Her eyes, wide open, she seemed to be staring into nothingness as her body was drained of its blood.
The world watched Neda Agha-Soltan, a 26-year-old music student, die from a gunshot wound after protesting peacefully in Tehran. The video, circulated on YouTube, was something that a lot of people won't forget very soon. I know, as an Iranian, I never will.
Even though official reporting of events has been very limited due to restrictions by the government, we were able to get a glimpse of what is going on in the streets via amateur videos and photos. What was evident in all those images is a very clear presence of women of all ages in the protests. Photos showed young, green-clad girls standing defiantly next to other, male protesters.
The images give evidence of the bravery of Iranian women. Today those women are not just fighting for a sheerer head-scarf or the freedom to show a little more of their arms; they are fighting to change the political face of the country and thus their future.
For years many women have carried out subtle campaigns of civil disobedience. They pushed the boundaries with acts as small as wearing brighter nail polish, more make up and even by smoking cigarettes in cafes. These were considered huge steps. But these protests were as far as women would go because they feared punishment.
Azadeh Moaveni, who reported for Time Magazine from Tehran, in her latest book "Honeymoon in Tehran" described how the general population in Iran was not ready for revolt: "Every few months an editor at Time would ask whether we could do an 'Iranian youth at boiling point' story, and I would explain that Iranian youth weren't even heating up yet."
Moaveni's view, which was very apt at the time, shows how so much changed this June when election results were announced and young Iranians felt anger and frustration. Many women, who used to be preoccupied with the latest fashion trends and what to wear to the next party, faced bullets and batons in the streets. Risking their lives, or imprisonment, they were fighting for what they had yearned for over many years. They were trying to get their rights by peaceful means because they knew the consequences.
Women have been undoubtedly a great part of the so called "Green Movement." Zahra Rahnavard, the wife of opposition leader Mir-Hossein Mousavi, became a key part of the campaign. Her presence meant a promise of a more open arena for women in the political scene and maybe some relaxation of the rigid social laws. Young women appreciated the attention that Mousavi gave his wife, treating her as his equal and a friend. They envisioned that such relationships would become more widespread in Iran if he became the next president.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's declaration of an overwhelming victory, however, was a big blow to their hopes. They now feel betrayed and dejected. One friend who supported Mousavi told me two days before the election that if Mousavi didn't win, she wouldn't stay in Iran for a moment longer.
Times change
When in 1979 the Iranian Revolution took place, all people who participated had one vision in mind: Get rid of the despotic Shah and replace him with democracy. But the revolution had a different outcome. Velayat-e Faqih -- the current ruling system -- gives power to the Supreme Leader. So in a way Iranians, after so much bloodshed and hard work, have accepted what could be considered little change.
But how could today, if the uprising were to result in big changes, be any different? The answer lies within the family structure in Iran. In 1979, even though a revolution took place, patriarchy was at the heart of many families. The mindset was that in families, fathers and husbands had the last word. It was a pyramid-shaped system, where men were at the top. They were in most cases the sole breadwinners and decision makers. In a larger sense, that would apply to the country too. People needed a single power at the top to decide everything.
Today, if we look at family structures in Iran, in many cases there has been a shift in power. Women have taken a place at the top of the pyramid alongside men. They are decision makers and breadwinners, educated and open-minded. This makes Iranian society today more fertile for democracy and the present autocratic system less acceptable.
When women can't openly protest in the streets, they find other ways to rebel. But in the end, they express their discontent.
A glimmer of hope in dark times
For now all that occupies Iranians' minds is sadness and sorrow, and nothing can heal their wounds. But there was a single moment of hope after the protests ended. Ali Shahrokhi, head of the Legal Commission in Parliament, announced on June 23 that the parliament is reconsidering the Shiite law of stoning. Stoning is a capital punishment that can be meted out on any woman convicted of adultery. Iran has decreased its used considerably, but the punishment does still exist in the law. Talks of removing it from the country's laws are gathering strength.
There is still a very long way to go for Iranian women, but it is interesting that the parliament brought the issue into more light after these tumultuous days, and especially after the death of Neda Agha-Soltan.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Sensitive to an array of pollutants, Kathy Hemenway uprooted herself to find a clean environment. Should the rest of us worry?
No paint on the walls. No carpets on the floors. No TV in the living room. Or the bedroom. Or the kitchen. No TV anywhere in the house.Kathy Hemenway's home in Snowflake, Ariz., is a refuge from the gases, chemicals and electromagnetic fields that are nearly ubiquitous in our 21st century world.
