Upcoming Events
Residential RE Systems Group
Organizational Meeting: Wednesday, December 10 3:30 PM
Cortez Journal meeting Room
The Renewable Energy Green Team is organizing a second team to focus on the technology of residential renewable energy systems. The team will meet monthly and its purpose is to bring together folks in the area wanting to install residential solar, wind or ground heating systems. The purpose of the group will be to share information that will help an individual to install successfully or to contract such systems. The group will research available technology, local vendors' product and services, availability of grants and financial help, and share tips and encourage each other in such endeavors. Phone Jodi Foran at 882-2401 for more information.
Climate Change, Women and the Earth:
Issues of Impact, Equity and Adaptation
League of Women Voters General Meeting
November 22, 8:30 AM
Ponderosa Restaurant, Dolores
Climate change is exacerbating the problems and inequities that women already face particularly in poorer countries where women are generally bound by the need to collect food, fuel and water as well as the cultural mores that may prevent them from being educated, owning land or presenting solutions to village leaders.
When a climate disaster strikes, women's tasks and survival are threatened. The death toll among women following natural disasters is higher than for. Think that this equation only applies to women in developing countries? Just ask the women who suffered through Katrina, losing their homes, livelihoods, support systems and way of life. Katrina forced many poor women into overcrowded living conditions, raising the level of domestic violence and abuse. Worldwide, women are the first to lose their homes and jobs following weather-related disasters and the last to receive aid, technical help or education.
Until 2003, the UNFCCC did not take gender into account when evaluating any policies toward climate mitigation and adaptation. Join JoDee Powers, November 22, 8:30am, at the Ponderosa Restaurant in Dolores to learn more about climate change and the issues of equity, impacts and adaptation. Discover why climate and equity has become a key issue at the UN and why women must begin to take leadership roles and contribute their expertise and experience at the community, national and international levels. Join in the discussion and exploration of how women can create viable ways of impacting the next climate treaty and on the policies and legislation adopted here in the US. Climate change is not gender neutral.
-Jodi Foran
President
LWV Montezuma County
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October M-CAN Events
(The Fun We Had!)
October was the month to learn about global warming and climate change. We
were fortunate to have three very knowledgeable people visit Montezuma
County in October.
Patrick Cummins Air Quality, Energy and Climate Change
On Saturday, October 18, Patrick Cummins made a
presentation on "Air Quality, Energy and Climate Change" at Empire
Electric. Patrick is the Air Quality Program Director for the
Western Regional Air Partnership of the Western Governor's
Assocation, representing the Governors of 19 States and 3 U.S. Flag
Pacific Islands.
The Free Press said:
"Patrick Cummins, air quality specialist with Western Governors Association, recently gave a program outlining the history of this group’s campaign for improved air quality in the face of the damaging environmental record of Four Corners Power Plant and San Juan Generating Station. Two “relic” coal plants, these facilities may not be able to afford the cost of meeting upcoming regulatory standards."
Dr. Kristin Averyt "Climate Change Update"
On Wednesday,
October 22, Dr Kristin Averyt presented a "Climate Change Update" in
Empire Electric's Calvin Denton Room. Again on Thursday, October 23,
Dr. Averyt spoke in Durango at Fort Lewis as one of the FLC
Life-Long Learning Lecture Series. Dr. Averyt is currently a
Research Scientist, Western Water Assessment, Cooperative Institute
for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), University of
Colorado/NOAA. She is currently crunching climate data to determine
the probable impact of climate change on the state of Colorado. The
report is due to Governor Ritter in early October. Her immediate
past position was Staff Scientist with Working Group I,
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The IPCC and
former president Al Gore won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. Working
Group I focused on the physical science behind climate change. Dr.
Averyt's visit was sponsored by the League of Women Voters
Educational Fund, Oxfam America, The Durango Herald and. Her visit
has also been facilitated by the League of Women Voters of both
LaPlata and Montezuma Counties as well as Montezuma Climate Action
Network and San Juan Citizens Alliance.
Søren Hermansen
Mr. Hermansen of
Samsø,Norway spoke to various groups and the public in Durango.
Samsø is the town that accepted the government challenge to install
renewable energy and adopt a sustainable, low carbon lifestyle.
Søren's informative, inspiring and humorous presentation outlined Samsø remarkable renewable energy story.
Because of their initial vision and collaborative community approach they now share a "been there - done that"
story of turning their fossil fuel dependence on its head. Samsø had a similar starting point as
Montezuma County - agricultural, conservative in outlook, and sparse in population.
M-CAN will sponsor the re-telling of Samsø's story through video and community dialog during the winter of 2008-09.
For more on Samsø see the links in the right sidebar of this newsletter as well as MSNBC's "Europe leads 'green' revolution" at
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3071932
"Octuber Feast"
On Saturday night, October 4th, M-CAN celebrated its first year of accomplishments at our first annual Octuber Feast. The 35 attendees began the celebration with a local foods potluck. Several party-goers were dressed in green costumes, and the remainder of the group all wore something green. Music was provided by Gary Evink on the acoustic guitar. As bellies were being satisfied, M-CAN Green team representatives provided the attendees with updates.
