Global Warming Hendersonville NC

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 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.

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.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/09/28/what.matters.meltdown/index.html

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.

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

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:

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.

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.

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 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?

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.

Global Warming Task Force of Henderson County NC A nonpartisan and nonprofit organization working to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and pollution.

Global Warming Task Force
of Henderson County NC
A nonpartisan and nonprofit organization working to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and pollution.