Category: Environmental Forum - PACG - Progressive Action for the Common Good

Attend the Davenport Earth Month Proclamation - What You Can Do Now

6/20/2020

Presentation of 2020 Earth Month Proclamation
to Davenport City Council
Wednesday, July 8th at 5:30 pm

Council Chamber
Davenport City Hall
226 W 4th Street, Davenport (map)

Environmental Forum

Due to COVID-19, the 2020 Earth Month Proclamation signed by Davenport Mayor Matson has not been presented to the City Council. This will be done at the City Council meeting on Wednesday, July 8th at 5:30 pm. It will be one of the first items on the agenda.

You are welcome to attend this event. Due to present Council stipulations, seating is limited, so the City would like names of those who plan to attend. Please contact PJ Slobojan at pjs312@q.com by Friday, June 26th, if you’re interested in attending.

Susan Leuthauser

After Action Report -" the Story of Plastics" Discussion

5/5/2020

The Story of Plastics Zoom Happy Hour - After Action Report

Environmental Forum

In lieu of our postponement of Earth Day events, we placed an ad in local papers for the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, and wish to thank the PACG Board for providing funding for that announcement. We also co-sponsored a virtual showing of the film, the Story of Plastics, along with the Rock Island Soil and Conservation District, the Niabi Zoo, and the UU Congregation of the QC. The film was on the Discovery Channel, or available virtually through a link. We then offered a followup Happy Hour on Zoom to discuss the film and listen to local leaders who are working with methods of reducing plastic pollution: Joel Vanderbush from the Zoo, Kurt Liske from the Scott County Waste Commission, Karen Neder from Terracycle, and Dawn Temple of RISCD. We had nearly 20 people online for the happy hour! We all agreed to continue our work on plastics in the QC through the Plastic Free QC initiative started through the BICAN.

We plan on having our originally scheduled Earth Day activities in July, with "the Vision for the Future" event at the Botanical Center on Thursday, July 16th, and the Earth Day Fair at the Farmers Market on Saturday, July 18th. We hope to see you all there.

Remember to make every day Earth Day!

Lori McCollum

What You Can Do Now - Earth Day Action Steps

4/21/2020

Earth Day Action Steps - Wednesday, April 22nd

Environmental Forum

This year we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22nd.

You can celebrate Earth Day in many ways:

Sing “I Feel the Earth Move Under My Feet” or another earth-based song.
Go for a walk and notice what you see, hear, smell, and feel.
Clean out your old toxic household supplies and stock up on non-toxic cleaners.
Cook a plant-based dinner.
Make cloth grocery bags from some old t-shirts. Patterns can be found online.
Write a letter or postcard to your local, state and federal political leaders about an environmental issue.
Pick a national or state park you plan to visit this summer.
Teach your kids about an endangered species or learn more yourself.
Make a pledge to reduce single-use plastics.
Check your voter registration status: http://www.nass.org/can-I-vote

What You Can Do Now - Celebrate Earth Week Virtually

4/21/2020

Virtual Earth Week Celebration - Wednesday, April 22nd

Environmental Forum

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the PACG-sponsored celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day has been postponed to July. As we’re waiting for the pandemic crisis to pass, the climate crisis continues and we need to continue to help the earth heal. There are virtual Earth Day events that are happening you can participate in at your convenience.

“The Story of Plastic” will be televised globally on Discovery Channel on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22nd, at 1 pm CDT (check your local listings). Additional virtual showings are being arranged, and will be announced on our Environmental Forum Facebook pag e. Join us for a virtual Happy Hour on Friday, April 24th at 5 pm to discuss actions we can take locally to reduce/eliminate the use of single-use plastic. Click here to RSVP.
PACG is sponsoring the April 22nd Earth Day Rally hosted by Environment Iowa. Visit IowaVirtualEarthDay to register now.
The Team Sierra is bringing their Earth Day celebration from outdoors to indoors. To register for their events go to: teamsierra.org/everycorner

For additional virtual Earth Week events, visit our blog at pacgqc.org/blog/online-earth-week-activities.

Susan Leuthauser

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day - A Message to Our Membership

4/21/2020

We Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day!!

A Message to Our Membership

Hello Progressives!

Wednesday, April 22nd is the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day!

Our Environmental Forum has worked hard all year to make this anniversary a special event. Unfortunately, the live events will not be occurring as planned, but the forum has made sure that we do have some virtual ways to celebrate. Look for details in today's newsletter.

