Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Real dollars are saved by Energy Stars, which supports the people who suggest that a new economy based on better energy usage is the way to go. Through the Energy Star program, Americans saved enough energy in 2010 to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 33 million cars — all while saving nearly $18 billion on their utility bills.

At the community level, it looks like this. In Washington state, the Evergreen Public Schools district’s 2011 award is based in part on reported energy savings of $1.6 million in 2010. From the start of its conservation focus in late 2008 through January 2011, estimated savings have reached $3.35 million, according to The Columbian. Dollars can be saved at home as well. The program states that energy efficient choices can save families about a third on their energy bill with similar savings of greenhouse gas emissions, without sacrificing features, style or comfort. So if you’re shopping for new household products, look for ones that have earned the Energy Star. If looking to make larger improvements to your home, EPA offers tools and resources that help you plan and manage projects while reducing your energy bills.

Regrettably, many industrial aquaculture facilities are similar to livestock factory farms in that they house large numbers of animals in small, unsanitary facilities that pose immense environmental and human health risks.  Open water aquaculture facilities house thousands of fish within small netpens or cages that allow extremely harmful pollutants, fish feces, uneaten feed, pesticides and pharmaceuticals to pass directly into the surrounding water.

Even worse – in many cases, aquaculture facilities use wild fish populations to create feed for farmed carnivorous species.  The Fishing Hole estimates that 2.7 to 3.5 pounds of wild fish are used to produce one pound of farmed salmon.  What is more, as a result of net damage many facilities release substantial numbers of non-native fish into the environment, which poses a great threat to ecosystems by causing competition for resources.  There is also a risk that the escaped farmed fish may breed with their wild counterparts, thereby introducing farmed genetic traits into the gene pool.  Certain forms of aquaculture such as land-based farming operations that refrain from using antibiotics/chemicals and small-scale aquaponic operations that use plants to filter out waste can be conducted safely however.

In a world of industrialized livestock and aquaculture it is difficult to imagine a time without factory farms, but the USDA’s When Beans Were Bullets exhibit in Beltsville, Maryland reminds visitors of a simpler time.  The display features food and agriculture posters from World Wars I and II.  How were the home front populations encouraged to eat in order to put the nation’s interest first?  Eat locally, healthfully, and conscientiously, they were told, according to Food Safety News.  The exhibit may inspire modern day citizens to cultivate and eat food the old-fashioned way- fresh and responsibly.

Penguins, albatrosses and puffins are among the birds that are to the ocean what canaries are to mines.  They reveal a lot about the health of marine ecosystems, and when their populations decline it tells of problems that can affect other life in the marine environment.

In a real “happens there, felt here” way, seabirds can be affected by events in different parts of the world because they migrate so far.  They spend much of their lives on the high seas and can summer in one hemisphere and winter in the other.  Most seabirds have multiple countries and bodies of water within their ranges.

Unfortunately, seabird populations have declined seriously over the last twenty years.  Between being caught and drowned on fishing hooks, eating plastic garbage that they mistake for food, and being killed by invasive species, seabirds are telling us that our environment has problems that need solving.

The upcoming conference will also feature a film festival and seabird art exhibition.  For more information, see the Conference’s website.

As I wrote in my article “Vedanta – India Mine Report” on Monday August 16th, the proposed mine would have destroyed the dense forests the mineral lies under.  The forests are home to the Dongria Kondh, are an important link between wildlife sanctuaries for elephants and tigers, and have around 20 species of orchids which are used as medicine.

Survival International reports http://www.survivalinternational.org/news/6385 that its supporters wrote more than 10,000 protest letters to the Indian government, and over 600,000 people have watched Survival’s film ‘Mine’.

It’s time to celebrate, before taking a deep breath and turning towards our  next environmental challenge.

The report states that the intended mining area is surrounded by dense forests and is the habitat for diverse species of plant and animal life.  The area is home to around 20 species of orchids which have been used for centuries as medicines by the native Dongaria Kondh tribe.  The protestors suggest that the mine will destroy the native people, as well as the important link that the forests provide between wildlife sanctuaries for elephants, tigers and other animals.

