Minutes of Van Buren County Greens, Jan 2007
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF VAN BUREN COUNTY GREENS
January 20, 2008, at the home of Barbara Geisler and Maynard Kaufman
People attending the meeting: Chuck Jordan, Patrick McKearnan, Julie and David Ludwig, Ryan McCoy, Art Toy, Barbara Geisler and Maynard Kaufman.
The first item on the agenda was a report by Chuck Jordan on the meeting of the Michigan Green Party, from which he had just returned. Green candidates for President of the US were discussed.
The second item was introduced by Maynard who reminded the group that the Greens were, and still are, both a movement and a party. As a movement the Greens can focus on issues that may not be appropriate for election campaigns. The issue to which Maynard called attention was the pressing need for us in this country to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. This is necessary in order to mitigate the severity of global warming and to prepare for the imminent end of cheap oil. Maynard argued that it is the most important issue facing us and the group agreed that it underlies the war for oil in Iraq and the possibility of other resource wars..
What followed was a brainstorming session in which the group identified actions and policies that could be suggested to different levels of government as ways to reduce use of fossil fuels. Most of these were relevant to South Haven and Bangor and a few were on the county and state levels.
Policies and Actions on the local city level.
Require green buildings with LEED or Energy Star ratings
Monitor energy use in grounds-keeping by the city
Establish and encourage community gardens and community kitchens for food processing
Promote compact flourescent lighting and require energy-saving tips on utility bills
Help people recognize and avoid phantom loads in electricity use
Give public recognition to energy-conscious and energy-efficient businesses
Help to re-establish recycling possibilities with volunteer monitors
Encourage the city to establish regular bus runs from suburbs to grocery stores
Encourage bicycle and walkways along streets.
Encourage schools to teach real life skills, the importance of healthy local food
Encourage energy audits in schools and in the community by the students.
Policies and Actions in Van Buren County
Encourage continuation of home insulation by Van-Cass-Cap
Begin promoting the need for bus service from South Haven to Kalamazoo
Raise the issue of light rail for passengers on the Van Buren Trail
Policies and Actions on the State level
Make building codes more energy-efficient; require more renewable energy
Encourage manufacture of renewable energy equipment in Michigan, discourage coal and nuclear
Raise awareness of the problems with Confinement Animal Feeding Operations
Start a public campaign for a net metering policy that is fair to small scale energy producers
Discourage bottled water in small plastic containers, or require a deposit on them
Posted by Chuck Jordan at January 30, 2008 11:46 AM