During my lunch break today, I headed over to my local precinct to do my civic duty (you know, vote). The street as I walked up was deserted, the fire station void of any life except for the fabulous poll workers (thank you!)

Out of curiosity, I asked the gentleman in charge of the ballots how many folks had voted already. (Now keep in mind the polls had been open for over 6 hours by the time I showed up.) He said, "Ma'am, you're our afternoon rush. You're the eleventh person to vote here today."

Hearing about this low turn-out, I started thinking about the voting process. Do people not know about these smaller elections (I had almost forgotten myself)? Or do they not care? What makes people vote or not vote? What are the best ways to get voters out to the polls at lower-profile elections? Would more people vote if the voting system was set-up differently?

And please, if you haven't voted, you don't get to complain about decision-makers. The next time a non-voter starts griping about a certain person in charge, I'm going to hand them this fine sticker:

What happens when 12 Dartmouth students take a 37-foot veggie oil powered bus road tripping across the US?

Well, education for one! If you're in the Chapel Hill area tomorrow,

"The Big Green Bus and its crew will roll into Morehead’s parking lot at 9:30 a.m., June 18. From 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the crew will give public tours of the bus, explain how its engine works and provide information comparing the energy use of an SUV versus a hybrid vehicle."

From UNC's website, here are more details about The Big Green Bus:

"The mission of the Big Green Bus is to promote education and discussion about environmental responsibility, global energy issues and to show that alternative fuels are available for use right now."

They are also scheduled to stop in Raleigh this Thursday, but I've yet to find details on when and where. Be sure to post a comment below if you know.

Also, check out all the tour stops, meet the crew, and find out how it all works!

This weekend I was literally able to touch my work, and as I stood looking at our beautiful Outer Banks it touched me deep in my soul. I found myself in Manteo this past weekend for the fifth stop of the Take Action Tour on Climate Change. I've been traveling around the state for the past several months talking to lots of concerned North Carolinians in Winston-Salem, Wilmington, Charlotte, Asheville, and this coming weekend in Raleigh.

But this trip was different. As I drove East towards Manteo I thought about how this area of the state could one day be ground zero for the impacts of climate change. North Carolina has a lot of low-lying areas that could easily be impacted by the slightest rise in sea level or a major storm surge that brings water inland.

The first day I did get go stick my toes in the ocean for a bit and I was thrilled to see that the Coquina Beach bathhouse was being powered by the wind! The plaque in front of the windmill talked about how in the past wind was the only source of power in that area. It reads: "Harnesssing the power of wind is not new to this area. In the 18th century, coastal communities did not have running water or electricity, so they used the only source readily available to them to grind grain and to pump water: wind."

As I stood looking at the windmill from the beach, I was overcome with emotion as I thought how that tiny windmill generating about 6,000 kilowatt-hours is helping to save the very beach it overlooks.

After our presentation on Saturday the group of us went to eat at Sen. Basnight's restaurant, which was close by. We were all delighted when he came by our table to say hello and stay to chat with us for a bit. We were able to talk with him about the work we all are doing and we got to hear about all the eco-friendly things he is employing at his restaurant. Everything from recycling, to composting, to several large cisterns capturing water, to the beautiful osprey nest, to a portion of the parking area that's pervious to giving leftover veggie oil to the local biofuel folks. I was also pleased to hear that the food is all local and fresh with Sen. Basnight himself picking up veggies from the farm on his way back from Raleigh.

My last day I decided that since I was so close I would venture down to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. I felt compelled to do this because of a comment one of our speakers Bill Holman had said the day before about how the moving of the lighthouse was proof that we can and will adapt to a changing environment. As I set out south along through the Outer Banks it struck me how narrow some of these islands are.

In places there really isn't much more than a big sand dune with grass and beautiful flowers. Once I arrived at the lighthouse, I climbed to the top to get a good look a things. I chatted with the rangers who showed me where the lighthouse use to stand. They said that the distance we were from its original position is the same distance the ocean used to be from it when it was first built. They then told me that the island is actually growing towards the southwest.

