re: wasting water (post from Aug.5th)

I am happy to report that after sending my letter about water conservation to the YMCA, they now have signs posted in the showering areas that state: Please keep water usage to a minimum in order to conserve water.
It was very satisfying to see that and I admire the YMCA's prompt response to my request.

wasting water

Yesterday I was showering in the group showering stalls at the YMCA after a swim, doing my usual routine of turning on and off the water for rinsing, shaving, sudsing, etc. While showering I realized that the woman on the other side of the stall had two showers going. One for her and one for her swim suit (to rinse it out). I tried to ignore it but couldn't. I kept thinking ...okay NOW shes going to turn it off..no...ok NOW she will (pause pause pause) NO.... After about 4 minutes of 2 showers running I finally got up the courage to say "Do you mind if I turn this shower off? Its really wasting a lot of water and we are having a water shortage this summer..." She took a moment to look at me like I was an alien from outer space and then just laughed at me, turned her swim suit over (I guess the other side needed a 5 minute rinse too) and then went back to showering. It was so frustrating and embarrassing but I am glad I did it. I knew if I didn't that I would be kicking myself all day wishing I had said something.
I thought, "Well, that was fruitless!" But maybe not....maybe ,not likely, but maybe she will think about what I said the next time she takes a DOUBLE shower.

What I decided I CAN do that may have some impact is write a letter to the head of the SR YMCA explaining all the water wasting I see in the bathrooms (This is not the first incident like this I have witnessed at the Y) and ask that they post signs about water conservation in their bathrooms. It would be to their benefit financially and everyones benefit environmentally.

Solar and Wind Energy Boost

Information obtained from moveon.org:

Congress is voting this week on H.R. 969, a bill that will dramatically boost solar and wind energy. If it passes, it'll be like taking 37 million cars off the road. Along with the rest of the energy package, it'll be the biggest step in two decades toward a clean planet and affordable energy. Right now the US gets only 2% of our electricity from clean energy sources like solar and wind.

Big oil and coal are fighting the bill hard, because it would undercut their stranglehold on our economy. That's why Congress needs to hear from the public that clean energy is a priority.

The bill requires utilities to increase the percentage of electricity produced from wind, biomass, geothermal, and solar energy sources. If it passes, utilities nationwide will produce 20% of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020. This bill alone will reduce 511 million tons of global warming pollution.

Already, over twenty-one states and the District of Columbia have adopted similar requirements. It's a tested and proven solution. And because the bill allows utilities around the country to buy and sell extra renewable energy they produce, that means more competition and lower prices.

Investing in renewable energy sources would not only curb global warming and protect the environment—the bill is projected to create over 185,000 new jobs, save consumers over $31.8 billion on their energy bills, and provide almost $67 billion in new capital investments in the next couple decades.

So if you are interested in writing a letter to your congressperson, it would be great to write a letter today and send in the mail or (second best option) sign a petition I will be forwarding to you shortly.

Wilderness protection

This is a cut and paste from the (NRDC) National Resources Defense Council's website:

The Bush administration is poised to approve a plan for 60 newgas wells -- and a maze of roads and pipelines -- in thespectacular White River wilderness in northeastern Utah.We need your immediate online action to block this attack. Thedeadline to register your opposition to this destructiveproposal is Monday! Go to http://www.savebiogems.org/redrock/takeaction and tell theBureau of Land Management to study the full potential impacts onthe White River wilderness and adjacent wildlands beforeconsidering this reckless scheme.The towering sandstone cliffs and deep canyons of the WhiteRiver region -- part of our Redrock Wilderness BioGem -- are arefuge for deer, elk, antelope, waterfowl and golden eagles.According to the BLM, "The spectacular scenery of the WhiteRiver provides a dramatic backdrop for the hiker, rafter,canoeist, for fishing enthusiasts who visit this unique area."Over the past few years, the BLM has approved the constructionof roads, pipelines and compressor stations to the north, eastand west of the White River wilderness. But it has neverexamined the cumulative impacts of this development on theregion's natural values.Go to http://www.savebiogems.org/redrock/takeactionand urge the BLM not to rush headlong into approving thisdestructive drilling plan.

