Help Kickstart Local Elementary School Eco-Art Project!

Tim Gaudreau, a NH eco-aritist and owner of Tim Gaudreau Studios, has recently agreed to work with Christa McAuliffe Elementary School of Concord for a week-long, school-wide residency in March.

Gaudreau was invited by Christa McAuliffe School to create a sculptural project, using natural materials, that would only impact the school building or grounds for a temporary period of time. He was also asked to engage all 500 students, from grades K to 5, in a topic about our changing environment.

 While this project promises to be a fulfilling and fun learning experience for all involved, it still needs a little more funding so that it can work to its full potential. $800 is needed for the project to use alginate, a natural, compostable, and non toxic material for making molds that is incredibly kid-friendly.  

To raise this money, Gaudreau has set up a Kickstarter page online, where the $800 must be raised by March 3rd at 10:38am, or else the project will not be funded. The page features a full description of the project, including sketches of the project plans (one shown above).  Anyone who visits the page can make a contribution of any size they would like through the site, making supporting this beautiful and sustainable project just a few clicks away.

To view the project’s Kickstarter page or to make a contribution, click here!

With this upcoming project, Gaudreau seeks to create a collaborative, hands-on experience for students that blends the use of natural or recycled materials with lessons about the world we inhabit. The one-week artist residency’s project is a spiral-shaped snow sculpture that references the arctic polar ice cap with embedded, colored polar bear ice sculptures. Students will make these polar bears by making their own molds and castings, all while learning about the melting arctic ice cap, the plight of the polar bears, and how they can they can make a difference. 

As spring rolls in, the sculpture & polar bears will melt, shrink, and ultimately disappear. In its transient phase, the color of the melting polar bears will create an ever changing palette of color in the snow. The melting process, along with the use of polar bears as an indicator species for a changing world, directly references the natural and annual melting of the polar ice caps, while also raising questions about the impact of a warming climate and its implications on wildlife habitats.

Tim Gaudreau Studios, a proud business partner of Green Alliance, is a full service creative firm that is committed to creating visually compelling work that serves as a starting point for self-reflection, dialogue, and civic engagement. They believe these three elements are building blocks to a better, more sustainable world; which Gaudreau has committed his life and work toward.

To learn more about TGS, please visit www.timgaudreau.com.

We have the right to know what is in our food

Sarah Lion, a GA consumer member, informed us about new possible legislation concerning the labelling of GMOs. Read more below to learn about a petition in favor of this legislation.

The petition reads, "The New Hampshire Legislature is considering a bill (HB660-FN) that would label foods and agricultural commodities containing genetically engineered ingredients (GMOs). More than 9 out of 10 consumers support labeling GMOs."

Lion believes that "we have the right to know what is in our food," and if you do, as well, please sign the petition here.

Redhook Donations boost Habitat for Humanity Re-Store

PORTSMOUTH — A program conceived by a local company dedicated to performing good works will give back a portion of its profits to organizations that also help others.

Redhook Ale Brewery, located at 1 Redhook Way, will donate 10 percent of total pub sales every Tuesday for an entire month to a local charity, 12 charities in all, one for each month of 2013. The 10 percent comprises overall sales for the Cataqua Pub House, including beer, soda and food all day.

“We would like to build relationships with local charities so that the brewery and the local community have more opportunities to give back,” says Ryan Colwell, Redhook Cataqua Pub House manager. “We want the charities to be local so our support has the most impact to our community. Many of the local organizations can help drive business in so we can get the most out of the program. We support them and they support us.”

The Southwest New Hampshire Habitat for Humanity Re-Store is the February recipient of Redhook’s largesse. The Re-Store offers donated new and reusable building materials. Products offered include kitchen cabinets, appliances, doors, windows, tile, hard wood flooring, light fixtures, as well as many other items to help you complete your home improvement projects. Items are sold at 30 to 80 percent off retail.

Guest Blog: Conservation Law Foundation Applauds Agreement on Stronger Carbon Emissions Cap for Northeast Power Plants

By Conservation Law Foundation

Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) applauded an agreement announced today by New Hampshire and the eight other members of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) to strengthen the cap on carbon emissions from power plants in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states – from 165 million tons down to 91 million tons (2012 levels).

CLF called the refinements to the RGGI program an important step toward meeting the climate imperative of an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, but cautioned that more sweeping action will be needed to get there.

