by Denise [courtesy of Blog for America]

Today, April 25th, is Arbor Day, a day to celebrate trees.  I am writing to you today on behalf of the Nature Conservancy, an organization dear to my heart.  Thanks to thousands of caring supporters, more than 271,000 trees have been sponsored through The Nature Conservancy’s ambitious Plant A Billion campaign launched earlier this month.

Through the Plant A Billion project, where one dollar plants one native tree, The Nature Conservancy is working with partners in Brazil to protect and restore the Atlantic Forest, one of the world's biggest and most endangered tropical forests.

This is one of several Nature Conservancy projects currently underway to reverse deforestation and reestablish the great native rain forests that are the lungs of the earth.  Just one dollar plants a native tree that will remove thousands of pounds of carbon from the atmosphere over our lifetime. 

I’ve set a personal goal of raising $1,000 this year for the Conservancy to plant 1,000 trees.  Together, a little bit at a time, we can plant a thousand trees that will sequester tons of carbon, helping to offset our personal carbon footprint and reduce our role in climate change.  Amazing how such a small investment can do so much over a lifetime!  Please join me in celebrating Arbor Day by making a donation today through the Nature Conservancy’s secure contribution site:

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Alan Kandel

I hereby pledge to do my part to lower my carbon footprint on Tuesday, April 22, 2008, otherwise known as Earth Day. Who will do likewise? How I intend to accomplish this is by not doing much of anything, basically. I plan on not using the computer, not talking on the cell phone, not watching television, not listening to the radio, not driving and not using appliances that don’t need activity such as the washing machine and dryer. I’m not even going to do any lawn mowing. So what does this leave? Not only putting words in writing to express what I’m not going to do, but to bring attention to what one “green” business concern is up to these days, is what’s on tap for today. Remember, you read it here first!

Okay, I’ll admit it. I’m not one much for endorsing companies, businesses, retail outlets, or what-have-you, nor do I plan on doing so now or in the future. However, every once in a blue moon (I think “green” moon would be more appropriate here), I happen upon an article in a newspaper or magazine, or in electronic format, or I meet someone who introduces me to a process or product that grabs my attention.

by Susan Rowe [courtesy of Blog for America]

Earlier this month the Rocky Mountain News reported an announcement made by the DNCC CEO, Leah Daughtry and their Permanent Convention Chair, Speaker Nancy Pelosi about the "Green Delegate Challenge". Through a partnership with Native Energy, the DNCC will offer rewards to the delegation(s) who demonstrate the highest level of commitment to offsetting their carbon footprint from attending this year's historic Democratic National Convention being held on August 25th through 28th in Denver, Colorado.  

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Glennia Campbell

On the first full day of the California Democratic Convention, I made my way into the big hall, bright green "INTERNET MEDIA" press pass dangling from my neck, wondering who was going to stop me and tell me that it was off-limits. I thought as lowlife bloggers, we'd be shuttled into a windowless, cinderblock sideroom where we would watch the action from a portable Zenith black & white television set with rabbit ears. Instead, I was told to go sit on a platform at the back of the room, with a great view of the stage, above he heads of the delegates in the crowd, right beside the TV news crews from CBS, CNN, and other major networks. I found a seat in the back row of the blogger ghetto (shown at right), and opened up my laptop.

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

In today's SacBee, Governor Schwarzenegger gets hit on his carbon footprint. As many know, the Governator flies back and forth from LA to Sacramento quite frequently on a private jet, typically a Gulfstream 400.  Arnold's people have been saying that he uses carbon offsets to reduce his carbon footprint, but the value of carbon offsets remains a question.

Since July, the governor has used a new carbon offsets program run by NetJets, the private jet company through which he flies, McLear said. NetJets charges Gulfstream 400 customers $47.13 per hour flown to offset their emissions. The money goes toward a New Zealand wind farm, as well as projects to prevent harmful methane from spewing from an abandoned coal mine in Illinois and three dairy farms in Wisconsin.

But there are some serious questions as to the value of carbon offsets, flip it.

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Governor Schwarzenegger today signed a bill banning minors from using cellphones while driving.The bill, authored by Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), will fineviolators $20 for a first offense and $50 for subsequent infractions.

An editorial in the SF Chronicle praises the recent decision by state energy regulatorsto allow landlords to charge tenants by the amount of electricity theyuse. "In the fight to reduce our carbon footprint, it's not just aboutassembling a cap-and-trade system or levying a carbon tax. It's aboutgetting every single Californian to rethink the way we consume energy -and how much we're really willing to pay for it."

Congress may be poised to approve a federal ban on job discriminationagainst gay, lesbian, and transgender employees. The San Jose MercuryNews reports that while Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) predicts the banwill pass the House, the Senate is anyone's call. Conservatives aren'thappy about the proposed discrimination ban. "It would force Christian,Jewish, Muslim business owners to leave their faith at the workplacedoor," said Matt Barber, policy director for cultural issues forConcerned Women for America. Everyone knows that it's one's sexualorientation that must be left at the door.

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

In this Democratic Weekly Radio Address Assemblymember Mark DeSaulnier (D-Martinez) talks about what each of us can to help in the fight against greenhouse gases and global warming. Assembly member DeSaulnier, who served for ten years on the California Air Resources Board, knows business and industry must do their part to reduce California’s carbon footprint but says everyone must work together in order for the state to reach the goals established by the landmark Global Warming Solutions Act, AB 32. Assembly member Tony Mendoza does the Spanish version of this week's radio address.

To listen in English, click here.

To listen in Spanish, click here.