Her chemical sensitivities began when she was just a kid. "I couldn't figure out why people liked perfume," she says. "It gave me a headache. And fabric stores gave me a sore throat."Those problems grew more severe in adulthood, so she started making small changes -- using natural, fragrance-free shampoos and soaps; avoiding air fresheners, fresh paint, pesticides and lawn-care chemicals; and becoming super-diligent about housekeeping, but only with natural cleaners such as baking soda and vinegar.Then she started moving -- from homes with carpet to homes with hardwood floors, then from Menlo Park, Calif., where she was a successful software engineer, to Santa Cruz and a home with all the other safe stuff plus fresh ocean air.
But after an accidental exposure there to nearby lawn chemicals, Hemenway began to have trouble breathing and even more trouble sleeping. She grew agitated, jittery and depressed, and felt as if she were in a fog, she says. She also became sensitive to many more substances than usual and had to use an oxygen tank to recover from even mild exposures, such as breathing exhaust fumes on the freeway. She wound up at the Environmental Health Center in Dallas for treatment, which included oxygen therapy and sauna sessions (for detoxification), a special diet (rotated every four days) and nutritional supplements she took orally and intravenously. After that, she says, "I was desperate for a safe home, and that's when I decided to go to the safest place I could find."She found Snowflake."It's hard, frequently devastating, to accept that you're never going to get better unless you move to a whole other environment," Hemenway says of her leap 10 years ago. But, she decided, the quality of her life depended on it.The house she built in this remote high desert town is not only a no-paint, no-carpet zone, but also a no-plywood, no-particleboard, no-tar paper zone. And no pesticides were used on the foundation or on the land before the foundation was laid.The exterior of the house is made of masonry blocks, and most of the interior framing is made of steel. So is the roof. The floors are glazed ceramic tile throughout the house, and in the bedroom the walls and ceiling are too.The house has radiant in-floor heating instead of forced-air heating. "It doesn't blow the dust around," Hemenway says, "and you don't have the combustion byproducts of a forced-air furnace."And not to worry -- she can watch TV. But to avoid its electromagnetic field, she keeps the set in a barn about 200 feet from the house and records programs there, then brings the DVDs inside and plays them on a projection system.Hemenway is one of millions of Americans who believe that sprays meant to freshen the air actually pollute it, that chemicals meant to beautify our yards in fact poison them, and that many of the products and materials that make modern life fast and convenient also make people sick. They cite studies connecting a host of suspect substances to a host of human illnesses, from headaches and sniffles to immune disorders and cancer.Most people can't move to Snowflake and build "safe houses," of course (and if too many of us did, we'd mess up the air quality anyway). Fortunately, most are not as sensitive to environmental pollutants as Hemenway, whose condition is recognized by many -- but not all -- medical professionals as "environmental illness."Still, a connection between health and the environment is widely recognized in the medical and scientific communities. More than 30 years ago, for example, the Air Pollution Health Effects Laboratory was established at UC Irvine especially to study the connections between air quality and health. Raising awareness of these connections empowers people, says Robert Phalen, the laboratory's founder and current director and also a professor of medicine."Within the last year or two, there's been a tremendous awareness about green buildings -- and healthy buildings too," says Peter Sierck, the principal of Environmental Testing & Technology in San Diego, which specializes in testing for mold, moisture, electromagnetic fields and general indoor air quality.But some researchers worry that consumers' fears are getting ahead of the scientific evidence. Some have ripped out carpets to avoid chemical releases or renounced miracle fabrics in favor of natural fibers.Many people have concerns about perfumes, shampoos, soaps and other products that produce odors, says Dr. Ware Kuschner, an associate professor of pulmonary and critical care medicine at the Stanford University School of Medicine who practices at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. He does research on the health effects of indoor and outdoor air pollution. "But the link between exposure to these products and serious adverse health effects is often quite tenuous."That's because the harm a substance can do generally depends on how much of it you're exposed to and how long you're exposed to it -- as well as how sensitive you are.Knowing whether to be concerned, or how much to be concerned, isn't easy. Scientists at regulatory agencies spend years making official risk assessments.Still, it's possible to set some priorities, and you probably shouldn't spend too much time worrying about things that are very unlikely to happen, says Dr. Philip Harber, a professor of occupational and environmental medicine at UCLA. "Many more people die of drowning in a swimming pool than die of exposure to mold. . . . It's really important not to overlook the obvious."