“This is a very meaningful step in the evolution of RGGI and a powerful example of how markets can drive solutions to climate change,” said N. Jonathan Peress, VP and director of CLF’s Clean Energy and Climate Change program. “Over the past four years, the RGGI program has proven that putting a price on carbon emissions and using the revenues to expand energy efficiency and clean energy as part of our mix is a formula that works. The program refinements announced today will further accelerate the ongoing transition away from dirty and inefficient fossil fuel power plants to meet our energy needs. Once again, the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states have demonstrated a path forward for others areas of the country.”

RGGI, the nation's first market-based cap and trade program, was adopted by New Hampshire in 2007 and requires power plants to hold permits, known as “allowances,” for each ton of CO2 they release into the atmosphere. Revenue from the sale of these allowances is reinvested in energy efficiency programs that reduce costs for businesses and make the states more competitive.

To date, New Hampshire has received more than $40 million from RGGI auction proceeds, the lion’s share of which has been invested in programs that reduce energy waste and lower electric bills for homes, businesses, and state and local governments. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services estimates that, from these investments, New Hampshire residents and businesses are expected to save $107.8 million through 2030 based on current energy prices. Such investments in energy efficiency also continue to reduce demand for electricity, enabling some of the most polluting and inefficient power plants to operate less and reduce their carbon pollution.

Local 'Green' Doctors Pursue Advanced Certifications For Optimal Patient Care

Doctors Seth LaFlamme and Bri Duga of Great Works Chiropractic & Wellness have long been committed to teaching families how to be happier and healthier.

Now, the owners of Great Works Chiropractic and Wellness are getting an education of their own.

Though they already maintain a well-established practice, LaFlamme and Duga are taking the next step in their own professional development by participating in a fifteen month long program – offered by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association – in an effort to achieve advanced certifications.

While both doctors have already received advanced training in pediatrics, and have cared for patients with problems ranging from reflux to ear infections to developmental issues to neck and back pain, and more, Dr. Seth is quick to point out chiropractic is not a treatment for disease.

“We treat the person with the problem, not the problem in the person,” explains LaFlamme. “There’s a big difference.”

Riverworks Printing Offers Affordable, Sustainable Advertising With Vehicle Magnets

These days, advertising is everywhere: billboards, television, radio stations, you name it.

But advertising can also burn an enormous hole in your pocket, particularly if you’re a small business that’s just gotten its feet off the ground.

Recognizing the need for a more affordable option, Riverworks Printing is helping make advertising more efficient and affordable with their customizable, eco-friendly vehicle magnetics.

“We have seen a dramatic increase of vehicle magnet orders this year,” says Danis Chamberlin, Printing Manager at Riverworks. “I think many people forget how great magnets can be for business advertising but now they are realizing that instead of an expensive full car wrap they can still get their business name out there pretty effectively with a simple car magnet.”

GUEST BLOG: Take Action and Help Protect the Great Bay Estuary

By John Kassel, President of the Conservation Law Foundation 

You may be aware that the Great Bay estuary is suffering from too much nitrogen. But did you know that Dover and Rochester officials recently took actions that could delay – and increase the cost of – efforts by other towns to reduce nitrogen and other pollution in the estuary? We need your help. Take action now by urging Dover and Rochester to stop interfering in the clean-up of Great Bay!

On December 14, after the town of Newmarket announced that it would not appeal a permit issued to it by EPA – a permit requiring it to upgrade its outdated sewage treatment plant, and to greatly reduce its nitrogen discharges – the cities of Dover and Rochester appealed Newmarket's permit. That's right – Dover and Rochester officials are appealing a permit that has no bearing on their communities, interfering with Newmarket's desire to protect its local waters, the Lamprey River and Great Bay. Their latest action is just one more step in a long, costly campaign of delay that is jeopardizing the health of the estuary. For the sake of Great Bay, it needs to end. Please urge Dover and Rochester officials to withdraw their appeal of Newmarket's permit and allow Newmarket and other communities to protect their local waters and the Great Bay estuary as a whole.

Take action to protect the Great Bay estuary from nitrogen pollution, here!

The Conservation Law Foundation has made incredible strides with tackling New England's toughest environmental issues. As a Partnering Non-Profit of the GA, members are offered an incredible discount at the CLF membership to support their ongoing work.For this offer visit here!