Inside the museum there was an exhibit dedicated to how the shoreline has changed. I stood there, again overwhelmed with emotion and frustration because it seems so many people don't understand this...and there it is on the museum exhibit...these islands shift and change. Yet there are people wanting to fight it and build concrete barriers to protect their homes. Legislation before the NC General Assembly would allow them to protect their own interests while causing more erosion further down the islands. (You can take action to stop this by clicking here.)

The display read: "The coast of the Outer Banks moves. The shore erodes, but builds up elsewhere. The foundation of the first lighthouse is now underwater; armor rock has been placed to protect the current one. Man tries to slow the movement, but finally is forced to adapt."

Very powerful words right there in the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse museum.

While I did enjoy sticking my toes in the ocean I did have some profound moments of connection with the places I visited. What will happen to this beautiful place if we don't reduce our global warming pollution?

Since mid-April I have been touring around the state talking to hundreds of concerned North Carolinians about how climate change is impacting and will impact our state as well as ways individuals can help through making personal choices, being an advocate, and/or lobbying decision-makers. This Saturday we wrap-up the tour in Raleigh at the Museum of Natural Sciences from 2pm - 4pm.  If you are in the Triangle please plan to join us for this exciting line up of speakers:

• Climate Change: Importance To North Carolina - Professor Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences North Carolina State University
• Adapting to Climate Change - Dr. Stanley R. Riggs, Distinguished Research Professor at East Carolina University
• Establishing a Clean Cars Program in NC - Elizabeth Ouzts, State Director of Environment NC
• Ways You Can Make A Difference - Veronica Butcher, 1Sky NC Organizer for NC Conservation Network
  

By now you may have heard that the long-awaited Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act did not pass in the U.S. Senate last week. Now for some good news: A new bill introduced on Wednesday by Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) looks like a promising alternative. Rep. Markey's Investing in Climate Action Policy Act (iCAP bill) would cut carbon emissions 85% below 1990 levels by 2050, auction 100% of pollution permits by 2020, and invest in green workforce training, among other things.

But as we just witnessed, no bill will have a chance of becoming law unless we continue to demand bold action from our leaders in Washington, D.C. Click here to find your members of congress and ask them for their support of iCap!

So what's at stake for you when it comes to climate change? Share your story with us and help paint a national picture of the climate movement by putting a local, personal face on the climate challenge. Let us know why you are concerned and/or what changes you have made in your life. By putting a face on climate change that our political leaders will understand, you'll help them see: America is ready for bold climate solutions. Share your thoughts below or click here to get on the map!

If you live in or near Raleigh, you may be interested in checking out Whole Foods Market's (3540 Wade Avenue, Raleigh, 919-828-5805) rain barrel silent auction today from 6pm until 8pm. From the website:

"We have gathered some of our most creative and renowned Artist’s in the area to paint rain barrels that will be auctioned to raise money for drought relief. Join us for this silent auction and party with live music, food and drink. If you are the highest bidder you could be the first on your block to own a one–of–a–kind rain barrel while doing your part to conserve water, and helping raise money for those in our community affected the most by our current drought."

And now that we actually appear to be getting some rain, a rain barrel just might make [dollars and] sense (cents?).

On June 4, citizens from across the state will storm the NC General Assembly and ask our legislators to protect and conserve our water resources. We are hoping to talk to every legislator about the need for strong water protections, and we need your help to do so.

We hope that you'll make plans to join us and other concerned citizens from around the state for the 8th Annual Clean Water Lobby Day* on Wednesday, June 4 in Raleigh! 

With your help, every legislator in NC will hear from a constituent in his/her district about the top water issues in 2008:
1) Ensuring strong protections for coastal waters,
2) Limiting negative impacts from development in the mountains, and
3) Conserving our limited water resources.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if on Clean Water Lobby Day every legislator was visited by a constituent concerned about our water resources? Please help us make sure this happens and click here to sign up to visit your representatives. And, make sure to tell us who represents you!

Let's send a message to our state legislators that the citizens of NC demand strong water protections!

*Clean Water Lobby Day is an event that the NC Watershed Alliance (a coalition of 20 organizations focused on water issues) hosts annually. Clean Water Lobby Day provides individuals from across North Carolina the chance to talk to their legislators about protecting and conserving our water resources.

