New Orleans Group of the Sierra Club

Sunday January 15th. NEW ORLEANS GROUP PROGRAM

2012-01-08T10:16:00.003-06:00

The Mississippi River Delta: Is There Hope?

With the release of the 2012 Draft Master Plan for Coastal Restoration and Hurricane Risk Reduction, it is time to assess our prospects for restoring a functional delta and insuring the very future existence of our communities. Nothing less is at stake.

David Muth is a New Orleans native who has spent a lifetime in the Mississippi River delta and on the Louisiana coast, studying its geology, ecology, plants, wildlife, history and culture. He took his degree in history at University of New Orleans and became professionally interested in the connection between culture and environment in the context of the delta. He worked for 30 years with the National Park Service at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve in south Louisiana, eventually managing its natural and cultural resource programs. At the beginning of 2011, he joined the Mississippi River Delta Restoration Campaign as the Louisiana State Director of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF).

The campaign is a joint effort among NWF, Environmental Defense Fund and the National Audubon Society, along with local partners like the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, and the Nature Conservancy of Louisiana, to bring about comprehensive, systemic restoration of the Mississippi River delta. They are working to find and seek consensus and national support for an ecologically sound and sustainable program to restore the flow of the Mississippi River to its dying delta, and to do so in a way that preserves the communities and culture of coastal Louisiana to the maximum extent possible.

Audubon Zoo, Dominion Auditorium. Enter gate to far right of main gate and behind statue of Audubon. Parking plentiful and safe. Call (504) 307-0187 with any questions. The program is free and open to everyone. Refreshments at 6:30 P.M. Program 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Free Trees!

2011-11-02T18:29:00.003-05:00

Entergy Corp. has joined with the Arbor Day Foundation to provide free trees to residential customers in Louisiana, aiming to conserve energy through "strategic tree planting," to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Customers are required to care for the trees and plant them in spots expected to reduce their energy consumption. Customers can determine the most strategic planting locations using a tool that allows them to map a house, select a tree with energy saving potential, view the best energy saving locations to plant and recieve an estimate of the expected annual savings.

To Sign up, go to: www.Entergy.com/arborday

Sunday, November 13. New Orleans Group SIERRA CLUB PROGRAM

2011-11-02T18:28:00.002-05:00

"Birding Argentina from Buenos Aires to Iguazu Falls". Joelle Finley, well known birder and traveler, will speak about birds and nature in Argentina. Audubon Zoo, Dominion Auditorium. Enter gate to far right of main gate and behind statue of Audubon. Parking plentiful and safe. Call (504) 307-0187 with any questions. The program is free and open to everyone. Refreshments at 6:30 P.M. Program 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Come celebrate and get your hands dirty on National Public Lands Day!

2011-09-14T17:18:00.002-05:00

The Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve Barataria Preserve in Lafitte, about 45 minutes south of New Orleans, will be welcoming volunteers to do a variety of projects, from trail clearing and trash pickup to aquatic invasive species removal. Volunteers must report to the Preserve headquarters at 9am and the project lasts until 1pm, but the park is open until 5pm for folks who would like to stay and enjoy the afternoon. Interested Sierra Club members will meet at 8am at the Wal-Mart parking lot on Tchoupitoulas Street to car-pool to the park.

More information about the project is on the attached press release from the National Park Service. If you plan to meet and car-pool with other Sierra Club members, please RSVP to me at tcolleen526@gmail.com by Wednesday, Sept. 21 - all volunteers must register with the NPS by Thursday, Sept. 22. I will register the group.

WHAT: National Public Lands Day volunteer project, Barataria Preserve
WHEN: 8am - 2pm, Sept. 24
WHERE: meet at Wal-Mart, Tchoupitoulas St., to car-pool to Barataria

IMPORTANT: Wear long pants and long sleeves and closed toed shoes or boots, and bring insect repellant, sunscreen and work gloves.

Barataria Preserve is a 20,000 acre national park with bottomland hardwood forest, swamp and marsh habitats suffering from land loss from a variety of causes, and the Sierra Club New Orleans Group has recently designated the preserve as a top priority for awareness, programs, and projects. We hope you can join us to spend a morning at this treasure that is in our backyard and give back to nature as we all get some good exercise doing physical labor!

We look forward to seeing you!

Colleen Morgan
Chair, Sierra Club N.O. Group
504-701-1880 cell

Press Release:
http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/10557624/1418558135/name/National%20Public%20Lands%20Day%20at%20Barataria%20Preserve%202011.pdf

It's not too early to start thinking about Holiday gifts

2011-09-14T17:09:00.000-05:00

With the dog days of summer behind us and the holidays approaching, it's time to treat yourself to some beautiful photography by ordering a Sierra Club Wilderness Calendar.

2012 Engagement Calendars are $13.95
The most popular nature calendar ever published. Stunning images of flora and fauna. Week-by-week format with 57 full-color photographs. Comes in a mailing box. Spiral bound, measures 6 1/4" x 9 1/4".

2012 Wilderness Calendars are $12.95
A bestseller for thirty years -- over 8 million sold. All the grandeur of the North American wilderness. Comes in a mailing box.

There is a limited supply, so order SOON!!!
email James at guilbea@attglobal.net
or give him a call at 504-780-1007.

New Orleans chosen as a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists

2011-09-14T17:04:00.002-05:00

Washington, DC – September 14, 2011 – The League of American Bicyclists announced a new round of Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) designations that includes 11 new communities at the Interbike Expo in Las Vegas, Nev. "The League congratulates all of our BFC winners for implementing successful, long term bicycle plans and programs that provide quality of life improvements for their citizens," said League President Andy Clarke. "Cities are choosing investment in bicycling, even in tough economic times, as a key to building the places people want to live, work and visit." There are now 190 BFCs in 46 states.

We are proud of the roadmap that the Bicycle Friendly Community program provides for communities to build strong BFCs," said Bill Nesper, Director of the League's Bicycle Friendly America program. "We are especially pleased to see so many communities improving their award level." New Orleans, La. has seen its number of bike commuters increase by more than 150% in the last five years. The city, which had received Honorable Mentions in three previous rounds, implemented the feedback we provided and received the bronze designation this time. New Orleans was recognized for their large biking population, bicycling education programs, a bicycling network that has tripled in length in the last three years and the strong bike culture seen in events like the NOLA Bike Bash.

2011 Fall Bicycle Friendly Community Winners
11 communities were awarded the BFC designation for the first time:
Bronze level: Conway, Ark., Goshen, Ind., New Orleans, La., Omaha, Neb., Reno Sparks Nev., Saint Paul, Minn., Santa Fe, N.M., Sheboygan, Wis., Shorewood, Wis., The Woodlands, Texas, West Windsor, N.J.

About the Bicycle Friendly America Program
The BFC award recognizes a community's commitment to improving conditions for bicycling through investment in bicycling promotion, education programs, infrastructure and pro bicycling policies. The BFC program is revolutionizing the way communities evaluate their quality of life, sustainability and transportation networks, while allowing them to benchmark their progress and work toward improving their bicycle friendliness. The application to become a BFC is rigorous and an educational tool in itself. The renewal process and four levels of the award – platinum, gold, silver and bronze – provide a clear incentive for communities to continuously improve.

The BFC program recognizes communities that promote bicycling and provides technical assistance in the form of a roadmap to help cities build great communities for bicycling. The League has identified projects, policies, programs and plans that most effectively improve cycling conditions and make up the foundation of a bicycle friendly community. All of these bicycle friendly elements are clearly described in the League's Bicycle Friendly America: The Blueprint. Communities are using these building blocks.

To learn more about building a Bicycle Friendly America, visit http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bicyclefriendlyamerica/
The League of American Bicyclists promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation, and works through advocacy and education for a bicycle friendly America. The League represents the interests of America's 57 million bicyclists, including its 300,000 members and affiliates. For more information or to support the League, visit www.bikeleague.org.

Group Program this Sunday the 11th

2011-09-10T21:17:00.001-05:00

"Reintroducing Whooping Cranes to Louisiana". Sara Simorski from the LDWF will talk about the whooping crane reintroduction at White Lake. The talk will discuss the history of whooping cranes in LA, the work and effort it took to get this project started, what has happened with the first group of birds that was released – how it went and what they and the biologists are doing now and also touch a little on future plans for the project."

Also, Harvey Stern will present a 20 minute power point about his trip to Panama after the whooping crane program.

Go to our Meeting Location page for the where and when:
http://neworleanssierran.blogspot.com/p/meeting-location.html

Sierra Club Picnic at the Audubon Zoo Education Center

2011-07-11T17:07:00.004-05:00

Sunday July 17, 2011
5pm-8pm

The Sierra Club's (New Orleans Group)  annual picnic in Audubon Park will be held near the Dominion Auditorium, inside the Zoo perimeter, where we have our monthly meetings.  

Park in the Audubon Zoo Parking lot and enter through gate upriver (to left of main entrance).  There will be a Sierra Club banner near the gate.

Sierra will provide the grill, hamburgers, vegi-burgers and hotdogs plus some non-alcoholic drinks.  If you require other beverages, please bring your own.

We are asking everyone to bring a covered dish with a favorite side or snacks. Also, bring your plates, cups and utensils to help the environment. Bring chairs etc.

If you have frisbees or other entertainment join in the fun.  This will be an opportunity to socialize, and talk about the greening of New Orleans.

Guests are welcome.

