December Green Letter
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December Green Letter

Posted by barbf on Thu, 12/10/2009 - 10:20

Sunnyvale Cool Green Letter
December 8, 2009
 
Update
 
International. The UN Climate talks in Copenhagen are at center stage this week.  While the nations' representatives have not yet been able to agree on a treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012,  there is still hope for an ambitious and fair political agreement in Copenhagen, with a formal treaty to follow sometime after the Copenhagen conference.
 
Joining with others in a 350.org event listed below would help demonstrate to our leaders that we think an ambitious, fair and binding climate treaty is of the utmost importance. 
 
National. The EPA announced Monday its determination that greenhouse gas pollution imperils the health and well-being of present and future generations. This finding would enable the EPA to regulate GHG emissions, should Congress fail to.  Also, President Obama recently announced a provisional US goal of reducing carbon emissions 17% below 2005 levels by 2020.
 
Local.  A first round of three Land Use and Transportation Element (LUTE) outreach meetings have been hosted by city staff to gather community  input. The staff plans a community carbon audit early next year to provide the metrics for a climate action plan.  The Climate Action Plan will then inform the LUTE revision.  Staff predicts that a draft LUTE will be available this spring, with an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to follow.  Final adoption of a revised LUTE late is planned for late 2010. 
   
 
Upcoming events

  • Thursday, December 10, 7-9 PM, Second Floor Classroom, Toyota Sunnyvale, El Camino between Mary and Hollenbeck/Pastoria:  Sunnyvale Cool December Meeting.  Ursula presents her SMaRT video at 7; Vu-Bang Nguyen presents an introduction to the Great Communities Collaborative at 8 PM.  Updates, discussion and planning in between.
  •  San Jose - Thursday, December 10th (5:30pm – 8:30pm) – Silicon Valley Branch of the U.S. Green Building Council hosts its Sustainable Holiday Gala at the San Jose City Hall Rotunda, a LEED Platinum facility.  The event’s keynote speaker will be Dr. Woodrow Clark, co-recipient of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for his exceptional UN IPCC work on Climate Change, will share global wisdom from his latest book "Sustainable Communities."  Youth in attendance can participate in the EcoKids Workshop.  Learn more on the USGBC website.
  • Friday, December 11, 5:00pm – 7:00pm, corner of Stevens Creek and De Anza Blvds (Cypress Hotel Plaza):  Cupertino Candle Light Vigil.  Cupertino residents, in partnership with 350.org host event to demonstrate public support for the creation of, and agreement to, a global climate treaty by world leaders in Copenhagen, Denmark.  Join others from New York to Nigeria to Nepal, to mark the middle of the 2-week climate conference and promote the adoption of a fair, ambitious and binding climate agreement by all nations. Hot chocolate will be served and residents will have an opportunity to take action to reduce their own carbon footprint by signing up for a FREE home energy audit (note:  all those that signup on Friday will receive a Cupertino Green tee shirt!).  Please see attached flyer to learn more.  The event organizer may be reached through contact information provided on the event website.
  • Friday, December 11, 4:30-6 PM, King Plaza, in front of Palo Alto City Hall: 350.org event,  Candle-light Vigil for Climate Change Action. Gather at King Plaza and then walk to Anna Eshoo's office to deliver a thank you, photos from recent 350 events and letters urging bold movement on climate policy. We will then return to King Plaza where we will have a few speakers and spell out 350 with our candles for a photo. Our photos will be delivered to 350.org and included in the photos presented at Copenhagen. Please bring a candle if you can, if not we will have extras. For more information and to RSVP:  http://www.350.org/node/13024 
  • Friday, December 11, 7-9 PM, 2121 Staunton Court, Palo Alto: Another 350 event, sponsored by WorldCentric,   A Night of Eco-Flicks  To RSVP:  http://www.350.org/node/13432 
  • Wednesday, December 16, 10 AM-noon, Auditorium, San Mateo County Transit District, 1250 San Carlos Avenue, San Carlos: Grand Boulevard Initiative Task Force Quarterly Meeting. 
  • Tuesday, December 15, 7 PM Council Chambers:  Last Council meeting of the year includes budget update.
  • Thursday, December 17, 6:30 PM, Peninsula Conservation Center, 3921 E Bayshore Road, Palo Alto:  Sierra Club Sustainable Land Use Committee Holiday Potluck. Contact: Bonnie McClure, 415-591-5057, bonniemcclure@comcast.net   Website: lomaprieta.sierraclub.org/slu

  • Tuesday, January 5, 7 PM Council Chambers:  Swearing in of new Council members/Potential Study and Budget Issues public hearing.

  • Friday, January 29, Council Chambers:  Study Issues Workshop

Video of the month (thanks, Jim Griffith): "The Girl Who Silenced the World for Five Minutes:" http://media.causes.com/510213?p_id=99818775 http://media.causes.com/510213?p_id=99818775