Pioneering Raleigh printer offsets carbon emissions

Barefoot Press, a longtime trailblazer for environmental sustainability in Raleigh's business community, has gone even greener: The company purchased enough renewable energy credits to offset all of its power consumption through this year.

Barefoot Press is participating in a program offered by Renewable Choice Energy in Boulder, Colo. After auditing a company's energy consumption, Renewable Choice analyzes how many credits need to be purchased to offset annual usage, which in Barefoot's case is about 105,200 kilowatt-hours. The money from the sale of credits will in turn be used to fund carbon-neutral generation projects like wind farms and solar installations.

The purchase of the credits will help prevent the emission of more than 71,000 pounds of carbon dioxide -- the equivalent impact of planting 295 trees or taking six cars off the road for a year.

It's an extra expense, but worth it for Barefoot Press owner Richard Kilby.

"Our customers can now feel even better knowing that in addition to printing on recycled paper using soy based inks and water-miscible, low-VOC chemistry, the electricity used in the production of their marketing material is purchased from non-polluting sources," he says on his company's new blog.

Headquartered on Pershing Road in Raleigh's Five Points neighborhood, Barefoot Press was founded by Kilby in 1987.

Hearing on proposed biodefense lab near Falls Lake set for Tuesday

There will be a public hearing on Tuesday, July 29 for citizens to comment on the draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Department of Homeland Security’s proposed Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF). The hearing will take place in the gymnasium of the Butner-Stem Middle School at 501 East D St. in Butner, N.C. from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. and again from 6 to 1o p.m.

Along with locations in Georgia, Texas, Mississippi and Kansas, a site near Butner in Granville County is being considered for a facility to research animal diseases, including highly transmissible Foot and Mouth Disease. The facility would also study potentially lethal diseases that are contagious to humans, including Rift Valley Fever, H5N1, Nipa and Hendra viruses.

Compounding concerns, the facility's waste would be discharged after pretreatment to a tributary of Falls Lake, Raleigh's drinking water supply.

Raleigh City Council has voted to oppose the Butner site in order to protect its drinking water from impacts of the facility's construction as well as its operation. Several Granville County towns have also voted to oppose or withdraw support from the facility, citing concerns about accidents, security, lack of transparency, public health, use of private contractors, water use and wastewater discharge, the high cost of additional infrastructure, and concerns that there will be little economic benefit locally.

For more about the facility and its potential impacts, click here for the Granville Non-Violent Action Team's website. You'll also find details there on how to weigh in during the official comment period, which runs through Aug. 25.

(Map of proposed NBAF sites from the Granville Non-Violent Action Team's website)

Designers wanted for Raleigh eco-fashion show

MorLove, Triangle Emerging Green Builders and American Vintage are co-hosting an eco-fashion show at the NCSU College of Textiles this spring. Designers who'd like to participate must present two finished garments and a completed application form to the judging panel on Aug. 23 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at College of Textiles Atrium. Appointments will be scheduled in 15 minute blocks; email greenfashionshow AT gmail.com to schedule an appointment.

The organizers explain what the judges will be looking for:

The clothing to be selected for the Eco-Fashion show must show a strong emphasis on ecologically friendly design. Eco-friendly design can be in the form of recycled or remanufactured garments, as well as using eco-friendly fabrics and production processes. ...

A main goal of this show is to demonstrate how easy it is for people to "be green" in everyday life, including the clothing choices that one makes. Therefore we are looking for wearable garments to include in our show. This is not to discourage wearable art or very extravagant designs, but to encourage the idea of practical design with wearable materials.

The organizers welcome designers to work in pairs if they'd like. They're also asking participants to document their work on the collection for an online photo album.

Designers selected by the panel will be asked to present between five and 10 pieces. They're also asking participating designers to consider donating at least two of their pieces to the Amani Baby Cottage, an orphanage in Uganda supported in part by MorLove, a non-profit student organization in the College of Textiles. Designers should be prepared to find their own models and take care of hair and makeup, though some volunteer assistance may be provided.

"End of Suburbia" comes to Raleigh Thursday

"The End of Suburbia" -- an acclaimed documentary film about oil depletion and the collapse of the suburban way of life -- will be showing in Raleigh this Thursday, July 24 at 7 p.m. at Cameron Village Library. The screening is sponsored by the NC Powerdown Triangle Peak Oil Group.

I'll be on the radio tomorrow discussing the myth of "clean coal"

This Thursday afternoon, July 17, I'll be on Doug Henwood's "Behind the News" show on New York City's WBAI radio, discussing so-called "clean coal" technology. Henwood is the editor and founder of Left Business Observer and a frequent contributor to The Nation. The show starts at 5 p.m., and I'll be on from about 5:10 to 5:30 p.m. You can tune in live over the Internet here, or listen to the archived edition here.

Special screenings this Sunday of gasoline documentary

This Sunday, July 20, there will be two special screenings of the critically acclaimed documentary film "GasHole." Directed by Jeremy Wagener and Scott D. Roberts, the film explores the timely topic of oil prices and the future of alternative fuels.

