green news

VOL.23 - NO. 4

NEWSLETTER OF GREEN DECADE / NEWTON Over 20 Years of Environmental Leadership 1990 - 2013 JULY/AUGUST 2013

Students show their projects at library presentation

Students for a Greener World (alias the Wild Boars) & their guests presented what they learned about the environment in 2012/13 programs sponsored by Green Decade/Newton, Newton Schools & Newton Free Library.

Wild Boar award to Ellen Meyers, Program Director from the Newton Free Library with SGW students

Wild Boar award to Greengineers & Newton North teacher Steve Chinosi, accepted by SGW/Greengineer Michael Han

Presenting the Wild Boar award to Diane Jaquith from Franklin Elementary School - Art; with her students

Honoring hard work of SGW graduating seniors, Malini Honoring EnviroArt Contest Green Medalist Audrey Presenting the Wild Boar awards to Hope Ratham and Gandhi,Zachary Rosenof, Hilary Brumberg & Jay Feinstein Gagnon (Margaret Ford holding 4th Grade winning art) Elise Blanken from Solomon Schechter Day School

How green is your transportation? How green can it be?

In Newton roughly a third of our carbon footprint is due to the way we travel: commuting to work, shopping, social visits, etc. Many of us drive relatively fuel-efficient cars thats a good first step and some of us try to chain our trips to save miles driven e.g., stop at the library on the way to buy groceries. But what about taking trips without driving at all? Unlike much of the U.S., Newton is relatively compact, has sidewalks and bikeable streets, and enjoys very good public transportation three Green Line branches, express buses, crosstown buses, and commuter rail. (And the Ts reduced fares for seniors, students, children under 12, and people with disabilities are a terrific value.) In addition to reducing carbon emissions, using these modes of travel promotes our families health. Suppose you commute to a downtown job. You walk 10 minutes to the T and another 10 minutes from the T to your office downtown. That amounts to walking a mile twice a day

for a total of 10 miles a weekan amount of exercise that has been shown to significantly promote good health. Within Newton, a large number of shops, restaurants, and cafes are within a 10 minute walk. Even more are within a short bike ride. BikeNewtons map of the city shows biking routes that you can use to plan trips to destinations you usually drive to. Visit www.walkscore.com to find walkable and bikeable destinations near your home with distances and routes shown on a map. It is not an all-or-nothing thing to green your commute and travel to local destinations. Set achievable goals for non-auto travel. Start with shorter walking and biking trips and make them a habit when the weather is good. Before long you may find that youre expanding your walking and biking radius and leaving the car at home even on days when the weather isnt perfect. Chances are youll enjoy it, feel better, save money, and have the satisfaction of reducing your carbon footprint! by Jim Purdy

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JULY/AUGUST 2013

Annual Green Decade environmental leadership awards Business Organization

Marcia Cooper presents award to Crystal Lake organizers: Janice Bourque, Schuyler Larrabee, Barbara Wales and Srdjan Nedeljkovic

Peter Smith presents award to Big Belly Solar VP of Engineering Michael Feldman

The Crystal Lake Conservancy has made an outstanding environmental contribution in Newton by preserving and protecting the quality of the water in Crystal Lake for the benefit of the public. They work to reduce the algae bloom that closed the lake to swimmng in 2012. The Conservancy works to increase community awareness of issues related to the Lake by providing information on its web site and by printing information concerning the Lake. One of their highest priorities is to develop a set of recommended best practices for the protection and preservation of the Lake. They also promote environmentally sustainable uses for Crystal Lake and surrounding public lands among those who utilize the Lake for recreation. The Conservancy relies on expert research and recommendations to determine the impact of the overuse of nutrients in lawn fertilizer within the Lakes watershed, the effects of polluted storm water drainage into the lake and the environmental impact of activities associated with the use of the Lake. They are encouraging residents to use organic lawn care. They are widely distributing the results of assessments and this resource provides guidance in the development of a long range plan for physical, natural and aesthetic improvements, as well as maintenance of the Lake. Green Decade is grateful for their outstanding effort to promote and support the unique natural beauty and recreational enjoyment of the Lake, while preserving and protecting it as one of our communitys most valuable natural resources.