SIERRA CLUB PROGRAM, Sunday, June 12. "Your Environmental Rights"

2011-06-04T12:03:00.000-05:00

SIERRA CLUB PROGRAM, Sunday, June 12. "Your Environmental Rights" Mike Murphy, Community Outreach Director for the Tulane Environmental Law Clinic will present background on the Clinic, how it operates, and some of its recent activities.

Location: Audubon Zoo, Dominion Auditorium. Enter education gate behind the statue of Audubon to far right of main public ticket booths. Parking plentiful and safe. (504) 780-8889 for more info. The program is free and open to everyone. Refreshments/socializing at 6:30 P.M. Program 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Curbside Recycling Pickup Schedule

2011-04-28T17:44:00.002-05:00

If you're a curbside recycling customer with either Richards or Metro Disposal, this WDSU.com article has the curbside recycling schedules for these companies:

City Set To Begin Recycling; Pickup Schedule Announced

Service Will Start On May 2

POSTED: 9:07 am CDT April 28, 2011
UPDATED: 9:14 am CDT April 28, 2011

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NEW ORLEANS -- City administrators on Thursday announced the recycling pickup schedule for residents in service areas covered by Metro Disposal and Richards Disposal.More than 17,000 residents have signed up for the city's free recycling services, which will begin on May 2.The pickup schedule for residents in the service area covered by Metro Disposal is: Monday: 8th Ward, Gentilly, Bywater
Tuesday: Lakeview
Wednesday: New Orleans East (North side of I-10), I-10 to Hayne Boulevard from Paris Road to Downman Road)
Thursday: Pontchartrain Park, Almonaster Corridor, Upper 9th Ward
Friday: 7th Ward, Bayou St. John to Elysian Fields Avenue, the Lake to Mirabeau Avenue, Esplanade Ridge, Treme
Saturday: New Orleans East (South side of I-10), Lake Catherine area, Lower 9th Ward
Below is the recycling schedule for residents in the service areas covered by Richards Disposal: Monday: Algiers
Tuesday: Esplanade Avenue to I-10, Rampart Street to City Park Avenue
Wednesday: I-10 to Napoleon Avenue, S. Front Street to S. Broad Street
Thursday: Napoleon Avenue to Exposition Avenue, S. Front Street to Fontainebleau Drive
Friday: Audubon Park to Monticello Avenue, S. Front Street to Earhart Boulevard
Saturday: Earhart Boulevard to I-10, Jefferson Parish Boundary Line to S. Broad Street Residents in these areas who are not yet registered can sign up at http://recycle.nola.gov.Carts will be provided by the city only on request. Residents may also fill out the Recycling Service Notice manually and mail it or drop it off to City Hall at 1300 Perdido Street, Room 1W03, New Orleans, LA 70112 or fax it to 658-3801.

Saturday, April 9 – Birds and Trees hike at Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge

2011-04-06T22:01:00.000-05:00

Saturday, April 9 – Birds and Trees hike at Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge – 10 am, led by Colleen Morgan. Sign up by contacting Colleen at tcolleen526@gmail.com or call 504-701-1880

1 year After the BP Drilling Disaster - what lessons have we learned? -- April 10 monthly program

2011-04-04T20:30:00.001-05:00

Sierra Club meeting April 10
"1 year After the BP Drilling Disaster - what lessons have we learned?"
Aaron Viles of the Gulf Restoration Network will speak about The Oil Spill Commission, Congress and the Obama Administration.

Where: Audubon Zoo, Dominion Auditorium. Enter education gate behind the statue of Audubon to far right of main public gate. Parking plentiful and safe. The program is free and open to everyone.
www.louisiana.sierraclub.org/neworleans

When: Refreshments/socializing at 6:30pm Program 7 to 8:30pm.

Twilight/Nearly Full Moon canoeing/kayaking in the Honey Island Swamp-- Saturday, April 16th

2011-04-03T17:07:00.000-05:00

We'll put in on the West Pearl River at the Indian Village Road landing south of Slidell and canoe into Maple Slough and Eagle Slough before taking out at the Hwy 90 landing. Experience the swamp by moonlight! For more info please contact Harvey Stern at hrstern@juno.com or 504-891-7116

Registration is now open for the 2011 Tulane Environmental Law Summit!

2011-03-18T21:12:00.000-05:00

The theme of this year's Summit, to be held April 1-3, is "The Energy Equation" and the following is a brief synopsis:

"Energy: how we will get it and how we will use it are two of the most important policy questions in the country today. Both the production and use of energy can have far reaching and sometimes unanticipated environmental effects. The Energy Equation will focus on many of the hot topics in United States energy policy, including the declining reserves of our most popular energy resources, the pros and cons of our renewable energy resources and how policy decisions influence energy use in the United States."

This year's panels include:

- Transportation and Energy Policy

- Peak Oil

- Native American Populations and Fuel Resources

- Wind Energy Panel

- Chinese Energy Policy and Development

- Updating the Energy Grid

- Fracking

Please visit our website at http://summit.law.tulane.edu for additional information and to register. As always, the summit provides an opportunity for attorneys to earn CLE credit. Thanks, and we hope to see you in April!

Natural History and Geology of Costa Rica by Barry Kohl

2011-02-28T20:42:00.001-06:00

New Orleans Group Sierra Club Program, Sunday March 13th, 7pm.

On a recent Sierra Club international outing to southern Costa Rica, Gail
and Barry photographed abundant wildlife including birds, monkeys and the
endangered American crocodile. Costa Rica, with both Caribbean and Pacific
coasts, contains a rich diversity of ecosystems including active volcanoes and
mountains up to 12,500 ft. Twenty-seven national parks have been formed
to protect habitats and encourage ecotourism, which has become a major
industry. Barry will present a slide show on this fascinating and beautiful
country.

Where: Audubon Zoo, Dominion Auditorium. Enter education gate behind the statue of Audubon to far right of main public gate. Parking plentiful and safe. The program is free and open to everyone.
www.louisiana.sierraclub.org/neworleans

When: Refreshments/socializing at 6:30pm Program 7 to 8:30pm.

New Orleans Group Monthly Program. Sunday, February 13

2011-02-02T19:02:00.000-06:00

"Oiled sea turtle and dolphin care during the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill response"
Dr. Cara Field, Veterinarian at the Audubon Zoo, will speak.

Dr. Field will be discussing some of the health and animal care issues that were encountered during oiled sea turtle and dolphin rescue as well as the obstacles to overcome to care for them long term, including diet, housing and transport. Some general background information about sea turtles and dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico (species, biology, significance), their ecological importance, and why long-term monitoring is important for these populations.

Audubon Zoo, Dominion Auditorium. Enter gate to far right of main zoo gate. Parking plentiful and safe. (504) 780-8889. www.louisiana.sierraclub.org/neworleans -- The program is free and open to everyone. Doors open 6:30 PM. Program 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Recycling update (1/24/11-Times Picayune)

2011-01-24T20:57:00.002-06:00

Everyone,

If you live in Jefferson Parish on the West Bank, please mark this on your calendars!!

Recycling drop-off for Jefferson Parish is Saturday in Marrero

Published: Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 1:08 PM Updated: Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 1:19 PM

By Melinda Morris, The Times-Picayune
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The Jefferson Parish Department of Environmental Affairs, in conjunction with the Recycling Foundation, Inc. of Baton Rouge, will hold a recycling drop-off event Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at The Recycling Foundation, 6025 River Road, Marrero.

SUSAN POAG/THE TIMES-PICAYUNE Volunteers load recyclables at a 2007 recycling drop-off on the West Bank. Jefferson Parish will hold a drop-off event Saturday, in Marrero and on the east bank.

Items also will be accepted on the east bank, at the Joseph S. Yenni Building, 1221 Elmwood Park Blvd., Jefferson.

Materials to be accepted are: plastic containers Nos. 1 through 7, including milk jugs, food and beverage containers, shampoo bottles and detergent containers; paper products, including newspapers, phone books, magazines, junk mail, cardboard (folded and flattened for easy handling), and paperboard (such as cereal boxes); shredded paper in plastic bags; and metal cans and lids, including aluminum cans, tin cans and steel cans.

Materials that will not be accepted are glass containers, plastic bags, hazardous waste containers, Styrofoam and used motor oil or other automotive fluids.

Used auto fluids are accepted at the trash drop-off sites at 6440 Lapalco Blvd., Marrero, and 600 David Drive on the east bank.

Recyclables do not have to be separated by type.

For more information, call Marnie Winter, director of the Jefferson Parish Department of Environmental Affairs, at 504.731.4612.

Sierra Club, New Orleans Group Holiday Potluck Dinner

2010-12-02T12:29:00.000-06:00

You are invited to our Annual Holiday pot-luck dinner on Sunday Dec. 5th.

Bring yourself, a friend, a covered dish, and good cheer. Sierra will provide a ham and soft drinks. If you desire other beverages, BYOB. Please bring your own plates, cups and utensils etc.

When: Sunday night, the 5th of December, 2010

Time: 6:00 pm-8 pm

Where: EcoCafe, 3903 Canal St, New Orleans (corner of North Scott and
Canal St., two blocks from Carrollton Ave.). Zip 70119

For more info call Colleen Morgan, 504-701-1880; or Vance Levesque, 504-529-2089.

