Tuesday

COP21: Gov. Schwarzenegger Addresses The Negotiators


re-posted from Press Release
December 7, 2015

COP21: Schwarzenegger addresses the UN climate deal negotiators
 
Monday December 7, 2015. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger addressed the negotiators today at the UNFCCC Paris Climate Conference during a session on cities and regional climate action. Schwarzenegger, an ardent advocate for the empowerment of subnational governments in tackling climate change, emphasized the crucial role that cities and regions play in advancing the low-carbon economy.
 
"No matter what you (negotiators) do, do not forget the power of subnational governments. 70 percent of emissions can be controlled with state and local policies. Cities and states hold tremendous power and we must never forget it," said Mr. Schwarzenegger.
 
Recognizing subnational action in the climate deal will ensure that local governments are given the support they need to implement their climate change mitigation plans, and that national emissions targets are met. According to Scaling Up: Local to Global Climate Action, a new report released at COP21:

"Rajasthan's installed solar capacity is the largest among all the states in India, accounting for more than one-quarter of the country's total. If Rajasthan's rate of solar energy expansion were scaled to the national level, India's carbon dioxide emissions would decrease by approximately 19 percent of the nation's total carbon dioxide emissions in 2012."

Saturday 5 December, 2015. Paris. R20 has signed an agreement with the international consulting and engineering firm, Egis, a branch of the Caisse des Depots, to create a Pre-Investment Fund (PIF) for waste management projects. The Fund will support the different actors of sustainable waste management (national and local governments, industry and investors) in their decision-making processes necessary to implementing infrastructure projects. 

The signing took place in the presence of Christophe Nuttall, Executive Director of R20; Terry Tammimen, Strategic Advisor to the R20; Pierre-René Lemas, CEO of Caisse des Dépôts; Nicolas Jachiet, CEO of Egis; and Craig Cogut, CEO of Pegasus Capital Advisors (a US-based private equity firm). In parallel with the COP 21 agreement, this partnership focuses on developing "Waste to Energy" projects in emerging countries. The pre-investment funds will enable Egis and R20 to bring to maturity the waste management market in emerging and developing countries. Read more. 



Schwarzenegger talks climate communications at Sciences Po
 
Monday December 7, 2015. In a bold address to the faculty and students of Sciences Po, France's leading political science institute, Gov. Schwarzenegger called on climate communicators to shift awareness raising efforts away from spelling future doomsday scenarios, to present-day dangers that are affecting humanity now.
 
"We are wired through thousands of years of evolution to focus on the here and now on survival. Our over-use of fossil fuels impacts us right now. The fumes from dirty energy are killing us. We cannot accept 7 million premature deaths every year with a clear conscience.
 
We want to be cutting edge. We know that a green economy is a growing and smart economy. That's the story we have to tell," stated Mr Schwarzenegger.

R20 holds General Assembly meeting 

Monday December 7, 2015. R20 held its Governing Board and General Assembly meetings at its new R20 Paris office in Champs Elysees.  The meetings, presided by R20 President Michele Sabban, gathered over 30 R20 members and partners coming from regions around the world. 

The Governing Board and General Assembly members unanimously re-elected Michele Sabban as President of R20.

R20 Executive Director Christophe Nuttall used these examples to demonstrate R20's successful business model over the past 3 years of bringing together decision makers, technical expertise, financial partners and investors, thereby enabling the deployment of projects on the ground.  In particular, Dr. Nuttall highlighted R20's ability to leverage millions of dollars for investments in projects, first by using seed funding to build Pre-Investment Facilities, which in turn provide funding for project development, and then by attracting the appropriate investments to implement the projects. Over the next 5 years, R20 will harness its resources to scale up the projects through its Green Investment Accelerator Fund, that will deploy billions of US dollars in investments. Read more.

