THANK YOU BIKERS!

We want to thank everyone who biked to school last Tuesday September 22! It was a huge success for our first Bike-to-School of the year! The bike count was over 50!

Another Bike-to-School is planned for late October. So, fix up all the bike problems you encountered on Tuesday or find a bike to borrow if your excuse was that you did not have one, so you will be ready to BIKE!

Japan's Taking A Stand

Earlier this month, Japan's incoming prime minister vowed to aim for a 25% reduction in greenhouse gasses by 2020. Is this an ambitious goal or could Japan actually be making progress? Yukio Hatoyama believes that this is the way of the future: "Japan's change in government will bring a major shift to our climate change policies, through international negotiations for the future of human society, and I want to begin in a way that is said to have made a major contribution."

Whether too ambitious or not, let us hope that more countries will be setting goals like this is the near future.

The True Cost of Water Bottles

Check out this article from National Geographic's website "Green Guide for Everyday Living". This great website has tips for many different ways for becoming eco-friendly. The tips range from vacation spots, to proper deodorants, to the best flat screen television.

This specific article is about the use of plastic water bottles. At Pingree, we all can start by changing our plastic water bottles to more eco-friendly aluminum ones.

Green Meadows Event!

Is anyone up for an Environmental Club outing? A week from Saturday, Green Meadows is having a free event:

"Mercury Brewing Company's Ipswich Ale Festival at Green Meadows Farm

Saturday, October 3rd from 1:00 - 6:00 pm

Music, Great Food and Local Beer! The Orville Giddings Band will play, free popcorn, plus activities for the kids. Ipswich Clambake and Tennessee BBQ will provide food, and for the first time, White Farms will provide Ice Cream."

They are also having another one, 2 weeks from Saturday:

"Green Meadows Farm Annual Harvest Festival

Saturday, Oct. 17th, 11am— 3pm
We’ll have great music from Back Eddy Bluegrass plus excellent food, fresh baked goods and of course, organic produce. Hayrides, pony rides and the Farm's animals will entertain the kids, along with children's activities. Admission is free! "

Go Green With Us

Just a heads up, the theme of this year's Topsfield Fair is "Go Green With Us". Its October 2nd through the 12th. I'm not sure what they are doing specifically yet, but i cannot wait to hear more!

We love movies!

Meet the No Impact Man, Colin Beaven. He and his wife and daughter embarked on a year-long mission with the single and daunting goal of making absolutely NO IMPACT on the environment. He has written a book, he keeps a blog, and a movie has just been released about the no impact year. Check it out:

Reminders!

As school starts up, PLEASE don't forget about all the green things you've been doing all summer! Keep recycling, especially printer paper, which is going to exponentially increase in the next couple of weeks. Remember to use the washable cups in the Commons when you can, and remember to bring your waterbottles to practices (they are available to everyone, so no excuses!) Finally, watch your peers! If you see someone making a poor environmental decision talk to them about it, and make sure they know what they should change.
Environmental Club is going to start up soon, so stay tuned!

Concern.Passion.Action

Tactics of Hope is an organization that is guiding concerned individuals ways to help the world, environment and other people.




To get started, go to tacticsofhope.org

Be Rewarding

Burning one gallon of gas produces roughly how many pounds of carbon dioxide?
How many barrels of oil does the United States consume per day?

What type of power is the fastest-growing energy source in the world?

If you want to know the answers to these questions and many more about environmental and human rights issues check out this website, Be Rewarding.

If you become a member (for free) you earn points every time you get a question right. You then choose which charity you want to give your points to, and that charity receives money!

Educate yourself about pressing issues in our world, give money to your favorite charity, and procrastinate all at the same time!