HBG July Program
Well, we take off the month of July due to summer vacations. We'll see you all at the August 13th picnic at Tyson Park. Details will be in the next newsletter, and also the HBG facebook page and website.
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Newsflash
Investigation: Dangerous and Persistent Chemicals Discovered at a Middle Tennessee Military Base. Nashville Public Radio reports on DOD tests for toxic chemical that revealed contamination in the groundwater below Arnold Air Force Base some 2,500 times the EPA’s health advisory limit. See the May 14 article by Shalina Chatlani at: http://bit.ly/2WRmedb.
For the national Sierra Club perspective on the threat from these toxins, see http://bit.ly/2Zw4X75
Carbon dioxide levels hit landmark at 415 ppm, highest in human history. This figure is touted as "Single Most Important Stat on the Planet." "In another alarming signal that the international community is failing to take the kind of ambitious action necessary to avert global climate catastrophe, NOAA released new data Tuesday showing that atmospheric carbon dioxide levels — which environmentalist Bill McKibben described as the 'single most important stat on the planet' — reached a 'record high' in the month of May.” Read about it in a June 6 article by Jake Johnson at: http://bit.ly/2MCxrdG.
We demand answers about Bull Run coal ash, Anderson County tells TVA. "Records filed with TDEC show TVA isn’t making plans to clean the coal ash contamination unless TDEC orders the utility to do it, Garcia [of the Southern Environmental Law Center] said at the recent meeting.” See May 15th News Sentinel article by Jamie Satterfield at http://bit.ly/2WlAUNe.
"The Tennessee River dumps 32 million microplastic particles into the Ohio River every second . . . . " Microplastic levels were at 16,000 parts per cubic meter on the Tennessee River’s surface in 2017, according to a report released last year. Samples analyzed by the University of Georgia River Basin Center, revealed these levels were higher than other rivers reputed to be among the most polluted in the world. Read the article by May 21st article by Megan Jamerson at: http://bit.ly/2I2OmBz.
Are environmental regulators 'too cozy' with industries they regulate? TDEC’s participation in an annual conference ($375 registration fee) involving chemical, waste, and construction industries raises questons about the “independence" of the state’s environmental watchdog agency. The event in question is "The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation's annual Environmental Show of the South.” See the May 28 article in the Tennessean by Anita Wadhwani and Mike Reicher: http://bit.ly/2R0oWru.
To TDEC’s credit, they have responded - see the May 29 and June 6 followup articles in the Tennessean: http://bit.ly/2KDHjkC and http://bit.ly/2Zd3JgH.
The Environmental Show of the South attendees.
Sierra Club Reacts To Trump Administration Plan to Open More Critical Mineral Mines. Statement by Michael Brune, SC Executive Director: http://bit.ly/2I4xtq8.
Michael Bloomberg Promises $500 Million to Help End Coal. Read about it in a June 6 New York Times article by Lisa Friedman: https://nyti.ms/2R2tuxw.
Founder of ProtectOurAquifer.org calls for watchguard "Groundwater Authority” for Shelby County. The idea is that such an “authority” would have the power to protect the groundwater supply from damage due to potential industrial development that might damage the aquifer. See the June 7 article by Bill Dries: http://bit.ly/2WYX0JL or watch the video interview on Behind the Headlines, featuring Sierra Club's Scott Banbury at http://bit.ly/2FnGJUE .
Protect Our Aquifer was organized in the fall of 2016 to support the Sierra Club’s appeal of TVA’s cooling water wells that tapped our drinking water aquifer. More info can be found in the April 23 Daily Memphian: http://bit.ly/2wHdQhw.
New Air Pollution Calculations. A New York Times report states “The Environmental Protection Agency plans to change the way it calculates the health risks of air pollution, a shift that would make it easier to roll back a key climate change rule because it would result in far fewer predicted deaths from pollution, according to five people with knowledge of the agency’s plans. … The proposed shift is the latest example of the Trump administration downgrading the estimates of environmental harm from pollution in regulations.” This is another example of the impact to our daily lives of the person sitting in the White House and the direction he or she sets for regulations. It has been said the biggest contribution we can make as individuals is through politics, through voting and being active in campaigning for candidates whose values align with our own.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/20/climate/epa-air-pollution-deaths.html
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Citizens' Climate Lobby meeting
by Todd Waterman and Jan Berry, Harvey Broome Group
To fight the climate crisis a House Bill, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (HR 763) being co-sponsored by our congressional representative. Over 1,500 constituents attended the Citizens' Climate Lobby conference in Washington DC, with meetings held with 529 members of Congress. Representatives or staff of all the congressional districts engaged in active discussions with constituents. These constituents requested co-sponsorship of the Bill because there would be no increase in government since the revenue collected by taxing fossil fuels will be returned to the public to pay for any increase in energy costs, which will create jobs and be good for the economy. Here’s some information about two of the Tennessee meetings:
- The meeting with Congressman Steve Cohen’s Legislative Assistant, Alex Schnelle, resulted in Congressman Cohen co-sponsoring HR 763 just two days after the meeting! The meeting was held in the hallway in chaotic conditions – but this legislation’s provisions compelled him to act on climate change NOW.
- The meeting with Senator Alexander's Energy and Environment Aides Ace Burch and Randall Gibson. Six constituents made a strong case that our Senator's New Manhattan Project vital technology funding alone could not meet the IPCC's 1.5oC target without the kind of domestic and international incentives that the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act would provide.