R20 signs agreement with Feilo for 1 billion LEDs

A new agreement was signed between Ms.Sabban and Ms. Linyu Wang, President of Hawaii LED LLC, representing Feilo Acoustics Ltd, to establish a R20 Pre-Investment Facility for the installation of one billion LED streetlights in hundreds of cities across the world.

STAY CONNECTED

Like us on Facebook   Follow us on Twitter

R20 Regions of Climate Action | 48 Chemin du Grand Montfleury | Versoix | CA | 1290 | Switzerland



Share/Bookmark

Thursday

Purifying Charcoal Mask With Marine Algae from Derma-e

Purifying 2-in-1 Charcoal Mask With Marine Algae from Derma-e

WATCH Video HERE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lsvo66jTynU

Activated Charcoal, known for absorbing 100 to 200 times its weight in impurities, purges pores of deeply rooted toxins.


Derma e Charcoal Mask 510220-500x500

Purifying 2-in-1 Charcoal Mask deeply detoxifies skin of harmful micropollutants (exhaust fumes, cigarette smoke, heavy metals) in two ways:

(1) Natural clays infused with Kimarine® Wakame, Bladerwrack and Activated Charcoal lift out dirt, oil and bacteria to decongest pores as the mask dries;

(2) Apricot Seed Powder exfoliates away dead skin cells and captured debris upon removal. Kaolin and Bentonite Clays absorb excess oils and impurities, relieving skin congestion. Kimarine® Wakame is a potassium-rich, magnesium-rich seaweed that is clinically proven to protect skin against environmental pollutants. Bladderwrack is an antioxidant-rich, mineral-rich seaweed known for its water-binding properties, supporting healthy skin hydration and nourishment.

Activated Charcoal, known for absorbing 100 to 200 times its weight in impurities, purges pores of deeply rooted toxins, then Apricot Seed Powder gently exfoliates away micropollutants. Ideal for oily, active or urban skin types, even safe for reactive skin (minimal ingredients and allergy-tested),

Use this formula once or twice a week for skin that looks dramatically fresher, healthier and purely glowing. 


INGREDIENTS: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Kaolin, Bentonite, Glycerin, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Seed Powder, Fucus Vesiculosus (Bladderwrack) Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida (Wakame, Kimarine®) Extract, Charcoal Powder, Epilobium Angustifolium (Canadian Willowherb™) Extract, Panthenol (Provitamin B5), Organic Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract* (.1%), Menthyl Lactate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin.


Share/Bookmark

Monday

Celebrate World Water Week With Us!

5 Water Purification Designs for Third World Countries


According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 748 million people lack access to uncontaminated drinking water sources. Moreover, WHO estimates that 1.8 billion people use a fecally contaminated drinking water source, 2.5 billion lack access to improved sanitation facilities and more than 840,000 people die from water related diseases annually. 

Contaminated water is the number one cause of death in developing countries, causing diseases such as cholera, hepatitis, typhoid fever, malaria, ascariasis, dengue fever and many other deadly illnesses. In fact, contaminated water is the number one public health concern globally based on its impact to society, according to the WHO. Fortunately, the WHO estimates that 10% of the global disease burden could be prevented with improved water supply and sanitation. In light of this, a number of innovations and technologies are providing growing solutions to this problem.


Share/Bookmark

Saturday

Pope Francis' Encyclical on Climate Change

posted by Paige Donner

Read the full original text, in English (also French, Italian, Spanish, etc.)  translation, HERE



.... aint Francis of Assisi

10. I do not want to write this Encyclical without turning to that attractive and compelling figure, whose name I took as my guide and inspiration when I was elected Bishop of Rome. I believe that Saint Francis is the example par excellence of care for the vulnerable and of an integral ecology lived out joyfully and authentically. He is the patron saint of all who study and work in the area of ecology, and he is also much loved by non-Christians. He was particularly concerned for God's creation and for the poor and outcast. He loved, and was deeply loved for his joy, his generous self-giving, his openheartedness. He was a mystic and a pilgrim who lived in simplicity and in wonderful harmony with God, with others, with nature and with himself. He shows us just how inseparable the bond is between concern for nature, justice for the poor, commitment to society, and interior peace.

