Take 'Clean Air' Out to the Ball Game!

Join the Clean Air Coalition of Western New York downtown at Coca-Cola Field on Thursday, August 8th for an exciting night of baseball at Clean Air Night with the Buffalo Bisons!

Enjoy a beautiful summer evening at the ballpark as the Bisons face off in a double-header against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Rail Riders, the minor league affiliate of the New York Yankees. 

Tickets are only $11, with a portion of the proceeds going directly to Clean Air to support our ongoing efforts to promote health and justice throughout Western New York.

Call our office at (716) 852-3813 or visit our Website at  to purchase tickets.

First pitch is at 5:30pm... we hope to see you there! 

Clean Air Coalition of Western New York | info@cacwny.org | http://www.cacwny.org

341 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, NY 14202

CLEAN AIR COALITION: Community-Wide Meeting to Rank Health Risks

Learn about Local Air Pollution and Health Impacts:

• Find out how many millions of pounds of toxic carcinogens were released into your backyard last year

• Read through Department of Environmental Conservation's documents on facilities in YOUR neighborhood

• Learn the results of 1 years worth of environmental health research completed by residents and our university partners - the results may astound you.    

Vote on Clean Air Coalition Agenda to Reduce Air Pollution:

On February 20th we will reveal the results of a year of community led research. We want to hear from YOU. Tell us what needs to change. Your vote will set our agenda to reduce toxics in Tonawanda.

  

WHEN: Wednesday, February 20th at 6:30pm
WHERE: American Legion, Brounshidle Post #2              
3354 Delaware Ave. Kenmore, NY 14217 
(corner of Delaware Ave. & Brendan Ave. -- see MAP)

For more information contact Rebecca at 716-852-3813m, or visit the Clean Air Coalition Website
Are you on Facebook? RSVP online here. 

See also this article:  "State study finds elevated levels of cancer, birth defects along Tonawanda’s industrial corridor" in The Buffalo News

Help Secure Air Monitoring by Signing Petition

By the Clean Air Coalition of WNY

[Click image to enlarge]

Air monitoring by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in Tonawanda has been critical to diagnosing the air pollution challenges, holding polluters accountable and tracking progress to reduce dangerous emissions.
The DEC is considering shutting one of the two remaining air monitors in Tonawanda. We can't let that happen!

We are also asking for an air monitor to be placed on Buffalo's lower West Side to monitor harmful matter from diesel emissions in the neighborhoods.  It's not right that a known toxic hot spot is not being monitored by the state.

The Coalition has been knocking on doors in Tonawanda and the West Side collecting signatures on postcards that we will deliver to legislators.  We have also started an online petition to demonstrate support for this critical community need.  Will you take 30 seconds to sign the petition and pass it along to your networks?

You can sign the petition at: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/secure-air-monitors-in-tonawanda-and-buffalos-west-side/

UPDATE:  New York State Assemblyman Sean Ryan called on the DEC today to install air monitoring equipment at locations on Buffalo’s west side.

CO2 Emissions Raise Global & Local Concern

On Saturday, October 24, people around the globe, and in Buffalo, participated in an International Day of Climate Action, called simply '350', to draw attention to problems associated with excessive CO2 emissions generated by burning fossil fuels and ways to solve those problems.

Why 350? A team of scientists, led by NASA climatologist Dr. James Hansen, determined that 350 ppm (parts per million) is the safe level of heat-trapping CO2 (carbon dioxide) which we must get below in order to preserve climates similar to which life on Earth is adapted. They found that throughout human civilization prior to the Industrial Revolution, before the extensive burning of fossil fuels, levels were only as high as 280. That level is far below the current level of 387, which is increasing at rate of 2 ppm per year. An intergovernmental panel comprised of over two thousand scientists has linked the rise in heat-trapping CO2 levels over time with climate change and environmental impacts that are threatening the health and well-being of people around the world. More recently, scientists have observed a connection between rising CO2 levels and increasing acidification of the world's oceans accompanying the deterioration of the ocean food web.

An international group directed by environmentalist Bill McKibben felt that world leaders must be informed of the urgent need to reduce the level of heat-trapping CO2 to at least 350. McKibben and co-founders named the group '350' to draw global attention to the science-based CO2 target of 350, a number that means the same thing in all languages. Scientific information about a safe CO2 emission target is essential for U.S. law makers aiming to cap emissions and shift to clean energy sources, as well as for world leaders seeking a strong and equitable climate treaty at the U.N. International Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark in December.

On Saturday, October 24th, people in 181 countries came together at over five-thousand '350' events around the world, calling for strong leadership and urgent action on the climate crisis. Visit 350.org to see a spectacular slide show of events around the globe. Below is a composite of photos taken at '350' events in three different countries. The photo suggests that international cooperation can help get to 350 in Copenhagen [click photo to enlarge].

Locally, there were several '350' events. On Thursday evening, Daemen College and the Sierra Club participated in a 350 event in conjunction with a talk called "Chill the Drills", about oil drilling in Alaska and climate change caused by burning fossil fuels.

On Friday, University at Buffalo students in the UB Environmental Network held a 350 march and gathered in the Student Union to inform others about 350 [click photo to enlarge].

On Saturday, the WNY Climate Action Coalition co-sponsored a teach-in and march along with other groups, including Catholic Charities, the Sierra Club, Network of Religious Communities and the energy-charged UB Environmental Network. A report on the event was published in The Buffalo News and is here.

Meeting of Environmental Group Reps

This is a call for Environmental Group Representatives to attend a meeting on Monday, May 18th, at 6:45pm. The purpose is explained in the message below from Roger Cook, Legislative Committee, WNY Climate Action Coalition:

This is an important meeting as we hope to secure as many commitments from organizations as well as individuals for three NYS legislative initiatives that need to be pushed this session. Two are being sponsored by Senator Thompson: a "Feed-In" law (S. 2715) that would create a favorable climate for businesses to invest in renewable energy like wind and solar and a climate change law (S. 4315) that would set mandate a drastic reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. There are companion/"same as" bills in the Assembly (A. 187 and A. 7572). The third piece, a Green Homes/Green Jobs housing retrofit proposal is currently being negotiated with the governor/senate/assembly leadership and, as I understand it.

To get these bills co-sponsored and passed, we're going to have to ramp up public pressure. The WNY CAC legislative committee is on board and we're willing to do grassroots mobilization. But, we would like to be part of a broader coalition. Representation at this meeting from groups like Citizen Action, Apollo, NYPIRG, Audubon, Sierra Club, LCV, Adirondack Mtn. Club, Citizens Coalition for the Environment, Citizens Environmental Coalition, campus environmental groups, etc. would be critical. This will help us find out where we have consensus and allow us to wage a coordinated campaign to secure Senate/Assembly legislative support .

Meeting will be held on Monday, May 18 at 6:45pm at the Tri-Main Center, 2495 Main Street, Suite 438, Buffalo
Questions: E-mail: Roger Cook Phone: 716-833-5416