Group Program Sunday, November 14

2010-11-01T19:13:00.001-05:00

SIERRA CLUB PROGRAM, Sunday Nov. 14 Audubon Zoo, Dominion Auditorium. Charles E. Allen III of the City of New Orleans Dept. of Coastal and Environmental Affairs. Enter education gate behind the statue of Audubon to far right of main public gate. Parking plentiful and safe. (504) 780-8889 for more info. The program is free and open to everyone. Refreshments/socializing at 6:30pm Program 7 to 8pm.

CHARLES E. ALLEN, III, MSPH is director of the New Orleans Office of Coastal and Environmental Affairs and he serves as advisor to our city's Mayor on such affairs. He is also Vice-Chair of the Holy Cross Neighborhood Association and until recently was serving as acting director of the Lower 9th Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development. He also serves as a board member of a partnership and project known as REACH-NOLA, which works to improve access to quality health care for New Orleans residents. He also serves as a board member and secretary of the New Orleans Hospital Services District A Board. This board is working to rebuild a hospital for the Eastern New Orleans community. Finally, he serves on Louisiana Governor's Advisory Committee on Coastal Restoration and Protection.

Mr. Allen is a proud graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana where he received his Bachelor's of Science degree in Biology in spring 1995. He is also a graduate of the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine where he received his Master's of Science in Public Health in fall 1998 and is a life-long resident of New Orleans.

Group Program Sunday, October 10

2010-10-09T18:26:00.002-05:00

The October 10 monthly meeting of the New Orleans Group of the Sierra Club will have a presentation by Charles Fryling, the Chairman of the Atchafalaya Basin Committee of Sierra Club’s Delta Chapter.

Fryling leads tours and teaches the public about the Atchafalaya River Basin, a 15-mile-wide floodplain located 100 miles west of New Orleans that carries 30 percent of the Mississippi River’s flow. The program will focus on the environmental issues that plague the Atchafalaya Basin and will be promoting the upcoming Atchafalaya Basin Festival on Saturday, Nov. 13 in Henderson, LA.

The meeting will be held at the Dominion Auditorium of the Audubon Zoo, at 6500 Magazine Street, and will start with refreshments at 6:30 and a short business meeting at 7 p.m.

New Orleans Group/LWV-New Orleans screening of "Tar Creek"

2010-09-19T14:30:00.003-05:00

Sierra Club/New Orleans Group (in co-sponsorship with the The League of Women Voters-New Orleans) is screening the environmental film "Tar Creek" on Thursday, Sept. 23rd, from 7-9pm, at the Audubon Zoo's Dominion Education Center. We request a donation of $2-$3 per person to defray costs.

Everyone is welcome to come.

Plot

This environmental documentary examines the Tar Creek Superfund Site, a stretch of Oklahoma heartland that has long been profoundly damaged by zinc and lead mining. The piece looks back as far as 100 years into Tar Creek's history (when the U.S. government removed natives from the land), and traces the many offenses that have been committed against the area and its people over the past century.

Tangipahoa River Canoe/Kayak Trip

2010-09-13T21:31:00.002-05:00

Tangipahoa River Canoe/Kayak Trip
Paddle the beautiful Tangipahoa River: Arcola to Amite-- easy five mile stretch, good for beginners
When: Sunday, September 26
Must have canoe or kayak (no rental on River)
For rendezvous location and time contact Harvey Stern at 504-891-7116 or hrstern@juno,com

Hike in new Bogue Chitto State Park: Sat, October 9 from 10am – 4pm

2010-09-13T21:21:00.000-05:00

The group will meet at Lakeside Shopping Center and carpool to the park an hour and 15 minutes north. The group will have a picnic and then hike the park's trails and, if members are inclined, play on the beach and/or in the Bogue Chitto River. Canoes and kayaks are welcome but hiking boots or sturdy shoes are required. Come help us break in the state's new park!

For information and to sign up, email:
joelle_finley@bellsouth.net

or call Joelle at 504-715-2647.

September Group Program: Habitat Restoration and Sustainable Development.

2010-08-27T19:40:00.000-05:00

Group Program Sunday, Sept. 12

Joe Evans from Futureproof will present a program about habitat restoration and sustainable development.

Audubon Zoo, Dominion Auditorium. Enter education gate behind the statue of Audubon to far right of main public gate. Parking plentiful and safe. (504) 780-8889 for more info.

The program is free and open to everyone. Refreshments/socializing at 6:30 P.M. Program 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Who you lookin' at?

2010-07-28T22:05:00.000-05:00

You had better be lookin' at us. Well more specifically, we want you to look at our new Facebook group dedicated to the New Orleans Group of the Sierra Club. Find it at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=76134098503&ref=nf

Of course we also want you to join our FB group. Membership is open to anyone even if you aren't also a Sierra Club member. Of course you do have to be a Facebook user to join. If you are not already a FB member, what are you waiting for?

Don't forget to drop us a line when you do join our group. You are also welcome to post away on this group. Our only request is that you keep things focused on either the environment or the New Orleans Group or both.

We also want to extend an invitation to all our Yahoo Group members to join our Facebook group.

Welcome to century 21.

Jean Lafitte NHP and preserve expanded... finally!

2010-07-27T22:07:00.000-05:00

After many years and many false starts, The Barataria Unit of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park (NHP) and preserve has been expanded. The bill expanding the park was recently signed into law by President Obama.

Nola.com, the Web site of the New Orleans Times Picayune gives all the details in the following article:
http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-12/1238822638157190.xml&coll=1

See a photo of the park's expansion here:
http://photos.nola.com/tpphotos/2009/04/park_addition.html

Sierra Club Celebrates Little Gypsy Victory After A Two-Year Battle

2010-07-26T22:09:00.000-05:00

By JENNIFER GROSSO
Just thirty miles west of New Orleans along State Highway 48 is the town of Montz, Louisiana. It is the home of Little Gypsy, a natural gas plant that supplies energy to the residents of Louisiana. In 2007, Entergy Louisiana LLC announced its plans to retrofit the plant to burn coal and petroleum coke (a byproduct of oil refining) instead of natural gas in order to diversify the fuel mix.

Entergy designed the plans for Little Gypsy with the intent of both varying Louisiana’s electricity sources as well as mitigating the continually rising costs of natural gas for consumers. However, as the nation experienced significant economic changes, finance and environmental legislation became two important factors for the repowering project.

In 2007, Entergy had originally estimated the retrofit to cost approximately $1 billion. In October 2007, their proposal was approved by the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC), despite objections made by the Sierra Club. Sierra Club representatives were among the first to predict the financial problems that would inevitably bring the construction plans to a halt. We filed a complaint with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in January 2008 concerning Entergy’s failure to adequately assess future costs and emission regulations. Two months later, we followed up with an additional request to the LPSC to reconsider the permit as well.

In June 2008, Sierra Club along with the Louisiana Environmental Action Network, the Alliance for Affordable Energy and the Gulf Restoration Network filed suit against the LPSC’s approval of Entergy’s plans under the Clean Air Act for exceeding the regulations for toxic emissions including mercury, lead and arsenic.

Researchers from the Histecon Associate group, hired by the Sierra Club and affiliates to assess the Little Gypsy construction plans, say that the cost of coal is increasing at a rate of 16% per year. In early 2009, Entergy reported that new environmental regulations, increased costs of construction and labor, and inadequate financing options, Little Gypsy project would be estimated to cost an upwards of $1.76 billion. However, this estimate only includes environmental regulations that have been put in place within the first few months of the Obama administration. In addition to the existing regulations, extensive greenhouse gas emission regulations are expected to be implemented. Considering that coal plants are the number one source of human derived greenhouse gas emissions, these regulations could increase the cost of the retrofit by another one-third to one-half.

These substantial fiscal changes convinced Entergy that the benefits of the retrofit to the company and consumers would not be realized for another 13 years or more. Not only are the benefits becoming more distant in the future, but they are also decreasing in relevance. The rising natural gas prices Entergy sought to avoid have since stopped and began to fall with the discovery of the Haynesville shale formation, leaving the company with one less reason to convert Little Gypsy.

After filing several additional petitions opposing the Entergy permits to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) and Environmental Protection Agency, the LSPC ordered Entergy to review their construction plans to convert Little Gypsy on March 11th, 2009. Less than one month later, Entergy Louisiana LLC formally asked the LPSC for permission to suspend the project for a minimum of three years, at which point the project will be eligible for review. Sierra Club representatives believe that the delay is long enough to allow the continually increasing costs of coal to put the project on hold indefinitely.

Sierra Club Picnic. Audubon Zoo Education Center. Sunday July 11, 2010 5pm-8pm

2010-07-09T20:46:00.000-05:00

Sierra Club Picnic
Audubon Zoo Education Center

Sunday July 11, 2010
5pm-8pm


The Sierra Club's (New Orleans Group)  annual picnic in Audubon Park will be held near the Dominion Auditorium, inside the Zoo perimeter, where we have
our monthly meetings.  

Park in the Audubon Zoo Parking lot and enter through gate upriver (to left of main entrance).  There will be a Sierra Club banner near the gate.  

Sierra will provide the grill, hamburgers, vegi-burgers and hotdogs plus some non-alcoholic drinks.  If you require other beverages, please bring your own.

We are asking everyone to bring a covered dish with a favorite side or snacks.   Also, bring your plates, cups and utensils to help the environment. Bring  chairs etc.

If you have frisbees or other entertainment join in the fun.  This will be an opportunity to socialize, and talk about the greening of New Orleans.

Guests are welcome.  Call 504-8618465 if you have any questions.