​...​




Share/Bookmark

Update on Santa Barbara County Oil Spill Recovery Efforts - Gov. Brown Issues Executive Order



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, June 5, 2015

Information & Questions Coordinated by

Oil Spill Joint Information Center

805-770-3682

 

Unified Command Website

www.refugioresponse.com

Governor Brown Issues Executive Order to Further Expedite Oil Spill Recovery Efforts in Santa Barbara County

SACRAMENTO - As federal, state, and local agencies continue working to minimize and mitigate the effects of last month's Santa Barbara County oil spill, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued an executive order to further expedite recovery efforts and help ensure the natural environment is restored, beaches are reopened and economic impacts are minimized.

The Governor's order directs state agencies responsible for cleanup and restoration to take all necessary steps to issue emergency waivers and permits to facilitate the reopening of fishing, public access, and impacted beaches and waters, including Refugio State Beach and El Capitan State Beach, and waives the waiting period for unemployment insurance for those workers affected by the oil spill. 

 

The Governor also directs the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Office of Spill Prevention and Response to continue working with other federal, state, and local agencies to clean up and mitigate the impacts of the oil spill and to hold the responsible parties accountable for environmental and fiscal damages.

 

The Governor's May 20, 2015 proclamation along with today's executive order advance a combined effort across federal, state and local agencies, tribal governments, local volunteers, conservation and environmental organizations, and citizens to deal with the effects of this substantial spill along an iconic stretch of California's remarkable coastline.

 

(Copy of executive order text below)


 

EXECUTIVE ORDER B-31-15


 

WHEREAS on May 20, 2015, I proclaimed a state of emergency to exist as a result of a pipeline rupture causing a significant release of oil and potentially other hazardous substances into the Pacific Ocean near Refugio State Beach located in Santa Barbara County; and


 

WHEREAS numerous state agencies and departments have been deployed to the impacted areas to respond to and mitigate the damage of the oil spill; and


 

WHEREAS those agencies and departments, joined by federal and local agencies and local volunteers, have worked tirelessly to contain the spill and to minimize and

 mitigate its effects on the environment, fisheries, wildlife, and the local economy; and

WHEREAS notwithstanding the best efforts of the state, federal, and local agencies and many volunteers, the oil spill has had a tremendous impact on the environment, resulting in the loss of marine mammals, birds, and fish that will continue long into the future; and


 

WHEREAS Refugio State Beach and El Capitan State Beach have been closed due to the unsafe conditions created by the spill; and 


 

WHEREAS fisheries are closed resulting in 138 square miles of ocean being closed to commercial fishing causing significant damage to this industry; and


 

WHEREAS local governments and businesses along the Santa Barbara County Coast will continue to suffer economic impacts from this oil spill; and


 

WHEREAS emergency operations are now focused on restoring the impacted areas, but expedited efforts are still needed to restore the environment, reopen the beaches, and minimize economic impacts; and


 

WHEREAS under the provisions of section 8558(b) of the California Government Code, I find that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property continue to exist due to the oil spill in the County of Santa Barbara; and


 

WHEREAS under the provisions of section 8571 of the California Government Code, I find that strict compliance with the statutes specified in this order would prevent, hinder, or delay the mitigation of the effects of the oil spill.


 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, EDMUND G. BROWN JR., Governor of the State of California, in accordance with the authority vested in me by the Constitution and statutes of the State of California, and in particular, sections 8567 and 8571 of the California Government Code, do hereby issue the following orders to become effective immediately:


 

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT: 

  1. The provisions of the May 20, 2015 Proclamation declaring a State of Emergency remain in full force and effect, except as modified herein. 
     
  2. The Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Office of Spill Prevention and Response shall continue working with other federal, state, and local agencies to take appropriate actions to clean up and mitigate the impacts of the oil spill and to hold the responsible parties accountable for the cleanup and mitigation of the environmental and fiscal impacts of the oil spill.
     