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Knoxville makes progress on Clean Energy: Ready for 100 Petition
Harvey Broome Group’s Ready for 100 initiative delivered 439 petitions to Mayor Rogero’s office. These petitions support deployment of clean energy for the City of Knoxville.
In June, the Mayor’s Office reported on progress in reducing carbon emissions. The City’s 2008 greenhouse gas emission reduction efforts resulted in exceptional progress for the city’s operations. This progress, when compared with 2005, will result in a reduction of more than 20% by 2020.
The Mayor’s Office also put forward an aspirational plan to continue reducing emissions with targets for 2030 and 2050. City Council is considering a resolution to adopt this plan as a City initiative to be continued even after the current Mayor leaves office. This achievement and the plan forward are consistent with other major US cities that are committed to a sustainable future and fighting climate change.
If you are interested in supporting these goals, please sign the petition, which you can download from: https://bit.ly/2FhlzrI.
Please return your signed petition to: janatclimatechange@gmail.com.
Chicago has commited to 100 percent clean energy.
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Sing for the Climate
Tennessee Interfaith Power & Light and friends are organizing a June 29 (2-5 pm) concert at the Tennessee Amphitheater at World’s Fair Park. Singer-Songwriter Maggie Longmire is booking musicians for this free concert. It’ll be good: Maggie organized Louie Bluie for years. The objective is to create momentum for a forum within which a growing number of community groups may work together “to move through the challenges of climate change." More details may be found at http://climateknoxville.org. Organizations that wish to table and/or help sponsor the event are invited to contact Louise Gorenflo, climateknox@gmail.com.
Current sponsors: Allies of Knoxville Immigrant Neighbors, Beardsley Farm, Centro Hispano, Citizens Climate Lobby, Keep Knoxville Beautiful, Knoxville Interfaith Power & Light, Knoxville NAACP, Knoxville Women’s March, League of Women Voters, Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy Center, Sierra Club (Harvey Broome Group), Socially Equal Energy Efficiency Development, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment, Sunrise Movement, TN Citizens for Wilderness Planning, TN Clean Water Network, Trees Knoxville.
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APIEL: the 2019 Appalachian Public Interest Environmental Law Conference
When: Friday, September 27 - Sunday, September 29, Knoxville
Where: University of Tennessee College of Law, 1505 Cumberland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37996
Sponsored by UTK College of Law, Sierra Club, United Mountain Defense (UMD), and others.
At APIEL 2018, Kentucky activists Davis Mounger and Jim Scheff wrap up their presentation, “Winning: It’s a thing: Strategies and stories from the front line of public lands defense.”
APIEL is unique in our region as an informal and lay-friendly opportunity to learn from and connect with environmental lawyers, leaders, and activists concerned with environmental and social justice from all over the country - and it’s open to all. Two days of workshops are scheduled generally two at a time.
“The conference features a series of workshops with the goal of exchanging information, sharing skills, and fostering collaboration between grassroots organizations, the bar, and future lawyers and policy-makers.”
Register to attend, apply to present, and find more info at APIEL.org
Send questions and ideas about the conference to apiel.info@gmail.com
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Other Events
Tennessee Sustainable Transportation Forum, October 1-2, 2019, UT Conference Center, Knoxville. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), and Tennessee Clean Fuels (TNCleanFuels) will hold the fifth annual Tennessee Sustainable Transportation Forum & Expo (STF&E) on October 1-2, 2019 at the UT Conference Center in Knoxville. The research, technology, planning, and policy developments shared at STF&E aim to improve transportation efficiency, reduce vehicle emissions, and address the mobility needs of all. An agenda for the 2019 STF&E will be made available soon. Learn more about STF&E at: www.sustainabletransportationforum.com. Registration is currently open at http://stfe.eventbrite.com.
Knox Climate Actions has the latest information and events related to climate activism.
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HBG/Chapter Events
Summer Retreat 2019
July 26th through 28th
Cedars of Lebanon State Park
You're Invited! The Tennessee Chapter's Middle Tennessee Group invites you to join other Sierra Club members from around Tennessee at beautiful, historic Cedars of Lebanon State Park for a weekend of outdoor activities and indoor entertainment.
https://www.sierraclub.org/tennessee/blog/2019/07/tennessee-chapter-summer-2019-retreat
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HELP THE HARVEY BROOME GROUP
PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT
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Can't donate now? Sign up for Kroger Community Rewards. Kroger donates a portion of what you spend to the Harvey Broome Group as long as you designate HBG as your preferred charity.
Here's how:
1. Go to the Kroger Community Rewards web page
2. Register (or Sign In if you already have an account.)
3. Enroll in Community Rewards (or Edit if you're already enrolled.)
4. Enter HBG's Community Rewards Number 27874.
That's it. Swipe your Kroger Card when you shop and know that you're helping protect your environment.
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Who We Are
Founded by legendary conservationist John Muir in 1892, the Sierra Club is now the nation's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization -- with more than two million members and supporters. Our successes range from protecting millions of acres of wilderness to helping pass the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act. More recently, we've made history by leading the charge to move away from the dirty fossil fuels that cause climate disruption and toward a clean energy economy.
The Harvey Broome Group (HBG) is one of five Sierra Club Groups within the Tennessee Chapter. HBG is based in Knoxville and serves 18 surrounding counties. HBG's namesake, Harvey Broome, was a Knoxvillian who was a founding member of the Wilderness Society and played a key role in the creation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Visit our website.
Join HBG.
Donate.(click the Donate button on the HBG home page)
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