Sierra Club Program. Sunday, June 13, 7:00 PM. "The BP Oil Catastrophe".

2010-06-06T16:37:00.000-05:00

Sierra Club Program. Sunday, June 13, 7:00 PM. "The BP Oil Catastrophe". John Lopez of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation and Aaron Viles of the Gulf Restoration Network will speak. Audubon Zoo Dominion Auditorium. Free and open to all. Enter the gate a few yards to the right of the main public zoo entrance. Doors open and refreshments at 6:30 PM. Program 7 PM to 8 PM. Parking plentiful. Call 504-780-8889 for more information.

May New Orleans Group Program: Bicycle Maintenance and Repair Workshop.

2010-05-05T10:23:00.002-05:00

Sierra Club Program Sunday, May 16, Audubon Zoo, Dominion Auditorium and outside yard. Liz Lichtman and Victor Pizarro will present a bicycle maintenance and repair workshop. 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Pre-registration requested. 504-780-8889 to register and for more info.

Social and refreshments from 6:30 PM to 7 PM. At 7 PM, Lauren Sullivan will present a program about the work of NOLA Cycles and bicycling in New Orleans. Also, additional speakers TBA. Parking plentiful and safe in zoo parking lot. Enter gate behind Audubon statue in front of the zoo and turn right. It is some distance to the right of the main public zoo entrance.Free and open to all.

Sierra Club, New Orleans Group program: Marine Mammals in the Gulf of Mexico. April 11, 2010:

2010-03-29T21:45:00.001-05:00

Sierra Club, New Orleans Group program: Marine Mammals in the Gulf of Mexico.
by Dr. Deborah Epperson, Biologist for the Minerals Management Service, U.S. Dept of Interior

The Gulf of Mexico is a diverse habitat. There are 28 species of marine mammals that are known to occur in the Gulf of Mexico, with about 20 of those living here year-round. For example, did you know that we have a resident population of sperm whales in the Gulf of Mexico? Deborah will present the results of ongoing research into the ecology and distribution marine mammals in the Gulf of Mexico. Recently there was a newspaper report of a giant squid caught in the Gulf - a favorite food of sperm whales. Please join us on Sunday, April 11th at 7pm, for a very interesting program.

The Sierra Club program will be in the Dominion Auditorium, Audubon Zoo (6500 Magazine St, New Orleans). The doors open at 6:30 pm with refreshments. The program starts at 7pm. The Dominion Auditorium is near the front entrance to the zoo. Enter the gate upriver from the main public entrance. A Sierra Club banner will be posted near the gate.

March Program: "Pearl River Monitoring Project: Louisiana and Mississippi"

2010-03-07T21:47:00.000-06:00

Date: Sunday, March 14, 2010, 7pm,
Place: Audubon Zoo, Dominion Auditorium,
6500 Magazine St, New Orleans
Program: "Pearl River Monitoring Project: Louisiana and Mississippi"
Sponsor: Sierra Club, New Orleans Group

Sierra Club, New Orleans Group presents a program entitled:

"Pearl River Monitoring Project: Geomorphic and Sediment Assessment in Louisiana and Mississippi"

by Dr. Tom Kennedy, The Nature Conservancy

The Pearl River is a highly significant watershed in the southeastern United States, supporting a large array of habitats and diversity of aquatic fauna as well as providing an essential resource for drinking, industrial use, and recreation for the public.

The Pearl River monitoring project, identified as a high priority need in conservation planning efforts, was completed in fall 2009 by the Louisiana Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. Field work was conducted from the Ross Barnett Reservoir to the Lake Borgne. Bank condition and stability, as well as sediment profiles at strategic locations, were measured and evaluated along this length of river. Results of the assessment will be discussed as well as recommendations for future directions to conserve this natural resource and the biological biodiversity it supports.

The Sierra Club program will be in the Dominion Auditorium at Audubon Zoo (6500 Magazine St). The doors open at 6:30 pm with refreshments. The program starts at 7pm. The Dominion Auditorium is near the front entrance to the zoo. Go in the gate upriver from the main public entrance. A Sierra Club banner will be posted near the entrance.

Sierra Club, New Orleans Group presents a two-part program entitled: "Protection of our Coastal Cypress Forests"

2010-02-12T17:39:00.002-06:00

Sunday February 21, 2010:

Sierra Club, New Orleans Group presents a two-part program entitled:

"Protection of our Coastal Cypress Forests"

by John Ettinger (Environmental Protection Agency), and Rob Heffner (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers).

For several years out-of-state companies have subjected Louisiana coastal cypress forests to an onslaught of clear cutting for primary use as garden mulch. Although many illegal operations have been stopped by citizen and federal agency involvement, this onslaught continues.

John Ettinger will discuss cypress logging in coastal Louisiana, particularly with respect to Clean Water Act (CWA), Section 404, the science regarding the sustainability or lack thereof of coastal cypress swamps. There will be an update of EPA activities and enforcement.

Rob Heffner will discuss the regulation of cypress logging in coastal Louisiana, particularly with respect to Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act (RHA). Additionally, he will bring us up to date on Corps enforcement activities related to logging activities.

John and Rob have been working cooperatively to help protect our coastal cypress forests and enforce laws to prevent their destruction. Please come an hear an interesting and timely talk.

Audubon Zoo, Dominion Auditorium. Enter gate to far right of main gate. Look for Sierra Club banner. Parking plentiful and safe. Free and everyone welcome. Doors open 6:30 p.m. with refreshments. Program 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, February 21, 2010. Call (504) 780-8889. www.louisiana.sierraclub.org/neworleans

Sierra Club New Orleans Group Holiday Potluck Dinner Sunday December 13th

2009-12-06T11:16:00.000-06:00

You are invited to our Annual Holiday pot-luck dinner.

Bring yourself, a friend, a side dish, and good cheer. Sierra will provide a ham and soft drinks. If you desire other beverages, BYOB. Please bring your own plates, cups and utensils etc.

When: Sunday night, the 13th of December, 2009

Time: 6:00 pm - 8 pm

Where: Dominion Education building at Audubon Zoo. Facing the Zoo and Miss River enter the small gate -to the right (up river) side of the Main Zoo Entrance. (Look for the Sierra Club Banner).

Short program: After dinner, for those with an interest in National Parks, Toni and Rene' Maggio will show some photos of their visit to the Big Bend and Grand Teton National Parks to be presented in the Dominion Auditorium.

For more info call Barry Kohl, 861-8465; or Vance Levesque, 529-2089.

Lafitte Corridor cleanup Sat. Nov 21

2009-11-18T17:30:00.000-06:00

The first Lafitte Corridor cleanup is scheduled for Sat. Nov 21 from 9 to 1. Major Jerrod Spinney of the Criminal Sheriff's office has agreed to trim the area behind the Sojourner Truth Community Center, extending to the police filling station, in advance. They will also take care of the brush removal. We will be meeting at Sojourner Truth Community Center, 2200 Lafitte St, @ 9AM. All needed materials will be provided.

The Sierra Club and the Friends of the Lafitte Corridor are looking for volunteers to assist in activities such as cleaning off sidewalks, trash removal, etc. For more information e-mail Ethan Ellestad at ellestad_ethan@yahoo.com or call 608-417-9052.

Thank you,
Ethan Ellestad
Graduate Assistant,
Friends of Lafitte Corridor

Vance Levesque
Chair New Orleans Group
Sierra Club
837-5105w

Monthly Program - Sunday October 11th - "Plans For the New Lafitte Greenway!"

2009-10-05T18:18:00.001-05:00

SIERRA CLUB PROGRAM, Audubon Zoo, Dominion Auditorium. Enter gate to far right of main gate. Parking plentiful and safe. (504) 780-8889.

"Plans For the New Lafitte Greenway!" Larry Schmidt, Urban Planner, will tell us about the development of the Lafitte Greenway/Corridor, the exciting new walking, biking path in Mid City. Many opportunities for citizen participation in the project! The program is open to everyone. Sunday, October 11. Doors open 6:30 P.m. Program 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Monthly Program - Sunday September 13th

2009-09-08T20:20:00.000-05:00

SIERRA CLUB PROGRAM, Audubon Zoo, Dominion Auditorium. Enter gate to far right of main gate. Parking plentiful and safe.

Forest Bradley-Wright from the Alliance for Affordable Energy will speak about "Solar tax credits and local energy efficiency policy developments" Free and everyone welcome. Doors open 6:30 p.m. with refreshments. Program 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept.13. Call (504) 780-8889.

First Annual Green Rebuilding Conference to be held in New Orleans November 8 & 9

2009-08-25T21:24:00.004-05:00

The conference will held at the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown New Orleans.

View Conference details in this PDF file (115 KB).

This PDF file (123 KB) contains details for anyone interested in presenting at the conference.

This PDF file (2.97 MB) is the "New Orleans Green Building Assessment" report.

Sierra Club to Mark Katrina Anniversary with Report: “New Orleans Green Building Assessment”

2009-08-25T21:04:00.001-05:00

New Orleans – Approaching the 4^th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina on August 29, the Sierra Club will release a new report analyzing the green rebuilding efforts under way in New Orleans. The devastation of Hurricane Katrina has provided the city of New Orleans with a unique opportunity to develop a national model for rebuilding green.

This “New Orleans Green Building Assessment” examines the current and former green building efforts in New Orleans, noting partnerships and potential strategies for improvement throughout. This assessment documents and merges the disparate green building efforts into one central location and successfully fulfilled its stated goals. Moving forward, this document provides a foundation for the city to develop a “best practices” model for rebuilding green, focusing on the city’s existing and emerging partnerships.