May 12-16 is bike to work week in the Triangle. This year’s Bike to Work Week is part of the SmartCommute Challenge, a non-profit campaign that works towards cleaner air in the Triangle area. Anyone can participate in Bike to Work Week and there are no fees for any of the events going on around the Triangle.

On Friday, May 16th, the Capitol Ride is at 9 AM. Anyone can register for the event, which begins across from the Legislative Building in downtown Raleigh. Riders will ride 1.15 miles around the Capitol Building and down Fayetteville St. The ride will last about 15 minutes and the roads will be open to traffic during the ride. After the ride, riders can meet for Bike to Work Week Breakfast at the ride meet location.

We can all benefit from cleaner air!

Got plans for the weekend yet?

I hear the weather is forecasted to be beautiful! And, if you don't have your own garden to work in, I highly recommend checking out the 13th Annual Piedmont Farm Tour. Or even better, volunteer for the event.

The Piedmont Farm Tour is an annual tour for local farms in the Piedmont area of NC. And, the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association is asking for volunteer help on one or both days of the tour: Saturday, April 19 from 12-6:15pm and Sunday, April 20 from 12-6:15pm.

Check out these great perks for volunteering:

• Get a FREE Farm Tour T-shirt to show your support of local farms!

• Get a FREE Farm Tour button for you & a car full of your friends and family to attend the tour for free on the day you aren't volunteering.

• Get a HALF price ticket to Shakori Hills.

• Have a great time getting to know a farmer while supporting CFSA.

For more information or to volunteer, email Logan Yonavjak, Volunteer Coordinator. 

For more information on the Piedmont Farm Tour, click here.

Join the NC Conservation Network on the Take Action Tour to learn how a changing climate can impact North Carolina, hear about ways our decision-makers can address these problems, and discover ways you can help influence our leaders to make wise choices.

Click on the city below for more details on the tour:

April 26th 1:00pm - 3:00pm Winston-Salem

May 3rd 1:00pm - 3:00pm Wilmington

May 17th 1:00pm - 3:00pm Charlotte  

May 31st 1:00pm - 3:00pm Asheville

June 7th 3:00pm - 5:00pm Manteo  

June 14th 2:00pm - 4:00pm Raleigh

For more information on the tour or to become a local partner, please email Veronica Butcher at veronica[at]ncconservationnetwork.org. 

I'm sure most folks have heard by now that in a surprising turn of events, North Carolina's exceptional drought (and projected drought through the summer of 2008) seems to be easing up a bit on us. Hooray!

Mandatory restrictions are lightening up throughout the state, and more and more voluntary restrictions are taking their place. But what does this all mean?

I ran across a series of articles addressing the recent changes in the drought situation that I thought I'd pass along. The major points: water conservation methods should be observed at all times since water is a finite resource, water rates throughout the state may be increasing as the demand for water becomes higher and the quantity does not, and maybe it's time to look into using stormwater and/or wastewater for non-potable use.

• Get used to it: In Charlotte, the days of limitless, inexpensive water are over

• NC water users learn benefits of conservation (editorial)

• State planners urge water conservation

• Some water limits loosened after rains: Officials warn that conservation efforts will still be necessary
• Asheville lifts water conservation measure
  

If you haven't already, take action to let your decision-makers know that North Carolina needs year-round wise water-management practices. And be sure to let us know (by commenting below) how the recent changes have affected your communities.

Remember that the deadline to register or change your party affiliation is this Friday, April 11. If you need to register for the first time or simply update your voter registration because you've moved, now is the time! Some good links for you:

• Download and print out the voter registration form for North Carolina: http://www.sboe.state.nc.us/content.aspx?id=48
  
• You must mail the voter registration form to your county board of elections: http://www.sboe.state.nc.us/content.aspx?id=13 by Friday April 11th.
• If you’re not sure on the status of your registration, check here: http://www.sboe.state.nc.us/VoterLookup.aspx?Feature=voterreg

[This blog entry has been cross posted from Toxic Free North Carolina's weblog, Fair Ground, where it was originally posted by Billie.]

I was already a big skeptic of biofuels before today. Using cropland to grow giant monocultures that are then burned as fuel instead of fed to people seems like a not-so-hot idea - think of the pesticides! More mono-cropping means more chemical pesticides and fertilizers that end up harming downwind and downstream communities and ecosystems. Yuck!