I want to give a SHOUT OUT to the Environmental Forum for all they have done to help us remember how precious our planet is.

Happy Earth Day everyone!

Allison Ambrose, President

Online Earth Week Activities

4/12/2020

Earth Week Activities

We might not be able to meet in person to celebrate Earth Day, but we have come up with a list of online events and activities to help you feed your passion about our planet. Join our Environmental Forum in participating in one or more of these activities, and post your feedback on our Facebook page.

April 1-30 - 50 Actions for the 50th Earth Day Pledge – Green Corps Iowa
For the month of April, we have a goal for 50 people to take 50 easy actions for the environment. Programming and DIY tools will provide climate education opportunities with local climate leaders, trainings on advocacy skills, and the tools to act together.  RSVP and check out our Facebook event. Go to #IowaVirtualEarthDay
Iowa Virtual Earth Day Webinars & Events Series - Environment Iowa and partners will coordinate a series of webinars, advocacy trainings, and a virtual Earth Day Rally. Webinars will cover carbon-free transportation, solar communities, renewable energy on campus, and more.  RSVP  to see an events schedule and check out our Facebook event.

4/14, 3:00 pm   Grassroots Outreach – Citizens Climate Lobby. go to: www.zoom.us/j/273716354 or call 1-408-638-0968 and enter meeting code: # 273-716-354.  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWuCkmi8ySLMTZEpJC7jMsA/videos For more information https://community.citizensclimate.org/resources/item/19/63

4/16, 3:00 pm Citizens' Climate University: Preparing for Media Interviews - Want to talk about CCL on TV or radio? Communications Director Flannery Winchester will tell you how to prepare for your interview.
https://citizensclimate.zoom.us/j/2017201717 or call in at 1-408-638-0968 and enter meeting code: 2017201717. Learn more.

4/22-25 - Earth Day Live – Earth Day Network
Join this 3-day live stream event focused on climate action with training sessions, performances and appearances from scientists, celebrities, politicians and youth activists. Go to https://www.earthdaylive2020.org/?source  to join this event.
Show the youth climate movement that science has their back, and so do we – RSVP for Earth Day Live

4/25 – Virtual Earth Day - Citizens Climate Lobby
Starts: Saturday April 25th, 2020 1:00pm
Venue: https://citizensclimate.zoom.us/j/563867729
Conference Registration: https://unitingfromhome.eventbrite.com

1:00 p.m. ET - Keynote speaker Dr. Katharine Hayhoe. Dr. Hayhoe is a world-renowned climate scientist, evangelical Christian, and host of the podcast, “Global Weirding”
1:45 p.m. ET - 3 easy actions you can take from home to help the climate right now.
2:00 p.m. ET - Choose ONE of four parallel breakout sessions:

1. Climate Advocate Training [two hours]
2. CCL Volunteer Spotlight Panel, Moderated by Peterson Toscano, Citizens’ Climate Radio Host [one hour]
3. Climate Organizing During the Pandemic [90 minutes]
4. Depolarizing Within: A Better Way to Prepare for Climate Discussions, presented by Braver Angels [two hours]

Earth Challenge 2020 – EarthDay Network
Coordinated in partnership with the Wilson Center, the US Dept of State, Earth Challenge 2020 connects, builds and enables global communities to leverage the power of scientific research to drive meaningful change.  By downloading their app and data platform, you can help them collect and integrate observations on pollution. Contact earthchallenge2020@earthday.org. For more lighthearted activities, connect with this site to decorate your windows and make signs for Earth Day. https://www.earthday.org/actions/make-an-earth-day-window-sign/

Earth Month Proclamation by Local Mayors

4/7/2020

April is Earth Month City Proclamation

Environmental Forum

April 1st marks the beginning of Earth Month. The mayors of Bettendorf, Davenport, East Moline and Rock Island signed a proclamation declaring the month of April to be Earth Month in their city.

Each year, in the weeks leading up to the April 22 Earth Day, we are encouraged to initiate and participate in activities that focus on the needs of the environment and climate solutions. With the rollback of environmental regulations and climate change, the earth is in a crisis. This is urgent! We need to join together and help the planet fight for its life. The responsibility falls on each one of us. Contact the Environmental Forum for suggestions about what you can do in this effort.