Her chemical sensitivities began when she was just a kid. "I couldn't figure out why people liked perfume," she says. "It gave me a headache. And fabric stores gave me a sore throat."Those problems grew more severe in adulthood, so she started making small changes -- using natural, fragrance-free shampoos and soaps; avoiding air fresheners, fresh paint, pesticides and lawn-care chemicals; and becoming super-diligent about housekeeping, but only with natural cleaners such as baking soda and vinegar.Then she started moving -- from homes with carpet to homes with hardwood floors, then from Menlo Park, Calif., where she was a successful software engineer, to Santa Cruz and a home with all the other safe stuff plus fresh ocean air.
But after an accidental exposure there to nearby lawn chemicals, Hemenway began to have trouble breathing and even more trouble sleeping. She grew agitated, jittery and depressed, and felt as if she were in a fog, she says. She also became sensitive to many more substances than usual and had to use an oxygen tank to recover from even mild exposures, such as breathing exhaust fumes on the freeway. She wound up at the Environmental Health Center in Dallas for treatment, which included oxygen therapy and sauna sessions (for detoxification), a special diet (rotated every four days) and nutritional supplements she took orally and intravenously. After that, she says, "I was desperate for a safe home, and that's when I decided to go to the safest place I could find."She found Snowflake."It's hard, frequently devastating, to accept that you're never going to get better unless you move to a whole other environment," Hemenway says of her leap 10 years ago. But, she decided, the quality of her life depended on it.The house she built in this remote high desert town is not only a no-paint, no-carpet zone, but also a no-plywood, no-particleboard, no-tar paper zone. And no pesticides were used on the foundation or on the land before the foundation was laid.The exterior of the house is made of masonry blocks, and most of the interior framing is made of steel. So is the roof. The floors are glazed ceramic tile throughout the house, and in the bedroom the walls and ceiling are too.The house has radiant in-floor heating instead of forced-air heating. "It doesn't blow the dust around," Hemenway says, "and you don't have the combustion byproducts of a forced-air furnace."And not to worry -- she can watch TV. But to avoid its electromagnetic field, she keeps the set in a barn about 200 feet from the house and records programs there, then brings the DVDs inside and plays them on a projection system.Hemenway is one of millions of Americans who believe that sprays meant to freshen the air actually pollute it, that chemicals meant to beautify our yards in fact poison them, and that many of the products and materials that make modern life fast and convenient also make people sick. They cite studies connecting a host of suspect substances to a host of human illnesses, from headaches and sniffles to immune disorders and cancer.Most people can't move to Snowflake and build "safe houses," of course (and if too many of us did, we'd mess up the air quality anyway). Fortunately, most are not as sensitive to environmental pollutants as Hemenway, whose condition is recognized by many -- but not all -- medical professionals as "environmental illness."Still, a connection between health and the environment is widely recognized in the medical and scientific communities. More than 30 years ago, for example, the Air Pollution Health Effects Laboratory was established at UC Irvine especially to study the connections between air quality and health. Raising awareness of these connections empowers people, says Robert Phalen, the laboratory's founder and current director and also a professor of medicine."Within the last year or two, there's been a tremendous awareness about green buildings -- and healthy buildings too," says Peter Sierck, the principal of Environmental Testing & Technology in San Diego, which specializes in testing for mold, moisture, electromagnetic fields and general indoor air quality.But some researchers worry that consumers' fears are getting ahead of the scientific evidence. Some have ripped out carpets to avoid chemical releases or renounced miracle fabrics in favor of natural fibers.Many people have concerns about perfumes, shampoos, soaps and other products that produce odors, says Dr. Ware Kuschner, an associate professor of pulmonary and critical care medicine at the Stanford University School of Medicine who practices at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. He does research on the health effects of indoor and outdoor air pollution. "But the link between exposure to these products and serious adverse health effects is often quite tenuous."That's because the harm a substance can do generally depends on how much of it you're exposed to and how long you're exposed to it -- as well as how sensitive you are.Knowing whether to be concerned, or how much to be concerned, isn't easy. Scientists at regulatory agencies spend years making official risk assessments.Still, it's possible to set some priorities, and you probably shouldn't spend too much time worrying about things that are very unlikely to happen, says Dr. Philip Harber, a professor of occupational and environmental medicine at UCLA. "Many more people die of drowning in a swimming pool than die of exposure to mold. . . . It's really important not to overlook the obvious."
CARS program can benefit economy, environment and wallet
Residents planning to buy or lease a new car this year may want to step it up and cash in on the Car Allowance Rebate System. CARS is a federal program that helps buyers purchase a more fuel-efficient vehicle.Those who qualify for the “Cash for Clunkers” program can save from $3,500 to $4,500 on their purchase by trading in their gas-guzzling older vehicle. The promotion is valid from late July through Nov. 1 or until the allotted money runs out. The rebate is in addition to any promotional discounts offered by the dealer or manufacturer of the vehicle.There are some caveats, however.Restrictions apply to the trade-in vehicle as well as the new vehicle to be purchased.According to www.cars.gov, the trade-in vehicle must be less than 25 years old, have a “new” combined city/highway fuel economy of 18 miles per gallon or less, be driveable, and be insured and registered to the same owner for at least a year.It gets trickier. Very large pickup trucks and cargo vans have different requirements.
