De Blasio Reiterates Strong Opposition to Drilling in the New York City Watershed

The Eagle received this press release:

On Friday, the Council's Environmental Protection Committee held an oversight hearing to examine the issue of drilling for natural gas in the New York City watershed. Councilmember Bill de Blasio strongly opposes this possibility, and stated:

"It is unconscionable to allow the toxic chemicals often involved in the gas drilling process to enter our New York city water supply at unsafe levels. Over fourteen million people rely on the New York City Watershed as their potable water source, and so it is our responsibility to fully protect this critical regional resource. We must choose the health and safety of New Yorkers over the short-term gains of increasing our natural gas supply."

De Blasio added, "Drilling in the City's watershed not only risks the health and well-being of millions of New Yorkers, but is fiscally irresponsible as well. In the event of contamination, filtering New York City's water supply would cost taxpayers in excess of ten billion dollars."

Back to Homepage

Eco-Friendly ‘Progressive Dinner’

It started with the invitation. For this year’s third annual progressive dinner hosted by Brooklyn neighbors Caroline and James Koster, Landis and James Best and Susannah Drake and Stephen Culhane, the theme was eco-friendly.

To set the tone, their 60 invited guests received invitations printed on botanical seeded paper which sprouts into wildflowers when planted after the party is over. The invitation further encouraged “vintage, homespun, borrowed or handmade fashions.”

Plans were then made to host an eco-friendly cocktail party at the Bests’ home followed by a black tie seated dinner a few blocks away at the Kosters’ apartment.

“With guests able to walk to the events and to the Yuletide Ball after the dinner, we realized that it would just cost a few dollars to offset our carbon footprint for the event,” said organizer Caroline Koster. “So, we had to come up with some new ideas to make an eco-friendly event.” The trio decided to feature organic and local foods and beverages, environmental awareness and homemade ideas to make the party elegant, festive and green.

In addition to the cocktail party, which will feature organic and Long Island wines ... read more

Back to Homepage

Students Learn About Composting

The Eagle received this press release:

Over a dozen third, fourth and fifth graders from PS 25 and PS 46 joined Partnership with Children's Environmental Group with their parents and teachers for a workshop with Luke Halligan. Halligan is from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and is the compost instructor of the Brooklyn Compost Project of Brooklyn Greenbridge. He is also a certified BBG master composter and Vice President/Education Chair at the Floyd Bennett Garden Association.

The children learned about indoor and outdoor composting; the workshop included an indoor worm bin with live worms and outdoor compost systems.

"Since Partnership with Children came to our school, we have seen improvements in the children socially and academically," said PS 46 Principal Brenda Hill. "Partnerships between nonprofits and community leaders — like ours with the Brooklyn Botanic Garden — are becoming increasingly important, especially when our children need additional educational resources. Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s work with our youth is a perfect example of one organization’s commitment to making a difference in the lives of at-risk children."

The following day at PS 25, Partnership with Children hosted a harvesting event for over 60 third graders and their parents and teachers, offering them an opportunity to celebrate the season. The group participated in face painting, pumpkin decorating, cookie decorating and frame making.

Partnership with Children is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the emotional, social and cognitive skills of at-risk public school children in order to help them succeed in school, in society and in their lives. Formerly Big Sisters, Inc., Partnership with Children was founded in 1908 and today serves over 12,000 children in 27 schools throughout all of the boroughs of New York through its various programs.

The photo above, courtesy of the school, is of Cesaly Sanchez, Orlanda Rivera, Kaliyah Jones, students at PS 25.

Back to Homepage

Upcoming Greenway Cleanup

This Saturday, December 13, the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative (BGI) is hosting a Greenway cleanup along Columbia Street, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. BGI, along with the Columbia Street Neighborhood Association, hosts monthly cleanups to keep trash and debris off the newest segment of the Greenway route, which, when finished, will stretch 14 miles along the Brooklyn Waterfront. To participate this weekend, RSVP to Brian McCormick at bmccormick@brooklyngreenway.org.



The photo above is of Brian McCormick, one of the founders of BGI, and a volunteer at August's greenway cleanup. The photo at right is of the Greenway in action.

Photos courtesy of the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative.

Back to Homepage

A Germinating Holiday Card

The New York Observer posted in their real estate section an image of a "Holiday Green Card" given out by the New York City Housing Development Corporation. After putting the card in water for a few hours and then burying it in soil, it will turn into flowers!

Back to Homepage

Beware When Buying Green

Many websites (including this blog) have listings for green gifts for this holiday season. The thing about these lists (including the one on this blog) is that products listed on them may not be as green as you think.

When buying green, you have to take into account where products are coming from. The carbon emissions released into the atmosphere during that new water bottle's trip to the U.S. may harm the environment more than it benefits the buyer.

For example, I came across a website, planitgreenhome.com that advertises "earth friendly shopping." Many of their products, while they are 100% organic cotton, come from Europe. I'm not attacking the website in any way (as this blog made the same mistake), I'm merely urging consumers to be knowledgeable when buying green.

A good way to approach purchasing green gifts is to buy as locally as possible. Or maybe, if your gift took a plane ride to get to you, offset the emissions by visiting carbonfund.org.

Back to Homepage

Toxic Gases in Greenpoint

The New York Times and Brownstoner reported this week that there has been recent investigation and testing of buildings in Greenpoint. The area has already been dealing with the effects of oil spills, but this time the worry is that toxins will rise up into homes from below. These are left over from dry-cleaning plants and other factories that used to be in the area.

Back to Homepage