  3.  The provisions of section 1253 of the Unemployment Insurance Code imposing a one-week waiting period for unemployment insurance applicants are waived as to all applicants who are unemployed as a direct result of the oil spill, who apply for unemployment insurance benefits during the time period beginning May 20, 2015 and ending on the close of business on November 20, 2015, and who are otherwise eligible for unemployment insurance benefits in California.
     
  4. Because emergency efforts are now focused on restoration, paragraph 5 of the May 20, 2015 Proclamation, suspending chapter 7 of division 20 of the Public Resources Code, is hereby revoked.  Subject to the primary authority of the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Office of Spill Prevention and Response administrator for oil spill response under the Lempert-Keene-Seastrand Oil Spill Prevention and Response Act, and specifically sections 8670.5 and 8670.7 of the Government Code, all agencies, including the Coastal Commission pursuant to its authority under section 30600(e) of the Public Resources Code, with notice to and coordination with the administrator, shall take all necessary steps to issue on an emergency basis any necessary waivers or permits to facilitate the reopening of fishing, public access, and impacted beaches and waters, including Refugio State Beach and El Capitan State Beach.
     
  5. Paragraph 8 of the May 20, 2015 Proclamation, suspending Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District Rule 326, is hereby revoked as it is no longer necessary for restoration efforts.

This Executive Order is not intended to, and does not, create any rights or benefits, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, against the State of California, its agencies, departments, entities, officers, employees, or any other person.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this fifth day of June 2015.

 

EDMUND G. BROWN JR.

Governor of California

 

ATTEST:

  

ALEX PADILLA

Secretary of State

 

 

Cal OES is responsible for the coordination of overall state agency response to major disasters in support of local government. The agency is responsible for assuring the state's readiness to respond to and recover from all hazards - natural, man-made, war-caused emergencies and disasters - and for assisting local governments in their emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and hazard mitigation efforts. 
# # #

California Emergency Management Agency | 3650 Schriever Avenue | State Emergency Operations Center | Mather | CA | 95655




Share/Bookmark

Friday

Earth Day San Francisco - Events Lineup

       
     
       

​​
​​
EarthDaySFweekly 2

"We both love nature and are proud to be a part of such a wonderful celebration of positive ideas."
- Gabriel and Dresden

"On this beautiful Earth Day 2015 let us take a grateful moment to be thankful to our beautiful mother earth, from which life is born and nurtured. Let us work harder and with more thought and compassion to take care of her and keep her safe and clean. Let us work to teach, inform, and kindly pass on ways in which we can conserve, preserve and care for the health of mother earth, which in turn is all our health, as well. Let us be more thoughtful that we are all one, unified here on our lovely mother earth, and that it is each and every one of our responsibilities to her and to one another to care for our amazing home! Let us strive to make each and every day a step in a more positive, healing and healthy direction for our spectacular home, the Earth, ourselves, and all that share our extraordinary home, Mother Earth! Happy Earth Day San Francisco! We love you Earth!"
- Love, peace and light, Forest Green

"For me, Earth Day is about raising awareness. There are so many great people and amazing movements working towards environmental/biological re-alignment and Earth Day is a time for those movements to grow and ideas to spread. It is a time to inform, ideate, and innovate."
- DJ Mike Teez

In Celebration of the 45th Anniversary of Earth Day, we are happy to present the Earth Day SF Street Fest!

Located in the heart of the most culturally rich neighborhood in the city, "The Mission," Earth Day SF unites Artists, Activists and Amazing Entertainers all dedicated to promoting the protection and preservation of our Beloved Mother Earth and all of her inhabitants. This one-of-a-kind event promises to be a robust celebration of everything "Green, Fun and Sustainable."

Join us on Saturday, April 18th from 10 am to 7 pm as we take to the streets and celebrate Earth Day San Francisco style.