= 1225756800) && (nAdsysTime = 1225756800) && (nAdsysTime = 1241568000) && (nAdsysTime = 1243382400) && (nAdsysTime = 1244073600) && (nAdsysTime
David Oakley Jr., of Oakley Chevrolet Buick Pontiac in Bartlesville, said he has seen some interest in the program but it’s not for everyone.“Not every car or individual will merit using it,” he said. “The program is complicated enough that we’ll have to look at it case by case.”Oakley said the program is environmentally driven, meant to rid the roads of non fuel-efficient vehicles. However, he said a person’s auto may not “be enough of a clunker,” depending on the fuel economy standard.Also, if the vehicle trade-in is worth more than $4,500, the person can just trade in the car and forget the rebate, according to Oakley.The good news is consumers don’t have to send away for a voucher. The dealership will handle the paperwork and apply a credit at purchase. However, before stepping onto the car lot, make sure the prospective dealer has registered for the program.Also, the dealer is required to tell the purchaser how much the scrap metal is worth (all trade-ins will be scrapped). And dealers are prohibited from charging a fee to sell or lease a vehicle under the CARS program.Oakley said the final rules should be posted today and dealerships that started the process early may be in trouble if the rules have changed.“There are still some things to work through, like getting the cars to a scrap metal site. It’s a shame we have to scrap the cars because someone like a single mother may have been able to use one of the vehicles,” he said.Restrictions on the new vehicles include a purchase price of not more than $45,000; for passenger vehicles, it must have a combined fuel economy of at least 22 miles per gallon. For category 1 trucks, the new vehicle must have a combined fuel economy value of at least 18 miles per gallon; for category 2 trucks, at least 15 miles per gallon; and category 3 trucks have no minimum fuel economy requirement. (See inset.)Oakley said he hopes a lot of people aren’t disappointed if the rebate isn’t what they expected.“They don’t have to feel silly if they can’t make heads or tails of the rules either,” he said.The value of the credit is determined by the difference of the combined fuel economy of both vehicles. For a credit of $3,500, the difference must be at least 4 but less than 10 miles per gallon higher. For the $4,500 credit, the difference must be at least 10 miles per gallon higher.Oakley cautions those considering the program to do their homework first; log on to www.cars.gov and check out the fuel economy ratings for the trade-ins.Prospective buyers can find the combined fuel economy of the new vehicle on the window sticker or visit www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm and search for the vehicle.“Also, consider your needs when shopping for a new car,” said Oakley. “Don’t buy a car you don’t really want just to get the credit.”
= 1225756800) && (nAdsysTime = 1225756800) && (nAdsysTime = 1241568000) && (nAdsysTime = 1243382400) && (nAdsysTime = 1244073600) && (nAdsysTime
David Oakley Jr., of Oakley Chevrolet Buick Pontiac in Bartlesville, said he has seen some interest in the program but it’s not for everyone.“Not every car or individual will merit using it,” he said. “The program is complicated enough that we’ll have to look at it case by case.”Oakley said the program is environmentally driven, meant to rid the roads of non fuel-efficient vehicles. However, he said a person’s auto may not “be enough of a clunker,” depending on the fuel economy standard.Also, if the vehicle trade-in is worth more than $4,500, the person can just trade in the car and forget the rebate, according to Oakley.The good news is consumers don’t have to send away for a voucher. The dealership will handle the paperwork and apply a credit at purchase. However, before stepping onto the car lot, make sure the prospective dealer has registered for the program.Also, the dealer is required to tell the purchaser how much the scrap metal is worth (all trade-ins will be scrapped). And dealers are prohibited from charging a fee to sell or lease a vehicle under the CARS program.Oakley said the final rules should be posted today and dealerships that started the process early may be in trouble if the rules have changed.“There are still some things to work through, like getting the cars to a scrap metal site. It’s a shame we have to scrap the cars because someone like a single mother may have been able to use one of the vehicles,” he said.Restrictions on the new vehicles include a purchase price of not more than $45,000; for passenger vehicles, it must have a combined fuel economy of at least 22 miles per gallon. For category 1 trucks, the new vehicle must have a combined fuel economy value of at least 18 miles per gallon; for category 2 trucks, at least 15 miles per gallon; and category 3 trucks have no minimum fuel economy requirement. (See inset.)Oakley said he hopes a lot of people aren’t disappointed if the rebate isn’t what they expected.“They don’t have to feel silly if they can’t make heads or tails of the rules either,” he said.The value of the credit is determined by the difference of the combined fuel economy of both vehicles. For a credit of $3,500, the difference must be at least 4 but less than 10 miles per gallon higher. For the $4,500 credit, the difference must be at least 10 miles per gallon higher.Oakley cautions those considering the program to do their homework first; log on to www.cars.gov and check out the fuel economy ratings for the trade-ins.Prospective buyers can find the combined fuel economy of the new vehicle on the window sticker or visit www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm and search for the vehicle.“Also, consider your needs when shopping for a new car,” said Oakley. “Don’t buy a car you don’t really want just to get the credit.”
