Turning Pain into Power, & Solar Power
A Message From Matt
I recently returned from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We arrived in the DRC via an amazing -- albeit a little bumpy -- drive through Rwanda, after flying into Bujumbura, Burundi.  We went with Eve Ensler and other supporters of V-Day to join in the opening celebration for the City of the Joy, a place for women and girls who are victims of the war -- from rape, mutilation, and other atrocities -- to recover.

For Matt's full blog entry click HERE.

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Global Green Unveils City Carbon Index
On February 23rd, Global Green USA unveiled the beta version of its City Carbon Index globalgreen.org/citycarbonindex (CCI) – a new Web tool designed to benchmark cities’ efforts to reduce carbon emissions and motivate citizens to advocate for smart climate policies at a local level, starting in Los Angeles. The City of LA received a C- grade which will hopefully motivate citizens to support – and push — our leaders to go further toward the reduction goals set for 2030.

To learn more, click HERE. And make sure to check the site frequently for updated action alerts to help reduce your city's carbon footprint.

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 Mikhail Gorbachev on 25th Anniversary
of the Chernobyl Catastrophe
 The founder of Green Cross International and its US affiliate, Global Green USA, writes in The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists that "today we know that about 77,000 square miles of territory in Europe and the former Soviet Union have been contaminated with radioactive fallout, leaving long-term challengs for flora, fauna, water, the environment and human health."

For the full article click HERE.

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Good Jobs, Green Schools
by Mary Luevano, Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs
 For five days last month I braved the frigid temperatures (well, frigid to this Southern Californian) of our nation’s capital to speak at the national Good Jobs, Green Jobs Conference on a panel about Green Schools.   The conference, celebrating its fourth year and attended by over 3000 people last year, was presented by the BlueGreen Alliance Foundation.

For Mary's full blog entry, click HERE.  

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New Program on Commercial Food Waste Recovery to Commence in April
Global Green is launching a new program on commercial food waste recovery thanks to the New York Community Trust. This program, combined with Global Green’s existing paper foodservice and wholesale packaging recycling programs enables us to make a significant dent in New York City’s foodservice waste stream and associated greenhouse gas emissions. Global Green will develop a conceptual plan for recovering the 1,100 tons per day of food waste generated by New York City’s accommodation and foodservice sectors. New York City businesses currently landfill this food waste at a cost of $84M per year to business owners.

To learn more about our Coalition for Resource Recovery (CoRR) programs, click HERE.

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Global Green USA Advocates for Full Nuclear Nonproliferation Funding
Paul Walker, Director of Global Green's Washington D.C. office, joined two dozen other experts in international security, arms control, and disarmament in writing Congress and the White House to save over $600 million in nonproliferation funding which is vulnerable to cuts in the current fiscal year 2011 budget battles on Capitol Hill.  The February 25th letter, under auspices of the Fissile Material Working Group (FMWG), states that "if approved, these budget cuts will weaken the first line of defense against the nuclear terrorist threat."

For the full letter, click HERE.

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Teaching Everyone to Build It Back Green
March is an exciting month for our team in New Orleans, with four fantastic events planned to help educate the public about energy efficiency and weatherize homes for low income families.  First up will be the Historic Green volunteer event from March 16 -  24, featuring architects, green builders, and preservationists from around the country, who will work with Global Green to green homes in the Holy Cross neighborhood and learn about our LEED Platinum housing development, the Holy Cross Project.

For more information on the additional workshops and training sessions, click HERE.

PRE-OSCAR PARTY
Global Green unveiled its City Carbon Index at its annual Pre-Oscar event. For green carpet and concert photos and footage, click below.

PIX & VIDEO

TAKE ACTION:

REDUCE CO2 IN LA
Sign Our LETTER to help adopt the "Clean LA" Solar program and email it to
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa

Mikhail Gorbachev Celebrated his 80th Birthday on Mar. 2
Visit mikhailgorbachev.com to view birthday tributes from world leaders.

Green School Makeover Contest
You can help a school in your area by nominating it for a green school makeover. Click HERE to learn more

Wetlands, Gumbo, and Louisiana Funk:
VOW All-Stars Tour
Read Devin Lowell's BLOG about his travels with the VOW bands around the country

REMEMBER WORLD WATER DAY ON
MARCH 22ND
Encourage your U.S. Representatives to confront safe drinking water and sanitation crisis by sending this LETTER.

IN THE NEXT ISSUE:

BP Oil Spill: One Year Later

Millennium Awards Preview

Earth Month Highlights

We're working on your behalf for a sustainable and secure future.