Or to get a special dual GA & CLF membership visit here!

Save It For The Slopes: Shawnee Peak to host fundraiser for Kittery schools through discounted tickets, rentals

Sunday, January 27th will be a special day on the slopes for Kittery families thanks to a partnership between Bridgton’s Shawnee Peak and the Portsmouth-based green business coalition, the Green Alliance. The Ski Extravaganza Fundraiser will offer Kittery families coupons valid for $20 off an adult lift ticket, bringing the day ticket price from $59 to $39, and $10 off a rental package, bringing the cost of that down from $35 to $25. Ten percent of the proceeds from the Kittery PTA Extavaganza’s ticket and rental sales will go back into the Kittery school system.

“School districts are really struggling,” says Green Alliance Director and Kittery parent Sarah Brown, who proposed the event to help raise money for what have unfortunately become “fringe costs,” like literacy programs, projectors, field trips, sports uniforms and even some textbooks. On the other side of the coin, ski areas like Shawnee are always looking to introduce new people to the sport and their mountain, and charitable programs like these are an inventive way to get exposure to new markets.

Spreading the wealth has long been part of Shawnee Peak owner Chet Homer and his wife Shirley’s philosophy, as the pair have raised over a quarter of a million dollars for a nearby camp for terminally ill children, and have donated tens of thousands of dollars and more than one hundred season passed to the Maine Children’s Cancer Program. Families of active service members in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as local high school honor roll students get free passes, and the mountain hosts a large adaptive ski program that gets over 300 disabled skiers on the mountain each week.

'Green Eggs and New Ham-shire Breakfast' offers insight on state's environmental issues

Join Conservation NH and over 350 Granite Staters on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 for the 6th Annual Environmental Policy Breakfast at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord. Learn about the state's pressing environmental issues while enjoying the company of like-minded people and delicious food.

From law makers and advocates to business leaders and the general public – the event will discuss both the issues and solutions that will impact our New Hampshire Advantage – why we work, live and play in the Granite State.

As always, this event is free and open to the public and made possible by the generous support of our environmental partners, businesses, and individuals. The Grappone Center’s Chef Trish will once again prepare breakfast menu that couldn’t be more tasty, with:

Maple ham, bacon and eggs from Canterbury
Hand-cut oatmeal and fresh roasted coffee from Gilmanton
Fruit juices and delicious homemade breads.

Doors open for breakfast at 7:30 AM, Program 8:00-9:15 AM.

To attend the Annual Environmental Policy Breakfast register here!

Learn more about Conservation NH at conservationnh.org.

GUEST BLOG: Support the Safer Chemicals Act for New Hampshire

The following letter is a call to action written by Janet Groat of the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families Coalition about the Safe Chemicals Act.

Dear New Hampshire mothers, grandmothers and concerned Green Alliance members,

Please join me in taking one simple step to protect public health and the environment through common-sense regulation of toxic chemicals. Click here to sign the letter to New Hampshire’s two Senators.

Unfortunately, we in the U.S. expose ourselves and our children to a wide range of harmful chemicals, from the moment they begin developing in their mothers’ wombs. Some of these chemicals are known neurotoxins, meaning we know they can harm the developing brain. Others are known to cause cancer. Yet, we have been slow to respond to the scientific findings with common-sense public policies. The European Union and Canada are way out of ahead of us on this.

What this means is that we keep consuming stuff – and our kids keep consuming this stuff – until it becomes abundantly clear that it is unsafe. Only then, are products removed from the market – as was the case of tainted baby bottles and, to a certain extent, asbestos.

We have a good opportunity to change this in 2013 by passing the Safe Chemicals Act. This legislation will not address all the ways in which chemical contaminants harm people and the environment. But it is an enormous move forward. I am writing to see if you can take one small step to support the Safe Chemicals Act by signing the letter to our U.S. Senators, Jeanne Shaheen and Kelly Ayotte? These senators have the potential to play a very influential role in the debate over chemical safety. They are among a handful of key U.S.. Senators – mostly women – whose voices really need to be part of the debate.

Our goal is to gather 100 signatures from NH mothers and grandmothers by January 17th. 

On behalf of our organization, our children, and our hope for a cleaner future, thank you for being a voice of change.

Sincerely,

Janet Groat

Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families Coalition

For more information about the organization visit www.saferchemicals.org.  

