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Mission Statement
The Global Warming Task Force (GWTF) of
Henderson County is a nonpartisan and nonprofit organization working to
reduce carbon dioxide emissions and pollution. The Task Force encourages
informed and active participation of citizens in their government and
seeks to influence public policy through education and advocacy.
Minutes of Meetings
GWTF meets at 6:30
p.m. on the 2nd Monday
of each month in the education building of Providence Baptist
Church, 1201 Oakland St., Hendersonville. Concerned citizens of
planet earth are cordially invited to participate.
Become a Member - Click Here.
GWTF Plans Workshop for Science
Teachers . . . Henderson County science
teachers from high school and middle school will have an opportunity to
participate in a workshop featuring hands-on classroom activities and
presentations from outstanding experts in global climate change, July 7
at Blue Ridge Community College. Space is limited, so those who wish to
attend should register early since we are already receiving requests to
attend from teachers in surrounding school systems. For more information
please email
elritchey@bellsouth.net
or
gary@wego-4u.com.
Why So Much Controversy?
With such strong scientific consensus that
global warming is real and is largely due to human activities, why is
there so much controversy in the press and among the public? Why do some
people keep insisting it is just an unproven theory? Some reasons
involve communication breakdowns, but even more important is ...
Read More
Global Warming Myths and Facts ....
There is a great deal of
mis-information about climate change and the roll of human beings.
Here is a quick fact check.
Click
Here!
Amazing Accomplishments GWTF in 2008 .
. . Take time to review the goals and
accomplishments of GWTF. Click
Here!
New
GWTF air freshners available to highlight impact of idle emissions.
Click on
picture to see full size.
Top Row, left to right: John Mikkonen,
Carole Repici, Philip Alexander
Bottom Row, left to right: Frances
Jones, Valerie LeVander
Cliffside--Forget the Feds
Only Bev Can Save Us Now ...
Read this
Now!
Global Warming -- Travelog Slide Show
posted ... For a long
time there were no pictures. That was one of the reasons for
inaction. But now the pictures have started to come, and they will
not cease ... Gary Braasch, a recipient of the Ansel Adams Award for
Conservation Photography and a fellow of the International League of
Conservation Photographers has teamed up with Bill McKibben, the
author of a dozen books on the environment,to present a pictorial
essay that graphically demonstrates the reality and effect of global
warming on our planet. Click the link view this slide show.
Island Nations
Prepare to Evacuate ...
For the first time in human history, the North Pole can be
circumnavigated -- the Arctic ice is melting quicker than many
anticipated. The devastating effects of climate change are also
accelerating sea level rise and small island nations are preparing
evacuation plans to guarantee the survival of their populations.
Continued...
Idle
Not! Don't Just Sit There ... Turn It Off...
Ten seconds of idling uses more fuel than restarting the engine.
As a rule of thumb, if you are going to stop for 10 seconds or more -
except in traffic - turn off the engine. You’ll save money, and you
won’t produce harmful Carbon Dioxide, the leading greenhouse gas ...
Idling gets you nowhere - and it can be costly. Excessive idling wastes
an enormous amount of fuel and money and generates needless greenhouse
gas emissions ... Restarting a car many times has little impact on
engine components such as the battery and the starter motor. The wear on
parts that restarting the engine causes adds about $10 a year to the
cost of driving - money that you’ll likely recover several times over in
fuel savings.
Read More
Idle Myths
Little Known Facts ...
● “Currently, a gas fueled push mower
emits as much hourly pollution as 11 cars and a riding mower emits as
much as 34 cars.” - Organic Shopper Summer 2008
● “The average gasoline mower tested by the EPA emits in 1 hour the same
amount of hydrocarbons that a 1992 Ford Explorer emits over 23,600
hours.” – Green Seal Report
● “Each year over 17 million gallons of gas are spilled refueling lawn
and garden equipment ~ 57% more than was spilled by the Exxon Valdez.” –
Organic Shopper Summer 2008
Moral: use a manual push mower…it’s good for the planet and the
state of your physical fitness!
Al
Gore's Speech ...
"There are times in the history of our nation when our very way of life
depends upon dispelling illusions and awakening to the challenge of a
present danger"
... Continued
Solar
Solutions -
by Dr. Hermann Scheer ...
Our Earth is an open and a closed system at the same time: it is open
to the constant flow of energy from the Sun, the force of gravity of the
Sun and Moon and cosmic radiation; it is closed with respect to the
potential of fossil resources, of matter, water, soil and air. As long
as the global economy operates on this limited base of energy and raw
materials, it has only a very restricted outlook left, for two
irrefutable reasons: on the one hand, because fossil resources are
finite, and on the other, because during their conversion, the finite,
but indispensable elements of life on our globe—water, soil, and the
atmosphere—are unavoidably overburdened, damaged and destroyed ....
Continued
GWTF TOUR OF NATIONAL DATA
CENTER
Asheville Is Key To US
Climate Change. . .
“Climate Alive!” is a 7 minute film produced by American
Green Media for the Asheville HUB in order to assist in branding a
climate-based initiative for the Asheville region. The film is a perfect
marriage of research, scientific technology and art.
Click Here!
Carole Repici Presentation
to School Board - Mar. 10
THE POVERTY OF CLIMATE
CHANGE
For people of faith, addressing climate change is a
justice issue. Water scarcity, drought, crop failure, increased disease
and flooding are just a few of the issues brought on by global climate
change that could impact those living in poverty. The National Council
of Churches Eco-Justice programs is marking
Earth Day Sunday on April 27 by recognizing the relationship
between poverty and climate change. They offer a resource for worship,
adult study and youth activities. Pass this on to your congregation.
Copies are available online by visiting:
www.nccecojustice.org .

