Greetings,
It is with considerable dismay that the initial focus of this
newsletter acknowledges the historic and tragic dimensions of the oil
spill in the Gulf Coast. Even calling it a spill does not create the
proper context for comparison to shipping accidents that have resulted
in the dumping of petroleum into the ocean. This event, is
unprecedented, and calls in to question whether or not drilling in the
deep ocean can ever be safely undertaken. The full magnitude of this
disaster - to the ocean, marine fauna and flora, coastal wetlands,
fishing and tourism industries, the survival of local ways of life and
culture in the region, and the petroleum industry itself will only
become fully evident in time. Our thoughts and prayers are with those
who are suffering most directly from this event, and there is
increasing concern the oil spill will eventually skirt Florida and
make its way up the East Coast. While many are quick to lay blame on
others for this disaster, it's important to remember that each us, as
participants in a fossil fuel society, share some responsibility for
what has happened. Perhaps someday soon, distant wind turbines in
Nantucket Sound will be seen as a reassuring and welcome sight.
The June 2 monthly meeting will not feature an outside speaker, but
will explore another aspect of energy production as we view a short
movie from RENEWEL Stories from America's Religious-Envirronmental
Movement. This DVD clip entitled, A Crime Against Creation, explores
the practice of mountain-top coal mining in Kentucky, its effects on
local inhabitants, and how members of Evangelical Christian groups are
bearing witness and beginning to protest the destruction of
Appalachia. If time allows, we may view a second short clip from the
Rocky Mountain Institute entitled Reinventing Fire, a glimpse of the
challenges and opportunities ahead in imagining an energy future free
from fossil fuels.
In the second hour, Jan Kruse will present on the fundamentals
involved in creating an effective community based social marketing
campaign. Progress on SBs COOL BELMONT program will only be possible
through the creation and execution of a comprehensive and targeted
social marketing campaign to all sectors of the community. Just how
fast and how far the program will go is in large part a function of
the number of individuals who volunteer their energy, expertise and
time to meet the challenge. We are optimistic that the range of
opportunities we can eventually present to the wider community to
reduce energy use and carbon emissions and save money will be robust
and enticing. With Jan's expertise and guidance we will take our first
confident steps down that road on Wednesday.
John B. McAlpin
Chair Sustainable Belmont
1. Agenda for June meeting
2. Working group updates
3. MCAN / Energy Committee / BMLD Updates
4. Announcement and upcoming events
5. May minutes (attached)
1. Sustainable Belmont Agenda for Wednesday May meeting
FLETT ROOM Belmont Public Library, Concord Ave.
7:00 9:00 PM
A. Welcome 7:00 7:05
B. Announcements 7:05-7:15
C . View Renewal DVD clip and discussion also Reinventing Firre
Clip if time allows
D. 8:00 The remainder of the meeting will be a presentation bby
Jan Kruse on the fundamentals of community based social marketing
strategies and a discussion of the multiple challenges ahead for SB in
rolling out the Cool Belmont program
2. Working Group Updates
3. MCAN update/ Energy Committee Update/ BMLD update
4. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Cleaning the Air
The future of our health, climate, clean air, pure water and healthy
forests is in your hands. Stop Spewing Carbon Campaign has until June
16 to gather the last 20,000 signatures to make the November ballot to
make sure polluting, trash and tree burning biomass incinerators don't
get your clean energy tax dollars. A huge thank you to those of you
out hitting the streets collecting signatures! To those SSC supporters
who haven't been able to find the time to collect signatures, we'd
like to ask you to please consider this: Download our petition, our
simple instructions & talking points, find a friend, and put in a mere
2 hours collecting signatures in front of your local grocery store.
Then mail us back the petitions (61 Grozier Rd., Cambridge, MA 02138)
and bask in the glory of participatory Democracy! It's really that
simple!
Organic Lawn Care
To many, summer equals the hum of lawnmowers and the smell of newly
mown grass. But the expansive (and often expensive) carpet of green
that defines many neighborhoods has the ecological landscaping
community considering alternatives. Lawns - and lawn alternatives are
featured in this edition of the Ecological Landscaper. Join us to
explore the following articles online:
Shade Gardening as an Alternative to Lawns in Shaded Areas? by Judy Eisenberg
Growing the perfect lawn, free of crabgrass and weeds, in shady areas
requires high maintenance, excess watering, and the use of chemicals
and pesticides. Consider replacing the grass in these shaded areas
with native groundcover, plants, or shrubs.
Going Organic By Frank Koll
Maintaining organic lawns and gardens is based on some key principles
that guide land care professionals to manage and take care of your
landscape. These are the cornerstones of an organic program.
Thoughts on Organic Lawn Care By Roger Sturgis
Although Roger Sturgis begins this article with the statement that
"Organic lawns are the way to go" this opinion piece goes on to
discuss the realities of organic lawn care as he sees them. His
conclusions may surprise you.
Lawn Alternatives By Elizabeth Gross
The best way to create an alternative to the traditional lawn is to
practice what my family calls the "Pluck & Chuck" method.
