Clean Air and Sustainability

This year we continue with articles on small steps that we can take to help our environment and counter the effects of Global Warming. This LWVSTL webpage will provide additional resources and information. We will be updating as additional information is available.

Introduction.  Postions.  Action.  Clean Air Promise.  Tours.  Resources.  Sustainability Articles.

Introduction and Getting Started

This year we will continue a series of articles on small steps that we can take to help our environment and counter the effects of Global Warming. This LWVSTL webpage will provide additional resources and information. We will be updating as additional information is available. Know of a good resource - please forward to EQ committee! We will try to add to calendar events in the St Louis Area (please forward any that you are aware of).

Visit the LWVSTL webpage for helpful resources and additional information: LWV Natural Resource Positions, links to LWVUS Global Warming, articles on Sustainability from the ILR, etc.

Air Quality is a significant St Louis Issue as noted in recent headlines:

- St Louis is placed 7th among large metro areas across the county in poor air quality!
- President Barack Obama's has withdrawn the EPA recommended tougher ozone standards until 2013!

The League of Women Voters US has launched a campaign seeking to renew America's promise to protect clean air and public health embodied in the highly successful and popular Clean Air Act.

The Clean Air Promise Campaign will call on citizens, elected officials and community leaders around the country to join in making this simple promise to protect the health of our children and families.

The Clean Air Promise: I promise to protect America's children and families from dangerous air pollution. Because toxics and pollutants such as mercury, smog, carbon, and soot, cause thousands of hospital visits, asthma attacks, and even deaths, I will support clean air policies and other protections that scientists and public health experts have recommended to the EPA to safeguard our air quality.

League Positions for Natural Resources

Program is the League's "Reason for Being," the basis for both education and action efforts. It includes both adopted positions, statements of where the League stands on issues of public policy that are used for action, and issues for study that will lead to a position and action.

League of Women Voters US, League of Women Voters MO and League of Women Voters STL all have Natural Resource positions that are used to act on Environmental Issues.

Links to the Natural Resource Postions:

• The League of Women Voters of the United States Impact on Issues: Natural Resources

• LWV MO Natural Resource Positions

• LWV STL Natural Resource Positions

League Action on Sustainability and Global Warming

• Using the Transit position, the League of Women Voters of St Louis supported the Proposition A on the April 2010 Ballot. Members worked hard with many other organizations and the Proposition Passed!

• In September 2010, we again used the various Natural Resource Positions to oppose the sitting of the Casino at the Confluence of the Missouri River.

• LWVUS has used the numerous positions to join coalitions and lobby to improve the environment and reduce global warming effects. Visit the LWVUS webpage to learn more (see under resource)

Support of the Clean Air Defense is a current LWVUS advocacy prioroty.

A New section in the LWVUS Toolkit for Climate Action, a set of materials to support your action efforts for Clean Air Defense, a current LWVUS advocacy priority. The new section includes background information and suggestions of things your League can do to help safeguard the EPA's ability to establish the urgently needed clean air protections called for by the Clean Air Act.

Here is the main link to the new section

There are additional materials on such topics as What Your League Can Do, the Clean Air Act, the Supreme Court ruling in Massachusetts v. EPA, the EPA's endangerment finding, and the EPA's various regulatory initiatives.

There is also a link to a Voter-ready article about the Clean Air Act

Clean Air Promise

Air Quality is a significant St Louis Issue as noted in recent headlines:

- St Louis is placed 7th among large metro areas across the county in poor air quality!
- President Barack Obama's has withdrawn the EPA recommended tougher ozone standards until 2013!

The League of Women Voters US has launched a campaign seeking to renew America's promise to protect clean air and public health embodied in the highly successful and popular Clean Air Act. The Clean Air Promise Campaign will call on citizens, elected officials and community leaders around the country to join in making this simple promise to protect the health of our children and families.

The Clean Air Promise: I promise to protect America's children and families from dangerous air pollution. Because toxics and pollutants such as mercury, smog, carbon, and soot, cause thousands of hospital visits, asthma attacks, and even deaths, I will support clean air policies and other protections that scientists and public health experts have recommended to the EPA to safeguard our air quality.

Visit the LWVUS Web Page for the Clean Air Promise

Tours

The following list of tours is a work in progress + we appreciate your participation. Let us know of any opportunities or sources that you find that could be shared. The list will posted and updated on the League website

TOURS and Places to visit with a group or individually

Earthways House formerly located in Grandel Square now: Earthways Center of Missouri Botanical Garden located in the Commerce Bank Center for Science Education Earthways Center 4652 Shaw Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63110 (314) 577-0220

Alberici Headquarters, a building with a platinum rating, the highest rating of the US Green Building Council Alberici 8800 Page Avenue Overland, MO 63114

Resource Management, a company that processes single stream recycling for reuse Resource Managment 4375 Ryder Trail North Earth City, MO 63045 (314) 770-9898

Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. The Mission of the Center is to "Improve the human condition through plant science". Donald Danforth Plant Science Center 975 North Warson Road St. Louis, Missouri 63132 USA (314) 587-1000

Tyson Research Center - a environmental research and education center focusing on ecosystem sustainability and including a "living building" a title that requires net zero energy usage" Tyson Research Center 6750 Tyson Valley Rd Eureka, MO 63025-1669 (314) 935-8430

Resources and Additional Information

Resources and Links to Additional Information:

Let us know of any opportunities or sources that you find that could be shared.

• AmerenMissouri a site with information to help you track your energy usage and plan for energy savings and check the Energy Savings Toolkit and Energy Efficiency pages
• DOE Energy Star Website
• Laclede Gas for tips on energy savings, chec the Save Energy page
• EnergyStar one stop shopping for information on energy efficient appliances, energy rebates etc.
• Earthways House - see above
• Green Planet - articles on green cleaning and household products
• Treehugger - a souce of information on a wide variety of environmental technologies and products
• Sustainable St. Louis - learn about "the many initiatives, plans, and events that are taking place in the St. Louis Region to advance environmental sustainability".
• St. Louis City - information on the City's efforts on behalf of sustainability
• St. Louis County - "links...for local, regional and national resources and programs that will help you to `Grow and Green' you St. Louis County homes and businesses"
• Check the website for your community to find out what is happening to promote sustainability
• Missouri Votes Conservation + for updates on legislation and action on energy issues in Missouri
• League of Women Voters of United States Many articles, resources and information on their webpage on Global Warming and Sustainability
• League of Women Voters of Missouri
• watch the Missouri Voter for information on energy related activities in Missouri
• subscribe to the Legislative Bulletin to receive the latest information on related legislation in the General Assembly and to receive action alerts - call the office to subscribe

There are numerous websites with information on Recipes for Green Cleaning Products. Here are just a few links:

• Green cleaning
• Household Safety and Cleaning Products
• Alternative Cleaners and Recipes from EcoCycle
• Planet Green Detox Your Home: Assemble a Green Cleaning Kit
• Basic Recipes for Green Cleaning

For information on Green Gardening - please visit the Missouri Botanical Garden and specific sections including: Sustainable Gardening Resources for Organic and Natural Gardening Missouri Botanical Garden Sustainability Initiatives

For you information: In League Reporter Articles on Sustainability from the past:

1. Air Pollution

2. Coal Ash

3. Do Your Part to Help Reduce Global Warming

4. Energy Conservation St Louis and Sustainability

5. St Louis Is Testing Sustainability Tracking Software

6. Water Conservation

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: February 10, 2012 10:49 PST.

© Copyright League of Women Voters of St. Louis, Missouri. All rights reserved.