A Power Point presentation by Sue Whitehead from the Carbon Reduction Team led off the updates with the introduction of Low Carbon Clubs. Following this presentation, Jodi Foran discussed the future of the Renewables Team, Susan Thomas and Stephanie Ogburne from the Recycling Gren Team updated us on local recycling, Chris Foran relayed info from his one-man-show, the Education/ Outreach Green Team, and Jimbo Buickerood previewed goals for the Community Food and Farm Team.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the “Green-as-Kermit Awards. A separate column in this newsletter is dedicated to those folks who received these awards. Before we closed, attendees were given the opportunity to join a green team or start a Low Carbon Club.
The M-CAN Steering Committee gives a special thanks to the following persons who are active Green Team members: Roger and Gloria Woody, Rebecca Whitehead, Stephanie Ogburne, Penny Welch, Mary Vozar, Teresa Halsey, Shawn Collins, Michelle Martz and Kristine Hill.
We look forward to an even larger crowd at our next annual celebration. Stay tuned for all the events coming up during the next year.
Octuber Feast Local Foods Recipes
Kibbutz Salad — from ??
| 2-3 fresh tomatoes – diced | ½ tsp salt |
| 2 small cucumbers – diced | black pepper to taste |
| 3 scallions – thinly sliced | juice of 1 lemon |
| 5-7 radishes – thinly sliced | 1-2 tsp olive oil |
(Will the preparer of this recipe please send us your name so we can give you credit for this delightful salad?)
Tomato Pie — from Dixie Thomas from Cleveland, Ohio
1 bottom pie crust – cook 7 minutes at 4250
Tomatoes – thick slices – enough to fully cover crust
½ cup mayonnaise
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
basil to taste
¼ cup chopped chives or green onions
Mix mayonnaise and cheese thoroughly.
Spread tomatoes so no crust shows.
Sprinkle with basil, chives, salt, and pepper.
Spread cheese/mayonnaise mixture over tomatoes to edge of crust so it “seals”
Bake 35 minutes at 4000
Apple Crisp — from Mary Sparks at Sparks Apple Farm
4 ½ cups apples (sliced)
½ cup flour
½ cup oatmeal
¾ tsp cinnamon
¾ tsp nutmeg
1/3 cup softened butter
Layer apples in 9X9 pan. Mix all other ingredients and pour over apples. Bake at 4250 for 25 minutes or until browned. Let cool 10 minutes. Serve plain, with cheese, or whipped cream.
Zucchini Crusted Pizza — from Rebecca Whitehead courtesy of Moosewood Cookbook
Preheat oven to 3500
Crust:
3 ½ cups coarsely grated zucchini
3 eggs – beaten
1/3 cup flour
1 cup local Colorado feta
1 Tbsp minced fresh basil
salt and pepper
Salt zucchini lightly and let sit for 15 minutes. Squeeze out excess moisture.
Combine all ingredients and spread into 9X13 inch baking pan. Bake 20-25 minutes until surface is dry and firm. Brush the top with oil and broil it under moderate heat for 5 minutes.
Sauce: Combine fresh tomatoes in blender with garlic, onion, and herbs. Strain to reduce liquid. (You can drink this.)
Spread tomato sauce on cooked crust. Then pile all your favorite pizza toppings on, top with a favorite local cheese, and heat through at 3500 for about 25 minutes. Cut into squares and serve hot.
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On Our Calendar
Movie Nights Starting Nov 22
Saturday, November 22, 6:30pm
Empire Electric Calvin Denton Room
FROM NEW ZEALAND
FILMED IN INDIA
What does an environmentally friendly biodynamic food system capable of feeding everyone actually look like?
Across India marginal farmers are reviving an arcane form of agriculture and exposing the bio-colonialism of multinational corporations and their failed mantra of infinite growth in a finite world. HOW TO SAVE THE WORLD tells their story through the teachings of an elderly New Zealander many are calling the new Gandhi.
A blueprint for a post-industrial future, How to Save the World takes you into the heart of the world's most important renaissance. The outcome of the battle for agricultural control in India may just dictate the future of the earth.
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SØren Hermansen and SamsØ
To learn more:
SamsØ Energi Akademi Information
SamsØ Energiakademi
Strandengen 1
DK-8305 SamsØ
Denmark
Phone: +45 87 92 10 11
E-mail: info@energiakademiet.dk
Homepage: www.energiakademiet.dk
Links:
www.cop15.dk
www.enss.dk
www.concept-for-hire.dk/wind
www.samsohavvind.dk
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Kermit Awards 2008
In recognition of their significant efforts toward greenhouse gas reduction:
- Cheri Dorshak
- Sam Carter
- Shawn Collins
- Empire Electric
- Farmers Market Association
- Greater Dolores Action Group
- Brett LeCompte
- JoDee Powers
- Jude and Addie Scheunemeyer
- Matthew Keefauver
- Patsy Smith
- Organic Growers
- Osprey Packs
- Picaya
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Recycling Directory
Take a look at our local recycling directory (pdf). (There's a permanent link on our website). Send us any other recycling locations that should be part of the matrix.
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Sustainability Tips
- Take your own mug to the coffee shop.
- Print both sides of paper before recycling
- Reduce your use of paper products for cleaning... use cloth or rags and launder them
- Use cloth napkins
- Avoid using disposable products... use cloth diapers
- Avoid dry cleaning clothes or buying clothes that require dry cleaning
- Only buy organic flowers, the floral industry pollutes more than any other form of agriculture
Send Us Your Tips
Email to m-can@m-can.org with the subject "Tips".
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