The screenings will take place at Cary's Galaxy Cinema at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. and will include question-and-answer sessions with the directors. Tickets are $10 for the general public and $8 for seniors, students and members of the military. To purchase tickets online, click here.

"Small Is Possible" author in Raleigh Thursday

This Thursday at Raleigh's Quail Ridge Books, Lyle Estill will be talking about his new book, Small Is Possible: Life in a Local Economy. Focusing on neighboring Chatham County, the book discusses how a local community can feed, fuel, power and sustain itself outside of the global economy.

A resident of Moncure, N.C., Estill is the vice president of Piedmont Biofuels and the author of Biodiesel Power: The passion, the people and the politics of the next renewable fuel. Proceeds from his latest book go to the Abundance Foundation, which promotes local and sustainable food and fuel. Estill's talk starts at 7 p.m.

N.C. lawmakers approve farmworker pesticide protection bill

We recently brought you the tragic story of Carlos Candelario, the severely deformed infant of a farmworker who had been exposed to pesticides by her employer, Florida-based Ag-Mart. He was one of several children with pesticide-related health problems born to company employees.

A state investigation eventually documented hundreds of violations of pesticide and worker protection standards at Ag-Mart tomato farms in North Carolina. While North Carolina officials cited the company for 369 pesticide violations on two farms and fined it $184,500, an administrative law judge slashed the fine to no more than $500. The state continues to fight that decision.

In a bit of a good news, state lawmakers this week approved legislation that aims to better protect farmworkers from such toxic threats. Senate Bill 847 requires the state Pesticide Board to create new rules improving record-keeping by farms. It also protects workers who report pesticide safety concerns from retaliation.

While she praises the bill's passage, Toxic Free NC Executive Director Fawn Pattison says there's more that needs to be done. Writing on her group's Fair Ground blog:

This is important legislation, and those who worked to pass it should be proud (particularly Rep. Dan Blue, Sen. Charlie Albertson, Health Director Leah Devlin and Governor Easley). But they also shouldn't be lulled into thinking that farmworkers and their families are now safe from harmful exposure to pesticides, or that a disastrous incident like what has been alleged in the Ag-Mart case couldn't happen again.

For information on the other kinds of pesticide protections Toxic Free NC would like to see for farmworkers, click here.

BBQ against global warming at Pullen Park

On Sunday, July 20, the Greenpeace folks in Raleigh are throwing a "Community Barbeque to Stop Global Warming," and everyone's invited.

The family-friendly event is happening from 1 to 3 p.m. at Pullen Park's Picnic Shelter #9. It's part of the Greenpeace "Project Hot Seat," which aims to bring Americans together and demand that Washington create 5 million new green jobs, clean up global warming pollution, break the nation's dependence on coal and other dirty energy, and embrace efficiency and renewables.

Besides lunch, attendees will get a chance to remind Democratic U.S. Rep. Brad Miller and his Republican challenger for the District 13 seat, former state Rep. Hugh Webster, that they care about the climate crisis. Veggie and non-veggie burgers and hot dogs will be provided; attendees are asked to bring drinks and snacks.

For more on the Congressional District 13 race from Greenpeace, click here. To RSVP for the July 20 BBQ or to volunteer, click here. A map of Pullen Park is available here.

Local coffee roaster adopts biodegradable plastic bags

Larry's Beans is a Raleigh coffee roasting company already renowned for its environmental sensibilities.

Its coffee is all fair-trade, shade-grown, and organic or transitional organic. It's roasted in a Gavin Street warehouse that's been "green-o-vated" with natural daylighting, reclaimed timbers, edible landscaping, and water-efficient toilets. It's delivered across the Triangle in a funky old school bus that's been converted to run on veggie oil. Larry's website even offers a "Sustainability School" with information and tips on everything from alternative energy to conserving water.

Now the company founded by Larry Larson has taken another step to protect the planet.

Larry's Beans has adopted new packaging for its 12 oz. and 1 lb. coffee bags using state-of-the-art plastic "bio-bags" that degrade in landfills, commercial composting facilities, and even backyard compost piles. The innovative technology was developed here in North Carolina by Maverick Enterprises of Monroe.

The bio-bag is made from petroleum-derived plastic, but it includes an additive that helps microorganisms break it down in the soil, according to Larry's website:

We're no soil scientists, so we checked out that these claims have been tested to ASTM 5511 criteria the "standard test method for determining anaerobic biodegradation of plastic materials under anaerobic high-solids conditions." (ASTM is the American Society for Testing and Materials.) EPA tests have also shown that no dangerous chemicals or toxins are left in the soil once the bags are dirt.

Larry's acknowledges that using plastic derived from petroleum is not ideal, but points out that there are also drawbacks associated with other plastic alternatives. For example, the corn plastic used in some of the company's to-go mugs is energy-intensive to produce, and it must be sent to commercial composting facilities to biodegrade.

