communityconnections
We are all part of the global community and our local community. There are so many ways to reach out and support the people in our community. This feature will highlight organizations in our area that are enriching our lives. Get involved!
Sierra Club’s Cool Cities: Is Your Town a Cool City Yet?
by Jenna Jacobs
he Sierra Club, founded in 1892, is one of the oldest and largest environmental organizations in the United States. John Muir, also known as the “Father of our National Parks” and “Citizen of the Universe,” founded the organization and became one of the most inspirational naturalists and conservationists in American history. He stated, “I know that our bodies were made to thrive only in pure air, and the scenes in which pure air is found.” Muir was passionate about nature’s beauty and became a wilderness ex- plorer who wrote about inspiring others to protect our planet. Today, Sierra Club members are
T
working together to implement the Cool Cities campaign which encour- ages environmental stewardship and climate protection. By signing the Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement to reduce carbon dioxide pollution to seven percent below 1990 standards by 2012, towns, villages, cities and counties become Cool Cities. Sign- ing the agreement is a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as help save taxpayer dollars and create green jobs. The program began with Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels in 2005 and since then, more than 1,000 mayors and other government officials have signed on to the agreement. Peggy Kurtz, Rockland Sierra
Club’s co-coordinator, explains “The Cool Cities campaign is so powerful be- cause it is a national campaign, linking grassroots activists town by town across the country. In the last few years, we encouraged Clarkstown, Orangetown, Ramapo, the County of Rockland, Nyack and Upper Nyack to sign onto the U.S. Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement agreement to commit to re- ductions in green house gas emissions.” There are many ways that communities can work towards the goal, such as en-
couraging renewable energy for home owners and businesses, governments switching to hybrid vehicle fleets, in- creasing recycling programs and imple- menting more energy efficient lighting. Green buildings cost-effectively use natural resources, energy and water to help reduce pollution and assist in the transition to a clean energy economy. Rockland Sierra Club serves as a
forum where town and village environ- mental committee members can share
information regarding new environ- mental legislation and become aware of the green efforts taking place in each area. “We’re always looking for new members who want to get involved with local action on climate change and other environmental issues. Our aim is not only to get more towns on board, but also to help the County and the towns that already have signed on to make Rockland an environmental leader in our region,” says Kurtz.
To learn more about how you can get involved with your town, please go to CoolCities.us. The Rockland Sierra Club meets the first Thursday of each month. For more information, contact Peggy Kurtz at 358-3386 or pkurtz9@ gmail.com.
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Experience Ways to Improve Your Health
Women Supporting Women: Womens Holistic Health Fair Saturday, May 8 from 1-5pm
Call today to be a vendor. Contact Maryann McQuillan at 294-0584.
25% discount on all gift certi cates purchased at event.
Free. Suggested donation $5 for the Orange County Safe Home Enjoy mini-massages & other mini sessions. Just $5 per session
Join us at Happy Buddha Yoga, 2 North Church St., Goshen
April 2010
natural awakenings
27
Connect With Women
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