CoolMom Quarterly News -Spring
April-June 2009
CoolMom at the EPA Hearing and Rally
EPA Hearing 1 of only 2 On May 21st Seattle was host to one of only two Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) public hearings in the entire country. The EPA sought public input on their decision that global warming pollution is a threat to human health, the first step in establishing new rules to reduce global warming pollution.
A little history The EPA was asked by the Supreme Court two years ago to examine whether emissions linked to climate change should be curbed under the Clean Air Act. Due to these findings, the plan is to put pressure on Congress to pass new limits on emissions from motor vehicles, coal-fired plants and factories.
Governor Gregoire Announcement To support these findings and to hurry Washington along this path, Governor Gregoire announced in the morning her plan to take state action on
reducing carbon pollution in Washington and signed an executive order
to reduce Washington's emissions that includes elements of a climate
change bill that failed to pass in the recent legislative session.
Among other things, it directs the state Department of Ecology to work
with large industries to find ways to cut emissions, and calls for
plans on how the state's largest counties can reduce the number of
vehicles driven.
At the Hearing Kirsten McCaa CoolMom Co-founder and now Board
Member testified at the hearing expressing the need to act now on climate
change, while Terri Glaberson, Executive Director of CoolMom brought
tears to an EPA panelist. However, the show stoppers were Terri’s
daughter, Sydney and Kirsten’s son, Harris who donned in CoolMom pint
size T-shirts were intently listening to the testimony.
Noon Rally Over a thousand people crowded Pier 66 to hear Mayor Nickels, Rabbi
Zari Weiss, and Dean Allen, CEO of McKinstry to name a few, speak about the need for Climate Change action. The energy
was ecstatic. The Rally started off with CoolMom kids & moms and a
large gathering of kids up from Portland on stage chanting out rally
cries to the masses.
Thanks goes out to all the CoolMoms and their CoolKids who attended the
Rally. A big shout out to Casey O’Roarty who made the trip all the way
from Monroe! Way to go all you CoolMoms!
CoolMom could WIN... a Green Washington Award AND $20,000!
CoolMom Green Tips
Try these on and reduce your carbon footprint
Since we are upon the gardening season, the CoolMom Green tip, is decrease your watering by these easy methods at Mama's Health.
Educate Yourself
What approximate percentage of carbon emissions is caused by cutting down forests?
a. 10-15% b. 15-20% c. 20-25% d. 25-30%
see the answer below.
Lifestyle Change
A day in the Life
Reducing carbon footprint
Kirsten McCaa, CoolMom co-founder, Board Member and Magnolia group member, is now living a car-less free life! Walking her talk, Kirsten has donated her car to KUOW and signed up with Seattle's One Less Car Challenge. Now Kirsten feels even less burdened by the need to use a car and does all her errands and activities with her kids by xtracycle, on foot or bus. Her husband, a rain or shine bicycle commuter, shops once a week for groceries using the one car they still own. Kirsten and her family are not only saving carbons, but saving money as well. Kirsten says, "It takes just a little planning to keeping life local and stay within your community, but thinking about what you do and making the effort to do activities in your own neighborhood are key.” Utilizing services like a local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) makes purchasing produce easy—the McCaa’s pick up their produce by bike at a nearby drop-off location. What Kirsten is reducing in carbon footprint she is gaining in muscle mass. Go Kirsten!
Advocacy
It Takes a Community
Parade of Ideas, visit to 7th District Congressman Jim McDermott's office Friday, June 19th. CoolMom and Kids joined up with Erik Magnuson from Fuse Washington to express our support for the passing of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (HR 2454). Congressman McDermott was in D.C. but CoolMom spoke with one of his representatives and dropped off photos, drawings, letters sharing our concern over climate change and wanting Congressman McDermott's support for the bill.
Here is the West Seattle Blog Story on CoolMom's visit to Rep. Jim McDermott's Office on Friday.
On Friday June 26, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the American Clean Energy and Security Act by a vote of 219 to 212. This historic legislation is a critical step forward as our nation works to build a clean energy economy and reduce global warming pollution. Thank you to all of you who made calls and sent emails to your Representatives in the days leading up to this vote.
Letter to the Editor
Monroe CoolMom, Deb Lingren, wrote a letter, "Why No Compost Option" to the Monroe Monitor expressing her unhappiness with the lack of composting in the city of Monroe. Check out the full story here.
