Learn how to talk to politicians

This month you can learn how to talk to presidential candidates...or at least, learn how to talk to them about global warming. The Granite State Conservation Voters Education Fund is sponsoring a volunteer briefing to teach you the "talking points" to use when pressing candidates for action on climate change. Dates for the event at various locations around the state are posted under the "Events" section of this blog. If you plan to attend any of the briefings or would like more information, contact Bruce Clendenning at 603-228-1970 or bruce@voteconservation.org

Once you've learned the finer points of conversing with the candidates, you'll have a plethora of opportunities to use your new skills as the presidential hopefuls flock to the granite state. The Heat is On at http://www.heatison.org/content/index has a useful event search engine to help you find out where the candidates are stumping so you can put the heat on them about global warming policy.

Environmentally friendly minds think alike!

Apparently I'm not the only conservation-minded person who recognized the need for a one-stop-shopping guide to global warming initiatives. Today I've added a link to RealClimate, a new site that serves as a central repository for climate change resources. Since my intention is not to reinvent the wheel, but to disseminate information, I'll be keeping an eye on the RealClimate site for updates to share on this blog. It's a fantastic all-in-one scientific resource, so check it out!

I've also added a link to the blog where I found the RealClimate site, The Green Skeptic, a good source for news and commentary on climate change initiatives.

Tree Huggers Unite!

I started formulating the idea for this blog while attending a rally in the Northeast for global warming awareness, where several disparate (but like-minded) groups were in attendance, displaying their pamphlets and wares. As I made the rounds of the booths, I asked, "So do you all know each other? Do you have coordinated meetings so you can organize for events like this?". The answer was generally "no", that nobody knew about an organizing web site or central clearing house where grassroots organizations like theirs could learn about each other and join forces. In a movement like this, still very much in its formative stages, it's all about strength in numbers. You can feel very much alone in your efforts, until you find out about all the other people who are trying to effect change as well...and so it goes. So being a communications professional, I thought I could surely solve this communication challenge and devise a way for environmentalists and conservationists to find out about one another, share information and ideas, and join forces. Thus this blog was formed.

In the coming weeks and months, I'll be posting links to web sites for groups who are advocating a less carbon-intensive lifestyle, including those exploring new forms of energy production, organic and sustainable farming, and those involved in the political arena to create legislative change at a local, state or federal level. I will also post information about organizing events and rallies related to global warming and sustainable living, and invite readers to send me their updates for posting on this blog.

And in case you're wondering why I decided to label myself a "Tree Hugger", as a native Californian and former Oregonian (go Ducks!), I'm proud of our legacy of environmental activism . If ever there was a time for activism, the melting glaciers and vanishing rainforests say it's now. After all, it was individual actions that got us into this mess of rapidly rising global temperatures, and only individual actions (with the encouragement of rational government, of course) will mitigate it. So be an activist, reduce your carbon footprint and help cool off the planet...we'll help show you how!