A message from a family friend and downstate NY rep: Senator Larkin

Dear Friend(s):

The autumn season is a great time to take advantage of some of the best things the Empire State has to offer, including fall foliage, football and apple farms.

Did you know that New York is the #2 apple producer in the country? Or that New York grows more varieties of apples than any other state?

There are over 600 apple orchards around the state offering a variety of apple products, including cider, doughnuts, wine and, of course, apples. To find the nearest u-pick orchard, visit www.nyapplecountry.com/pick.php. 

I encourage all New Yorkers (and tourists!) to visit a local apple orchard this autumn. It’s great family fun, great for our health and a great way to support for our local farmers.
Sincerely,
Senator Bill Larkin

More on Climate Change- an email from SaveOurEnvironment

On September 21st, one of the largest rallies on climate change ever took place in New York City. An estimated 400,000 people took to the streets as part of the People's Climate March. Even if you couldn't be there, you can still call for climate action by submitting a public comment to cut carbon pollution.

With the UN summit in New York City approaching, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is urging governments to take action to reduce global warming pollution. As the world watches, our community is taking action by showing our strength in numbers.

Over 1,000 businesses, unions, faith assemblies, schools, social justice groups, and environmental organizations are there this week telling our world leaders to address our climate crisis. Support them by submitting a public comment now to set strong limits on carbon pollution.

Via flickr/Moms Clean Air Force

Even if you couldn't make the rally, you can still make your voice heard. Supporters like you have already submitted over six million public comments in support of the EPA limits on carbon pollution – now is the time to show our strength again.

When future generations look back at the battle to fight climate change, they'll look at this moment to see who stood up to protect the future – and who refused to act.

We know which side we have to be on.

Make your voice heard: join the more than 400,000 activists that took to the streets this Sunday and tell our world leaders they need to address our climate crisis.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Kevin Curtis
Director, SaveOurEnvironment.org

Climate Change- a message from the Earth Day Network

This is an email I received from the Earth Day Network. It says to share it - where better than on my environmental blog! See below:

Dear Friend,

Right now, hundreds of world leaders including President Barack Obama and UN Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon are gathered at the UN to discuss global climate change, leading up to the UN Climate Summit in Paris in 2015. Their agenda: negotiate new emission cuts, achieve solid financial commitments, and build momentum for a binding international agreement to be enacted in 2015.

At 8 AM to open today’s climate summit, they are viewing Louie Schwartzberg's remarkable short film, What’s Possible. Narrated by Morgan Freeman and scored by Hans Zimmer, What's Possible shows that we are all inextricably united by one common goal – a sustainable planet – and that for the very first time, renewable energy technologies offer a viable path to get us there.

Please see What’s Possible and help us build momentum by pledging an Act of Green and sharing this video with all your friends.
We have everything we need to wake up to a different kind of world. All we need now is a concerted effort. Make today the day we chart a new course together. Thank you for helping to secure our future.

-- The Earth Day Network Team

DEMAND A STATEWIDE BAN ON FRACKING- email from Catskill Citizens for Safe Energy

DEMAND A STATEWIDE BAN ON FRACKING

We know fracking is dangerous and destructive. The only thing we don't
know is what Governor Cuomo will do
if he's reelected. Demand a ban now!

FRACKING ON THE BALLOT IN NYS

Photo by Diana Robinson courtesy of Flickr Andrew Cuomo

Photo courtesy of Chae Kihn Zephyr Teachout

For the first time since fracking became a concern to many New Yorkers, it's emerged as a top-tier issue in a major race. On Tuesday, September 9, Democrats will get to choose between incumbent Governor Andrew Cuomo and challenger Zephyr Teachout.

Governor Cuomo hasn't had a lot to say about the issue in recent months. The official position of his administration is that he's waiting for the Department of Health to complete its review before making a determination as to whether or not to permit fracking in New York State. No decision is expected before next year.

Fracking and renewable energy are at the very heart of Fordham Law Professor Zephyr Teachout's campaign. She says she will impose a statewide fracking ban on her first day in office and immediately set about studying the feasibility of moving New York to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050, along the lines suggested by the Solutions Project. Teachout has been pressing her campaign in a number of visits to upstate New York, including an appearance in Ithaca, where she was given a rousing introduction by Helen Slottje.

The Candidates at a Glance

Click image to enlarge.

Polls open noon to 9 PM Tuesday September 9

Only registered Democrats will be allowed to vote. Voters who will be unable to vote in person should apply for an absentee ballot immediately.

CONNECTICUT BANS FRACKING WASTE

August 18 ~ Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy signed into law a bill that would prohibit the importation of fracking waste for three years. Malloy declared that the moratorium "must become a permanent ban" unless the industry fully discloses both the chemicals used in fracking and the naturally occurring chemicals found in waste products. One legislator who was instrumental in shepherding the bill through the legislature said the law was necessary because it was unclear what Cuomo would do after the election. "We're concerned that being so close to New York we would be bombarded with fracking waste," said state Senator Ed Meyer.

NEW JERSEY'S CHRISTIE VETOES FRACK WASTE BILL

August 12 ~ Claiming it would violate the U.S. constitution, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie vetoed a bipartisan bill that would bar the importation of frack waste. The measure had passed both houses of the legislature by wide margins, so an override of the veto is possible.

Growing threat to American birds, says report By Jane O'Brien BBC NEWS

Martha the passenger pigeon, who died 100 years ago, is being remembered this month as a prescient symbol of what can happen when man meets nature. A comprehensive new report finds that many more American bird species could meet the same fate.

Passenger pigeons were once the most common bird in North America - if not the world- but rapid land development in the 19th Century forced them from their natural forest habitat. Huge flocks descended on farms, destroying crops and livelihoods, and their doom was sealed. Considered a major pest (and a valuable source of meat and feathers), they were relentlessly hunted down.

On 1 September 1914, round about noon, Martha, the last of her species, died in the Cincinnati Zoo. Ectopistes migratorius, once numbering in the billions, joined the ranks of the dodo and the great auk.

One hundred years later, it is tempting think that we know better. But as a new report today makes clear, birds across the US are in deep trouble.

Read the full article here: http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29116412