CoolMom in Action
Our newest group, Yakima CoolMom, has been busy increasing membership and putting some activities together. They have done a park cleanup and have had playgroups where one must do their best to find alternative transport to a local park. Coordinator Elise Wakefield Cardenas is busy creating with her membership a flow to their meetings and has done a great job engaging membership for ideas and discussion. Welcome to our newest CoolMom addition!
West Seattle CoolMoms participated in several events this past Spring including West Seattle Sustainable Fair, South Seattle Community College Edible Fair and Summer Streets on Alki. Some creative thinking and activities from the group brought kids to the booth followed by their parents. Face painting was the big hit as well as planting seeds and the now famous puppet show. West Seattle signed up over 40 new members through these boothing events! West Seattle CoolMoms, Dads and Kids unplugged and camped out at Camp Long last Saturday to reduce their carbon footprint and enjoy some outdoor fun. See the complete story with photos here.
Magnolia CoolMoms are launching a campaign to get Zipcar into Magnolia. It saves money, reduces resource consumption and helps us think more about our car use and helps promote the many errands in one trip idea. Magnolia has also promised volunteer support to Sustainable Magnolia, who was awarded $30,000 in grant money for "Magnolia in Motion", to promote planet-friendly transportation, such as biking and walking, in the Magnolia community. Keep up the great work Magnolia CoolMoms!
Some great ideas are coming from our Monroe CoolMom group. To keep the members engaged and to share their wealth of knowledge, CoolMom member Katie suggested, "What if we had a different member lead a "mini-workshop" each month". Her example was sharing ideas about environmentally friendly party favor alternatives. Another idea was having a member teach how to make homemade cleaning products and another about having a book discussion on environmentally focused topics. One example was a book that Casey Oroarty, Monroe Coordinator, is reading by Ernest Callenbach, Ecotopia which is about an ecologically sustainable society in the future. Great ideas!
On the island, Bainbridge Island CoolMoms have been busy with their three-month part series entitled “Power Down,” focusing on slowing down and reducing energy consumption. In May, the Bainbridge Island chapter met with Tammy Deets from Community Energy Solutions, who spoke about how to reduce home energy consumption and save money. The chapter also toured the new building at the Bainbridge Island High School and learned about all the eco-friendly features, including its use of natural materials and light, rain gardens, green roofs, and commercial composter. In June, John Grinter from the Bainbridge Island Non-Motorized Transportation Advisory Committee spoke about biking on Bainbridge Island and action to improve and expand those trails. Bainbridge Island CoolMoms reducing that carbon!
 Greenwood CoolMoms will be harvesting those fruits and vegetables and will Can and Preserve some of those yummy foods for winter by learning how to Can on July 16 with Jessica Dally. She will teach Greenwood/Ballard Coolmom’s, their Friends, Family
and Neighbors how to can and preserve food in a safe manner. The goal
is to bring those interested in home canning and food preserving
together, to add value, unite against climate change and do small
sustainable projects together. Jessica is a Master Canner/Food Preserver and in this class she will be
teaching about food safety, water bath canning and pressure canning and
when you would use either method. Greenwood CoolMoms are opening this activity up to all Coolmom’s broadly in Seattle, their friends and family.
CoolMom Could Win...
an Award, Green Washington Awards,
a program sponsored by Seattle Business magazine will honor outstanding companies, nonprofits and government agencies at an awards dinner on September 23 and feature them in the October issue of Seattle Business magazine. CoolMom submitted their application in hopes of being honored for what it does to promote environmental stewardship in Seattle. A distinguished panel of judges will select the winners. Cross your fingers for CoolMom!
$20,000 through Green Effects,
Savin' It in Seattle, that's the name of CoolMom's project that was sent into Green Effects. SunChips and National Geographic joined forces to create the Green Effect, an eco-initiative that moves individuals to spark a green movement in their communities. Americans from all over submitted original, Earth-saving ideas for a chance to earn prizes. There were over 2,500 innovative and inspiring ideas submitted. To read about CoolMom's project go to Savin' It In Seattle. Please help support CoolMom and enter a comment after the project description and rate it. If CoolMom is chosen for one of the 10 finalists there will be a vote on July 7th. Stay tuned on whether CoolMom is chosen for this great opportunity!
