| CITY LAUNCHES ONLINE CARBON CALCULATOR | | | VOLUME III,
ISSUE XVI | | | 
| | Volunteers at Mill Creek Farm | | | | | | | | | | | As part of the City of Philadelphia's effort to become the greenest city in America and meet the Greenworks goal of planting 300,000 new trees by 2015, the Mayor's Office of Sustainability launched Erase Your Trace, an on-line tool developed by the U.S. Forest Service, that will allow Philadelphia's residents and businesses to calculate their carbon emissions and then offset them by making a donation to the Fairmount Park Conservancy for local tree planting. Besides offsetting carbon emissions, trees planted through Erase Your Trace will help reduce pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone and particulate matter. Trees also reduce the urban heat island effect, decrease stormwater runoff, and increase property values. As Katherine Gajewski, Philadelphia's Director of Sustainability says, this is "a win-win-win for Philadelphians, our environment, an our climate." | | | TAKE ACTION TO SUPPORT MILL CREEK FARM | | | For over 30 years, the Brown Street Community Garden has provided gardening space for neighbors in the Mill Creek neighborhood. And since 2005, Mill Creek Farm, a Next Great City partner, has provided healthy, affordable food and education on the same site. You can help them preserve the land as open space through the Neighborhood Gardens Association Land Trust by voicing your support to Councilwoman Blackwell. Take action today by sending a letter to Councilwoman Blackwell to let her know that you appreciate the service that Mill Creek Farm provides for the local community and the city as a whole, and that you want to see the site protected and preserved as open space. | | | GREENFEST PHILLY '09 IS ALL ABOUT FOOD! | | | Party like there IS a tomorrow at GreenFest Philly the area's largest environmental event, on Sunday, September 13 from 11 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. at 2nd and South streets. With live music and entertainment, kids activities, pottery, exhibitors from environmental groups, an eco-fashion show and clothing swap, a green film festival and more, there is something for everyone. The theme of this year's event is sustainable food. Highlighting everything from organic, to buying locally, to having a vegetarian or free-range diet, the event will educate attendees on the importance of supporting our local farmers' markets as well as how to make more conscious decisions at the grocery store. Come and try some of the eco-friendly foods available and learn about the impact our food choices have on the environment. | | | PENNFUTURE GLOBAL WARMING CONFERENCE | | | Reserve your spot now for Global Warming 2009: Taking action to build our economy and protect our environment. This conference, sponsored by Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future (PennFuture) will take place on Monday, October 12, 2009 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Har Zion Temple, 1500 Hagys Ford Road in Penn Valley. Experts will discuss the science and economics of global warming and examine state and federal legislation. Speakers will also explore the challenges climate change creates and the opportunities presented by taking action from both a religious and a business perspective. The event is free and open to the public, but advanced registration is required. Sign up online today. | | | 350.ORG DAY OF ACTION OCTOBER 24 | | | 350.org is an international campaign with a mission to inspire the world to rise to the challenge of the climate crisis. Their focus is on the number 350--as in parts per million, the level scientists have identified as the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere. We are already above the safe zone at 390 ppm, and unless we are able to rapidly return to 350 ppm this century, we risk reaching tipping points and irreversible climate impacts. To unite the public, media and our political leaders 350.org is harnessing grassroots momentum to coordinate a planetary day of action on October 24, 2009. Here in Philadelphia, 350philly!, the local 350.org affiliate aims to inspire organizations and individuals to help 350.org meet their goal of organizing 350 climate action events in Philadelphia during the week leading up to October 24 with a final event that afternoon in Independence Mall. Email 350philly@gmail.com for more information or to register an event you would like to host. | | | NEWS | | | | | | EVENTS | | | | | 
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