Big Belly Solars stout-looking trash receptacles with a solar panel on top was selected for the front of Newton City Hall early in the companys start up process. When the can fills up about half-way with trash, a compactor mechanism smashes it down, using solar power that has been stored up in a battery. As a result, BigBelly compactors can hold four to five times the amount of garbage as a typical trash can and thus, they dont need to be emptied as often. That can save cities serious money and reduce the CO2 that trucks belch picking up the trash and now recycling and compost. More than 12,000 of the cans are all over Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, and the campuses of MIT and Boston University. Realizing that recurring revenues are better than one time sales, The company is repositioning itself as a software-as-a-service company that also happens to sell hardware. BigBelly is integrating wireless connectivity into its trash and recycling cans, which allow them to report their status to a Web-based software system. By sending crews out to empty only the receptacles that need it, they estimate cities can eliminate at least 7 of every 10 pick-up trips that trash vehicles make today. In Philly, for instance, the sanitation department used to swing by some trash cans 17 times a week; now, the average is 2.5 times a week. They have deployed close to 1000 BigBelly cans around eastern Massachusetts.

Newton Community Farm summer youth programs

Summer volunteers welcome!

Looking for summer programs for your children, preschool to grade 9? If so, check out Newton Community Farms offerings at www.newtoncommunityfarm.org. Back by popular demand, NCF will again offer Farm Sprouts, Little Diggers, Farmer in Training, and Socially Aware Young Farmers. Preregistration is required for all classes. Registration closes one week before class start date.

If you are looking for a great way to support Green Decades efforts, please consider volunteering at our Newton Farmers Market booth, where we distribute environmental literature and feature our popular Magic Energy Bike, as well as other cool nature-based activities. Even if you have only an hour or two on an occasional basis, your help will be much appreciated on Tuesdays, 1:30-6 pm in Cold Spring Park on Beacon St. Contact info@greendecade.org or call 617-965-1995.

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Environmental leadership award to an individual

An app to reduce junk mail

Representative Kay Khan helped to secure state funding of $500,000 for major improvements to the Lower Falls Community Center that allowed a deep energy retrofit renovation for that building. The City can expect energy savings in excess of 70%, even a greater cost reduction in its operations and Marcia Cooper presents Representative maintenance and significant reduction of green Kay Khan with her leadership award house gas emissions from this building over the coming years. Kay helped to put together a top notch team effort, including Mayor Warren, Alderman Deb Crossley, Jonathan Kantar from Newtons High Performance Building Coalition, Judy Dore from Newtons Parks and Recreation Department that delivered concrete results. The buildings new roof has significant insulation and light tubes to allow natural light into the corridors. An old, oil fired boiler and steam system was replaced with 96% efficient condensing boilers and a hot water system. Outdated, single pane windows and uninsulated wall systems were replaced with a triple pane fiberglass window system, insulated walls and soffits, as well masonry walls that have been filled with spray insulation. This may be Newtons most energy efficient building and will serve as a model to help advance energy efficiency measures in other city buildings. We also appreciate how Kay successfully advocated for the restoration and reconstruction of an unused railroad bridge which was converted to a pedestrian walkway over the Charles River in Lower Falls. She persevered on the bridge project for 10 years. On May 8, 2012, we celebrated the completion of the bridge. She is a passionate advocate for pedestrian pathways throughout the community. Green Decade recognizes Kays leadership in bringing together people with expertise to acquire the resources needed to complete these two outstanding projects in Newton.

