Special Announcement: Boston's Response to Obama's Speech on Climate Change

President Obama’s announcement this week of several federal climate change initiatives will reduce greenhouse gas emissions nationwide and help prepare the country for the impacts of climate change. As a coastal city, Boston is especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Without significant national and international action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Boston and many other cities could face potentially catastrophic impacts within the next 100 years.

Boston has set ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals—25% by 2020 and 80% by 2050—and we are working hard with residents and business to achieve them in order for Boston to lead by example. Greenovate Boston and the Green Ribbon Commission are demonstrating how collective actions can help meet these bold climate goals. However, our success as a leader is hinged on having partners beyond the city limits. President Obama’s message indicates the federal government is listening to the cities that are leading the way on climate change.

The President’s announcement of the development of regulations that will reduce emissions from some of the oldest, dirtiest power plants in the country, as well as the new investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and climate preparedness, provide encouragement and reinforcement to the City of Boston. Through long-standing programs like Renew Boston, the incubation of clean-tech companies and new policies such as the Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance, Boston is simultaneously reducing its carbon footprint and investing in its green economy. As a result, we have a rapidly growing Innovation District with thousands of new jobs.

We are also working hard to ensure that the Innovation District and other new developments, as well as our entire existing waterfront, are prepared for more severe storms and other impacts of climate change. The new tools and assistance from the federal government will help support these efforts.

Finally, the President announced new efforts to engage the international community in finding equitable strategies to reduce emissions. Climate change is a global issue and we must work together; however the U.S., like Boston, must lead by example. We need action from Congress that demonstrates to the world that we have a long-term commitment to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.

The City of Boston has an aggressive plan to reduce our emissions and simultaneously prepare for the inevitable impacts of climate change. Yet these efforts will not succeed over the long-term without collective action. We need a range of efforts – from national policies such as those announced today, to individual and business climate actions – to once again reach safe levels of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. On behalf of all those who live, work and play in Boston, as well as the City’s future generations, we are grateful to President Obama for his leadership in the fight against climate change and look forward to working together on the implementation of the President’s Climate Action Plan.

Thank you,
Brian Swett, Chief of Environment and Energy, City of Boston

Fun Friday: Higher Ground is Boston's First Rooftop Farm

Courtney Hennessy, Founder of Higher Ground, Image Credit

So you've heard of green roofs, but what about rooftop farms? Boston's first rooftop farm opened this spring on top of the Boston Design Center in the Seaport District. If you've ever seen the building, you know its huge, which gives the rooftop farm 55,000 square feet of space, making it the second largest open-air roof farm in the world. This is simply amazing - think about how much food can be grown in a 55,000 sq. foot farm (well, if you're from the 'burbs this may not seem like a lot, but as a North Ender trying to grow as many herbs as possible in window boxes, I think this is incredible). 

I can't wait to go see Higher Ground for myself! The farm is yet another wonderful example of all of the recent environmental innovation happening in Boston.

Pencil it in: Boston Mayoral Candidates Environmental Forum

image courtesy of The Boston Globe

WHEN: Tuesday, July 9, 2013, 12 pm - 2 pm

WHERE: Suffolk University Law School, 120 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02108

WHY: As Mayor Thomas Menino steps down from 20 years of leading Boston, his leadership in the areas of energy and the environment will be missed. At the same time, the transition to a new mayor offers opportunities for enhanced programs and policies on climate protection, sustainable transportation, parklands, green jobs, air and water quality, urban agriculture, and coastal management and many more areas that so greatly affect the quality of life in our communities. At this forum, hosted by Coalition of Energy, Environmental, Transportation and Innovation Groups, the 12 mayoral candidates will be given a chance explore a variety of topics related to community, development, jobs, sustainability, and livability in our city. Learn more here.

Review Wednesday: Gabriel Moisturizing Liquid Foundation

Image courtesy of Gabriel Cosmetics

Pros                                                          Cons     

-Good coverage                                        -Wipes away easily

-Natural looking                                        -Not good for oily skin

-Cruelty Free                                            -Medium Price ($28)

-Company recycling program                     -Rated 5 on EWG
-No artificial fragrance                               -Rated 3.4 on GoodGuide
-Easy to apply                                         -Not widely available (try Whole Foods)

Conclusion: Well, I had to do some research on this one. Both third-party rating systems that I reference (the Environmental Working Group Skin Deep Database and Good Guide) say that this product is a medium hazard due to the ingredient Retinyl Palmitate. Um, what is that?!

Retinyl Palmitate is a very common vitamin A supplement used in skincare products. High doses have been linked to cancer in lab animals. Adding to this concern, when Retinyl Palmitate is exposed to UV light, it can break down into toxic free radicals, which can also lead to cancer. So when wearing this product, or other products containing Retinyl Palmitate, make sure to avoid sun exposure (Hint: check your sunscreen labels to make sure they don't contain this ingredient).

On the upside, Gabriel Cosmetics has an awesome recycling program. For every 5 product containers you return, you get a free lipstick! So, not only are you recycling, you also get a free product - love it!

Green Tip Tuesday: 7 Steps to Shopping Ethically via Refinery 29

image courtesy of Refinery 29

I regularly check Refinery 29 for the best girly-girl stuff: shopping and style advice. Just a couple weeks ago they featured an article with some of the best shopping advice yet: 7 Steps to Shopping Ethically.
Their steps, which I briefly summarize here, are great basic principles to keep in mind whenever you're at a store of any kind.

1. Educate yourself.

2. Pressure brands to reform.

3. Go for quality, not quantity.

4. Go vintage/used.

5. Shop local.

6. Give back.

7. Choose goods from eco manufacturers and brands.

Fun Friday: Sponsored Post from National Sheds Australia

While I am away at the Alt Summit, please enjoy this sponsored post / advertisement from National Sheds, and check back next week for my usual Boston-based content.

Having a backyard is such a great pleasure. It gives context to your house, separates your house from the rest of the world and also gives you your very own outdoor area. They are also very functional. Backyards provide some storage space, and can help save money and help your home run more sustainable by allowing you space for things like a water tank, solar panels, or an electricity generator. a shed increases the value of your property quite a lot, because of all these factors. Having a tank to capture rain water will become more and more valuable in the forseeable future. National Sheds make a variety of different sheds and barns that can accommodate all of these features. A shed can be anything really. You can even make your shed liveable, if you put some energy saving insulation in the walls (if your shed is a simple corrugated iron structure this will be a big project). If you want to make your shed multi-storied, with windows, electricity and a hot water connection and sound-proofed walls there's nothing stopping you. Just as long as it's safe and approved. If you just want it to be a solid steel box structure with a door and some hooks on the walls, that's ok too. Use your shed to your advantage, whatever your project!

Pencil it in: Boston Health and Beauty Festival

image courtesy of panoramio

WHEN: Saturday, June 22nd, 2013, 8 AM - 8 PM

WHERE: Christopher Columbus Park, North End, Boston

WHY: NEWHBA-fest is a day-long festival celebrating the health and beauty of our wonderful city of Boston. Hosted by the North End Waterfront Health & Beauty Alliance and the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park and featuring several local health and beauty oriented businesses and musicians in Boston, this event will showcase the best in the city. Guest hosted by Andrew Ference of the Boston Bruins, the FREE concert in the park will include several local bands and feature Charlotte Locke and Hadrian's Heroes as the headliner.