 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

grove on the road banner
Join in the fun at Grove on the Road at Earth Day, where 22nd Street and Valencia Street meet!

Enjoy live, admission-free performances, interactive arts workshops for all ages, and celebrate Earth Day San Francisco and the 45th Anniversary of Earth Day


Performances:

Rupa & the April Fishes​
5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Bayonics​
3:15 - 4:15 p.m.

Boca do Rio​
1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

All-Ages Workshops:

Drumming with BoomShake! Music
2:30 – 3:15 p.m.

Brazilian Dance with Tika Morgan
12:00-1:00 p.m.

Instrument Exploration Station
12:00 - 5:00 p.m.

 


 

PLANET DANCE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
22nd and Mission Street stage


10:00 AM Welcome to Earth Day SF 2015 
DJ Mike Teez


11:55 AM Earth Day Message


12:00 PM People Power Band


12:45 PM Guest Speakers
Mona Lisa Wallace, Esq., Civil and Environmental Rights Activist
Valerie Ibarra, Radio Host and Producer of Women's Magazine
Pam Larry, Northern CA Director of Label GMO's
Monica Lopez, March Against Monsanto
Stacy Malkan, Co-Founder of Campaign for Safe Cosmetics


1 PM Eco Fashion Show presented by Shirin Hashem


1:30 PM Guest Speaker
Smita Paul, Founder of Indigo Handloom


1:40 PM Janaka Selekta featuring live tabla player Amit U Sharma


2:30 PM DJ Jimmy Bell vs. Ka'Nete


3:20 PM NON PROFIT SPOTLIGHT: 
Leila Salazar-Lopez, Executive Director of Amazon Watch
Jess Dervin-Ackerman, Conservation Program Manager of Sierra Club SF
Maureen Perron, Co-Founder of Save Our Planet


3:45 PM KEYNOTE SPEAKER: John C. Roulac, Founder and CEO of Nutiva
"The Solution Under Our Feet: How Regenerative Organic Agriculture Can Save the Planet" 
Friends of the Urban Forest "Most Greenified Neighborhood" Award


4:00 PM Forest Green v. Mixtress Shazaam


5:00 PM Gabriel and Dresden


6:00 PM Cellspace Procession
Closing Remarks
DJ Mike Teez


Official Earth Day SF Pre and Post Events
 dine out for earthso stoked for earth day
lowresaphro3alee43a18posterbicycle daycellspace
Thanks for the support Rock the Earth, Bicycle Day, Opel Productions, Plur Alliance, Kandi Love, and CELLspace!

We'll be raffling off 2 VIP tickets to Bicycle Day and
2 General Admission tickets to Opel's event at Public Works at the Planet Dance stage


Thanks to our over 35 Fantastic Earth Friendly Exhibitors, Green Team, Media Partners, and all the love received across the Bay Area. 

Last but not least, a very special thank you goes out to
Earth Day SF 2015 Sponsors -- 


UNITED ECO SKIES
KEVITA
KIND SNACKS
ENERGY UPGRADE CALIFORNIA
smart car
PEOPLE POWER
SPARE THE AIR
SIERRA NEVADA

DOMENICO WINERY

Earth Day SF is so grateful to have your support of this year's event and can't wait to celebrate with you!


Earth Day SF 2015 Logo


Green Blog Network * Greening Hollywood * 



Share/Bookmark

Thursday

Race For Water Reaches The Bermudas

(posted from Press Release)
To read in French go to Greening Paris

The "Race for Water Odyssey" reaches the Bermudas and continues its scientific analyses 


The Race for Water Odyssey (R4WO) arrived today in Bermuda, the second witness island of the expedition. The crew will stay on the British Archipelago for 6 days in order to collect scientific data, enabling an initial global assessment of ocean pollution caused by plastic waste.