Today, I learned that two recent studies confirm that in addition to being a source of pesticide pollution, biofuels aren't actually preventing global warming either. Princeton University and The Marshall Fund published a study in the journal Science, and The Nature Conservancy has put out a study with similar conclusions.

From an article in The Washington Post on these findings:

"(...) As the study from the Nature Conservancy warns, 'converting rainforests, peatlands, savannas, or grasslands to produce biofuels in Brazil, Southeast Asia and the United States creates a 'biofuel carbon debt' by releasing 17 to 420 times more carbon dioxide than the fossil fuels they replace.' There are other negative effects. Massive amounts of water are needed to irrigate cornfields, setting up potential competition between farms and homes. The runoff of pesticides and nitrogen-based fertilizers used by farmers could lead to increased pollution and oxygen-depleted waterways. The natural gas used to make the fertilizer adds to the carbon deficit created by biofuels.

An essay in the May-June 2007 issue of Foreign Affairs by two professors from the University of Minnesota highlighted still another problem: The biofuels craze could starve people. "By putting pressure on global supplies of edible crops, the surge in ethanol production will translate into higher prices for both processed and staple foods around the world," they wrote. "If oil prices remain high -- which is likely -- the people most vulnerable to the price hikes brought on by the biofuel boom will be those in countries that both suffer food deficits and import petroleum."

Will someone please get the memo to decision makers in Washington who are pouring money into biofuels right now?? Eep!

On March 28 & 29, the NC Conservation Network will host our Annual Retreat—the perfect opportunity for those involved in the NC environmental community to catch up with one another.

As always, we have plenty of networking opportunities built into the event including breaks, a networking hour, meals, and our networking reception.

We also encourage our affiliates and new organizations to bring multiple individuals to the event. If you're interested in taking advantage of our 4 for 3 deal (where you can register 3 folks and bring a 4th for free), please email me.

Please plan on joining us at this great event! But, make sure you register now. Our Early Bird deadline is next Monday (2/18/08) evening and after that point our registration rates increase.

I look forward to seeing you on March 28 in Brown Summit!

Yesterday's The State of Things radio show featured a conversation regarding the proposed new Cliffside coal-burning power plant (click here for more details). The show featured Tom Williams, Environmental and Energy Efficiency spokesperson for Duke Energy and Jim Warren, Executive Director of the environmental and climate change non-profit (and NC Conservation Network affiliate) NC Waste Awareness & Reduction Network (NC WARN). You can download the broadcast here to hear more about the controversy.

Let us know what you think...about the show, about Duke Power's stance, and/or about your opinion on the Cliffside issue.

Many of you may recall one of Heather's blog posts last year stating that the NFL was going to make the 2007 Super Bowl carbon neutral. She then posed the thought that maybe in 2008, the event would go "zero waste."

Well, unfortunately, we're not quite there yet. However, the event is going to go carbon neutral again this year.  From E! Magazine:

"Metro Phoenix’s largest power producer, Salt River Project, is supplying SRP EarthWise Energy renewable energy certificates to offset the Super Bowl (and its associated “NFL Experience” activities) with wind and solar power. Some Phoenix hotels will be offsetting their emissions in honor of the occasion, too. The NFL is also planting thousands of trees, enough to reforest more than 42 acres that were destroyed by in the 2002 Rodeo Chediski fire, the worst in Arizona’s history, in which over 400,000 acres were lost in the blaze."

And since the Super Bowl is such a huge event for football fans and non-football fans alike, we're talking about reaching a lot of people on the idea of being environmental stewards. Dare I say the environment is moving more into the mainstream?

Yesterday’s Vancouver Sun has an article about a group of scientists who are petitioning the International Union of Geological Science to declare that, thanks to human activities, we’ve recently entered a new geological era.  The scientists want to call the new era the “Anthropocene”, reflecting human (anthro-) impacts.    

According to the article, the scientists will make their case in the February cover story of GSA Today.  Marks of the new conditions include higher concentrations of atmospheric carbon and traces of radioactivity from atomic weapons testing.  

I’m wondering if a layer of plastic bits across the sea-floor counts as a sign.

