Oposition Vocal at Coal Plant Hearing

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The overwhelming majority of speakers spoke out in opposition to a new coal plant planned for Sevier County at a public meeting held on August 24th. In attendance and speaking in opposition to the plant were several members of the UVSF. Numerous parents with asthmatic children joined many others in condemning the proposed plant. The plant would produce toxins that will further harm Utah's air quality which in places like Utah Valley has already reached a health crisis point.

Photos ©JWestwater

Which Choices Are You Making?

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YOUR SUGGESTIONS are requested

Please give us your suggestions for:

• how we can function better as a group
• ideas for speakers and subjects for our meetings
• things we can do to help the environment
• green events that are coming up
• helpful web sites to visit that relate to our objectives
• suggestions for fun outings, hikes, get-togethers and the like
• ideas for educational outings and service projects
• any other suggestions or ideas

You may give us your suggestions by clicking on the "comments" link immediately below this posting, or by emailing Bepe or Jim.

Utah's Red Rock Areas Need Wilderness Protection

Legislation to designate over 9 million acres of Utah's world class redrock natural areas is now before congress. For many years this legislation has not passed. With the new congress we now have the best chance in years to enact this bill and protect this land from mining and other impacting activities. But we must let our congressional representatives know that we support this important legislation. Click HERE to learn more about ARWA and how to help protect these great parts of Utah.

All lands proposed for wilderness designation in America's Red Rock Wilderness Act are owned by the American public and administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The bill is supported by SUWA, the Wasatch Mountain Club, the Sierra Club, The Wilderness Society, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and more than 200 other national and regional conservation organizations belonging to the Utah Wilderness Coalition.

Our thanks to the photographers supplying these images (see site above for their names).

Are compact florescents good for the environment?

Fox news has recently slammed the use of compact florescents as a replacement for traditional incandescent bulbs. What to know the "rest of the story?" Click HERE to read what Mr. Green of the Sierra Club has to say about this.

Via BBC News "Ozone has 'strong climate effect'"

Our friends across the pond seem to be far less skeptical about climate change than those of us here in the USA. That is why it doesn't surprise me to see this report from the BBC.

Ozone could be a much more important driver of climate change than scientists had previously predicted, according to a study in Nature journal.

The authors say the effects of this greenhouse gas - known by the formula O3 - have been largely overlooked.

Ozone near the ground damages plants, reducing their ability to mop up carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.

As you may or may not know, one of the major sources of ground level ozone is tailpipe emissions from cars. Another reason to encourage public transportation, walkable communities, and a safer environment for bicycling. Look for a future forum event on the subject of using the bicycle for daily transportation needs, including getting the groceries and hauling the kids around! Click on the title above for a link to the whole article.