After 7 days of turbulent navigation from the Azores due to the passing of a very lively weather front, the R4WO drew up, this Wednesday April 1st, in Hamilton. Present in Bermuda until April 5th, the expedition team will analyze the waste littering 6 strictly-selected beaches of the archipelago. In order to obtain comparable data, these analyses will be carried out according to the same scientific protocol as the one deployed in the Azores, working with local associations such as "Keep Bermuda Beautiful". In addition, visits of the "MOD70 Race for Water" trimaran will be organized for the public. During this stopover, the R4WO benefits from the support of the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel.

Next stop: New York

The R4WO will finish its crossing of the Atlantic by then setting off for New York, next stage in its world tour. In the megalopolis, several events will be organized to raise awareness and to draw the public's attention to the problem of plastic waste in oceans. The R4WO will have the honour, amongst others, to talk about this crucial theme during a plenary session organized at the UN headquarters in collaboration with the UNEP.

 

About Race for Water Odyssey (R4WO)

Initiated by the Race for Water foundation, the "Race for Water Odyssey" is a unique expedition that aims to draw up the first global assessment of plastic pollution in the ocean by visiting island beaches situated in the 5 trash vortexes. In less than 300 days, over 40,000 nautical miles will be traveled, punctuated by 11 scientific stopovers and 9 outreach stopovers, involving a total of 13 countries. The Race for Water Odyssey benefits from the support of ISAF, Duke University, Oregon State University, senseFly, Swisscom and Swissnex.




Share/Bookmark

Local Governments For Sustainability World Congress


(posted from press release) 


Climate-KIC will be present at the Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) World Congress on 8 April in Seoul, Republic of Korea, to officially launch the Low Carbon City Lab programme and discuss new partnerships with cities and organisations from around the world. 


Greenhouse gas emissions in cities originate from a host of different sources, such as electricity production, transportation, commercial and residential buildings, as well as industry and waste. Reducing urban emissions is a shared effort by a large panel of city stakeholders. 
The new programme is part of a range of Climate-KIC programmes designed to help cities reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create new jobs for their low carbon economies. Climate-KIC is the European Union's main climate innovation initiative and supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). 


Low Carbon City Lab 

Cities account for 70 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activities 

PARIS, FRANCE, 31 March 2015 – With all eyes on a global deal to reduce greenhouse gasses at the UN's COP21 conference in Paris later this year, EU initiative Climate-KIC will launch a new programme to help cities around the world unlock their emission reduction potential at a major global event in Seoul on 8 April 2015. 

Cities account for 70 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activities. According to the United Nations agency for human settlements and sustainable urban development, 75 per cent of the world population will be living in urban environments by 2050. The annual increase of the total world population is 1 per cent, while in the urban areas it is 1.8 per cent, almost twice as much.  Cities will continue to be the key nexus for climate action for years to come. 

Leveraging a diverse grouping of companies, research centers, technology experts, city networks and cities, Climate-KIC's new Low Carbon City Lab programme will aim to unlock the greenhouse gas emission reduction potential of cities, and reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 1 gigatonne per year.





Strategies to reduce urban greenhouse gas emissions 


Thanh-Tam Lê, Director of Climate-KIC's centre in France, said "Our Low Carbon City Lab is an exciting example of how public-private partnerships can tackle climate change through both a market-led and an impact driven approach."  


The programme provides a series of tools, consulting and services to develop urban climate mitigation strategies:  

  • 3D software to visualise greenhouse gas emissions in cities. We also help cities bring together the data from sources across their urban areas.
  • Experts to verify greenhouse gas inventories according to the recently launched Greenhouse Gas Protocol standard and to prioritise actions.  
  • Help to boost cities' business generation activities including support for start-ups  
  • Tools enabling the monitoring of emissions from the transport sector.  
  • Services including training and summer schools, with courses focusing on climate finance for cities and the latest developments in greenhouse gas monitoring approaches for cities.  
  • Contribution to the definition of climate finance frameworks for cities (NAMAs, VNAMAs) 



Share/Bookmark