Updates

Rio+20 Conference Calls for Pollution Action, but Bickering Continues

June 25, 2012

At the recent United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio+20, New Zealand teenager Brittany Trilfold told the world to stop bickering and focus on protecting the environment better for her future and for the future of the world. Twenty years previously, 12-year-old Severn Cullis-Suzuki had done the exact same thing. This insight from these youth is much-needed advice for the two largest polluting economies in the world, the US and China, but will they listen?

Climate Central Maps How Much Hotter Each State has Now Become

June 15, 2012

During the 20th century our average temperature rose 1.3°F, and since 1970 the increases have become even more intense. The planet is getting hotter, despite what a few wing nuts are still trying to claim, and tremendous amounts of scientific data exist to prove this. The folks at Climate Central have compiled some of this compelling information into easy to understand maps, which illustrate, state by state, just how much temperatures have risen in our country over the last hundred years.

Martian Microbes, Wind Energy & the Great Pacific Garbage Patch: Link Party

June 13, 2012

Ecolocalizer is a member of an interconnected blog cooperative known as Important Media, a community of websites dedicated to news that matters. Each week we highlight a list of featured articles from different sites across our diverse network, including some compelling posts from Crafting a Green World, Eat Drink Better, sustainablog, Planetsave, CleanTechnica and Blue Living Ideas. Please take a moment to read some of this week’s headlines, and you might learn something new.

Bicycling Increases 71% in San Francisco

June 12, 2012

Part of what makes San Francisco such an attractive (and unfortunately very expensive) place to reside is that it is a beautiful livable city — biking and pedestrian infrastructure improvements over the last decades have helped to positively transform our town into a much more pleasant urban environment. The SF Bicycle Coalition announced recently that, according to the official citywide bicycle count, over the last five years bike ridership has increased a whopping 71%.

Good Science & Sound Policy: Concerns over Banning Plastic Bags

June 10, 2012

As plastic bag bans become widespread, some people have deep concerns, and believe that critical questions need examination. Moreover, the discussion needs to be well grounded, so that decision-making derives from good science and sound policy rather than hype. The time is ripe for this, especially as LA undergoes its four-month long environmental review before codifying the ban into law.

Bechdel’s New Graphic Novel Analyzes Her Uniquely Screwed Up Family

June 7, 2012

The artist and writer Alison Bechdel was interviewed recently by Lambda Literary about her new graphic novel memoir, Are You My Mother?, which was published last month. Bechdel’s beautiful new book analyzes her personal relationships, as well how we relate to one another and manage to function. Bechdel is also the creator of the critically acclaimed memoir, Funhome: A Family Tragicomic, as well as the much beloved cartoon series, Dykes to Watch Out For.

Wisconsin Election Previews Our New Citizens United States of America

June 6, 2012

Since the Supreme Court’s disastrous Citizens United decision, our nation’s democratic process has become so corrupted by unlimited corporate donations that it seems to be crumbling before our very eyes. Now that money is considered speech, the voices of millions of citizens are being crushed by a handful of billionaire plutocrats and narrow big business interests. The corrupting influence of unrestricted campaign donations upon our elections was evidenced in yesterday’s elections in Wisconsin.

Corn Sugar, Seagrass Meadows & Car-Free Streets: Important Media Link Party

June 5, 2012

Each week Important Media highlights a list of featured articles from across our diverse network, including compelling posts from Crafting a Green World, Eat Drink Better, sustainablog, Green Business Owner, Planetsave, Inspired Economist and CleanTechnica. Please take a moment to read some of this week’s headlines, and you might learn something new.

Sunday Streets Shines in San Francisco’s Mission District

June 4, 2012

Yesterday the sunny streets of San Francisco were swarming with thousands of happy residents during another regular Sunday Streets event. Rivers of happy families filled the car-free avenues, listening to live music, biking, dancing, playing football, skateboarding, walking dogs, socializing with their neighbors, and just soaking up the beautiful spring day.

Ithaca Mayor Transforms His Official Parking Space into a Public Park

May 31, 2012

During his first week as mayor of Ithaca, New York, Svante Myrick gave up his car so that he could walk to his job every day at City Hall. The newly elected 24-year-old official joined 15% of local residents in the city who already walk to work. And even though he does not need it, the mayor is still provided with a central downtown parking spot reserved for his official use. The progressive leader has decided to transform the private parking space into a tiny shared public park.

Cheap Solar, Mutant Eggplants & Indefinite Detention: Network Link Party

May 30, 2012

Ecolocalizer is a member of a blog collective known as Important Media. Each week we share a list of featured articles from across our diverse network, including compelling posts from Eat Drink Better, Blue Living Ideas, Planetsave, Crafting a Green World, Feelgood Style and CleanTechnica. Please take a moment to read some of this week’s highlighted articles, and you might learn something new.

Will Los Angeles Plastic Bag Ban Lead to a State Law?

May 30, 2012

Los Angeles is now one of 49 California cities to ban plastic bags. It took four years to convince nearly all of the local supervisors to vote (13-1) in favor of the prohibition. As the largest city to finally get rid of plastic — the region is responsible for about 2.3 billion of California’s total consumption of 12 billion plastic bags — the ban is expected to spark state-wide legislation.

North Carolina’s Folk Legend Doc Watson Dies Today at 89

May 29, 2012

One of North Carolina’s most beloved musicians, Doc Watson passed away today from complications related to colon surgery. An American legend and a pioneer of Travis style finger picking, but most of all, a beloved musician who unified people from all walks of life thorugh his heart-felt music and his loving spirit.

Asheville North Carolina Promotes Multi-Modal Transit

May 23, 2012

Asheville North Carolina is rolling out the next stages of its Multi-Modal transportation initiative at this year’s Strive Not To Drive program. This week-long event will illuminate how the city is planning improvements with pedestrian, cycling, vehicle and public transportation infrastructure. It is also call to the citizens of Asheville to evaluate their transportation choices, and to explore other sustainable mobility options that are becoming available.