U.S. Farm Bill

This week I will call my representative and senators and urge broad reform of the U.S. farm bill. Anyone interested in doing the same can call 1-800-826-3688.

Points to make:

The status quo on farm policy is not good enough.
Please ensure that the farm bill that comes to the House and Senate floors includes:
Reform of commodity policies that hurt U.S. farmers of modest means and make it harder for farmers in poor countries to feed their families.
Increased food stamp benefits so that U.S. families can afford a healthy diet.
More investment in rural development, especially resources targeted to the U.S. communities in greatest need.
If your representative or senators are not on the Agriculture Committee (find out which committees they are on), encourage them to talk with their colleagues on the Agriculture Committee, and with House or Senate leadership, to see that these changes are made.

Letters can also be written in lieu of a phone call. Addresses for Senators and Rep. are listed on blog post labeled "handwriting letters to......" from last week.

charitynavigator.org

I like this website when deciding which non-profits to donate money to for certain causes. They give a 1-4 star rating depending on how fiscally responsible the charity is.

You can use their "search engine" to find out how fiscally responsible your favorite charities are (or aren't), how much money their CEO's are paid, how much money is spent on administration costs and how much money is spent on the actual program.

They also have a list of all the 4 star rated charities which you can narrow down by category (i.e. environment, education, animals, etc.)

Some similar sites are:
give.org
charitywatch.org

hand writing letters to representatives for one week

This week, I am pledging to write at least one hand written letter to my senators/ representative on issues that are important to human rights, social justice and the environment.

If you would like to join me, here is the contact information:

President George W. Bush:
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Sen. Barbara Boxer:
Washington, D.C. Address
112 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-0505

Sen. Diane Feinstein:
Washington, D.C. Address
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-0505

Use this web address to find your state representative. You will just need your 9 digit zip code.
http://www.house.gov/writerep/

My representative is (California's 6th district)
The Honorable Lynn C. Woolsey
2263 Rayburn
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-5161


To get tips on what issues are up for a vote or are being debated, I usually go to one of the following websites (however these are just a few of the hundreds out there that will guide you into writing about issues that are important to you:

nrdc.org (National Resource Defense Council)
amnesty.org (Amnesty International)
sojo.net (Sojourners)
one.org (The ONE Campaign)
moveon.org (MoveOn.org)

TIP:There is usually a link at any of the above websites that will say something like "TAKE ACTION". From there you can decide what issue to write about and then just copy their email letter version into your hand written version and mail. Most everyone is of the opinion that hand written letters get the most attention but emails letters and petitions also make a big difference if you don't have time to hand write.

Sojourners

Sojourners is a group/magazine/newsletter that welcomes people of all backgrounds and religions to use their faith as a call to action in many areas including the environment, fair trade, war, genocide, racial discrimination, womens rights, poverty, immigration reform, etc.

They provide petitions to sign (online), letters you can write (or just sign via email) regarding issues that are important to you.

I think you can subscribe to their online magazine for free. www.sojo.net

factoid:
Sojourner Truth
c.1797—1883, American abolitionist, a freed slave, originally called Isabella, b. Ulster co., N.Y. Convinced that she heard heavenly voices, she left (1843) domestic employment in New York City, adopted the name Sojourner Truth, and traveled throughout the North preaching emancipation and women's rights. A remarkable personality, she spoke with much effectiveness even though she remained illiterate.

On-line Activism

I have never thought of myself as an Activist... until very recently. Lately (thank you Emily) I have been getting a lot of emails with calls for action. I have made it a goal to do some sort of on-line activism (send a letter, sign a petition, etc.) at least once a week. There is so much out there, it's almost too easy not to!

Here is a great place to start (thanks Emily):

www.newdream.org/

After you do just about any kind of on-line activism, the group asks if you would like to send an email to your friends, asking them to do the same. I may begin to send out invitations for action now and then. If you ever get something from me you would rather not, please let me know right away.