Contact: Darryl Malek-Wiley, Sierra Club
504-861-4836 (O)
504-427-1885 (C)

Fall Birding at Petite Coquille Island - NOT a Sierra Club outing

2009-08-25T20:33:00.000-05:00

NEW ORLEANS – Fort Pike State Historic Site invites you to birding activities Saturday September 5 and Sunday September 6 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the fort – on the most northeast point of Orleans Parish.

Birding expert Gary Lester of Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will set up a spotting scope at the fort’s new viewing stand and answer questions. Why do birds migrate? What birds frequent Petite Coquille marsh in the Fall? How do you identify birds on the fly?

Newcomers and birding veterans alike are welcome. If you have them, bring your binoculars. Color handouts provided. Participants will start a Fort Pike Bird List. They will be encouraged to return and see what birds other people have spotted.

Fort Pike was the first of 40 brick-and-mortar fortifications built by President James Monroe in the mid-1800s. These forts stood guard along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts, protecting the country from foreign aggression.

Fort Pike State Historic Site, placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, is located on U.S. 90 just south of the Rigolets Bridge. Fort Pike SHS is open every day from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., with special programs on the first and third weekends of the month. For more information and directions, visit www.lastateparks.com

Contact: Sara-Ann Harris
Phone: 504-255-9171

Sierra Club Picnic. Audubon Zoo Education Center Sunday July 12, 2009 5pm-8pm

2009-07-06T20:42:00.001-05:00

Sierra Club Picnic
Audubon Zoo Education Center

Sunday July 12, 2009
5pm-8pm


The Sierra Club's (New Orleans Group)  annual picnic in Audubon Park will be held near the Dominion Auditorium, inside the Zoo perimeter, where we have our monthly meetings.

Park in the Audubon Zoo Parking lot and enter through gate upriver (to left of main entrance).  There will be a Sierra Club banner near the gate.

Sierra will provide the grill, hamburgers, vegi-burgers and hotdogs plus some non-alcoholic drinks.  If you require other beverages, please bring your own.

We are asking everyone to bring a covered dish with a favorite side or snacks.   Also, bring your plates, cups and utensils to help the environment. Bring  chairs etc.

If you have frisbees or other entertainment join in the fun.  This will be an opportunity to socialize, and talk about the greening of New Orleans.

Guests are welcome.  Call 504-861-8465 if you have any questions.

Coalition Settles Federal Suit to Cleanup Mercury Contamination

2009-07-02T22:10:00.000-05:00

MONROE, LA (July 2, 2009) - On July 2nd, a coalition of local environmental groups, reached a court settlement with EnerVest Operating LLC of Houston Texas, a major operator of natural gas wells in the Monroe Gas Field.

EnerVest has agreed to remove all mercury meters and to clean up mercury-contaminated wetlands and other soils at gas production sites in Ouachita, Union and Morehouse Parishes.

Student attorneys from the Tulane Environmental Law Clinic filed a federal suit in May 2007 against EnerVest Operating LLC on behalf of the Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN), the Sierra Club, the Gulf Restoration Network (GRN), and the Louisiana Audubon Council.

EnerVest controls more than 4,000 natural gas wells in the Monroe Field and is the largest producer. Close to 800 of its wells, on private property, were equipped with mercury meters, which hold about eight pounds of mercury each. Mercury is a hazardous waste under state and federal law.

After the environmental coalition sent a 90 day notice of intent to sue in December 2006, EnerVest, met with LDEQ and coalition representatives to discuss a Cooperative Agreement to cleanup their sites. A federal suit was filed in May 2007 alleging that mercury was leaking from EnerVest meters in the Monroe Gas field. EnerVest and LDEQ finalized a Cooperative Agreement in January 2008. The plaintiffs believed that this Agreement did not go far enough to protect the environment and continued with their suit.

As a result of the suit and court adopted settlement, EnerVest has removed over 400 active mercury meters and replaced them with dry-flow meters - which do not pollute. EnerVest has also agreed to a cleanup schedule of mercury contaminated sites, and cleanup standards for soils and wetland sites that are more protective than those in the LDEQ/EnerVest Cooperative Agreement.

"EnerVest is setting a good corporate example by settling this case and agreeing to clean up their mercury meter sites, said Barry Kohl, of the Audubon Council. Other natural gas producers in the Monroe Gas Field must come forward with cleanup plans to reverse the mercury pollution. If not, the coalition will continue to seek legal remedies. Leaky meters continue to contaminate private property and public resources.”

"Currently there are 48 mercury-in-fish advisories statewide, including seven within the Monroe Gas Field," said Cynthia Sarthou, director of GRN. "The Ouachita River, Bayou DeSiard and Black Lake have “mercury-in-fish” advisories that caution pregnant women, women who are breast-feeding, and children younger than seven years of age to limit consumption of fish." Eating fish with high levels of mercury raises the risk of developmental and cognitive damage in babies and children and has been linked to increased risk of coronary heart disease in men.

"The cleanup of the Monroe Gas Field will be the first step in reducing the mercury contamination of soil and sediment which impacts our rivers and lakes, says Marylee Orr, Executive director, Louisiana Environmental
Action Network. Mercury contamination negatively impacts recreational and commercial fishing, as well as the local economy in the Ouachita River Basin. In 2002, a local man was poisoned by eating mercury-contaminated fish from Bayou Bartholomew."

"We are pleased that EnerVest has become the first gas company to start a cleanup of the mercury at its wells on private property. But there are many other companies responsible for abandoned meters and they owe it to the landowners and the public to clean up the mercury spills," said Delta Sierra Chairman, Haywood Martin. The LDEQ has estimated that there are over 20,000 mercury meters in use or abandoned across the state.

The original suit was filed in U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana, Monroe, LA.

Case NO: 3:2007-CV-00817; Judge Robert G. James.

Stipulated Judgment attached as electronic copy
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Barry Kohl

Louisiana Audubon Council (504) 861-8465
Haywood Martin

Delta (Louisiana) Chapter of the Sierra Club, (337) 232-7953
Cynthia Sarthou

Gulf Restoration Network (504) 525-1528 x202
Marylee Orr

Louisiana Environmental Action Network (225) 588-5059
Adam Babich

Tulane Environmental Law Clinic (504) 862-8800

Yummy! Blueberry Picking, Poplarville, MS

2009-06-16T21:31:00.001-05:00

When: Saturday, June 27
Event: Blueberry Picking, Poplarville, MS
Where to Meet:  At Audubon Zoo Parking lot, (near main zoo entrance) to car
pool
Meeting Time: 7:30 am

Sierra Contacts:
You must register for all Sierra trips in advance by contacting either:
Vance Levesque 504-529-2089 mrkahuna@juno.com;  or
Barry Kohl at  504-861-8465, bkohl40@cs.com.

Our Third Blueberry Season:

Dig up your favorite recipe for bluberry pie or cobbler.  Join us as we
head over the Louisiana border into Mississippi to pick organically-grown
blueberries at a farm near Poplarville, MS.  We will visit the Tara Blueberry
Farm, hear a brief talk about the farm's organic operation, and then set you
loose to pick to your heart’s content.  The bushes are tall and there is
adequate shade early in the morning.

The weather is likely to be hot.   Please bring sunscreen, plenty of water,
and a hat that will keep you well shaded.  The farm does not recommend
wearing sandals while you are picking.  Also, they provide buckets to pick with,
so you need not worry about bringing your own.  The blueberry bushes are
quite high and offer shade when picking them.  The area is wooded with
blueberry meadows in between - a rather pleasant area of rolling hills.

Finally, the farm only accepts cash or check, so don't plan on using the
plastic!  It is $10 a gallon and it is best if you have the exact amount in
cash.   You may want to bring a cooler to store your blueberries for the trip
home if it is a hot day.

For those coming separately, we'll meet at the farm around 9 am.  We will
pick some blueberries and eat lunch (pack your own lunch and drinks) then
carpool back to New Orleans to arrive back to the parking lot at Audubon Zoo at
about 2pm.

The blueberries run $10 per gallon, so get out that blueberry pie recipe
and clear some space in your freezer. See website at:
http://www.pickaberry.com/

For more information about the farm:
Phone: (601) 403-8272
Tara Blueberry Farm
257 Langnecker Rd,
Poplarville, MS 39470

Group Program Sunday June 14: Wild India

2009-06-01T17:27:00.001-05:00

Wild India: The Birds, Mammals and People of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Joelle Finley, acclaimed biologist and popular birder and world traveler, will speak and show her fabulous photos of her amazing journey in India, from lowlands to the Himalayas.

Sunday, June 14, Refreshments and snacks at 6:30 PM. Program begins at 7 PM. The meeting will be at the Audubon Zoo Nims Center (not the Dominion Auditorium this time but in the same complex). Go through the gate behind the Audubon statue at the front of the zoo and turn left. Parking is safe and plentiful. For more info call Charles Pfeifer, program chair at 504-780-8889.