Dela. officials deny river dredging permit
Delaware's environmental secretary on Friday dealt a blow to plans to deepen the Delaware River shipping channel, denying environmental permits requested by the Army Corps of Engineers.
Collin O'Mara, head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, said the Corps has failed to submit additional information requested by the state and has made significant modifications to the project since submitting its permit application in January 2001.
O'Mara also noted that with the passage of time since a hearing officer issued a 2003 report recommending that DNREC deny the permits unless additional information was provided, "the record is now stale."
The proposed dredging project has been a source of friction among officials in Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey for nearly a decade.
The Corps has proposed deepening the channel from 40 feet to 45 feet along a stretch of more than 100 miles from Philadelphia to the mouth of the Delaware Bay. Supporters say the dredging would allow the river to accommodate bigger ships and keep local ports competitive, while opponents argue it will mostly benefit a few oil refineries while stirring up toxic sediments that would threaten water quality and wildlife.
O'Mara noted that the Corps' most recent environmental impact statement was completed 12 years ago.
"If the Army Corps conducted the proposed deepening now, it would do so with little knowledge of the Delaware River's current environment," he wrote in a seven-page order. "I find that approval now, based upon outdated information, would impose an undue risk of harm to Delaware's environment and public health."
Richard Pearsall, a spokesman for the Corps' Philadelphia district office, said officials were reviewing O'Mara's decision.
"We're just going to reevaluate our position here," he said.
The Corps recently began soliciting bids for the first phase of the dredging project. Pearsall said there were no plans to halt the bid solicitation process.
In its permit application to DNREC, the Corps sought permission to remove almost 22.5 million cubic yards of material from the channel running from the mouth of the Delaware Bay at Lewes to the Delaware-Pennsylvania border near Claymont. The amount later was revised to 17.7 million cubic yards. The dredge spoils would be deposited at sites in Delaware and New Jersey.
While denying the permits, O'Mara did not prohibit the Corps from submitting a new application with updated information.
Collin O'Mara, head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, said the Corps has failed to submit additional information requested by the state and has made significant modifications to the project since submitting its permit application in January 2001.
O'Mara also noted that with the passage of time since a hearing officer issued a 2003 report recommending that DNREC deny the permits unless additional information was provided, "the record is now stale."
The proposed dredging project has been a source of friction among officials in Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey for nearly a decade.
The Corps has proposed deepening the channel from 40 feet to 45 feet along a stretch of more than 100 miles from Philadelphia to the mouth of the Delaware Bay. Supporters say the dredging would allow the river to accommodate bigger ships and keep local ports competitive, while opponents argue it will mostly benefit a few oil refineries while stirring up toxic sediments that would threaten water quality and wildlife.
O'Mara noted that the Corps' most recent environmental impact statement was completed 12 years ago.
"If the Army Corps conducted the proposed deepening now, it would do so with little knowledge of the Delaware River's current environment," he wrote in a seven-page order. "I find that approval now, based upon outdated information, would impose an undue risk of harm to Delaware's environment and public health."
Richard Pearsall, a spokesman for the Corps' Philadelphia district office, said officials were reviewing O'Mara's decision.
"We're just going to reevaluate our position here," he said.
The Corps recently began soliciting bids for the first phase of the dredging project. Pearsall said there were no plans to halt the bid solicitation process.
In its permit application to DNREC, the Corps sought permission to remove almost 22.5 million cubic yards of material from the channel running from the mouth of the Delaware Bay at Lewes to the Delaware-Pennsylvania border near Claymont. The amount later was revised to 17.7 million cubic yards. The dredge spoils would be deposited at sites in Delaware and New Jersey.
While denying the permits, O'Mara did not prohibit the Corps from submitting a new application with updated information.