Attention Kids of all Ages
Click the logo to the left to
learn about a new program just for you.
What Is Stopping Hendersonville?
Press Release About Mayors' Agreement (Cool Cities)
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TAX CREDITS FOR GREEN
LIVING
Click
Here to Calculate Your Tax Credits
Please
Click Light
to Read Al Gore's
Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech
Thinking of Building?
-- 53 Local Green Businesses
Teach Your Children . . .
Think climate change is too big of a problem to solve? Think again.
Small changes in our everyday lives can make a big difference. Just ask
Patrick Gonzalez, a Nature Conservancy climate scientist who sits on the
United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the scientific
body assessing global climate change. Teach your children what they can
do and set a good example...
Continued
The Cost of Coal
Public Pressure Has An Effect
Read
http://www.newsobserver.com/business/story/781242.html
Play the new global warming theme
song ...
The Big 10
Actions
you can take now!
Jim Phelps Offers Alternative Fuel Option
Jim Phelps, a member of the GWTF, provided an
interesting glimpse of an alternative energy source at our Aug. 1st
meeting. Ever heard of Hemp? Not the kind you smoke (if you ever
did), but the kind that you use to ...
Continued
County Commission Votes to Seek
LEED Certification for New Schools
(see commentary by Eva)
Hendersonville July 17 -- The Henderson County
Commissioners voted unanimously to seek LEED Certification for two new
schools slated to be built next year. The vote came after Eva Ritchey,
representing the GWTF, addressed the commissioners, stating that
Henderson County needs to demonstrate their commitment to
environmentally sound building principles.
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building
Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design,
construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED
promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing
performance in five key areas of human and environmental health:
- sustainable site development
- water savings
- energy efficiency
- materials selection
- indoor environmental quality
LEED certification provides independent, third-party
verification that a building project meets the highest performance
standards. Built to LEED standards, the new schools are expected
to have lower operating costs, provide a healthier and more comfortable
indoor environment, reduce waste sent to landfills, conserve energy and
water and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
"We want to send a
special thanks to Commissioner Chuck McGrady. It was Commissioner
McGrady who guided the initiative through the board of commissioners.
Susan Stewart and Barbara Bennett worked tirelessly along with their
committees. " said Ms. Ritchey after the vote.
QUICK GREEN CLICKS
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With Global Warming Comes Rash of Poison Ivy
As carbon dioxide levels have risen, the nasty weed
has grown more vigorously and is producing more of the evil oil that
makes people itch, says a report in this month's issue of the
journal Weed Science. (Cont'd.)
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SIGN THE
LIVE EARTH PLEDGE
-
SEAFOOD WATCH MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Sometimes the issues facing our oceans can seem overwhelming,
but at Seafood Watch we know from experience that consumers
matter—just a few simple actions on your part can help change the
seafood buying practices of friends and businesses in your community
(Cont'd.)
LOCAL TASK FORCE ACTIVITIES
Faith Committee
has offered Henderson County churches an energy audit of their buildings
and facilities. Two churches have completed their audits. The
surveys are conducted by members of Waste Reduction Partners, a group of
retired engineers who worth through the Land O'Sky Regional Council.
Karen Atkinson is chair of the committee.
Education Committee
is seeking to provide resources to area schools to help teachers and
students discover practical ways to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions
and pollution and to understand the urgency of global warming.
John Mikkonen is chair of the committee.
Detailed Report From Education Committee.
Government Committee
has met with Henderson County public schools officials and county
commissioners to encourage and support efforts to include energy saving
resources in two new public schools to be constructed next year.
The committee has also spearheaded a draft resolution submitted to the
Hendersonville City Council asking the council to endorse the U.S.
Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement. Susan Stewart is chair of the
committee.
JOIN
THE TASK FORCE
Top 10 Ways to Be Green
Tip #1: Unplug!
Taking a few minutes to turn off electrical devices won't just help you
save the planet, it can also help you save a few bucks off your electric
bill each month. At home, go ahead and turn off the lights when leaving
a room (chances are the walls
Continued ...
Solar Energy Is For Real!
Solar and/or geothermal energy sources could save money
and contribute to a cleaner environment. Members of the Henderson County
Global Energy Task Force (GWTF)want Henderson County Commissioners and
school officials to consider both solar and geothermal energy options
for two new schools slated to open in the fall of 2009.
Tomas Koenig of Advanced Thermal Solutions, met
with a group of about 15 people from GWTF, Sunday, June 10. He is
an experienced engineer for major solar installations, with experience
in both the US and Germany. He would like to propose use of
alternative energy sources to reduce carbon emissions in the schools,
potentially save taxpayers' money and help educate students in
energy efficient buildings.
Following up on the meeting with Mr. Koenig, GTWF
members met Wednesday with school officials and a representative of
the architectural firm working on the project to discover plans to
incorporate alternative energy sources in new public school
buildings. (See sidebar.) School officials hope that the County
Commission will authorize an extra 3% funding for LEED
certification.
What is LEED Certification?
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Special
Task Force Action
Wed. June 13
Members of the
Global Warming Taskforce were treated to a vision of "green"
schools by County School Board staff members, including Bo
Caldwell and Jack Robinson.
A small group, representing the task force, met with School Board
leaders and a representative of the architectural firm working
on plans for two new schools in Henderson County.
James D. Wilhide, Jr., an associate of Moseley Architects, said
that plans for the new schools include north facing windows
which will provide natural lighting in the new schools.
Classrooms are also designed with south facing roofs that may be
used for solar panels. |
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
is a "Green" Building Rating System, developed by the U.S. Green
Building Council (USGBC). It provides a suite of (Cont'd.
Click Here)
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