiwanis Club of Tellico Village, Recycle Rutherford, Boone Watershed Partnership, League of Women Voters of Tennessee and Tennessee Sierra Club support this legislation because:

• A recent survey conducted by UT in which registered voters were asked if they would support a 5-cent refundable deposit on beverage containers as a way to reduce litter and increase recycling rates in Tennessee. An amazing 80.4 % of those polled said they would support such a bill–with almost half saying they would support it.
• Improved recycling rates generate lower landfill costs. Many Tennessee counties currently pay in excess of $30/ton to landfill solid wastes.
• In 2005, Tennessee was found to generate a total of almost 4 pounds of litter per person per year in Tennessee. In Maine, the state whose bottle bill most closely resembles the one we propose for Tennessee, the total litter generated per person was 4 ounces of litter per year.
• TDOT is spending $5 – 6 million per year picking up trash along state roadways. Counties are spending up to $6.5 million per year on litter collection and cities are spending millions to pick up litter on their streets.

We need a new strategy.

Numerous surveys have found that in states without a bottle bill, beverage containers can make up the single largest category of roadside litter—typically 40 to 60 percent of the total Funds generated from unclaimed deposits are earmarked for continued funding of the county litter grants program.

In addition, it allots funds to reimburse counties or any lost tax revenue under the proposed change to the “greenbelt law.” Fifty percent of what is left will go to the distributors in the same proportion as they paid deposits in the first place; and the rest will be used for related purposes, such as litter control or recycling projects

States that tracked litter pre- and post-bottle bill reported a decrease in beverage container litter of as much as 84 percent , while overall litter decreased by as much as 64 percent . Container recycling rates increased from 10 % to 85% of containers sold and overall recycling rates in bottle bill states are an average of 30-35% compared to 10% in Tennessee.

Related links

• TN Scenic Vistas (TN Sierra Club)
• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
• Save Our Cumberland Mountains (SOCM)

Help is needed to bag seedlings at the Museum on Thursday, March 6th, from 3 to 5 pm to prepare for the Seedling Give-a-Way.

Then on March 15, an Official Arbor Day Ceremony will be held at Barkers Mill Elementary School from 1-4 pm . Bring your shovels, rakes, gloves & wheel-barrows and volunteer for tree planting & mulching.

For more information or to volunteer contact Dottie Mann, the Tree Board Chair at DotMannClarks@aol.com

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (aceee.org) ranks TN as 43rd of 50 states based on their energy policy.   Energy efficiency is our easiest, cleanest, and cheapest energy resource and it will be a great economic stimulus far surpassing our recent tax rebates or other temporary fixes. Many Tennesseans are aware that over 60% of our energy comes from an extreme pollution-producing source - Coal. Although it is a good marketing scheme, there is no ‘Clean Coal’ - only less dirty forms.

State energy policies are very important since the U.S. has not enacted national policies nor supported international treaties. It is critical that our plan include concrete targets for energy efficiency, implementation of renewable energy sources, economic incentives and penalties, and consumer education. Let our governor and other representative know that this is an important issue to you and that we want progressive targets.

Email: Governor Phil Bredesen  & Ryan Gooch, State Energy Policy Director

The cold and snow is also a symptom of global warming: more heat causes the air to hold more water vapor and more heat dries out some areas — then dumps snow/rain on others. The weird result is both floods and droughts — and snowstorms. The United States hasn’t yet recovered from Katrina, but the United States and the rest of the world will have many ‘Katrina-like’ storms if we don’t make huge changes now. I keep writing my senators and congress to pass sweeping legislation to lower carbon emissions (Kyoto). I wrote them recently to make investments in clean energy and ‘green’ rebates instead of the across-the-board tax cuts.

Oil and gas are not really cheaper than other fuels if you look at the ‘total cost’ – pollution, bad health, etc. ‘An Inconvenient Truth,’ which was made six years ago, warns about all of these changes. It is annoying to hear people complain about Mr. Gore, because this is not about Al Gore, who is a leading environmental advocate and one of several ‘celebrity’ endorsements in the fight to save our environment, endorsements made necessary because people don’t seem to listen to scientists.

I’m sorry to say that I think this is only the beginning; when ocean levels start to rise, millions of people will be weather refugees. It is not just the polar bears that are in trouble. Global warming is really a ‘nicer’ name for global pollution. This may turn out to be the worst result of the bush-mobile, even worse than Iraq. I listened to a man in Clarksville complaining about gas prices and how to get them back to ‘reasonable’ levels. Everyone needs to accept that gas prices are going to keep increasing – there is no going back.

The Govs Programming Council will be showing “Darfur Diaries” at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 12 in the Clement Auditorium.

In October, 2004 three activists snuck across the Sudanese border into rebel-held territory to document the atrocities in Darfur. They returned with some of the first footage exposing the massive war crimes being perpetrated by the Sudanese government.

The event is free and open to the public.

Sponsor:  Govs Programming Council
Contact:   Melissa Davis
E-mail: davisma@apsu.edu
On the Web:  http://www.darfurdiaries.org/

Let’s say I am deep in debt. Would you suggest I borrow more money? That seems to be what the US government is doing. Our huge US trade deficit spending cannot go on forever. Eventually, someone will have to pay.

Giving $50 billion to businesses is lunacy. CEO’s ‘legally’ steal billions every year using ’stock options’. They buy company shares at $5 and sell them the same day for $50. For some details on this immoral behavior see: http://www.corpwatch.org/ . Where does this money come from? It can’t just appear out of thin air. It must be related to low worker pay and lack of benefits - such as health care.