Heres a good way to reduce paper waste and save some of your sanity: the Paperkarma app to reduce junk mail. The system is simple; just take a photo of the label on your junk mail, indicate the name that is addressed and then submit the photo to Paperkarma. Their system has a database of thousands of junk mail houses and will contact the firms to unsubscribe you from their lists. Its that easy. In practice, national mailers already in the database will have a quicker response than local businesses such as landscaping firms that may not yet be in the Paperkarma system. How does this work, economically? Well, the companies sending mail save a few cents a year if they find out you are not interested in their products, natural resources are conserved with less junk mail in the postal system, and you eliminate the hassle of receiving catalogs or mailers that you would never respond to. But how does Paperkarma make money? Well, they dont, yet. This is a start-up founded by two tech entrepreneurs, one of whom was still full-time at Microsoft when Paperkarma was developed. Perhaps in the future, they will gain some revenue from companies by enticing customers to sign up for digital coupons, but for now a year after launching, were benefitting from their investment in the company. I started using Paperkarma a few weeks ago and I now look forward to sorting through my mail so I can zap the junk. Already the tour company that we enjoyed two years ago has stopped sending bi-weekly catalogs, and I look forward to getting rid of some of the random marketing materials that encourage me to buy things I didnt know I (didnt) need. Paperkarma is a free app available for Apple, Android and Windows phones. Your mail carrier will thank you. by Jack Cheng

Keep Plastic Bags out of Recycling Bins

Our mission is to create an environment in better balance with the natural world by making significant, measurable improvements in the way we use resources. Goals include helping households, businesses and institutions to: Increase energy efficiency & seek alternatives to fossil/nuclear fuels; Use IPM and organic alternatives to pesticides; Promote high performance (green) building measures; Prevent pollution through source reduction and reduced consumption; Promote reuse and recycling practices; Improve waste disposal practices; Conserve water and other resources. Our programs are designed to build awareness, promote opportunities for public dialogue and educate and empower citizens to take personal and civic action.

Green Decades recycling committee is working on getting plastic bags out of recycling bins. Plastic bags are constantly ending up in all the wrong places: trees, oceans, rivers and the bellies of marine and land animals. The right places to put clean plastic bags are the recycling bins at the entrance of most supermarkets. Please DO NOT place your recyclables in a plastic bag and then put them in your recycling bin because the plastic will gum up the machine that sorts the recyclables! Thanks for excluding plastic bags from your recycling bins and please spread the word! by Michele Davis

Thanks ! and next newsletter deadline

For the next newsletter, please send submissions by e-mail to Ira Krepchin, irapk@alum.mit.edu, by Mon, July 22, 2013. Thanks for making this newsletter possible to Managing Editor Ira Krepchin, Editor Peter Smith and article authors. Many thanks to our mailing volunteers Sarah and Octo Barnett, Marcia Cooper, Edie and Frank Propp.

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Louise Bruyn, our founder, walked 450 miles to Washington, DC in 1971 to call attention to the Vietnam war. Bernard Lown, MD, Co-recipient Nobel Peace Prize (1985) said: There comes a time when confronted with outrage, we must act to remain human. Not just any deed, but focused action floating the injustice to the level of public visibility. How she achieved this became a pageturner for me. Years later, 1989, she called us to raise our voices to work for another cause, the environment hence Green Decade/Newton!

JULY/AUGUST 2013
The Light Breaks Through, by Marian Dioguardi

Hanging out to Dry

Book by Green Decades founder

If you are in search for the perfect book for yourself or to give as a gift, look no further. She Walked for All of Us One Womans 1971 Protest Against an Illegal War, written by Louise Bruyn, Green Decade Founding President, is now available for purchase. This book is a most compelling and inspiring read not to be missed. The books foreword is written by Bernard Lown, MD, Co-recipient Nobel Peace Prize (1985). Louises story relates her day-to-day experiences as she walked from Newton to Washington D.C. to dramatically bring attention to efforts to end the Vietnam War. Louise has generously offered to donate $10 to Green Decade from the sale of each book sold at $15 to or by Green Decade members. Her book is also available at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble. If you would like to purchase one or more copies of She Walked for All of Us please contact info@greendecade.org by Peter Smith

Thanks for donations go to:

(for contributions received April-June) FRIENDS: Ald. Victoria Danberg, Josephine McNeil, Emily Norton, Ruth Nussbaum, Jeremy Russo DONORS: Louise Bruyn, Michele & Jonathan Davis, Larry Denenberg, Ron Joseph & Deborah De Witt, Laurel Farnsworth, Carole & Alan Kushnir, Nate Levy, Robert & Charlotte Seeley BENEFACTORS: Sarah & Christopher Gant, John Huston & Katherine Read, Hugh Wilkinson BUSINESS FRIEND: First Unitarian Society Social Action Committee BUSINESS BENEFACTOR: Next Step Living Inc.