Elephant dies while rescuing its calf in Tamil Nadu
An elephant died while trying to save its calf which had slipped and fallen into a pit near Katteri village in the Barliyar forest range of Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu on Thursday.
The calf fell into the pit during the midnight hours and the mother elephant struggled to reach it.
It is also believed that the elephant aged around 22 years with its calf was trying to cross the Barliyar forest area.
Initially, forest rangers found it difficult to carry out the rescue operation since the location was quite steep.
“It was very difficult to reach the spot as it is on a steep slope. Rescuers had to climb using ropes and other things but we finally managed to reach there. The calf wasn’t injured. We rescued the animal after struggling for five to six hours,” said Kannn, Conservator of Forests, Nilgiris Range.
However, environmentalists say that private tea estate owners are using illegal methods to frighten elephants in the region that often result in the jumbos falling into dug up pits and trenches around the tea gardens.
“The area has a thick presence of elephant herds. It is called as migration corridor and has a number of private tea estates. These estates have illegally installed solar fencing in order to drive away the elephants,” said Jayachandran, an activist of Green Movement.
Experts have opined that massive deforestation, poaching and people encroaching upon forest corridors have forced the elephants to move out of their natural habitats in search of food and water
The calf fell into the pit during the midnight hours and the mother elephant struggled to reach it.
It is also believed that the elephant aged around 22 years with its calf was trying to cross the Barliyar forest area.
Initially, forest rangers found it difficult to carry out the rescue operation since the location was quite steep.
“It was very difficult to reach the spot as it is on a steep slope. Rescuers had to climb using ropes and other things but we finally managed to reach there. The calf wasn’t injured. We rescued the animal after struggling for five to six hours,” said Kannn, Conservator of Forests, Nilgiris Range.
However, environmentalists say that private tea estate owners are using illegal methods to frighten elephants in the region that often result in the jumbos falling into dug up pits and trenches around the tea gardens.
“The area has a thick presence of elephant herds. It is called as migration corridor and has a number of private tea estates. These estates have illegally installed solar fencing in order to drive away the elephants,” said Jayachandran, an activist of Green Movement.
Experts have opined that massive deforestation, poaching and people encroaching upon forest corridors have forced the elephants to move out of their natural habitats in search of food and water
Obama's 'green-jobs' guru: from activist to environmentalist
Van Jones defies environmentalist stereotypes. He's not the earthy-crunchy, Birkenstock-wearing type. Nor is he a contemporary and corporate version -- a hedge fund-fueled entrepreneur looking to make millions by building wind farms and solar-powered corporate headquarters.
The new special adviser for "green jobs" -- those jobs that help reduce energy consumption and lessen environmental impact -- at the White House Council on Environmental Quality is in some ways like President Obama himself: an African-American community activist and organizer who has rocketed to the highest levels of government.
Jones says it was death, of all things, that set him on his current career path as a green-jobs guru. In describing his turn from social activist to environmentalist, Jones recounted his experiences with young people in Oakland, California.
"I got involved in this work because I got tired of going to funerals. I got tired of seeing young people without any hope," Jones told CNN. "I wanted them to have a better future. I said, 'Why don't we get these young people trained in green jobs so they can be a part of all these companies that are getting started?' "
So Jones, a Yale Law School graduate and longtime community activist, started an organization called "Green For All" in Oakland. The mission was to figure out how to train underprivileged young people in green-jobs skills, such as installing solar panels and retrofitting houses to make them more energy efficient. Watch more on Van Jones' career »
"People talk about global warming. ... I want to cool the Earth down. I also want to calm the block down," said Jones.
Jones' efforts earned him national recognition and grabbed the attention of Obama's advisers.
Now, he is the president's pitchman for green jobs, helping to coordinate government agencies focused on delivering millions of green jobs to the ailing U.S. economy.
Don't Miss
House OKs $6.4 billion to make schools greener
"I see myself as the green-jobs handyman. My job is to make sure that the president's desire that we have literally millions of green jobs in our country actually turns into reality," said Jones.
Yet even in places like Michigan, where unemployment is a whopping 15 percent -- well above the national average of 9.5 percent -- Jones understands there's skepticism about his message.
CNN followed Jones on a recent visit to Lansing, Michigan, where he told attendees at a green-jobs conference that saving the planet and saving jobs can go hand in hand.
"You say, 'Oh no, oh no -- you're gonna talk about the caulking gun. Oh no!' " Jones joked with the crowd.
Critics, though, have serious concerns about the "green collar" agenda. They argue that those green jobs -- retrofitting homes to make them more energy-efficient, for instance -- will be mostly low-level and low-paying.