To learn more about the Safe Chemicals Act visit here. 

NH Surfriders hosts free showing of 'Bag It' documentary at Portsmouth Library

Born out of one man's pledge to stop using plastic bags, Bag It is a documentary that examines the toxic life cycle of plastics and the throw-it-away culture they foster. From health hazards to ocean disasters, the film provides viewers the real story behind the dangers of plastics through an intense but hopeful look at a world in need of a change

In conjunction with the NH Surfriders 'Rise Above the Plastics' campaign, they are hosting a free viewing of the 'Bag It' documentary at the Portsmouth Library on Tuesday, January 15th from 6:30pm to 9:00pm.

The NH Surfriders will offer another free viewing at the Gaslight in Portsmouth on Thursday, March 7th (also 6:30pm - 9:00pm.)

For more information in the NH Surfiders visit here!

The Green Alliance at UNH!

GUEST BLOG: Rochester and Dover Jeopardize the Great Bay’s Recovery

By Peter Wellenberger

Peter Wellenberger is the Great Bay-Piscataqua Waterkeeper for the Conservation Law Foundation, and has been working to better protect the estuary for over twenty years. For more information about the Conservation Law Foundation, a Green Alliance member,check out their member page or click through to their website.

In a move that will further delay progress cleaning up the Great Bay estuary, the Cities of Rochester and Dover, NH, have appealed a critical permit recently issued by the EPA to address the mounting problem of nitrogen pollution in the Great Bay estuary.

Whose permit did they appeal? Incredibly, Rochester and Dover are expending resources not to appeal a permit that affects their sewage treatment plants. Rather, in the height of arrogance, Dover and Rochester are appealing a permit granted by EPA to the Town of Newmarket, for Newmarket’s sewage treatment plant. Apparently, Rochester and Dover have decided that when it comes to the health of the Lamprey River in Newmarket, and Great Bay, they know best.

In a press release issued by the Town of Newmarket on December 10, the Town stated that “it is in the best interest of our community to work with the EPA to protect Great Bay instead of entering into a lengthy and costly legal process.” The Town has recognized this is not something that can be put off and hopes to move quickly to build a new, much-needed sewage treatment plant.

Unfortunately, Newmarket’s desire to constructively move forward with solving the problem of nitrogen pollution in the Lamprey River and Great Bay means nothing to Dover and Rochester. Filing this appeal could delay final permitting of the Newmarket sewage treatment plant for years, jeopardizing the health of the estuary. Click here to read more about Newmarket’s reaction to this unfortunate and unexpected legal maneuver by Dover and Rochester.

GUEST BLOG: This Holiday, New Hampshire Will Buy a $128 Million Lump of Coal

By Christophe Courchesne

Christophe is a Staff Attorney for CLF New Hampshire. He has substantial experience in environmental and zoning litigation, permitting proceedings, federal and state rulemakings, compliance counseling and the environmental aspects of corporate and real estate transactions.

Today, the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission takes up PSNH’s request to charge its customers 9.54 cents per kilowatt hour for electric energy service in 2013. In a op-ed published this week, long-time CLF friends Ken Colburn and Rick Russman explain why New Hampshire’s crisis of escalating PSNH rates – and how New Hampshire policymakers resolve it – may be the defining economic issue for New Hampshire’s new class of leaders next year.

With PSNH’s rates to be by far the highest in the state and almost three cents higher than those of its sister utility NSTAR in Massachusetts, New Hampshire is dealing with an untenable situation: small businesses and residents are subsidizing PSNH’s above-market costs to operate and maintain dirty, inefficient, and uneconomic coal plants, to the tune of $128 million.* The average residential customer will pay $212 extra in 2013 for the dirtiest energy in the region.

Local “Green” Doctors Pursue Advanced Certifications For Optimal Patient Care

Doctors Seth LaFlamme and Bri Duga of Great Works Chiropractic & Wellness have long been committed to teaching families how to be happier and healthier.

Now, the owners of Great Works Chiropractic and Wellness are getting an education of their own.

Though they already maintain a well-established practice, LaFlamme and Duga are taking the next step in their own professional development by participating in a fifteen month long program – offered by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association – in an effort to achieve advanced certifications.

