Tuesday, May 29, 2007

The Sierra Club Energy Film Festival

The Sierra Club is bringing the excitement of film festivals to cities across the country. Launched in the fall of 2006, the festival is continuing until the end of 2007. You can find out more information at the National Sierra Club:

http://www.sierraclub.org/scp/filmfest/

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Toxic Trailers

Living in a Toxic Trailer?
Are you or your neighbor living in a FEMA Trailer that may be a health time bomb? Check out http://www.toxictrailers.com/ and tell us your story.
If you would like to have your trailer tested contact toxictrailers@louisiana.sierraclub.org or call 225- 925-8650.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Nation exploited our coast; now it's the nation's job to fix it

Tuesday, May 15, 2007
John Barry

There has been much debate in the past 20 months over protecting Louisiana from another lethal hurricane, but nearly all of it has been conducted without any real understanding of the geological context. Congress and the Bush administration need to recognize six facts that define the national interest...

Read more from Nola.com

Or read more from the Washington Post.

Friday, May 04, 2007

Delta Chapter of the Sierra Club Announces Green Tie Award winners

First Club Award Ceremony Post Katrina and Rita Highlighted Environmental Hurricane Response Leadership

In the spirit of John Muir, founder of the Sierra Club and Father of our National Park system, local Sierra Club members and community volunteers acts as stewards of our environment. The Delta Chapter presented awards to celebrate this good work on April 21st, at a reception at Boutin’s restaurant in Baton Rouge, LA.

“We felt that it was fitting to give awards to deserving club members and our community partners on John Muir’s birthday, the eve of Earth Day” says Delta Chapter Chair, Leslie March. “ We want to recognize that the dedication of these people preserve our environment and make Louisiana a better place to live.”

Awards presented to our community partners and members include:

PELICAN AWARD FOR LEGAL SERVICES

Joel Waltzer of the Walzer Law firm and Adam Babich, Director of the Tulane Environmental Law Clinic for their excellent work in protecting communities from hazardous waste post-Katrina. Adam Babich photo at right.

SWAMPRAKER AWARD FOR ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING

Mark Schleifstein of the New Orleans Times-Picayune is granted this award for his coverage of environmental issues before and after the storms. Mark Schleifstein shown at left.

LOUISIANA LORAX AWARD FOR YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

Stacy Hess - Lafayette Middle School for being an inspiration to all environmental educators. Stacey Hess shown at right.

BAYOU STEWARD AWARD FOR CORPORATE LEADERSHIP

Sharp Solar Corporation for contributing solar panels to houses being rebuilt in the lower ninth ward.

EVERYBODY'S BACKYARD AWARD FOR COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

Father Vien of Citizens for a Strong New Orleans East and Mary Queen of Vietnam, for helping to lead the recovery of his community to develop sustainably and to protect the environment.

"RED" BOURG AWARD FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COLLABORATION

Mike Bienvenu, Louisiana Crawfish Producers Association West. The LCPAW has been a strong partner in protecting the Cypress and the Atchafalaya Basin. Mike Bienvenu shown at left.

PAUL TEMPLET AWARD FOR GOVERNMENTAL LEADERSHIP

Suzanne Hawes, Army Corps of Engineers, has been an inspiration to all who work with her. Her dedication to preserving our environment and to encourage citizen participation with government is unsurpassed. Suzanne Hawes is shown at right.

WOOD DUCK AWARD FOR LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP

Henry "Junior" Rodriguez , President of St. Bernard Parish is an unfailing opponent of the MRGO, an ecological disaster commonly known as the hurricane highway. He has been a leader among public officials in negotiating the closure of this coastal cancer. Henry "Junior" Rodriguez is shown at left.

OUR COAST, OUR FUTURE AWARD FOR ENERGY ACCOUNTABILITY Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco.
We applaud the governor for having the courage to ask for a comprehensive environmental impact statement (EIS) of the Gulf of Mexico, post Katrina. She was willing to stand up to the oil and gas industry and the Minerals Management Service and demand that before they offer any more leases they needed to survey the current damage. Additionally, the Governor stood up for fisheries in the Gulf and opposed open loop liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals proposed for offshore Louisiana.

In addition to community awards, there were awards presented to outstanding club members. Each award winner received a framed plaque with a photograph donated by outdoor photographer and Sierra Member Charles Fryling.

Thanks to Jeffrey Dubinsky for providing the photographs.

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Is global warming solar induced?

This lively discussion of the red herring theory that global warming here on Earth is caused by the Sun and not by us humans, is from the most excellent Web site called "Bad Astronomy" by astronomer Phil Plait.

Read more >>