Hike with Friends of Lafitte Corridor

2009-05-20T10:22:00.001-05:00

Everyone,
If you're interested in a great hike in the city, this looks like one to take.
Wendy King

PRESS RELEASE/MEDIA ADVISORY
May 11, 2009

Contact:
Bart Everson, President, Friends of Lafitte Corridor
b@rox.com
Office: 504-520-5164
Cell: 812-391-0818

Fifth Annual Hike of the Lafitte Corridor

WHO: Friends of Lafitte Corridor is a local grassroots group advocating for the creation of a greenway along three miles of (mostly) decommissioned rail line in the heart of New Orleans

WHAT: a three-mile hike down the Lafitte Corridor

WHEN: Saturday June 6th, 10:00 AM (National Trails Day)

WHERE: The hike begins at the front gate of Armstrong Park and continues along the Lafitte Corridor (between Lafitte and Saint Louis Streets). We expect to be crossing Carrollton Avenue around noon, stopping for lunch at Massey’s Professional Outfitters and will finish at Canal Blvd around 1:30 PM.

WHY: Our annual hike is designed to raise awareness of the greenway project and demonstrate the widespread support it enjoys in the New Orleans community. This year we will be joined by Rebecca Leonard and Kurt Culbertson from Design Workshop, the firm recently awarded the greenway contract by the City of New Orleans.

A flyer with map is available here:http://b.rox.com/media/hike-5.pdf

May 17th Program: Coastal Louisiana Restoration: From Plan to Action

2009-05-04T19:02:00.001-05:00

Amanda Moore, Coastal Louisiana Organizer for the National Wildlife Federation, will review coastal LA restoration goals including increasing community resiliency, expediting big, bold, restoration projects, and generating funding and political will to move projects forward. She is also the coordinator of the MRGO Must Go coalition and will review the latest developments with the MRGO closure and restoration, campaign goals, and upcoming campaign events.

Meeting is on Sunday, May 17. Refreshments at 6:30 PM. Program starts at 7 PM. All Orleans Sierra Club meetings are held in the Audubon Zoos Dominion Auditorium. Parking is free, plentiful, and safe. Call Charles Pfeifer, program chair at 504-780-8889 with any questions.

To find our meeting location go to:
http://louisiana.sierraclub.org/neworleans/meetinglocation.asp

Ivor van Heerden, who pointed fingers in Hurricane Katrina levee failures, fired by LSU

2009-04-19T17:21:00.003-05:00

Ivor van Heerden, the outspoken coastal scientist who led the state's independent Team Louisiana investigation into Hurricane Katrina levee failures, has been notified by Louisiana State University that he will be terminated as a research professor in May 2010.

Read more in a Times-Picayune article by Mark Schleifstein on Nola.com:
http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/04/ivor_van_heerden_who_pointed_f.html

Bob Marshall the excellent outdoors editor for the Times-Picayune also weighs in:
http://blog.nola.com/guesteditorials/2009/04/worried_about_funding_lsu_oust.html

Jean Lafitte NHP and preserve expanded... finally!

2009-04-19T17:13:00.002-05:00

Creating a Bicycle Friendly New Orleans

2009-03-29T14:15:00.000-05:00

Creating a Bicycle Friendly New Orleans
Join the Dan Jatres of the Regional Planning Commission and the Nicole McCall of the Metro Bicycle Coalition as they discuss the New Orleans bicycling environment. New Orleans has long had a very large bicycling population, but like many American cities, transportation planning has been focused almost exclusively on motor vehicles for over 60 years. Hurricane Katrina provided New Orleanians with the opportunity to change the city and create more walkable and bikeable neighborhoods. Now, with changes coming to transportation priorities and funding at the federal level, New Orleans has the opportunity to become a national leader in alternative transportation options which will help create livable communities that attract families, promote sustainability and promote economic growth.

Meeting is on Sunday, April 19. Refreshments at 6:30 PM. Program starts at 7 PM. All Orleans Sierra Club meetings are held in the Audubon Zoos Dominion Auditorium. Parking is free, plentiful, and safe. Call Charles Pfeifer, program chair at 504-780-8889 with any questions.

Who you lookin' at?

2009-03-24T21:37:00.005-05:00

You had better be lookin' at us. Well more specifically, we want you to look at our new Facebook group dedicated to the New Orleans Group of the Sierra Club. Find it at:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=76134098503&ref=nf

Of course we also want you to join our FB group. Membership is open to anyone even if you aren't also a Sierra Club member. Of course you do have to be a Facebook user to join. If you are not already a FB member, what are you waiting for?

Don't forget to drop us a line when you do join our group. You are also welcome to post away on this group. Our only request is that you keep things focused on either the environment or the New Orleans Group or both.

Welcome to century 21.

Hot topic on tap: City Park wants to replace green space with golf courses

2009-03-16T20:25:00.002-05:00

City Park attempting to replace its newly found green spaces with golf courses.

That's right, City Park is attempting to cover its newly found green spaces with new golf courses. Read about it right here at our new City Park page.

http://louisiana.sierraclub.org/neworleans/citypark.asp

Take a free trip to South Africa at our March Program

2009-02-23T20:06:00.001-06:00

SIERRA CLUB PROGRAM, SUNDAY, MARCH 8!

A free trip to South Africa! Take the trip vicariously with John Sevenair, world traveler. Come see his fabulous photos and interesting narrative of "Creatures of South Africa." During the summer '08, he explored that country on a birding trip; there were also spectacular mammals, reptiles, insects, and fish. John is a professor of chemistry at Xavier University and an avid birder and photographer.

Sunday, March 8. Door open 6:30 with refreshments and socializing; program 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Audubon Zoo, Dominion Auditorium. Enter gate to far right of main gate. Parking plentiful and safe. Bring friends to this free program. Open to all.

Program Sunday, February 8th Tulane geographer Richard Campanella, author of "Bienville's Dilemma" and "Geographies of New Orleans,"

2009-01-24T00:46:00.000-06:00

Program February 8th

Sierra Club Program
Sunday, Feb. 8, 7pm
Dominion Auditorium, Audubon Zoo

Tulane geographer Richard Campanella, author of "Bienville's Dilemma"
and "Geographies of New Orleans," will present:

"Early European Accounts of the Louisiana Environment,1519-1699"

This graphical presentation relates the observations and impressions of French and Spanish explorers as they first laid eyes on the Louisiana environment, and highlights the various transformations occasioned upon that environment in subsequent years.

Meeting is on Sunday, February 8 at 7 PM at the Audubon Zoo auditorium. Refreshments and socializing at 6:30. Parking is free and secure in the Audubon Zoo Parking lot.

Refreshments at 6:30PM.
Program starts at 7 PM.

Location: The Dominion Auditorium at Audubon Zoo, off Magazine Street.
Plenty of well-lit parking.

Guests are welcome. Call 504-861-8465 if you have any questions.

Upcoming NO Group events

2009-01-07T21:34:00.004-06:00

MERCURY HAIR TESTING EVENT A SUCCESS

Sierra Club’s Stop the Coal Rush field organizer, Jordan Macha helped organize a great event last week at an Uptown hair salon to help women find out about levels of mercury in their bodies. As folks may know, coal-fired power plants are the largest source of industrial mercury emissions into the environment, turning our fish toxic, and threatening public health. As Louisiana wrestles with new coal power plant proposals, the Sierra Club is keeping our eye on public health and making sure you are too!

Check out the great coverage in the Times-Picayune:

http://www.nola.com/timespic/stories/index.ssf?/base/living-2/1227939665172780.xml&coll=1

Special thanks to NOLA Sierra Conservation Chair, Dr. Barry Kohl, Gulf Restoration Network, and Paris Parker Salon.

SAVE THE DATES

Friday April 3rd – Saturday April 4^th – Tulane Environmental Law Conference – New Orleans. http://summit.law.tulane.edu/

Sunday, April 5^th – the New Orleans Earth Day Festival presented by our friends at the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, and featuring music on the Coastal Lines of Defense stage (brought to you by the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, Gulf Restoration Network and Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation). Music, food, beer, speaker’s tent, kid’s tent, and energy savings workshops. 10 am until dark. Lineup Just Announced: Amanda Shaw and the Cute Guys, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Anders Osborn w/Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Kirk Joseph & friends, Country Fried.

Friday May 8th – Saturday, May 9^th – Gulf Gathering 2009 – Camp Beckwith, Weeks Bay, AL Gulf Gathering: A Gulf-wide conference for coastal advocates and organizers concerned about the Gulf of Mexico. To receive agenda updates and further information, contact Briana Kerstein, briana@healthygulf.org (504) 525-1528 ext. 208

Tuesday, May 26th (note date change) - Environmental Voter Lobby Day in Baton Rouge. We need as many members as possible to join with our coalition of environmental groups to show our Legislators in Baton Rouge that voters care about the environment. The day will feature briefings from environmental and legislative leaders, lunch, and a training on how to lobby by the Sierra Club’s lobbyist extraordinaire, Darrell Hunt. Aaron Viles is the contact person at 504-525-7534 ext 207.

Tuesday, April 21st - John Muir’s birthday

They're tryin' to wash us away...Louisiana

2008-12-20T19:01:00.002-06:00

The song quoted in the title, Louisiana 1927, by the great songwriter and musician Randy Newman, was originally written about the great Mississippi River flood of 1927 and was trotted out again after the engineering disaster that was Hurricane Katrina, seems to be more prophetic than ever.

New Orleans' daily newspaper, The Times-Picayune recently ran a three-day series that explains in painful detail the potentially dire consequences for South Louisiana if global warming, sea level rise and land subsidence are allowed to continue unabated. We go under. Water that is. A 3 foot rise in sea level means that most of Southern Louisiana goes under and if all the ice on the planet melts, sea levels rise 328 feet and most of the Southern United States goes under along with many other places around the world.