You probably know neighbors who bicycle to work, recycle, never buy bottled water, and install state of the art energy efficient heating systems and lighting systems. Many of you would admire those efforts, but what would you think of a neighbor who hangs out a laundry line? Would you think it was blight or beautiful--would you say to yourself, How Green! or White Trash? Unfortunately line-drying is a controversial issue, but the laundry line remains a simple and elegant design for reducing power consumption in the home. While there are Energy Star washing machines there are no Energy Star dryers! This is New England and we will never be able to dry the laundry every day on a laundry line or rack. Its the real world and that pair of pants or sports uniform has to be dried in ten minutes. Reducing our dependency on the dryer doesnt have to be an all or nothing choice. You can make a difference by installing a laundry line or by buying a laundry rack and using it once a month, once a week or for small loads. Every little bit will make a difference. More Americans return to line drying every year and it does add up to savings. If all Americans who currently do not use a laundry line began to use one for only five months a year, April thru August, we could prevent 12 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere, annually. One can reduce the full life cycle of the climate change impact of those imported dyed cotton jeans simply by regularly washing them in cold water and line drying. To learn more about the positive impact that your small gesture of hanging laundry on a line can have in your life and on our environment please visit: www.projectlaundrylist.org WAIT! Did I just hear you say that you do hang your laundry to dry? Well then why not sign up for the Project Laundry List newsletter and become part of the PLL community through FB and/ or Twitter. Hanging laundry is not about airing dirty laundry; its about letting the sunshine into your life. by Marian Dioguardi

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Green Decade transportation mission statement

Green Decades mission is to create an environment in better balance with the natural world by making significant, measurable improvements in the way we use resources. The Transportation Committee works for this mission by supporting infrastructure, policies and educational programs designed to reduce pollution and traffic congestion while enhancing safety, promoting public health and making Newton a more livable city. Transportation accounts for at least 1/3 of Newtons carbon dioxide emissions. Newton can have a major impact on carbon emissions by reducing the number of vehicle trip miles driven and encouraging a range of transportation options for people traveling in and through our city.

Green Decade transportation policy statement

The City of Newton has recently been paying increased attention to Transportation. This policy statement delineates our common goals with the City related to Transportation and expresses support for specific policies endorsed by the Mayors Transportation Advisory Group. The transportation sector is the fastest growing carbon dioxide source in the United States with emission rates rising 2 percent per year. Projections show that more efficient vehicles and clean fuels wont be enough to offset the projected 59 percent increase in driving by 2030. Even with expected improvements in vehicle and fuel economy, carbon

emissions from transportation would be 41 percent above today. Therefore, we must encourage walking, transit use and bicycling as alternatives to our heavy reliance on motor vehicles. In addition to reducing emissions and improving public health, there are social and civic benefits to getting out of our cars more. When we walk, bike or use public transit, we are more aware of our surroundings; we make more eye contact with people and can hear and feel things that elude us when we are inside a car. These transportation alternatives enhance opportunities for community involvement while fostering awareness of the natural world. Green Decades stated goals can be furthered through our support of specific City of Newton policies. These include: the Newton Bicycle Network Plan, the Newton Pedestrian Plan (under development), the expansion of Hubway (Bostons regional bicycle-sharing program) into Newton, plans for improved and expanded MBTA service in Newton, and the adoption of a city-wide Parking Plan. We also support greater enforcement of our traffic laws, safety education and programs that encourage children to walk and bike to school. Many Newton residents already embrace alternatives to driving, and many more will join them when they feel that our roads are safer and more accessible for bicyclists and pedestrians. The resources dedicated to alternative transportation reap increasing dividends by creating a virtuous circle; as biking becomes safer and more socially accepted, more residents will bike, and the more bicyclists there are on the streets, the safer and more accepted biking becomes. By increasing awareness of transportation alternatives and thereby reducing the number of motor vehicle trip miles driven in Newton, Green Decade will make significant, measurable improvements in the way we use resources. by Lois Levin & Jack Cheng

At the Mayors prayer breakfast many of the Green Decade board of directors sat at a table and sang along at the closing. Shown here are Sharon Cushing (Treasurer), Jim Purdy (Vice President), Peter Smith (Green News), Mindy Sieber (Membership), Jay Walter (EcoProject), Tom Boyd (Webmaster), Louise Bruyn (Founder), Marcia Cooper (President), Bev Droz (Past President) and Jack Cheng (Transportation & Newsletter).