On the brighter side: looking for information on plastic in the oceans led me to this wonderful site at the Institute for Figuring.  When you visit, don’t miss Inga Hamilton’s stunning jellyfish, part of the Chicago exhibition.

September 12, 2007 at 4:18pm, the News & Observer reports that the Legislative worm project has taken a wrong turn.

Personally, I'd like to commend the NC Legislature for being innovative in their green projects. The worm project was a pet project of Senator Basnight's to compost food scraps, rather than shipping them off to a compost company.

We learned this afternoon that sadly, the first round of worms didn't make it. Thankfully they'll be bringing in some more worms this week. Let's just keep our fingers crossed that the back-up hermaphrodites make it!

The drought has continued this week for all of North Carolina. It seems it's the only thing folks can talk about. Meteorologists are seeming overly optimistic lately in noting that weather action in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean could spin our way and hopefully give us just a few drops of rain in the eastern-most part of the state. The true optimism of this statement is noticed when you know that the predicted chance of rain is 30% for Sunday only in Raleigh.

But, for the rest of us, who aren't meteorologists nor optimists, we are faced with the reality that exists in NC currently: we're in a serious drought that may last for months.

So what? And, so what can I do?

First, the so what?:

Well, if there's no water, there's no life.

But if you need additional reasons, check out the list from the NC Division of Water Quality.

NC Conservation Network sent out an email last week listing some of the things homeowners can do to cut back on their water use. How many of those listed are you currently doing? Just this morning, I used three of those tricks: 1) I cut my shower time in half by turning off the water while shaving my legs; 2) I used the water from my rain barrel to water my plants; and 3) my toilet now has a plastic bottle lessening the amount of water we use to flush.

In addition to improving your water usage in your home, you should also take a look at any outdoor uses as well. Hopefully, you don't live in this Wake Forest neighborhood, and can implement some water-saving techniques.

The last thing I'd recommend is to keep talking about it. The more folks know about the drought and the more folks hear about easy water-saving tips, the more likely they are to be cognizant of their own water consumption. So, keep talking!

Student groups on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus are stepping it up this Earth Day to put on a whole week long series of events that all are welcome to attend!

Later today, the Morehead Planetarium will put on “Our Vanishing Skies” and will then be leading a lighting tour and sky watch at the giant sundial all beginning at 7:30pm!

Don’t miss the official Earth Day speaker and president of Environmental Defense, Fred Krupp, who will be speaking on Wednesday at 7pm in Carroll Auditorium at the UNC School of Journalism and Mass Communication!!

On Thursday, we’ll get a variety of perspectives on climate change from an interdisciplinary panel on global warming hosted by the UNC Focus the Nation effort with speakers ranging from the head of the Carolina Environmental Program, Dr. Douglas Crawford-Brown to former Sierra Club president, Dr. Robbie Cox! Come join us in Manning 209 at 7pm.

Events will culminate to an Earth Week Fair on Friday from 10am to 2pm when dozens of campus and community groups and businesses will be tabling on Polk Place with information and interactive activities about the environment! The rain location for this event is the Multipurpose Room in the Frank Porter Graham Student Union - Room #1505.

Finally – Saturday and Sunday is the annual Piedmont Farm Tour!!

All events on campus are free and open to the public and a campus map can be found here!

What are your plans for this year’s Earth Day? Please share any events that others may want to attend!

Lots of Earth Day events going down in Charlotte this weekend and beyond! Check out the details below.

• Wildstock Festival 2007, April 14, Concord
  This concert and outdoor festival launches the WildStock labeling campaign, which benefits the state’s Wildlife Diversity programs. WildStock is a unique partnership opportunity that allows North Carolina merchants and their customers to help the state’s nongame and endangered species through sales and purchases.
  
• CPCC Earth Day Celebrations, April 10-24, Charlotte
  The CPCC Earth Day Celebration is a collaborative effort between College programs and community organizations dedicated to protecting the environment through education and community engagement. On Wednesday April 18 and Thursday April 19 they will show Kilowatt Ours, with our own Veronica Butcher as a special guest!
• Earth Day Charlotte, April 21, Charlotte
  A fun-filled day of exhibits at Ray's Splash Planet. If you're interested in volunteering for a few hours, please contact Veronica at veronica[at]ncconservationnetwork.org.