While both doctors have already received advanced training in pediatrics, and have cared for patients with problems ranging from reflux to ear infections to developmental issues to neck and back pain, and more, Dr. Seth is quick to point out chiropractic is not a treatment for disease.

Riverworks Printing Offers Affordable, Sustainable Advertising With Vehicle Magnets

These days, advertising is everywhere: billboards, television, radio stations, you name it.

But advertising can also burn an enormous hole in your pocket, particularly if you’re a small business that’s just gotten its feet off the ground.

Recognizing the need for a more affordable option, Riverworks Printing is helping make advertising more efficient and affordable with their customizable, eco-friendly vehicle magnetics.

“We have seen a dramatic increase of vehicle magnet orders this year,” says Danis Chamberlin, Printing Manager at Riverworks. “I think many people forget how great magnets can be for business advertising but now they are realizing that instead of an expensive full car wrap they can still get their business name out there pretty effectively with a simple car magnet.”

Gateway builds personal energy in a "green” environment

Bill Buckley, founder of Gateway Taiji, Qigong and Yoga, believes the idea of a “green” studio dovetails perfectly with the mission and philosophy of his studio, which he describes as “a center for practicing and exploring the ancient energy arts.”

For all their unique histories and characteristics, Taiji (tai chi), Qigong (chi kung) and yoga share one crucial thing in common: All tout themselves as in-depth practices aimed at channeling one’s personal energy towards overall health and wellbeing.

Which is why it came as no surprise when Buckley decided to renovate his portion of Portsmouth’s historic Button Factory building – located at 875 Islington – with the dual goal of creating a positive energetic environment and minimizing consumption of electricity and fossil fuels squarely in mind.

Zev Yoga Holiday Party

Come celebrate the upcoming holiday season at Zev Yoga! They are hosting their annual holiday bash on tonight from 7-11pm at their new studio in Dover! There will be a dance party, finger food, and spirits provided! This will definitely be a great time to mingle and enjoy yourself! Hope to see you there!

Jewett Farms + Co. Launches New Website

Jewett Farms + Co.,a company dedicated to finely crafted cabinetry and inspired design, will hold an open house today, Thursday, Dec. 6th, to celebrate the launch of its new website!

“We are officially launching the Web site the morning of Dec. 6th and celebrating with an open house that evening,” said Olivia Lord, marketing director. The company decided it was time for a fresh look and a website that would accurately represent the brand that Jewett Farms + Co. has become. “We are so proud of the beautiful work that we are producing and the addition of Soapstone Countertops as well as New and Reclaimed Flooring to our offerings.”

 Jewett Farms + Co., located at 131 Broadway, Dover, N.H., will host the open house from 4 to 8 p.m. today, Thursday, Dec. 6th. They will be celebrating with food, drinks and shop tours. As part of Jewett’s annual holiday food drive and as a fundraiser for Hurricane Sandy relief efforts, guests who donate food or money will receive handmade wooden ornaments, wooden bookmarks and hand crafted wooden cutting boards.

RSVP for the open house tonight on Facebook, by phone at 603-516-1620, or email olivia@jewettfarms.com! To check out the new and improved website, click here!

Climate Counts releases 6th annual company scoring with impressive results

As the year comes to a close, we are all sparked to reflect on the happenings of the year 2012—the good and the bad. Some might think back to whether or not they fulfilled their 2012 new year’s resolutions, while others might reminisce on the significant moments of the year 2012, both on a personal and global scale. Still others, perhaps the more eco-minded bunch, might try and wrap their heads around the amount of energy they used during the year and the amount of waste they produced, in hopes that they might reduce these numbers in 2013.

Enter Climate Counts, a local climate change activist organization whose goal is to bring consumers and companies together to address solutions around global climate change. Climate Counts accomplishes this through analyzing the world’s largest companies and scoring them on their climate impact. While scores are available for all to see throughout the year, Climate Counts releases annual reports of the year’s activities in hopes of increasing climate awareness among consumers and the effects their purchases can have on the world around them.

Having said this, the 2012-2013 Climate Counts scores have finally been released—and just in time for the holidays!

These scores help companies to reflect on their actions throughout the year, whether they be eco-friendly or not, and see which ones should or should not be changed. The scores also assist consumers in choosing the right companies for every one of their purchases in order to support climate action.

Each score is out of 100 points based on 22 criteria, and the higher the score, the greater the company's commitment to fighting global warming.