The series offers up some hope for our future as well. Read it here:
http://www.nola.com/coastal/

Don't think that the Times Picayune has the truth about one very possible future for our state locked up. The excellent blog badastronomy.com at (http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/) reports that "scientists have just announced they have found strong evidence to support..." the link between global warming and stronger storms.

Read more here:
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/12/19/linking-global-warming-and-severe-storms/

The only consolation for us is that the worst case scenario might not happen for another 100 years or more. Then again it might happen sooner. Let's hope we still have time to do something about this.

With your help The New Orleans Group can earn $

2008-10-28T21:47:00.004-05:00

The Excursion Bag is designed in gray with black trim, this waterproof, zippered tote bag is ideal for shopping or camping/beach trips. This is no wimpy bag. It's tough and available for only $10 a piece. That is a great deal so buy yours today. Contact Vance Levesque at H: 529-2089, Office: 837-5105. e-mail: mrkahuna@juno.com to buy yours.

The Louisiana Environmental Briefing Book is now available.

2008-06-04T22:45:00.003-05:00

The Louisiana Environmental Briefing Book has just been released. It was produced to educate Louisiana legislators on environmental issues in our state that affect us all. Even if you are not in the Louisiana legislature, it is worth reading because it is chock full of timely information about environmental issues in our state that every concerned citizen needs to be aware of.

The Environmental Briefing Book was produced by:

Sierra Club, Delta Chapter

The Gulf Restoration Network (GRN)

Coalition to Restore Costal Louisiana

Alliance for Affordable Energy

The Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN)

Louisiana Bayoukeeper

The Atchafalaya Basinkeeper

The Lower Mississippi Riverkeeper

The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation

The Green Zone Task Force

The Louisiana Audubon Council (LAC)

MQVN Community Development Corporation (MQVNCDC)

The Land Trust for Southeast Louisiana

Say Yes to Clean Energy and No to Coal and Nuclear Coalition

Mercy Corps

Read the Louisiana Environmental Briefing Book at the Louisiana Environmental
Briefing Book Website: http://labriefingbook.org/ or download the large PDF file (2.89 Mb). It's a huge file but well worth the download time, only a couple of seconds on a broadband connection.

New Orleans: Going Green in the Big Easy

2008-04-01T22:50:00.007-05:00

Going green in New Orleans is featured in the latest issue of:

The Latest Environmental Buzz

which is one of the Sierra Club's online newsletters. Read the rest of the story here:
http://sierra.convio.net/site/MessageViewer?em_id=44141.0

Historic Green is one of the groups behind the post-K "greening" of New Orleans.

An update on what's happening in the Lower 9th Ward:

2008-03-10T19:09:00.001-05:00

From March 8-23, the Sierra Club will be participating in the 2008 Historic Green event to rebuild a sustainable New Orleans. Hundreds of students and young professionals in the construction industry—architects, engineers, planners, landscape architects, interior designers, and contractors—will converge on the Crescent City to work hand-in-hand with residents of the Holy Cross Historic District, part of the Lower Ninth Ward that was among the city's hardest-hit areas during Hurricane Katrina.

More >>

Recycling guide book newly released for the New Orleans area

2008-02-12T21:31:00.001-06:00

Get the new region wide recycling resource guide book (PDF 730 Kb - not small but worth it). This comprehensive Guide book lists 39 categories of items that can be recycled in the New Orleans metro region and where to bring them.

Flyer for next recycling dropoff event (PDF 340 Kb) on March 8th, 2008.

Brad Pitt is OK in our book

2007-12-07T22:45:00.000-06:00

Say what you will about narcissistic, vain and selfish celebrities, but don't you dare say that about Mr. Brad Pitt. No you can't say that about him because he is putting his money where his mouth is. He says that he loves New Orleans and he is proving it, he and his partner Angelina Jolie, have not only bought a home here, he has also initiated a project to help others obtain new homes after theirs were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

Pitt has created the Make It Right (MIR) project to build "green affordable housing on a large scale to help victims of Hurricane Katrina." What a great thing to do for the people of New Orleans. We love the whole concept but we especially love the "green" part.

For more information on the Make It Right project go to their Web site:
The Make It Right (MIR) project site

Some of the positive press the story has received:
Times-Picayune story here
CNN story here
USA Today story here

As one commenter on the TP's nola.com site said, "Brad Pitt for Mayor!" We could do worse. Oh right, we already did.

Thanks Brad.

The Lower Ninth Battles Back

2007-08-26T13:25:00.000-05:00

The word "will" comes up constantly in the Lower Ninth Ward now; We Will Rebuild is spray-painted onto empty houses; "it will happen," one organizer told me. Will itself may achieve the ambitious objective of bringing this destroyed neighborhood back to life, and for many New Orleanians a ferocious determination seems the only alternative to being overwhelmed and becalmed.

Read the rest of this article from The Nation at:
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20070910/solnit

The risk of the New Orleans area flooding -- again

2007-06-21T21:08:00.000-05:00

The New Orleans Times-Picayune newspaper ran a story about the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers newly released report on flood risk in Southeastern Louisiana.

It is not a pretty picture. The news could be better.

Read more on Nola.com:

http://blog.nola.com/graphics/2007/06/the_risk_of_hurricane_flooding.html
http://blog.nola.com/updates/2007/06/risk.html

Building Partnerships to Help Rebuild the Big Easy

2007-06-21T21:01:00.000-05:00

On June 14, members of the Sierra Club and the Holy Cross Neighborhood Association gathered for a Friendship Dinner. Read more about it at the Sierra Club's Grassroots Scrapbook blog:

http://sierraclub.typepad.com/scrapbook/2007/06/photo-by-rebecc.html

Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and Lowe's are driving destruction of the Gulf's best natural storm protection by selling cypress mulch all over the country.

2007-06-13T20:13:00.000-05:00

Sierrans,

As leaders of the Save Our Cypress Coalition, you all know clear-cutting cypress trees solely to decorate gardens and flower beds is crazy. It becomes even worse when you realize that these trees are the Gulf Coast's best natural storm and flood defenses, and they just might be where some of the last ivory-billed woodpeckers are surviving. It all sounds like the plot of a cartoon, doesn't it?

The GRN is releasing Corporate Low Down Depot Mart Clearcuts the Gulf Coast, a short video clip that tells the ridiculous (and unfortunately true) story of the cypress forests. Cypress swamps are being clear-cut and entire trees are being used solely to produce cypress garden mulch. Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and Lowe's are driving destruction of the Gulf's best natural storm protection by selling cypress mulch all over the country. It's time they stopped.

You can watch the video at www.healthygulf.org.

One of the most important actors in this tragic comedy is you. Once you've seen the cartoon, please help ensure a happy ending to the story by using our action system to send an email directly to the CEO's of all three companies. Then, if you show the clip to five friends, we'll send you a little token of thanks.

For our Forests and Our Future,

Aaron Viles

p.s. If the voice doing the intro sounds familiar, you're probably thinking of Ned Flanders, Mr. Burns, and Smithers, among others. Harry Shearer, voice of many characters from The Simpsons, is a supporter of the GRN and lent his talents to this project. You can help us thank Harry by taking action today!

The Gulf Restoration Network is a diverse network of local, regional, and national groups and individuals dedicated to protecting and restoring the valuable resources of the Gulf of Mexico. The GRN has members in the five Gulf states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. The GRN will not sell or share your information.

**Visit our new website at www.healthygulf.org.**

New report on the Murphy Oil spill in St. Bernard Parish

2007-06-12T19:12:00.000-05:00

Below is a link to a new report on the Murphy Oil spill that occurred in St. Bernard Parish after Hurricane Katrina.

http://sitemaker.umich.edu/respond/home

Looking for Owners of Personalized Plates for Documentary

2007-06-12T18:53:00.000-05:00

Dear Sierra Club Members,
Cleveland, OH filmmakers are looking for participants for a documentary about personalized (vanity) auto plates in the United States. We thought that members of your group may have some very interesting and thought provoking plates. Participation would mainly consist of an interview on film discussing your personalized plates. We will travel for the interview. If you would pass this message on to members in your group we would be grateful. If anyone is interested in perhaps being a part of this documentary please email us at personalplates1@yahoo.com with the following information.

The exact text/numbers on your plate (interpreted if it needs to be)
Your state
Any information about why you picked your plate. Feel free to elaborate.
Your email address

If we are interested in getting more information we will contact you by email.

Contact us at personalplates1@yahoo.com

Thanks
Mary

Southeast Louisiana Wildlife Refuges: Environmental Challenges Post Katrina

2007-05-04T21:22:00.000-05:00

The National Wildlife Refuge System is an important wildlife habitat and recreational resource in Southeast Louisiana. You may have read a recent Times-Picayune article on the current state of Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge in New Orleans East. Bayou Sauvage is not alone in suffering significant impacts. The eight refuges in our area face a number of environmental challenges including damage done to important habitat by Katrina itself and severe budgetary cutbacks by the Bush administration.

Holy Cross homes tour helps mark Earth Day

2007-04-23T21:32:00.000-05:00

Even the orange school bus that transported people on the Holy Cross tour was powered by biodiesel fuel made from discarded vegetable oil that once fried local oysters and beignets.