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JULY/AUGUST 2013

Mayor Warren declared June is sustainability month in Newton

Mayors Sustainability Month Announcement: Chamber Pres. Greg Reibman; EcoProject Chair, Jay Walter; Mayor Setti Warren; Sec. of Energy & Environment, Sullivan; CEO of Mass CEC, Alicia Barton; Commisioner of Mass DOER, Mark Sylvia.;

Energy Smart Newton Challenge offers gift certificates

On May 1st, Green Decade Newton, the City of Newton, the Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce and Next Step Living launched the Energy Smart Newton Challenge with a goal of 500 no-cost home energy assessments and 120 heating and cooling assessments by December 31, 2013. Next Step Living will provide $10 and $25 gift certificates for participating Newton restaurants to Newton residents who complete a home energy assessment or heating and cooling assessment with Next Step Living during the Challenge. Participating restaurants include OHaras, Paddys, Roxs Diner, Terry OReillys Pub and The Local. Next Step Living will also contribute $400 to support environmental education projects of Green Decade and award a $100 Whole Foods raffle prize to one winner for every 100 Newton Home Energy Assessments completed by December 31, 2013. For every 50 Newton heating and cooling system assessments completed during the Energy Smart Newton Challenge, Next Step Living will contribute an additional $400 to Green Decade and another $100 raffle prize for a lucky participant to use at Whole Foods.

As one of several initiatives during Mayor Warrens Sustainability Month in June, the City of Newton in collaboration with the Newton Eco-project and the Newton Citizens Energy Commission has launched Solarize Newton. The City has received a grant from Solarize Mass, a program from the Mass Clean Energy Center to promote PV solar panel installations on residential and small commercial properties. PV or photovoltaic solar panels can generate enough electricity to meet 100% of the electricity needed of an average Newton residence. Until September 30, 2013, the Solarize program offers residents

solar panel installations for as much as 20% less than current market rates. If you would like to find out if your house is a good candidate for solar panels go to www.solarflair.com and then to the Solarize Newton link to sign up for a free satellite image analysis. If your house is solar ready with good roof orientation, area and minimal shading our partners from Solarflair will contact you to arrange a meeting to review how solar panels could work on your house. If you have questions call 617 527-8383 or e-mail Solarizenewton@solarflair.com by Jay Walter

Sign-up for a no-cost home energy assessment (a $300+ value) as part of the Mass Save Program and you may qualify for 75% - up to $2,000 off - insulation and air sealing for your home. Renters, homeowners and landlords living in 1-4 unit buildings with Massachusetts NSTAR and/or National Grid accounts are eligible. Next Step Living, will make a $10 donation to support our work after each assessment is completed. Visit: www.nextsteplivinginc.com/gdn or call 866-867-8729. Please mention Green Decade Newton! by Marcia Cooper

Tee-Shirts

(youth sizes only) with the Energy Smart Newton logo imprinted on the front are available for sale from Green Decade at $18 per organic cotton shirt.

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S m a rt N
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A Community Partnership

Please contact info@greendecade.org or 617 965-1995 to place your order.

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Monday, August 26 - 7pm:

Restoration of the American Chestnut Tree - Curt Laffin

Take action-stop climate change

At the Newton Free Library 330 Homer St, Newton 02459

Join wildlife biologist Curt Laffin for a discussion on the history and demise of the American chestnut tree. He will also speak about the American Chestnut Foundations efforts to restore it locally and throughout its historic range. Less than 100 years ago, eastern U.S. forests were dominated by large American chestnut trees. By the 1950s this population was reduced to short-lived stump sprouts. These trees reined over 200 million acres of eastern woodlands from Maine to Florida, and from the Piedmont west to the Ohio Valley, until succumbing to a lethal fungus disease, chestnut blight. An estimated 4 billion American chestnuts, 1/4 of the hardwood tree population, grew within this range prior to the blight. Cosponsored by Newton Conservators, Green Decade/Newton & Newton Tree Conservancy. Info at: www.acf.org

Board of Aldermen pass carbon tax resolution - YES!

