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News and Action July 14, 2006 |
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A Civil Rights March for the Right to Breathe Clean Air- The 2006 Relay
for Clean Air
- Welcome, newly elected Board members Robin Cape and Lydia Aydlett! Annual Board meeting July 27th. - Energy at the Crossroads Tour: Progress Report |
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A Civil Rights March for the Right to Breathe Clean Air The 2006 Relay for Clean Air Friday and Saturday, August 18,19 100 miles, 24 hours The Great Smoky Mountains region was at one time a refuge for people suffering from tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema and other respiratory diseases, a Mecca for clinics that drew people from around the globe to fill their lungs with therapeutic fresh, clean air. The crisp, clear 100-mile plus vistas from the tallest ridge tops attracted and inspired artists, photographers and awe-seekers. Lush, healthy vegetation and wildlife once filled every square inch of the mountainous terrain with the most complex, rare and diversified ecosystem on the North American continent. Today this region is engulfed by air that has been compared to that of Los Angeles-or worse. Asthma plagues the young as emphysema wastes the elderly of the communities of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. The acid rain soaked soil has left millions of trees weakened, damaged, dead, victims to insects and diseases once easily fought off by natural defenses now destroyed. A uniform grey-silvery haze hangs in the sky, obscuring the peaks, hiding the distant landscapes to a fraction of what was once visible on a clear sunny day. What happened? In the middle of the twentieth century the nation turned to coal as a cheap fuel used to boil water, producing the steam to power electrical generating plants. Coal-burning power plants began appearing near the most populated and industrially developed areas in the midwest. In the 1940's, as part of the war effort, TVA built coal plants to supply power for the aluminum industry and for weapons manufacturing plants in eastern Tennessee. When these plants were built, industrial interests and government officials were probably not aware of the health and environmental consequences that would result from the extensive use of coal-burning technology. But, today there is no doubt. Acid rain, excess nitrogen deposition, dangerously high ozone levels, mercury contamination and greenhouse gases contributing to climate change are the by-products of burning coal for electrical power generation. Due to the close proximity of these power plants, prevailing weather patterns and topographical influences, the people living in the Great Smoky Mountains region pay a heavy price in their health, their economy and in the natural environment for the continued use of coal-burning technology. But, it's no longer necessary. Now, off-the-shelf emission control technologies are capable of economically removing more than ninety percent of sulfur-dioxide, nitrogen-oxide and mercury emissions. But, even more compelling is the emerging ability to replace this outmoded method of power production with energy efficiency, conservation and clean, safe, renewable energy technologies that harness the potential of wind, solar, geothermal and the tides. The Relay for Clean Air is a civil rights march that demands a change of direction resulting in cleaner air to breathe and a healthier environment for the people living in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, as well as for all the people of America who recognize the devastation that has occurred in the Great Smoky Mountains and on the Blue Ridge Parkway, crown jewels within the National Park System. We all have the right to breathe clean air! Sign up to walk, run or bike a leg of the Relay or call toll free 866-4CANARY (866-422-6279)
Marching up Biltmore Ave, in Asheville, at the end of the 2005 Relay for Clean Air
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Welcome, newly elected Board members Robin Cape and Lydia Aydlett! Annual Board Meeting July 27th
We are honored and excited with the election of Robin Cape and Dr. Lydia Aydlett to our board. Both are long-time successful community activists and organizers. Robin was elected last year to the Asheville City Council. Lydia, a Professor of psychology, is former Chair of the Tuckaseegee Community Alliance and founder of the Jackson County Smart Roads Alliance.
Larry Nestler, Bill Lyons and Susana Sims won re-election to the board for two-year terms, as well. Completing the nine-member board are Dr. Marsha Hammond, Dr. Emily Diznoff, Ted Campbell and Jean Larson whose current terms run through June, 2007.
The annual Board meeting will be held Thursday, July 27, 7pm, at the Canary Coalition office, 530 W. Main, in Sylva, NC. All members of the Canary Coalition are welcome to attend, but only Board members may vote in this meeting. Agenda items include the election of officers, approving a budget for 2007, the annual report, evaluation of the Executive Director, approval of resolutions that may be offered and a discussion about fundraising.
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Energy at the Crossroads Tour: Progress Report Due to a number of reasons the Energy at the Crossroads Tour (EXT) has been delayed since the completion of the North Carolina tour stops. However, it will resume, full throttle, in September in South Carolina. The North Carolina Tour resulted in strong media coverage and a spiraling public awareness of public utility plans to construct new coal-burning and nuclear power plants. When we began, there was little public dispute to the claim by the power industry that future energy demand could only be met by expanding existing capacity using conventional polluting technologies. At least partially as a result of EXT there is now strong support in the public mind and in the ranks of government officials in North Carolina for the concept that future energy demand can be met entirely through improved energy efficiency, conservation and the development of renewable energy resources such as wind, solar and methane from landfills. As this is being written the NC General Assembly is considering passage of the NC Energy Independence Act as well as the Energy Future Act springing directly from the Energy Future Resolution promoted by EXT.
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Film maker Jeff Barrie is touring North Carolina with the backing of many environmental organizations as the powerful documentary "Kilowatt Ours" will be screened throughout the state. This film shows the viewer how power is generated in our country and how the processes are devastating our environment, from mountaintop removal mining and air pollution to nuclear waste. For a complete list of dates on the Tour visit http://www.ncconservationnetwork.org/more/KilowattOursNCScreeningTour
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Elizabeth Joshi of Airaware, in Indiana, informed us about this survey being conducted by ABC news. They want stories about how climate change is affecting people's lives. To participate in the survey go to http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=2094224&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312 |
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Asheville Bike Festival-Saturday, July 15 In conjunction with a world-wide day of recognition for climate change, the Asheville Bike Festival will be held from 2-6pm, Saturday, July 15, at Aston Park in Asheville, NC. Architect Odell Thompson and Avram Friedman will team to lead a discussion on the Canary Coalition's proposed statewide public transportation system in North Carolina. In addition Avram will lead a separate discussion on mobilization in response to climate change.
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If you have not already done so, please renew your annual membership with the CanaryCoalition and help keep the database updated with your most recent contact information. There is no annual membership fee, although all donations are gratefully accepted (and very much needed). All new and renewing members receive the interactive membership computer CD. The membership CD is a powerful tool that aids its owner in being a clean-air activist. It contains a 15-minute PowerPoint presentation about air quality issues and the Canary Coalition that can be shown to friends, groups, classrooms, etc. Also on the membership CD is a library of documents containing information about important air quality issues. There are also graphics for iron-on applications, printable membership forms and a link to the Canary Coalition website. For donations of $35 or more tee-shirts are available upon request. Send contact information and donations to: The Canary Coalition PO Box 653 Sylva, NC 28779
or you can donate online
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