Go Green

In this age of smartphones and streaming video, it is easy to forget about the world beyond our little screens. And for the 80 percent of Americans living in urban areas, the natural world can seem even more remote.

Across the Nation, communities have demanded more affordable and renewable energy options. Renewable energy sustains natural resources and promotes new economic opportunities. The Saint Paul Public Housing Agency (PHA) is empowering its residents by supporting the PHA’s access to renewable energy.

If you search the #cleanpowerplan you’ll notice it’s dominated by White faces, voices and perspectives. The #cleanpowerplan should be innovative in its approach to combat environmental injustices.

Replacing those old traditional incandescent decorative lights with high-efficient LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs is one of the best ways to conserve energy and save money during the holidays.

When temperatures drop, household use of fossil fuels rises in order to keep homes warm and comfortable. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

On Thursday, November 19, the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC) kicked off a national conversation about the economic and public health impacts of climate change in urban areas.

Leaders of the nation’s major Black churches — representing nearly 13 million African-American members — presented over 10,000 pastors’ signatures to Congressional Black Caucus members in support of President Obama’s Clean Power Plan.

HERC garbage burning gets rid of the garbage but doesn’t get rid of the garbage by-product that gets into the air we breathe in. Garbage incinerators like that of the HERC incinerator in North Minneapolis, also causes dangers to the environment.

Climate change deniers have been talking a lot about “energy poverty” to criticize Pope Francis’ landmark climate change encyclical, claiming that the policies he supports would harm the poor by making energy prohibitively expensive.

The description of our role as Urban Heat Island Intern states, “as an environmentalist, we have to consider the trade-offs in order to reduce pollution, which disproportionately affects marginalized communities.”

As part of the Science Museum, Urban Heat Island internship, three student — Shiranthi Goonathilaka, Cynthia Harris, and Josh Stewart — will be writing a monthly column, According to us, Clean Power, on the Clean Power Plan. The MSR introduces this monthly series with their bios and their first column.

Fall brings a new school year, cool weather and of course — leaves in the yard! During the fall season, it’s important to dispose of leaves and other yard waste properly to keep Minnesota waters clean.

A new ad campaign to draw attention to the disproportionate impacts of smog on communities of color has been unveiled by a coalition that includes the NAACP and the Sierra Club.

Fall means back to school and Halloween. Instead of buying new, be kind to your wallet and the environment by choosing to reuse!

Metro QF Chapter will have a meeting on Tuesday, August 25, at 7 pm at Northeast Bank, 77 Broadway St. NE, Minneapolis (side entrance on Marshall, lower level) Walter Rasmussen Room. Parking is available in the back parking lot and on the street. Refreshments will be served.