Presidential candidate, environmentalist Ralph Nader coming to Raleigh

This Saturday, July 12, independent presidential candidate and noted political activist Ralph Nader will speak at a rally at Saint Mary's School on Hillsborough Street. The event will take place in the Pittman Auditorium at 7:30 p.m., and the suggested donation is $10, or $5 for students.

An attorney who formerly served on staff at the U.S. Department of Labor, Nader founded the consumer and environmental watchdog organization Public Citizen in 1971. He went on to start dozens of other advocacy groups including the Clean Water Action Project and Multinational Monitor magazine.

This marks the fifth presidential race for the 74-year-old Nader, whose running mate this time is former San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Matt Gonzalez. Nader has often been blamed for Al Gore's loss to George W. Bush in 2000, though others have argued that the real problem afflicting Gore's campaign was his failure to articulate progressive values. Nader declined to seek the Green Party's nomination this year; the current frontrunner for that party's nomination is former Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney.

In this race as in his past White House bids, Nader is criticizing the Democratic nominee's willingness to court the right, highlighting Sen. Barack Obama's recent flip-flopping on telecom immunity, gun control, the death penalty, campaign finance and faith-based funding. In a money pitch on his campaign's website, Nader says:

When we ask our friends who support Obama about his recent flip-flopping on these and other issues, they say something like this:

You have to pander to become President.

Or:

It doesn't matter where Obama stands on the issues -- it's the symbolism of change that matters.

Okay, so if it's the symbolism of change that matters to you, and not the substance, then please go and support Obama.

But if you actually want a candidacy that stands steadfast for shifting the power from the corporations back to the people, then please drop a five spot now on Nader/Gonzalez.

You'll be supporting a positive, rock solid, steadfast campaign.

Charges of pandering aside, Nader's environmental platform is much more earth-friendly than either Obama's pro-coal and pro-nuclear positions, or Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain's, which focuses solely on a market-based cap-and-trade approach to greenhouse gas emissions. Nader calls for the adoption of a carbon pollution tax, rejects nuclear power in favor of solar energy, and seeks stronger protections against toxic pollution. He also promises to work to end corporate personhood, perhaps the most fundamental challenge to abusive power in America.

A recent national CNN poll found Nader had the support of 6 percent of likely voters, ahead of Libertarian Party candidate and former Georgia Congressman Bob Barr. The Nader campaign is aiming for 10 percent support, which would get the candidate into the Google-sponsored debates in New Orleans on Sept. 18.

(Photo of Ralph Nader from VoteNader.org)

Yes, you can live without air conditioning

In today's New & Observer, Ideas columnist J. Peder Zane writes about what happened when his air conditioner broke. Considering the history of this energy-intensive technology and its impact on our culture and planet, he makes a critically important point:

"The technological advances that allowed us to escape the weather may be making it go haywire. The breakthroughs that keep us cool, may be making the world hotter. This raises the question: If we don't feel the heat, will we be inspired to do something about it?

"I fear that our disconnection from the natural world is crippling our efforts to recognize and confront our environmental changes."

So true. Unfortunately, Zane follows this wise observation with complete nonsense, writing that now "there's no going back."

Ridiculous! Of course there's "going back" to life before air conditioning. It wasn't so long ago that most Americans lived without artificially chilled air, and we survived -- even thrived.

Like many Americans, I grew up without air conditioning. I continue to live without it here in North Carolina, in a home that's also my workplace during the week. My life is certainly not the "hell on earth" that Zane claims he experienced when his cooler broke.

Do I get hot? Sticky? Sure. But it's summertime in the South -- it's supposed to be hot and sticky.

For most of us except perhaps the very sick, air conditioning is a choice, not a necessity. Knowing the environmental perils associated with the technology, we could choose to live without it -- or at least cut back on its use.

* * *

For more about the environmental impact of air conditioning, check out this William Saletan piece from the Slate archives. For tips on living comfortably in a warm climate without air conditioning, click here.

Immediate action needed on farmworker pesticide safety bill

As early as tomorrow, the N.C. House is expected to take up a bill that aims to better protect the state's farmworkers from pesticide exposure.

Introduced by Reps. Dan Blue and Grier Martin of Raleigh, the measure is a response to the tragic Ag-Mart case in which Carlos Candelario (pictured here) and other children born to employees of the company's tomato farms in North Carolina and Florida suffered severe birth defects. A state investigation found hundreds of violations of pesticide laws and worker protection standards at Ag-Mart farms.

Senate Bill 847, Prevent Agricultural Pesticide Exposure, would require better record-keeping when pesticides are used and workers are present. It would also prohibit employer retaliation against workers who report pesticide safety problems.

Toxic Free NC is asking supporters to take action by 1 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday, July 3. For more on the bill and how to contact your representatives, click here.

(Palm Beach Post photo courtesy of Toxic Free NC website)

So you want to start an environmentally sustainable business?

For more information, click here.

Raleigh library to host poster exhibit on Hiroshima-Nagasaki atomic bombings