A resolution calling for the U.S. Congress to put a fee on carbon to curb climate change
1. WHEREAS, The scientific consensus is firmly established that catastrophic climate change is happening and it is caused by burning fossil fuels; and 2. WHEREAS, The use of fossil fuels is pervasive throughout society and varies by region, lifestyle, income, and many other disparate factors; and 3. WHEREAS, The United States free market offers a fertile environment for creation of an equally diverse set of economical services and products in the areas of conservation, efficiency, and renewable energy to allow us to wean ourselves off fossil fuels; and 4. WHEREAS, Free markets operate most efficiently when individuals and corporations are held accountable for the costs of their actions; and 5. WHEREAS, Prices for fossil fuels do not reflect associated costs of health impacts, climate change, or other general environmental degradation; and 6. WHEREAS, Leaders and organizations from around the country have advanced proposals for rectifying this price/cost disparity including James Hansen, Citizens Climate Lobby, Senators Boxer and Sanders, and Senator Whitehouse and Representative Henry Waxman. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Newton Board of Alderman strongly urges the Congress to pass legislation that puts a gradually increasing fee on the carbon in fossil fuels to: make individuals and corporations accountable for the costs of their actions when they choose to use fossil fuels; level the economic playing field between fossil fuels and conservation, efficiency, and renewable energy sources; and ignite a free-market based clean energy revolution. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Newton Board of Alderman shall send copies of this resolution to President Barack H. Obama, Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Gina McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker John Boehner, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, to all members of the Massachusetts Congressional and Senatorial delegation, Governor Deval Patrick, Mayor Setti Warren and to the Newton TAB, the major Boston-area newspapers and television stations.

Recently, the public radio program This American Life aired an hour of stories about climate change. The first story is about a state climatologist in Colorado, the second is about a Republican politician trying to convince conservatives to embrace climate science, and the third is about Bill McKibben of 350.org and his attempts to move liberals to action. The McKibben story is the one that addresses the sensibilities of Green Decade members. To recap, McKibben has been publicizing two facts: if our global temperature rises by 2 degrees, the planet will tip into radical change; and the amount of carbon fuels that would push us to that point is only a fraction of the known oil reserves on the planet. In other words, without more exploration, if the oil companies extracted only 20% of the fuel sources they know about, our planet will soon be unrecognizable. Thats expected to happen in about 14 years. Yikes! Reading environmental news can be depressing. Whats exciting about McKibben is that he is trying to do something about this, by enlisting students and others to start a divestment campaign, to make ownership of Exxon equivalent to ownership of Philip Morris or investment in South Africa during Apartheid. He wants to make the energy companies into social pariahs. Another number McKibben puts out: probably only 2% of Americans were actively involved in the Civil Rights Movement, but their example and leadership brought huge changes to American society. In choosing to join Green Decade, you are part of the environmental movement; will you join the movement to divest from stocks in fossil fuel energy companies? by Jack Cheng

Green Decade moves from Cultural Center

After three years of locating in a compact, but often action-packed office at the Newton Cultural Center, Green Decade recently moved out loads of files dating back to its founding in 1990 and began the process of looking for an affordable space to relocate to in Newton. The Cultural Center is undergoing a renovation, in order to be adapted into a swing space for students from the Angier Elementary School when construction begins at Angier in one year. For the past few years, Margaret Ford has faithfully staffed our office and always welcomed in visitors of all ages to visit her menagerie of living creatures, including our most popular turtle, named Wolverine. On a regular basis, children attending classes at the Suzuki School of music would eagerly stick around to see what entertaining activities Margaret had in store for them and they were always guaranteed a good time. We appreciate how Margaret made that funky little office, otherwise known as The Tree House, into a main attraction and special place for friends to congregate at the Cultural Center. Thanks Margaret! by Marcia Cooper

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MAY/JUNE 2013

Chamber green breakfast brings funds for students

Newton Alderman, Scott Lennon, Marcia Cooper, Green Decade President, George Bachrach, ELM President, and Alderman Deb Crossley at the Outstanding Community Leadership award ceremony in Auburndale.