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Upcoming Events
Annual Holiday Toy Swap 'n' Sale, November 14th. Start saving those gently used toys for the upcoming 2nd Annual Holiday Toy Swap 'n' Sale November 14th in a neighborhood near you. CoolMom is holding its annual sale this November in West Seattle and two other CoolMom neighborhoods. CoolMom has secured a spot at the Fauntleroy Church in West Seattle for the WS CoolMom group and is researching other sites in local CoolMom neighborhoods. Please let terri know how you can volunteer and contribute.
June 27, 10:30-1:30, 21 Acres Sustainable Farm Tour (EOS Alliance)
June 28, 10-2, WS Farmer's Market 10th Anniversary - learn more
June 29th, 5:30-7:30 pm, Support the Green Bag Fee by attending an exclusive celebration and artist showing at Western Bridge Gallery. Food and Drink and amazing art by Chris Jordan. Western Bridge Gallery is located at 3412 4th Ave. S, Seattle. Contact Kristy at Kristy@expeditiontrips.com to attend with other CoolMoms, Dads and Friends.
June 30th, 7:00 pm, (doors open at 6:00pm), Town Hall Debate. Do you know which candidate will be the best environmental leader as the next King County Executive? You can find out where candidates stand on the environment at the King County's Green Choice Debate at Town Hall on June 30th! Town Hall, 1119 8th Ave, Seattle WA. Cost: FREE, but space is limited. Please RSVP today!
July 6, Community kayak tours of the Duwamish River - learn more
July 10-12, West Seattle Summer Festival
July 11, City Chicken Coop tour
Home Canning/Preserving with the GreenWood CoolMom Group, Thurs, July 16. Greenwood Senior Center GreenWood CM has arranged for Jessica Dally to teach our Greenwood/Ballard Coolmom’s, their Friends, Family
and Neighbors how to can and preserve food in a safe manner. This activity is open to all Coolmom’s broadly in Seattle, their friends and family. For more information contact Carrie Barnes or Brook Doyle.
July 28, 7:00 pm Last meeting for the Green Bag Fee Campaign located at Spitfire Grill 2219 4th Ave. Come join the team to ensure passage of Referendum 1 on August 18.
May through September
Summer Streets -car free, art, food, bikes
Aug 1 West Seattle Edible Garden Tour after clicking link scroll down to see article. The locations of the tour will be posted July 1st.
August 18 Vote to pass Referendum 1 -Green Bag Fee. For additional information check out the Seattle Green Bag Campaign.
Seattle Green Drinks has a calendar of events for environmental causes and activities. Check out Washington Clean Technology Alliance for a list of environmental clean tech events.
Green Up Your Reading Here are a few books that enlighten
Recommended by Carrie Barnes, Greenwood Co-coordinator
Non-fiction book recommendation, A Short History of Progress by Ronald Wright, 2004. Canadian novelist Ronald Wright views our current world as a dystopian product of the actions we have undertaken since humankind began. Technological developments have consistently resulted in unintended consequences of that 'progress', leading to additional technological developments in order to find solutions, thereby creating a feedback loop with exponentially increasing implications; a major component of this is climate change. Our world's population now exceeds the capacity of the earth's ability to feed us all, and history shows us that overuse of natural capital has always resulted in the dramatic collapse of civilizations. Will history repeat itself? This is a quick read - 5 chapters/140 pages - and very eye-opening. Shades of Jared Diamond, with references to Mayan, Sumerian and Easter Island cultures, among others.
Healthy Child Healthy World: Creating A Cleaner, Greener, Safer Home. By Christopher Gavigan of Healthy Child Healthy World. (Also check out the website: healthychild.org) In a nut-shell, it is simply a MUST READ for every Mom (and Dad, and Grandparent etc!). I appreciated the wealth of information about creating a healthier, less toxic, and more environmentally sound home. It is written in a very user-friendly, no guilt, up to date manner.
And, for the kids...
An all time favorite, The Lorax written by Dr. Seuss. It chronicles the plight of the environment and the Lorax, who speaks for the trees against the greendy Once-ler. It is a powerful metaphor for those concerned about the human impact on the environment.
Answer to Educate Yourself:
c. 20-25%
find out more about rainforest deforestation here and what you can do to help
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