Read more>>

RECYCLING DAY was a huge success in New Orleans and Jefferson Parish

2007-04-19T22:58:00.000-05:00

Thank you for your support - you made the recycling drop-off event held on Saturday, April 14 in Jefferson Parish and New Orleans a huge success! The results of the event are as follows:

JEFFERSON PARISH: 4,230 lbs (West Bank) + 17,660 lbs (East Bank, 310 cars) = 21,890 lbs
NEW ORLEANS: 4,230 lbs (West Bank) + 15,060 lbs (East Bank) = 19,290 lbs

A total of 41,180 lbs (20 tons) was collected! Due to the success of the event, we are planning additional drop-off events in the near future. The first event is tentatively scheduled for SATURDAY, JULY 28, 2007 (Get the flyer here) so keep collecting your recyclables and spread the word!

A local "bridge to nowhere"?

2007-04-08T11:21:00.000-05:00

The state of Louisiana is about to do a really dumb thing, and a small group of New Orleanians, with the help of academics from as far away as Colorado and Wisconsin, have an elegant alternative to suggest.

The state is getting ready to spend three hundred and fifty-eight million dollars on a gigantic automobile overpass along the northern edge of the Lower Ninth Ward, to connect downtown New Orleans with neighboring St. Bernard Parish. St. Bernard was home to sixty-seven thousand people before Katrina and to maybe a little more than a third of that now. Opponents call the overpass “the bridge to nowhere.”

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/neworleansjournal/2007/04/port_saint_malo.html

For more information, email Darryl Malek-Wiley at:Darryl.malek-wiley@sierraclub.org

The Rise and Disappearance of Southeast Louisiana

2007-04-01T14:47:00.000-05:00

If you ever wanted to learn more about the geography and geology of Southeast Louisiana, The New Orleans Times-Picayune has created a beautifully clear and easy to understand interactive presentation to help you.

The link below takes you to the excellent primer on how Southeast Louisiana was created by the Mississippi River and also why and how it is eroding away.

This was created by TP Staff Artist Dan Swenson and is a supplement on nola.com to a printed version that the TP ran recently.

http://www.nola.com/speced/lastchance/multimedia/flash.ssf?flashlandloss1.swf

“GLOBAL WARMING, FAITH AND ‘WE THE PEOPLE‘”

2007-03-21T21:58:00.000-05:00

MIKE TIDWELL
Noted Author, Travel Journalist, Environmentalist
In town recently to promote his book

“GLOBAL WARMING, FAITH AND ‘WE THE PEOPLE‘”
Mike Tidwell is the consummate storyteller. Knowing nothing of the disappearing Louisiana coast, Mike came to Cajun Country to chronicle the lives of people living in coastal Louisiana. With the evidence all around him, he wrote Bayou Farewell, The Rich Life and Tragic Death of Louisiana’s Cajun Coast, a part travelogue, part environmental expose’ published in 2003. Speaking of that experience, Tidwell said,” It’s an open question whether New Orleans will exist in 15 years or 50 years, especially if a strong hurricane hits in a certain way.”

Tidwell’s 2006 book, The Ravaging Tide, Strange Weather, Future Katrinas, and the Coming Death of America’s Coastal Cities” issues a call to arms about global warming and the impending lethal forces threatening every coastal city on the globe. With a predicted rise of up to three feet in sea level by 2100, the danger is clear.

As founder and director of the U.S. Climate Emergency Council, based in Takoma Park, Maryland, Tidwell lives an example of the fossil-fuel free live at his suburban Maryland home. His approach is surprisingly optimistic, as he offers trend-setting examples of how to reduce greenhouse gases. He argues for global political will, not just for the U.S. government, but individuals and local governments.

A former grantee of the National Endowment for the Arts, Tidwell has won four Lowell Thomas awards for his travel journalism. Among his three previous books is Amazon Stranger, which details efforts to save the Ecuadorian rain forest and In the Mountains of Heaven, travels to exotic lands. His articles can be found in the Washington Post, The National Geographic Traveler and the Reader’s Digest.

Green Light New Orleans

2007-03-19T22:47:00.000-05:00

The Alliance for Affordable Energy, New Orleans Group of the Sierra Club, and the Holy Cross Neighborhood Association are partnering with the New Orleans nonprofit organization Green Light New Orleans to change out incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, which use about 1/4 the energy. This will save homeowners 75% of their lighting costs on their utility bills and will reduce pollution by the same amount! Green Light New Orleans provided the bulbs for free! (Thank you Green Light New Orleans and its director Andi Hoffmann!)

Background:

This is part of a larger initiative to create 10 sites to serve as models of clean energy for our city. Nine homes and the NENA Center in the Holy Cross Neighborhood and Lower 9th Ward, which recently received 1.5 kW solar electric systems donated by Sharp Solar International to the Alliance for Affordable Energy, will be featured in quarterly "Clean Energy Homes Tours". We will hold our first "Clean Energy Homes Tour" on Earthday, April 22nd. Interested folks can attend for free to learn how to make their homes more energy efficient and how to go solar.

More on Green Light New Orleans - Lowering New Orleans' energy usage one light bulb at a time - http://www.greenlightneworleans.org/

Green Light New Orleans - helping out with free CFL light bulbs
Global warming is the most significant environmental challenge of the day, and New Orleans is one of the most at risk cities. Wasteful energy consumption is perhaps the largest contributor to Global Warming. One of the easiest effective steps to reduce energy consumption is to change the lighting in your home from old style incandescent bulbs to modern compact fluorescent lighting. If every household in the United States replaced one light bulb with a compact fluorescent light (CFL), it would prevent enough pollution to equal removing one million cars from the road. In addition to the environmental benefits, a CFL uses 75% less energy than an incandescent bulb, thereby saving money on a home’s energy bills. Each CFL will save the user more than $40 over the life of the bulb.

Green Light New Orleans is a proactive environmental organization committed to switching the entire city of New Orleans from incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent lights, one house at a time. We provide low- and middle-income families and individuals with enough free CFLs to change out all of their incandescents bulbs, and we actually go to peoples homes and install them.

Goal
The city of New Orleans faces a strong increase in energy cost, an unstable power system plagued by frequent blackouts and serious consequences of global warming through stronger and more frequent hurricanes. Our goal is to switch the entire city from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL), one house at a time.

Green Light New Orleans helps people to lower their energy bills AND gives you an opportunity to actively fight global warming.

Micah Walker Parkin
Program Director
Alliance for Affordable Energy
www.all4energy.org
(504) 258-1247 (mobile)

Recycling e-action

2007-03-16T17:05:00.000-05:00

Help the Sierra Club Bring Back the Blue Bins!

17 months after Katrina, the city is facing massive challenges: Rebuilding, crime, little affordable housing, expanded landfills, and not enough classes for school-children. Despite these problems, the city is signing fat contracts for automated twice-weekly garbage pickup and a Disney-fied French Quarter. Meanwhile, the city has done nothing to reinstate curb-side recycling, despite the energy savings, and reduced need for landfill space that recycling provides.

Please visit this website to send a message to the Mayor and City Council leaders Oliver Thomas and Arnie Fielkow and demand action:

Web campaign tool provided by the Gulf Restoration Network.

Mardi Gras Celebrations Overshadowed By Toxic Trailers

2007-03-12T23:30:00.000-05:00

"Even the Sierra Club has an article on their website - their's is titled "Mardi Gras Celebrations Overshadowed By Toxic Trailers." Apparently the Sierra Club tested some of the FEMA campers and the test results showed levels of formaldehyde above the EPA limit."

From "The Invisible Flood Blog." (This Blog is the story of one family's adventurous journey hrough the aftermath of the Invisible Flood of 06. The name - Invisible Flood of 06 - is meant to draw attention to the lack of national news coverage to what was in fact a devastating flooding event of historic proportions which impacted large sections of NYS and several other states. The blog is meant to bring the light of day to the nonsense, bureaucracy, and BS that flood victims encounter as they wade through the land of FEMA, NFIP Flood Insurance, State Grants, and other aspects of life after a flood. Journey with us through the ripples left by the Invisible
Flood of 06... )

http://invisibleflood.blogspot.com/2007/03/thoughts-about-fema-selling-trailers.html

OUT OF BALANCE: ExxonMobil’s Impact on Climate Change

2007-03-12T21:39:00.001-05:00

"Out of Balance: ExxonMobil’s Impact on Climate Change" shows the influence that the largest company in the world has on governments, the media and citizens and what can be done about global warming. While the Earth’s climate is pushed further out of balance by increasing use of fossil fuels, ExxonMobil continues to assert undue influence around the world— making record profits while ignoring climate science for which there has been overwhelming consensus for over ten years.

A useful next movie if you’ve seen Vice President Al Gore’s film, “Out of Balance” does not just critique ExxonMobil, it also offers challenging, large-scale ideas for the global social changes that must take place if there’s any chance of having a livable planet for future generations.

At a recent New Orleans Group program, The Sierra Club, the Louisiana Bucket Brigade and film-maker Tom Jackson discussed the movie, recent news attention that ExxonMobil has received for announcing their acknowledgment of human caused climate change, and how we can work effectively to confront an issue that challenges the Gulf Coast as no other region. Tom is touring the country with his film in a biodiesel vehicle to facilitate dialogue and action on this critical issue.

http://www.worldoutofbalance.org/
http://joepublicfilms.com/

All new New Orleans Sierra Club blog

2007-03-06T20:52:00.000-06:00

Here we go again. The newest blog from Sierra Clubbers in Louisiana. Specifically New Orleans.
Hello.