Jones dismisses that.
"You take somebody and maybe this summer they're putting up solar panels," Jones said. "Well guess what, this is a growing part of our economy -- the next summer they can be a manager, the next summer, maybe they can be an owner, an investor, an inventor."
While Jones tries to spread his green message, he's also trying to practice what he preaches. That means taking public transportation, including a bus and train ride, to get to his office just across the street from the White House. He says those rides give him valuable opportunities to hear unvarnished views.
Describing his work as a member of the executive branch, Jones said, "Everybody that comes talk to us, they've already got an agenda, they've got their game face on. [On] public transportation, people are themselves."
As for who Jones is, he gave CNN a brief look at his new office at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. On the walls hang pictures of his heroes, each Jones described with a different strength. Basketball legend Michael Jordan: dedication and commitment. Boxing legend Muhammad Ali: fighting spirit.
Finally, pointing to a picture above his desk, Jones' tone grew softer.
"This is Bobby Kennedy the day before he was killed. In Watts, talking to some of the poorest people in California. And look at him. I mean, he's just present," Jones said, his eyes focused on Kennedy's image.
"We want to bring green jobs to these kind of folks. We want to bring green jobs to people who don't have hope."
The new special adviser for "green jobs" -- those jobs that help reduce energy consumption and lessen environmental impact -- at the White House Council on Environmental Quality is in some ways like President Obama himself: an African-American community activist and organizer who has rocketed to the highest levels of government.
Jones says it was death, of all things, that set him on his current career path as a green-jobs guru. In describing his turn from social activist to environmentalist, Jones recounted his experiences with young people in Oakland, California.
"I got involved in this work because I got tired of going to funerals. I got tired of seeing young people without any hope," Jones told CNN. "I wanted them to have a better future. I said, 'Why don't we get these young people trained in green jobs so they can be a part of all these companies that are getting started?' "
So Jones, a Yale Law School graduate and longtime community activist, started an organization called "Green For All" in Oakland. The mission was to figure out how to train underprivileged young people in green-jobs skills, such as installing solar panels and retrofitting houses to make them more energy efficient. Watch more on Van Jones' career »
"People talk about global warming. ... I want to cool the Earth down. I also want to calm the block down," said Jones.
Jones' efforts earned him national recognition and grabbed the attention of Obama's advisers.
Now, he is the president's pitchman for green jobs, helping to coordinate government agencies focused on delivering millions of green jobs to the ailing U.S. economy.
Don't Miss
House OKs $6.4 billion to make schools greener
"I see myself as the green-jobs handyman. My job is to make sure that the president's desire that we have literally millions of green jobs in our country actually turns into reality," said Jones.
Yet even in places like Michigan, where unemployment is a whopping 15 percent -- well above the national average of 9.5 percent -- Jones understands there's skepticism about his message.
CNN followed Jones on a recent visit to Lansing, Michigan, where he told attendees at a green-jobs conference that saving the planet and saving jobs can go hand in hand.
"You say, 'Oh no, oh no -- you're gonna talk about the caulking gun. Oh no!' " Jones joked with the crowd.
Critics, though, have serious concerns about the "green collar" agenda. They argue that those green jobs -- retrofitting homes to make them more energy-efficient, for instance -- will be mostly low-level and low-paying.
Jones dismisses that.
"You take somebody and maybe this summer they're putting up solar panels," Jones said. "Well guess what, this is a growing part of our economy -- the next summer they can be a manager, the next summer, maybe they can be an owner, an investor, an inventor."
While Jones tries to spread his green message, he's also trying to practice what he preaches. That means taking public transportation, including a bus and train ride, to get to his office just across the street from the White House. He says those rides give him valuable opportunities to hear unvarnished views.
Describing his work as a member of the executive branch, Jones said, "Everybody that comes talk to us, they've already got an agenda, they've got their game face on. [On] public transportation, people are themselves."
As for who Jones is, he gave CNN a brief look at his new office at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. On the walls hang pictures of his heroes, each Jones described with a different strength. Basketball legend Michael Jordan: dedication and commitment. Boxing legend Muhammad Ali: fighting spirit.
Finally, pointing to a picture above his desk, Jones' tone grew softer.
"This is Bobby Kennedy the day before he was killed. In Watts, talking to some of the poorest people in California. And look at him. I mean, he's just present," Jones said, his eyes focused on Kennedy's image.
"We want to bring green jobs to these kind of folks. We want to bring green jobs to people who don't have hope."