L-R: Marcia Cooper, Anndy Dannenberg, Beverly Droz, look on while Peter Smith hands students Malini Gandhi & Eliana Gevelber checks from Green Decade and Meredith Managment for expenses of trip to the national Envirothon competition.

ELM honors Green Decade

The Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM), the oldest statewide environmental advocacy group in the Commonwealth, honored Green Decade Newton for their Outstanding Community Leadership protecting the environment. The award was presented by ELM President George Bachrach, a former Mass. state senator, to Marcia Cooper, President of the Board of Directors of Green Decade Newton, at a reception at the home of Newton resident and ELM board chair Seth Jaffe and Genia Long on Grove Street, Auburndale on June 13th. Attendees included Newton Aldermen Scott Lennon and Deb Crossley as well as leaders of Green Decade/ Newton, the Crystal Lake Conservancy, the Newton Conservators, among others. Mayor Setti Warren, unable to attend, offered his congratulations. Green Decade Newton has been a leader in community outreach encouraging residents and businesses alike to improve their energy efficiency, increase recycling, seek alternative transportation and decrease the use of pesticides. These are all critical elements of efforts to make Newton a healthier and more livable community. Bachrach noted. They are a role-model for other community groups across the Commonwealth. Accepting the award for Green Decade Newton, Marcia Cooper commended ELM for their statewide leadership and noted: Green Decade Newton is committed to increasing community awareness on sustainability issues and particularly working with students and young people to increase their efforts to fight global warming. This is a grassroots effort open to all concerned citizens of Newton.
Printed with soy-based ink on 100% post-consumer waste unbleached recycled paper that is made without a chemical separation process.

Attorney General Martha Coakley gave the keynote talk under a beautiful riverside tent at the Marriott Hotel in Auburndale to 150 guests at this Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce Environmental Committee awards event. Five businesses were honored for their green contributions. But Newton students attracted much of the attention since they won the state Envirothon and were invited to sit at the Meredith Management Corp Newton Green Business of the Year table. Meredith Management and Green Decade presented checks to help with the students expenses to go to the national competition representing Massachusetts in August. If you would like to support their trip, contact their teacher Anndy Dannenberg at 617 527-4613.

Please join !

Green Decade is proud of its 23 year history and our organizations efforts to help residences, businesses and public facilities become more sustainable. You may also send a $25 payment for a basic membership to Green Decade/Newton, P.O. Box 590242, Newton, MA 02459
Jessica Avery, Recycling Ann Berwick, at large Eric Bobby, School Outreach Al Calderone, at large Jack Cheng, Transportation Marcia Cooper, President Sharon Cushing, Treasurer Michele Davis, Recycling Lucia Dolan, Clerk, Transportation Paul Eldrenkamp, at large Paul Holt, at large Ira Krepchin, Newsletter Lois Levin, Transportation Ken Mallory, Library Speakers Eric Olson, at large Jim Purdy, Vice Pres, Energy Myron Rosenberg, Development Dan Ruben, Chairperson Mindy Sieber, Membership Peter Smith, Newsletter; Chamber Elaine Vildzius, Energy

online at www.greendecade.org

Board of Directors

Advisory Board

Karen Albert Ana Zarina Asuaje Solon, Louise Bruyn, Past Pres. Sheila Clawson David & Elva Del Porto Bev Droz, Past President Dianne Dumanoski Kevin Dutt Katherine Gekas Bonnie Glickman,EcoTeams Ellie Goldberg, New TV Fred Gordon, MCAN Bd. Barbara Herson, Past Pres. Sunwoo Kahng Francoise LaMonica Brooke Lipsitt Jean MacRae Matt Pawa Annabelle Ship Rohna Shoul Heather Tausig Maeve Ward

617 965-1995

e-mail: info@greendecade.org

www.greendecade.org