STRAWS: Among the new RI laws that went into effect this month is one designed to limit the use of plastic straws: Bars and restaurants can no longer provide single-use plastic straws unless a customer specifically asks for one. (Anyone wondering why people get so worked up about these plastic straws has clearly not seen …
(9.19) “It’s not okay to trash the bay!” From Save the Bay: The International Coastal Cleanup is the world’s largest volunteer effort for our ocean and waterways. People all over the world remove trash from the shores and document what they find. The data is compiled and published in an annual report on marine debris by the Ocean …
I give up. It’s impossible for me to continue my years-long rant against bottled water and plastic shopping bags since the explosion of K-Cups. These evil pods are not only plastic but they can’t be recycled (NPR 1.28.15). That their popularity follows the publication of Alan Weisman’s “Polymers are Forever” is particularly galling. We now …
California Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law a ban on single-use plastic bags. Paper bags and reusable plastic bags will be available at checkout counters for a 10-cent fee intended to prod shoppers to remember their own reusable bags. The measure is intended to reduce the number of plastic bags that clog rivers, snag …
California First State To Ban Single-Use Plastic Bags Read More »
We don’t want to let this event go by without a mention. The local effort took off like gangbusters with extra buses needed and couches in the 212 in great demand. Happily, RI Future’s climate correspondent, secular humanist, and all-round good guy Steve Ahlquist was heading down and we knew we could all read about …
For now? Please place in your recycling container. That is, after removing the plastic bags — which will persist in the environment forever — and transporting those bags to the supermarket or other bag-using store. Thanks phone book people. This is the time of year when the blooming of the daffodils signals to apartment dwellers …
Let’s Consign Phone Books To The Dustbin Of History Read More »
(4.22.14) A list of Earth Day events and activities in Providence, and around the state, can be found at What Grows On in Rhode Island. Roger Williams Park Zoo will be holding a Party for the Planet all week. Save the Bay conducts shoreline clean-ups (so popular some of them are filled). The Woonasquatucket River …
“Rhode Islanders use about 525 million bags annually, or enough to circle the earth more than six and a half times.” This extraordinary statement — based on plastics industry figures — comes from a recent piece by Rowan Sharp over at ecoRI News. Since 2007, plastic bags have been banned in San Francisco and several …
My original complaint regarding last Sunday’s idiotic Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon was the 7am “rock” music scheduled at several locations along the route. But now that I read about the environmental assault inflicted by this hideous California event promoter I realize this event was not just a huge inconvenience but caused permanent environmental harm to …
The ‘Better World By Design’ Conference is coming to town September 30 to October 3. This three-day event held annually on the Brown and RISD campuses connects students, professionals, and individuals from a variety of disciplines in order to build a global community of socially conscious and passionate innovators. Special events coordinator Hannah Burn sends …
‘Better World By Design’ Challenge For Students — $1,000 Prize Read More »
On January 1, 2010, Washington, D.C. instated a 5¢ tax on plastic shopping bags. According to TreeHugger, within a month, plastic bag use had dropped from 22 million to 3 million per month, simultaneously generating $150,000 in revenue in the first month. The Washington Post reported, In its first assessment of how the new law …
Providence Community Library, the Friends of Knight Memorial Library and Trees 2020 are excited to present two free environmentally-themed films tonight at the Knight Memorial Library, starting at 6pm. The Man Who Planted Trees (30 minutes animated) This film tells the story of a shepherd who repairs the ruined ecosystem of a secluded valley by …
Science Cafe presents that Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and the RI Film Premiere of “The Story of Cosmetics”! Ever think about what goes into your cosmetic, fragrance, or beauty products? Curious about how those ingredients are regulated or if any of them could be dangerous for our health? Join Mia Davis of the Campaign for …
Barack Obama has an eye for talent—and it’s pointed at Rhode Island. This weekend, Obama appointed Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri to the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities, which describes its mission as connecting people through various arts and cultural tourism. Lahiri joins five other PCAH committee appointees, including visual artist Chuck Close, …
Bill Mott, social enterpriser (founder of The Ocean Project), committed environmentalist (founder of Providence Green Drinks), and city resident would like to see the city become a little more creative in how it runs the government. Writing for RI’s Future, Earlier this year, Mayor Cicilline unveiled plans designed to make Providence a “creative capital” for …
Creative Citizens Call For A “Creative” Creative Capital Read More »
Figuring out the world together — come learn about the hot environmental issues of the day from regional experts. What does ‘climate change’ mean for you, and what can you do about it? Join Sandra Brownell, of the Environmental Protection Agency, and other community members to discuss these topics at a special AS220 Happy Hour. …