AUSTIN'S ZERO WASTE PLAN 

Find out about the City of Austin's plan to reach "Zero Waste...or Pretty Darn Close" and what you can do to help reach the Zero Waste goal.

Follow this link to find out more about ZERO WASTE.

watch! listen! learn!..

NEW SIERRA CLUB TELEVISION SERIES PREMIERES NATIONALLY ON LINK TV
Robert Greenwald Executive Produced Series Takes Viewers Directly Into
Communities for a First Hand Look at Profiles in Environmental Courage.

"Sierra Club Chronicles," a monthly series produced by Greenwald’s Brave New Films in association with Sierra Club Productions, and hosted by Daryl Hannah, captures seven David vs. Goliath stories: the dramatic efforts of committed individuals across the country working to protect the health of their environment and communities. More Information...

wells fargo steps up...

Wells Fargo Buys 100% Wind Power via REC's (Renewable Energy Certificates)
San Francisco, California [this article comes from RenewableEnergyAccess.com]
Wells Fargo & Company will buy renewable energy certificates (RECs) to support generating 550 million kilowatt-hours of clean, renewable wind energy a year for three years, enough to offset 40 percent of Wells Fargo's electricity consumption with 100 percent Green-e certified wind energy.
With this action, Wells Fargo becomes the largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy in the U.S., according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

"Wells Fargo is a leading example of how corporate America can reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity use," said Kathleen Hogan, Director of the Climate Protection Partnership Division for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the voluntary program helping to increase the use of green power among leading U.S. organizations.

Wells Fargo's RECs are supplied by 3 Phases Energy. With Green-e certification, granted from the Center for Resource Solutions' Green-e program that verifies the RECs, Wells Fargo is assured that its REC purchase supports generation from 100-percent new renewable resources that meet strict consumer and environmental protection standards. The three-year purchase agreement begins October 1, 2006.

Who's contributed more to fossil fuel pollution than anyone else? The CEO of General Motors or of ExxonMobil? The premier of Alberta, Canada? The Sierra Student Coalition is one of many groups participating in the annual Fossil Fools Day awards. Nominees for the top prize, to be given to the individual who has made the most significant contribution over the past year to the development and dissemination of fossil fuel-related pollution.

Who's the biggest Fossil Fool of all? Find out now!

something to consider....

What if Trees had 'standing'? Does Nature have rights in our world of laws and legal process? How would things be different if Trees had standing?

In this article from Orion magazine, the author discusses a famous case in which the Sierra Club was not permitted to argue against the destruction of the Mineral King Valley because the club had no 'standing.' Read about this famous case, about one of our national environmental heroes, Justice William O. Douglas and decide for yourself. Click here: THE RIGHTS OF NATURE.

Carl Pope, the Executive Director of the Sierra Club has a special plea for anyone concerned with the future of the Polar Bear, an iconic species that is seriously threatened with total extinction. Please READ HIS APPEAL and take action to help prerserve this magnificent predator from extinction.

Carl Pope, that is. Mr. Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club, introduces a series of energy messages that help cut through some of the confusion about the difficult decisions we face on alternative energy and some of the even more confusing terminology used by those who advocate a solution. This week's video topic is 'cap-and-trade' vs. 'cap-and-auction' carbon credits. Follow this link to check it out:

http://www.sierraclub.org/energy/video/

MONDAY, AUGUST 18TH THROUGH THURSDAY, AUGUST 21ST - SAN JUAN ISLANDS KAYAK/HIKING TRIP

Join the Austin Sierra Club for a spectacular cruise on a 65-foot boat in the beautiful San Juan Islands. We will start from Bellingham, WA and cruise to the San Juan Islands for four days and three nights of hiking, kayaking and wildlife-watching.
Participants will cruise, hike and kayak while living in comfort in the cabins below deck, enjoying gourmet meals cooked on a wood-burning stove by a master chef.
Birders will love the variety of birds and waterfowl, including bald eagles and murres, in the area and we will have a chance of spotting some of the resident Orca pods, seals and/or a dolphin or two.
Best of all, you will be one of only SIX passengers on board and the boat will be at the disposal and direction of the passengers; it will take us where we want to go in the islands. There are two similar 4-day cruises available this year, one at the beginning and one at the end of the Austin Sierra Club Olympic Peninsula trip so that people going on that trip can either come early or stay late and extend their Pacific Northwest experience without having to book an additional plane reservation. Check out the SAN JUAN TRIP webpage for photos and details.

Austin Water Utility vs. Endangered Bird
City staff appears to have overcome severe obstacles to resolve the WTP #4 site controversy. It took a lot of work to arrive at a solution that respects bio diversity and the private property rights of many, many western Travis County land and home owners while still meeting the future needs of a growing city. We owe much to the creative efforts of the City of Austin Water Utility Engineers, the flexibility of City Council and Mayor Wynn, and the perseverance of City of Austin Real Estate Services staff. Mayor Wynn and City Council Members Lee Leffingwell and Sheryl Cole expended some political capital working on the Water Conservation Task Force to develop a new ordinance to reduce peak water demand in concert with Austin Water Utility Staff, the Sierra Club, and other stakeholders to provide additional time to find a better site for WTP #4 and delay the expense of that additional water treatment plant. In addition this solution came as the result of the integrity of Travis County Commissioners, the Travis County Biologists, and former City Biologists. For more information click on this link: WATER/BIRDS

Let's face it: as long as we continue to drive gas guzzlers, (and a grateful and respectful tip of the hat to those who use bikes and busses to their full potential), we need to buy gas for them to guzzle. At least we can buy gas from the companies with the BEST environmental and human rights records and avoid buying gas from the WORST of them. Check out the Sierra Club's list of the BEST and WORST GAS COMPANIES in this global, consolidated market and do your part by patronizing only the best ones.

keep in touch...

Want to keep up with all the current happenings in the Austin Sierra Club that affect your life and your environment? Want to be informed about actions that the Conservation group is taking to protect Austin water, air and quality of life? Follow this link and scroll down to the KEEP IN TOUCH block for links to email update lists: TOUCH

Hiking with your pooch can be frustrating. Some trails are not dog-friendly and many do not allow dogs at all, but now there is no reason to leave your dog behind to turn into a couch potato (yes, dogs need to get and stay fit as well as we do). This book, by local Sierra Club member Melissa Gaskill, will help you select the right hikes and trails to keep Spot happy, healthy and fit right at your side.

Read the BOOK REVIEW