Energy Awareness Month
Did you know that October has been Energy Awareness Month since 1991? Government organizations — in partnership with businesses, associations, and concerned citizens — have observed this month with activities and programs to promote public understanding of our energy needs and to reduce energy consumption in our everyday lives. It is also a time for the Sierra Club to promote energy awareness including current conservation initiatives at the Georgia Chapter.
From the U.S. Department of Energy website, “We first set aside a time to remind us about saving energy in 1981 with American Energy Week, which was observed from 1981 through 1985. It became a month-long observance at the Department of Energy in 1986. On September 13, 1991, President George Bush proclaimed October as Energy Awareness Month. Since then, the U.S. Department of Energy has been conducting energy awareness campaigns that promote the wise and efficient use of our nation's energy.”
There are many ways to promote energy savings. Besides visiting the ENERGY STARŪ website and changing your usage individually, you can get involved with the Georgia Chapter issues. We collected over 200 postcards at the U2 concert on October 6th and will add them to a stack of cards from activists around the state to be delivered to EPD at the formal public comment hearing in Sandersville Georgia on October 20th.
Help keep up the pressure on EPD and join us in Sandersville next Tuesday, October 20th to have your voice heard and give a formal comment at the EPD Public Comment hearing.
The Sierra Club will be taking a bus load of activists to Sandersville Georgia to give an official and formal comment at the EPD Public Hearing. The bus will leave from SOUTH PARKING LOT of the Avondale Estates MARTA station, at 1:00p.m. on Tuesday, October 20th and will be returning immediately following the hearing. Snacks and beverages will be provided.
If you can make it please rsvp to seandra.rawls@sierraclub.org or 404-607-1262 ext 222. Attending the hearing in person and packing the auditorium is another important step in urging EPD to deny the Plant Washington coal-fired power plant. To find out more about what you can do, click here. Help us celebrate Energy Awareness Month by stopping dirty coal energy!
Sierra Club Meetings
RAIL Committee Meeting, Monday, October 26th, 6:45p.m., Jim Dexter 678-313-2407, jimdex@aol.com |
Environmental Events
Healthy Places Research Group (HPRG) Meeting
Tuesday, October 20th, 8a.m. - 10a.m.
Georgia State University, University Center 44 Courtland Street, Room 460/465
The Healthy Places Research Group, winner of the 2005 Golden Shoe Award for Pedestrian-Friendly Research, is a collaborative effort involving Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health, Georgia Tech's College of Architecture, and the Center for Quality Growth and Regional Development. It also involves professionals from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), researchers, students, and others interested in exploring the co-relationship between the built environment and the health of communities. Participation is open to anyone interested in exploring the characteristics and advancement of healthy places.
GDOT Rail Planner at Transit Happy Hour
Wednesday, October 21st, 6:30p.m.
Taco Mac - Lindbergh, 573 Main Street, Atlanta, GA 30324
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) recently established a Division of Intermodal Transportation and hired Erik Steavens to lead it. Steavens led the development of a comprehensive state rail plan to enable Georgia to apply for federal passenger rail funding. This plan includes intercity passenger and freight rail lines that would serve the entire state. Join Mothers & Others for Clean Air program manager Rebecca Watts Hull at a gathering of transit advocates to hear from Mr. Steavens about his vision for world-class public transportation in Georgia. Read more here.
Georgia Chapter Grand Opening!
Thursday, October 22nd, 6:30p.m. - 8:30p.m.
Georgia Chapter Office 743 E. College Ave, Suite B, Decatur, GA 30030
The Georgia Chapter of the Sierra Club has moved offices. The Georgia Chapter of the Sierra Club is now located in Decatur, GA. Because of the generosity of our donors, the Georgia Chapter will be saving precious funds by moving to Decatur and enjoying a new location rent free! Please join the Georgia Chapter of the Sierra Club to celebrate our new office, enjoy some refreshments, and be present for our ribbon cutting on October 22nd! Please RSVP to the Chapter Office, 404-607-1262 x 221. Read more here.
Decatur Electronics Recycling Day
Saturday, October 24th, 9a.m. - 1p.m.
Decatur High School Parking Lot
Don't throw away that old cell phone, camera or PC component! Save it and recycle it at Decatur's Fall Electronics Recycling event at the Decatur High School Parking lot. Read More by clicking here.
International Day of Climate Action
Saturday, October 24th
Concerned citizens from around the world will come together in a massive grassroots effort in an International Day of Climate Action, organized by the 350 Campaign. The goals of the event are to make sure the public, the media, and politicians are all on the same page about where we need to be, and to send a strong message to world leaders about what we want to happen at December's UN climate treaty negotiations in Copenhagen, Denmark. The only requirement is that each action coordinates some sort of visual representation of the number 350 and uploads that photo to 350.org. Read More here.
Hemlockfest
Friday - Sunday, November 6th - 8th
HemlockFest is an annual benefit music festival to increase public awareness and generate funds to help save the Eastern and Carolina Hemlock trees. Funds raised each year are used for support of the Georgia laboratories rearing adelgid-devouring beetles, education and research on the Hemlock woolly adelgid problem, and assisting businesses and homeowners to protect Hemlocks on their private property. Learn more by clicking here.
Georgia Chapter Wish List
As you may know, the Georgia Chapter recently relocated to Decatur close to East Decatur Station right next to the Avondale (E7) Marta Station. With the opening of the Georgia Chapter’s new office, we are looking for several items that could make the office even more functional and take advantage of our new space. Please, if you can help with any of the items below contact Genie Strickland in the Georgia Chapter Office at 404-607-1262 x 221.
Thank you to those who have already donated items!
Support Your Chapter
For more than 25 years, Sierra Club's Georgia Chapter has worked successfully to protect Georgia's resources, water, forests, wildlife and way of life. It would not have been possible without your actions and generosity. With your help we have laid the groundwork to be the most influential environmental organization in Georgia, and changes in political leadership make this the best time to support our environmental work.
Any contribution you make now supports the work of the Georgia Chapter of the Sierra Club and stays right in Georgia! Please consider a sustaining contribution of $10 or more per month. 100% of your donation will be spent in Georgia to preserve and protect our beautiful state. Help build a greener future for Georgia - donate today!
Interested in reading more?
If you have missed an issue of Footnotes Online you can view them online in our Footnotes Online archive by clicking here. You can also sign up for alerts in order to take action at times when we need decision makers to hear from you. We need your help! Click here to view the newest edition of the Georgia Sierran.