Susan Leuthauser

Action Alert - Participate in Virtual Public Hearing Online Regarding EPA Inaction

4/7/2020

EPA Stops Enforcement - Action Alert
Tuesday, April 14th 9 am to 8 pm

Online

Union of Concerned Scientists

Last week the EPA announced that they will stop enforcement of environmental safeguards and fines during this crisis, with no time limitation in place. It may be necessary for the EPA to make limited administrative changes required for physical distancing, but why allow companies to emit toxins with impunity? Instead, the pandemic should be an opportunity to pair financial assistance with requirements that companies become better environmental stewards.

The Union of Concerned Scientists is holding a Virtual Public Hearing regarding "Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science," to be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2020.

You can read more about this Virtual Public Hearing and register for the event here. Questions can be emailed at anytime to: ucsvph@gmail.com.

Contact Lori McCollum with questions

What You Can Do Now - Start a Climate Victory Garden

4/7/2020

Celebrate the Beginning of Earth Month - Start a Climate Victory Garden

Your Own Home

Environmental Forum

Live celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day has been postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic, but the festivities are going to take place digitally to mark this milestone event. Through the month of April the Environmental Forum will post activities you can do as we’re staying at home and practicing social distancing.

Be a part of the climate solution, join the Green America Climate Victory Garden movement and start a Climate Victory Garden. Plants help sequester carbon in the soil. The Climate Victory Garden uses gardening methods that minimize soil disturbance and improves the ability of the soil to hold carbon. If you already have a garden, you can transform it into a Victory Garden by doing the following:

Know your garden, - test the soil to determine nutrient content and plant accordingly.
Grow edible plants and increase your vegetable consumption.
Cover the soil with mulch, leaves or cover plants. Mulching reduces water needs, soil erosion, protects soil microbes, and maintains topsoil.
Maintain a chemical-free garden by composting your food waste and using it as fertilizer.
Plant pollinator habitats to encourage biodiversity.
Plant perennials - they reduce soil disturbance.

Click on this link to get started on your Climate Victory Garden.

For additional information on Climate Victory Garden, visit the Green America Climate Victory Garden 101 website.

Susan Leuthauser

What You Can Do Now - Help the Earth Heal as We Protect Ourselves from the Coronavirus

3/27/2020

Help the Earth Heal as We Protect Ourselves from the Coronavirus

Environmental Forum

As we are housebound with our loved ones to prevent the spread of coronavirus, we should think about what we can do to help the planet heal. Here are projects you can start now:

Try new plant-based recipes – growing whole grains, fruits and vegetables uses less water and land, emits less pollution, reduces waste by-products, and is less destructive to the top soil.

Reduce food wastes - make soup stock with your vegetable scraps.

Compost – we’re running out of landfill space. About 20% of the waste in landfills is food waste. Composting also puts the carbon back into the soil.

Read instead of streaming – we all have books on our shelves we had planned to read. This is the time to do it instead of streaming or reading on your electronic devices. Reading does not require additional electricity.

Be an informed voter – the election is just months away. Learn about your candidates’ positions on issues. Look for online town halls and other opportunities to interact with political candidates. Support those who will take action to heal the earth.

Spring cleaning - use a combination of natural products that you likely have at home - alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, vinegar, lemon. Disinfect cleaned surfaces with a bleach solution of 2 tablespoons of bleach in 1 quart of water (or 1/3 cup of bleach in a gallon of water). Allow the surface to air dry. Bleach water should be made fresh daily. CAUTION: Do not mix bleach with any cleaning products (for example, vinegar) because these combinations can generate toxic chlorine gas.

Switch to Green Power – if you haven’t done so, contact your utility company and sign up for electricity generated from renewable sources.

Share your stuff – as you’re cleaning out your house, decluttering and eliminating duplicates, set things you no longer need aside. You can share them with your family or donate to someone who may use them when the pandemic is over.

Volunteer - PACG forums and other community organizations are continuing to do their work online. The Environmental Forum is holding monthly meetings online via Zoom.

Do eco-friendly activities – check the link below for eco-activities for all ages.

Start a garden exchange - spring is here. It's time to plant a garden and exchange seeds and plants with your friends and neighbors. Continue to practice social distancing by dropping these items off at their doors.

Keep moving - stay-at-home does not mean we have to be indoors all day. Take a nature walk or bike ride. Remember to maintain safe social distancing of at least 6 feet from other people. NOTE: Stay-at-home orders may change in the future and walks or bike riding outside may not be advisable. Follow directions from your local health authorities.
For more details check here:
https://www.earthday.org/11-actions-for-the-planet-during-a-pandemic/

Susan Leuthauser