I know the opposition will lament: business rebates will create jobs. I think the ‘trickle down’ theory basically means ‘you can eat the crumbs that might happen to fall under my table’. Will any jobs created be decent paying careers for Americans? US Capitalism should not degrade into merely platinum collar theft.

A lack of drinking water also seems to be a very serious problem many states are facing. How about boosting the economy by creating some new and cleaner water systems? Why does the used water from my shower and washer go down the drain when it could be recycled to save dying trees in my yard?

Consumer spending simply creates more waste which must eventually be dealt with. Putting more TV’s and other electronic gadgets in our landfills is not what a tax rebate should go to support.

In a related note, it is very sad to see all the current TV commercials to money-strapped individuals: “get your tax refund today!”. They should really say, “give us a chunk of your tax refund today”. I’m sure these types of businesses are pushing and lobbying for small rebates across the board.

Have you heard these words this Christmas season? The genocide continues in Darfur. Resolutions are passed but there is no action to protect the people. 

This past week I watched the new HBO movie, Sand & Sorrow, narrated by George Clooney, who was trying to explain why the genocide continues. It prompted me to again contact my representatives urging them to support ACTION.

I have part of my 401k with Fidelity. I recently found out they have NOT completely divested their holdings in Darfur. If you have Fidelity holdings, you may also want to write the company asking that they divest completely. Here’s my letter:

To: Ms. Anne Crowley, Senior Vice President, Media Relations and Public Affairs
Subject: Darfur — Fidelity divest

Money makes the world go ’round. Stop the money. Stop the genocide in Darfur. Formally adopt a public policy against investing in companies that support genocide in Darfur. Please let me know your decision within the next week. I realize that my funds with Fidelity are not a huge amount but I will move my funds to another plan if you do not divest ALL holdings in Darfur. My Fidelity accounts are: 401(k): 79999 $99999 & 401(k): 89999 $99999.

While I am heartened by Fidelity’s initial steps to divest from PetroChina Co. and Sinopec Corp., I urge you to divest ALL of your holdings in these companies.

Fidelity’s continued investments in these companies are providing precious funds to the Sudanese government to continue its horrifying genocide of the Darfurian people. Moreover, your still-substantial holdings in these companies are sending a message to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir that Americans are willing to fund his genocidal campaign. Before any more people in Darfur are killed, raped, or forced to flee to insecure refugee camps, Fidelity should sell its remaining PetroChina and Sinopec shares on the New York Stock Exchange and divest all its holdings on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Demand implementation of Darfur Peace and Accountability Act (DPAA)

TO: Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) , Senator Bob Corker (R-TN), & Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN 7th)

I heartily support any actions the US can take to stop the genocide in Darfur. Nearly two-thirds of Americans – 62 percent – support the use of asset freezes against Sudanese leaders guilty of organizing and executing the genocide, according to a poll by the Genocide Intervention Network.

The DPAA was supposed to go into effect in November 2006. There is no point in passing legislation without implementing it. Although the law is nonbinding, it should still be implemented to increase the pressure on Sudan’s genocidal government. Funding for UN troops to protect the people is very important. This tragedy has already gone on far too long. I urge you to push for swift action on S. 2271, the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Authorization Act of 2007. What can we say when asked “Where were you during the Genocide of Darfur’s non-Arab people”?

For more info: http://savedarfur.org

The bill raises fuel efficiency standards, requiring that cars average 35 miles per gallon by the year 2020. Although this is quite modest compared to other countries standards, it represents the first US increase in efficiency standards in over 30 years.

The bill also mandates that some of the electricity produced by utilities come from renewable sources. Contact your legislators to support this minimal change to US energy policy. Support H.R. 6

The meeting will also feature a screening of the award winning documentary film, The Future of Food, presented by Katherine Pendleton, the Tennessee Sierra Club Chapter Chair.

This event is free and open to the public. The Clarksville Montgomery County Public Library is located at 350 Pageant Lane in Clarksville, Tennessee.

About The Future of Food

A revolution is happening in the farm fields and on the dinner tables of America — a revolution that is transforming the very nature of the food we eat.

THE FUTURE OF FOOD offers an in-depth investigation into the disturbing truth behind the unlabeled, patented, genetically engineered foods that have quietly filled U.S. grocery store shelves for the past decade.

From the prairies of Saskatchewan, Canada to the fields of Oaxaca, Mexico, this film gives a voice to farmers whose lives and livelihoods have been negatively impacted by this new technology. The health implications, government policies and push towards globalization are all part of the reason why many people are alarmed by the introduction of genetically altered crops into our food supply.

Shot on location in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, THE FUTURE OF FOOD examines the complex web of market and political forces that are changing what we eat as huge multinational corporations seek to control the world’s food system. The film also explores alternatives to large-scale industrial agriculture, placing organic and sustainable agriculture as real solutions to the farm crisis today.

Why Join the Sierra Club?

Because they need you!

Your voice will be added to those of more than 1.3 million of your fellow Americans who are committed to leave our children a living legacy — clean air, clean water, and natural grandeur. The Sierra Club has been instrumental in preserving wilderness, wildlife and nature’s most splendid wild places for over 100 years — Yosemite National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, the Florida Everglades and the Sequoia National Monument to name just a few — helping protect over 150 million acres of wilderness and wildlife habitat.

The Sierra Club is America’s most effective advocate for the environment and helps you protect the environment locally and globally. The Sierra Club’s dedicated volunteers and grassroots activists make your dollars go further; each dollar of your support is “multiplied” by the work of the Club’s tens of thousands of dedicated volunteers.

For additional information, contact Amanda Whitley via email, or via telephone at 931-553-4264

*Some information in this announcement is from the Sierra Club home page at http://www.sierraclub.org/