Green at Work Online: January 2007
 
Green News
  • Member Group Spotlight: Atlanta Audubon Society
  • One Degree Climate Change
  • Earth Share of Georgia's New Share Blend Coffee
  • Volunteer Opportunities
    Eco Tips
    Look Ahead
     
     
     

    Member Group Spotlight: Atlanta Audubon Society
    Atlanta Audubon Society works to drive conservation, education and membership initiatives for its 850+ member organizations whose constituents live throughout the Greater Atlanta Metro Area. Its mission includes promoting the enjoyment and understanding of birds and conserving and restoring the ecosystems that support them.

    Among other initiatives, Atlanta Audubon's Conservation Program includes coordination of Georgia's Important Bird Areas (IBA), as well as the Wildlife Sanctuary Development and Certification Program for home owner properties. A broad range of education programs for children and adults enhance basic understanding of birds and their habitat needs, as well as train "Master Birders" with in-depth knowledge for more advanced contributions to the community.

    Atlanta Audubon Society recently hired its first Executive Director, Catharine Brockman Kuchar. A long-time Atlanta resident, Ms. Kuchar most recently served as a director for The Southern Institute for Business and Professional Ethics. She is a graduate of Emory University's Candler School of Theology and Xavier University.

    Don't miss International Migratory Bird Day at Piedmont Park on Sunday, May 6, 2007, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information on the Atlanta Audubon Society events please visit their website http://www.atlantaaudubon.org/

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    One Degree Climate Change
    There is an informative new resource for information on global warming on The Weather Channel's new website: One Degree Climate Change: http://climate.weather.com/

    One Degree leverages the trusted scientific resources of The Weather Channel. One Degree's mission is to present an open, balanced dialogue around the scientific facts concerning global climate change. It provides a place where sound science can be heard and a forum where all people can question and debate. The site leverages what the Internet does best; an exchange of rational ideas from both experts and non-experts with questions. In addition, One Degree looks at how climate change may already be affecting the lives of individuals, families, communities and businesses.
    The site's name, One Degree, is a reference to the one degree Fahrenheit of warming the earth has experienced in the past century and how something so seemingly small as a single degree can change the world.

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    Earth Share of Georgia's New Share Blend Coffee
    Share Blend is shade grown, 100% organic and fair trade certified, and is available in 12 ounce packages, Regular, French Roast and Decaf, $9.95 Proceeds benefit Earth Share of Georgia, a 501(c)3 non-profit, and Georgia's only environmental fund.

    Order securely online today at http://www.earthsharega.org/index.html

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    Earth Share of Georgia volunteers needed to help organize our Earth Day events. Volunteer activities include, soliciting and collecting items for our Silent Auction for the Party in the Park, coordinating our Corporate Volunteer Day, and much more. Please contact Elizabeth Patrick at (4040 873-3173, mailto:elizabeth@earthsharega.org


    Volunteer naturalists needed at Elachee Nature Science Center. Naturalists are trained individuals who assist Elachee in teaching visiting school children about nature. Most walk on the trails with a small group of 10-15, pointing out natural features, identifying plant and animal life, and reinforcing concepts learned during classroom sessions. The low-key and informative training teaches you the basics of field interpretation, identification of wildflowers, shrubs and trees, and how to sample aquatic life. This is a great way to learn about nature, get some exercise in a beautiful setting, and help children learn more about nature. For more information and for more volunteer opportunities call (770) 535-1976.

    Chattahoochee Nature Center has many exciting volunteer opportunities including, horticulture, special events, camp counselors, education and program help, and development and administration. For more information please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at (770) 992-2055 ext. 223 or via email at mailto:volunteercoordinator@chattnaturecenter.com


    The Georgia Chapter of the Sierra Club needs you! We're looking for members who would like to take an active role in protecting the planet. Here are the volunteer position(s) that currently need to be filled:
    Assistant Outings Chair
    The Georgia Chapter is looking for someone who likes to organize, hike and motivate others to assist our Outings Chair in his duties. If you like to be outdoors and organize unique or innovative events this is a great opportunity for you. Training Team Leader
    The Training Team is a collaboration of experienced chapter and group activists and motivated trainers who work together to teach the skills and knowledge needed by activists to be effective. If you enjoy communicating with people and believe the continuation of successful environmental activism is vitally important, this is the job for you.

    For more information please contact Coordinator Genie Strickland (email: mailto:genie.strickland@sierraclub.org phone: 404-607-1262 x-221).

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    Old Christmas Trees Can Benefit Wildlife

    Don't throw away your old Christmas tree-use it to feed wildlife in your yard. Remove all lights and ornaments but leave any strings of popcorn and cranberries. Add table scraps and other treats and watch as wildlife is attracted to your yard. Old Christmas trees can also be used to build brushpiles which will furnish cover for rabbits and other small animals. Place the brushpile near other thick cover to encourage animals to use it.

    Discarded Christmas trees can be used to improve fishing. Weight the tree and sink it in deep water. This artificial reef will soon attract crappie and other panfish. For more information, contact: Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge at (912) 986 5441.

    Turn off your computer!

    One of the primary sources of air pollution is the generation of electricity, which produces nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxides, particulate matter, mercury, and other harmful pollutants. Power plants also produce carbon dioxide(CO2), which is the primary contributor to global warming. If we reduce our energy consumption, we help reduce these emissions and improve air quality.

    One of the most common household tools today is the home computer. Here are some suggestions for reducing your computer's energy use both at home and at work:

    * Turn off your computer at night and when you are not using it for several hours. Contrary to popular wisdom, this does not harm your computer.

    * If you work on your computer all day, you can put your computer to "sleep" when you have not used it for awhile. "Sleep" mode uses as little as 15 watts of energy (90% less than leaving the computer fully on).

    * If you buy a new computer, buy a laptop. They use 1⁄4 the energy of a desktop.

    * If you buy a new monitor, buy a flat screen. They use 1/3 the energy of a standard monitor.

    * Producing the energy needed to keep one computer on all day results in the emission of 1,600 pounds of CO2 per year. If you cannot reduce these emissions by turning off your computer, you can offset them by planting one tree each year (1 tree over a lifetime of 40 years absorbs approximately one ton of CO2).

    * Turning off your computer also saves money. A Tufts University study showed that if students turned off their computers for 6 hours every night, it would save over $87,000 in electricity. A Harvard study showed the university could save $200,000 a year by turning off computers on nights and weekends.

    Other links for more information on energy saving tips: http://georgia.earth911.org/usa/master.asp?newpostal=30309
    http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=business.bus_winter


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    Save the Date

    Earth Share of Georgia's Earth Day Events!

    For Earth Day 2007, Earth Share of Georgia is organizing three key events to promote environmental stewardship to leaders from the business world and the community at large.

    Earth Day Leadership Breakfast, April 20, 2007, 8:00 am-10:00 am,
    The Biltmore Hotel

    Party in the Park, April 21, 2007, 7:00 pm-10:00 pm, Atlantic Station's
    Central Park

    Corporate Green Day Challenge, April 28, 2007, at various locations
    throughout Atlanta.

    For more information please visit our website at http://www.earthsharega.org/index.html or contact us for sponsorship opportunities at (404) 873-3173.

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    Contact Us
    1447 Peachtree Street
    Suite 214
    Atlanta, GA 30309
    Phone 404.873.3173
    Fax 404.873.3135

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