This article is taken from GreenLaw.org

This is such exciting news and a big step forward for sustainability in Georgia, thank you so much to everyone who helped make this happen!
GreenLaw & Sierra Club Cheer Decision, Call for More Wind

In a major step forward for the clean energy economy and public health, thousands of Georgia homes and businesses will be powered by clean wind energy imported from Oklahoma by 2016. Georgia Power just announced a deal to import wind energy from Oklahoma to Georgia customers. The wind power will help stabilize energy rates for Georgia Power customers, will provide a boost to a growing domestic industry, and will avoid the need for power generated from dirty fuels like coal or gas. (more…)

I was invited to speak and participate on a panel discussion at the World Travel and Tourism Council’s annual Global Summit which was held in Abu Dhabi this year. The conference had a large focus on bringing more sustainable practices to the Tourism industry. My session was entitled “Meeting the Challenges of Growth”. The panel included actress and activist Daryl Hannah, adventurer and environmentalist David de Rothschild , BBC reporter Tanya Beckett and myself. (more…)

This week I attended a press conference where Mayor Kasim Reed announced a major expansion to the city’s curbside recycling program. Beginning in mid-October, the City of Atlanta will deliver 96-gallon recycling carts to 65,000 households, at the rate of one thousand per day. The citywide distribution of the large capacity recycling carts is part of Mayor Kasim Reed’s sustainability plan, which has a long-term goal of achieving 90 percent diversion of municipal waste by 2020, among other measures. (more…)

In response to the outcry over the EPA declining to ban clothiandin, one of the compounds most responsible for the bee deaths that have plagued U.S. farmers and gardeners for the last six years, the EPA has opened up a public comment period for 60 days. That means you have until OCT. 4 to LET THEM KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.

My friend Paul Tukey, over at SafeLawns.org, has written an excellent blog post on a few talking points to include in your demand. I have written my letter that includes many of Paul’s suggestions, and copied below,  you are welcome to copy and paste to use in your own demand to the EPA.

Click Here to Submit a Comment to the EPA on the issue of clothiandin

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I recently recapped some of the larger challenges and accomplishments from Rio +20 here, but today I wanted to share some pictures and a video from my trip. My last day in Rio was truly amazing.

I had the opportunity to spend time with Severn Suzuki in an important advisory session with the French Ambassador for the environment. (more…)

The world is experiencing a rapid rise in the market for air conditioning. On one hand, this is a positive indication that families all over the world can now afford air conditioning that once could not, but what does this mean for our planet?

Stan Cox, author of Losing Our Cool:Uncomfortable Truths About Our Air-Conditioned World (and Finding New Ways To Get Through the Summer), estimates the world consumption of energy for cooling could explode tenfold by 2050. This presents a big challenge for slowing down global warming. (more…)

I would like to introduce you to my friend and Director of Mothers & Others for Clean Air, Rebecca Watts Hull. For over five years, Rebecca has been a driving force behind Mothers & Others for Clean Air, tirelessly educating the public about the dangers of poor air quality.

By Rebecca Watts Hull

Record Heat Brings “Code Purple” to Metro Atlanta

The severity of smog season depends both on emissions—nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution from tailpipes and smokestacks—and weather conditions. Hot, dry air and intense sunlight create the best conditions for ozone to form. (more…)

I left yesterday to attend the Rio +20 Conference on Sustainable Development. The theme of the event is “The Future We Want,” and the aim of the conference is to produce a focused political document detailing how this future will be achieved. Attendees will work to develop strategies that solve today’s issues without compromising the needs and abilities of future generations. The conference will address how a green economy will aid in sustainability and enhance developments towards the eradication of poverty. I am so excited to be here among thousands of participants including governments, NGOs and other stakeholders from all over the world, each working to provide a healthy and sustainable world for our children. (more…)

Last week, my hometown Atlanta, had the privilege of hosting this year’s Windpower Conference and Exhibition 2012. The conference brings wind professionals together to network, grow their companies, and learn solutions for business challenges in the changing industry. Tens of thousands of wind professionals gathered in Atlanta to discuss the latest developments and learn from experts in the field. (more…)

Air Quality Awareness Week marks the beginning of smog season and is an annual opportunity for all of us to review issues surrounding air quality in our communities and the precautions we need to take to ensure our family’s health.

What is Smog?
Smog is another term for ground level ozone, which is formed when nitrogen oxide (NOx)combines with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight. NOx are a by-product of fossil fuel combustion (oil, natural gas, coal) and so come from cars and trucks, power plants, and industrial processes.  (definition via MothersandOthersforCleanAir.org)

Exposure to many pollutants in the air can result in a range of adverse health effects from shortness of breath and coughing to heart attacks and lung cancer. Check out Mothers and Others’ Health Effects of Bad Air Fact Sheet for more information.

Georgia Guide to Air Qualilty Awareness Week
1. World Asthma Day
May begins with World Asthma Day on May1! Join me at at the Fulton County Health & Wellness event “Asthma Awareness: Putting the Pieces Together.” In an effort to combat asthma, the Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness, Division of Health Promotion, is launching the Fulton Asthma Improvement and Reduction (FAIR) program to focus on the state of asthma in Fulton County. The FAIR kick off panel discussion will raise awareness about asthma and allow participants to share strategies for improving asthma care throughout Fulton County. The event is May 1, 10am – 2 pm at the Fulton County Aldredge HealthCenter. Click here to register! Seating is limited.

2. Get Informed: Air Quality 101
As smog season 2012 approaches, please consider making a commitment to at least one personal action to reduce your contribution to smog this summer. At the same time, ensure you have the tools you need to reduce your and your family’s exposure to smog by bookmarking Georgia Environmental Protection’s air quality forecast site and reviewing and sharing Mothers & Others guidance documents on outdoor air quality and physical activity.

3. Clean Air Campaign
The Clean Air Campaign invites schools to observe the week by incorporating activities on air quality, sources and types of air pollution, and actions to reduce air pollution and improve health in their school community.
For Clean Air Schools, Air Quality Awareness Week is a prime occasion to celebrate the pounds of pollution your school has already taken out of the air through No-Idling, Ride the Bus! For Clean Air and Pool to School programs.
Teachers can download the 2012 teacher’s guides for planning tips, air pollution resources and classroom activities at the Clean Air Campaign Website.

4. M&O School Air Quality Index (AQI) Flag Program
Many school nurses, principals and teachers are concerned about high rates of asthma among students and faculty. They welcome the flag program as a way to ensure all staff, as well as parents who see the flag when dropping off their children, are aware when air pollution concentrations are high. Flying a flag that corresponds to the day’s air quality index—green, yellow, orange or red—makes air quality forecasts highly visible to the school community, including parents, faculty, staff and children. In addition, the flags are flown daily, in contrast to the smog alert system that only comes into play if the air is unhealthy. As a result, while taking precautions when the flag is orange or red, teachers and coaches can celebrate green days and use the green flag as a visual cue to get active outdoors when air quality is good.
Mothers & Others for Clean Air is expanding the AQI flag program to other Georgia schools as we head into the 2011 smog season. Contact Mothers & Others if your school is interested in participating.
More information can be found here

5. Mothers & Others for Clean Air Newsletter
This is a comprehensive resource for your need to know information on local clean air initiatives, legislation, updates, health information, resources and events. If you would like to receive the newsletter please contact rebecca@mocleanair.org

6. Check the Air Quality Index
Georgians can check their Air Quality Index here
Additional Resources for National Clean Air Information-
NOAA’s Air Quality Awareness Week Resources
EPA’s Air Quality Awareness Week Resources
AirNow.gov Local Air Quality Conditions and Forecasts
GINA