Kent pollution cleanup stalls
A year after the state announced a legal settlement requiring cleanup of long-standing pollution problems at a chemical plant near Chestertown on the Eastern Shore, the work remains stalled by disputes with the plant's owner.Genovique Specialties Corp. has balked at demands from the state Department of the Environment that it do more testing of soil and groundwater for toxic and potentially cancer-causing chemicals at its manufacturing facility, which sits beside an unnamed stream that ultimately flows to the Chesapeake Bay. The company, based in Rosemont, Ill., first submitted a plan last August for investigating contamination at its Kent County plant, which manufactures "plasticizers" - substances that make plastics flexible. But the state found the original plan riddled with "data and information gaps" and has insisted on more sampling to ascertain how far contaminants may have spread."We've reviewed the cleanup plan, and we don't agree with it," said Dawn Stoltzfus, state environment agency spokeswoman. "We have requested revisions, and the party does not agree with us."Stoltzfus said the problems at the plant pose no immediate threat to neighboring residents. But some environmental activists are not so sure, and they fault state regulators for not pressing harder to clean up a facility that has been the source of complaints for decades."I don't know the reason why it's taken so long," said Tom Leigh, the Chester Riverkeeper, who noted that groundwater contamination was first detected at the plant 20 years ago. While the facility's current and previous owners have taken some steps to remedy problems, he said, members of the community are frustrated by the apparent lack of progress since the consent decree was signed last July."They certainly deserve better from the state as well as the business owners that run the plant," said Leigh, who monitors the condition of the river for the Chester River Association.The consent decree had settled a lawsuit filed by the state in 2007 that accused the plant of discharging polluted wastewater and of contaminating soil and groundwater beneath its facility. Under the decree filed in Kent County Circuit Court, the company, previously known as Velsicol Chemical Co., agreed to a timetable for investigating and cleaning up the problems within two years. The company also agreed to pay a $200,000 fine in 18 monthly installments. The deal had been billed by officials as the final resolution of chronic pollution problems at the plant, which has been in operation since the 1950s.Over the years, the Chestertown plant has used a series of unlined ponds to store and treat its wastewater, and state officials say pollutants have leached into the soil and groundwater, including the solvents benzene and toluene and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, also known as BEHP. Benzene can cause cancer in humans, while toluene can damage the brain and nervous system, as well as other organs. BEHP has been classified as a probable carcinogen, and exposure to high levels has caused kidney damage and disrupted reproduction and sexual development in laboratory animals. Last year, Congress banned the sale of children's toys containing some phthalates.Marian Hwang, a lawyer for the corporation, declined to comment. But in a letter sent to the state this month, she contends that it is being required to do more testing than is needed, because the levels of toxic pollution monitored in the groundwater have declined and there is no evidence any has seeped beyond the fenceline.The lawyer asked that the court-approved timetable for completing the study and cleanup be put on hold while the state mulls its appeal, but pledged to begin work on some of the cleanup.Genovique submitted a plan for investigating the extent of contamination and pollution at the plant, but it has never been approved by the state."We're not going to accept a substandard plan," Stoltzfus said. "We're taking our time to make sure the cleanup is done right."The Chester River Association agrees that more extensive soil and water testing is needed. But the group also is concerned that storm water washing off the plant site contains BEHP, while wastewater released by the facility into a holding pond that overflows into a nearby stream contains phosphorus. Phosphorus is one of the pollutants chiefly responsible for the algae blooms that create a fish-suffocating "dead zone" on the bay bottom in summer. The state has never officially limited the amount of phosphorus the chemical plant can discharge, and since the consent decree was signed last July there have been 18 times that the phosphorus levels in the plant's wastewater exceeded the limit normally set on municipal sewage plants.Meanwhile, Leigh said, ducks and geese frequent the pond collecting BEHP-tainted storm runoff. "Those birds move on and may wind up on somebody's dinner plate one day," he said.Leigh said he is frustrated because state law prevents the citizens group he works for from suing the company if the state has taken action.Michele Merkel, Chesapeake coordinator for the Waterkeeper Alliance, said the protracted Genovique cleanup is part of a pattern of flagging environmental enforcement in Maryland. State data show declines last year in both the number of sites inspected and actions taken, she noted."They either don't have the resources or the political will to adequately address violations of environmental laws," she said.Stoltzfus said the state is dedicated to cleaning up the plant but acknowledged that "resources are limited." She said the agency is overseeing about 100 consent decrees requiring pollution cleanups.Stoltzfus said Genovique has begun treating its wastewater in recent months to remove phosphorus. And the contamination problems are limited for now to the plant site, she said."If there were public health risks, if drinking water were involved, it would be a different situation," the state spokeswoman said. "But we have to set priorities when resources are tight."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)