India’s Minister of Environment and Forests has suggested that he would use the report to decide whether or not to permit Vedanta to start mining.  The Guardian writes that another panel will meet Friday to study the report before the Minister’s department makes their final decision.

It may be too early to say it, but with the release of this condemning report, it looks like the forest, native people and animals may have won this battle.

The group I stopped to chat with was led by Janette McIntosh of KAIROS  Canada  and Kevin Washbrook of Voters Taking Action on Climate Change (VTACC).  They had a sizable turnout considering the freezing weather, and were received warmly by the many people driving by who honked their support. 

Both organizations are grassroots and volunteer-driven.  VTACC focuses on getting people involved politically on behalf of our planet with regards to climate change.  When the group started in 2007, governments were not listening and although the large environmental groups were doing good work, they were not getting results.  Kevin attributes this to a lack of involvement from the general public. 

VTACC’s events are positive, fun and family-oriented, and include soap box derbies and parades.  Occasionally the political signs appear, such as on the first day of the current international climate change conference.  VTACC also organized leadership debates during the election.  Their goal is to legislate serious carbon emission reductions to help stop climate change.  “Climate change is not a political issue – it’s about creating the type of world we want to live in for the rest of our lives,” Kevin told me.  “We’re not going to solve this unless we’re all working together.”  VTACC forms alliances with other groups to accomplish goals related to climate change, as well as human rights and social justice.  It’s an urgent time for action and although there are reasons to be worried, some things give Kevin great hope, including China and India announcing reduction targets, and the Canadian government’s shift in position.  If groups are active now and then Copenhagen fails to reach an agreement, people will ask “why not?”. 

VTACC is asking supporters to participate in a rotating fast during the Copenhagen talks – information is available on their Facebook page. 

Janette McIntosh of KAIROS explained that her organization is multi-denominational and involved with climate change as well as social issues.  Five years ago, Janette, a public health officer by trade, took on the issue of water abundance and went to churches to educate people.  Soon after, other environmental activities related to resource extraction followed, especially in places where North American laws don’t apply.  Three years ago, KAIROS decided to “focus on a longer-term, three-year climate change campaign, which gives us a chance, [as] volunteers, to become better educated and to become better advocates on the issues,” Janette explained.  Being faith-based, KAIROS takes its message to congregations, and writes resources and policy documents based on Christian messages.  Currently KAIROS is facing budget cuts from CIDA, which will negatively affect the international work they do.

Janette reports that some people who have witnessed old forms of environmental activism feel hesitant to get involved.  Others are too busy, even lacking time to think or reflect.  She approaches issues gently and takes time to build relationships and establish trust so people start to listen. In time, some join her group.  She agrees that the role of stewardship is an important model.  Feeling humble makes it much harder to approach our planet with an attitude of dominance.  The bottom line is our relationship with ourselves, with other people, and with our planet.  We need to examine who we are in relation to our world, how we live, and that we’re not alone.  “In the business of going from place A, to B to C, communication dwindles – you’re not able to have meaningful conversation on issues that matter.  If you’re not having those conversations, then the depth that all of us long for is not being met,” Janette suggested.  Many people are not aware of how fulfilling life can be when it is lived intentionally, or with purpose. 

Sometimes an overdose of climate change information — as with some media outlets during the lead up to Copenhagen — can make people feel hopeless or even desensitized.  Those who get scared can bury it, pretend a threat doesn’t exist, and carry on with business as usual.  Other people become overwhelmed as they stretch their energy in too many helpful ways.

 There are different ways to approach this, but Janette suggests — and I agree — that people with an awareness or who have time to think, have a responsibility to help.  “There has to be political analysis and an ability to work with an alliance-building and a partnership approach,” Janette suggested.  Many people are helping and their voices have the right to be heard.  A number of churches now have environmental committees or stewardship groups.  Seattle-based Earth Ministry, for example, has a lot of activity going on to reach everyone.  And we need everybody – all hands on deck, please!

The 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen started today.  May great wisdom guide the decision makers and may they work together to reach an agreement that supports our planet.  We wish them well.