Hello Earth, Today is Your Day
 ...and every day hereafter!
We are thinking about "Earth Day" every day as we engage with Sustainable Belmont. Here are 5 earth-focused actions for 2014:
- Opt in to Renewable Energy via the Green Choice Program
Wellesley Municipal Light Plant offers a good comparison. They point out in addition to the benefit of reducing carbon in the environment, it "helps New England’s economy by using local sources of renewable power. It also reduces our dependence on foreign sources of energy, and our reliance on finite resources such as natural gas. "
With Belmont Light, you can opt in to is $6/mo for 100 KWh.
- Meatless Monday
This campaign brings attention to the issue of over-consumption and over-production of meat. Whether you do it on Mondays or Tuesdays or every day, reducing meat consumption in your diet helps to reduce green house gas emissions and can yield significant health benefits.
With more countries adopting the Western Diet, the health and GHG concerns are increasing. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates that 15% of GHG emissions are attributable to livestock production.
- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
It would seem to be old hat by now, but it can't be said enough and with emphasis on REDUCE. In 2012, plastic waste accounted for nearly 13% of all mainstream waste. Of that total, only 9% was recovered for recycling (EPA).
Need motivation? Take the pledge to ditch disposable bottles.
Be a voice for the Updated Bottle Bill – email legislators via the Sierra Club.
- Support Agricultural BioDiversity
Let's celebrate diversity – all diversity – buy in season, buy local, grow something, support informed choices through labeling and support sustainable biodiversity.
- Be in the world
Waking up, listening to the sounds of the birds, I am reminded that paying attention and being in the world is perhaps, the most basic step to caring for our earth. Belmont residents are fortunate to sustain the Rock Meadow Conservation Area, Habitat Education Center & Wildlife Sanctuary, Little Pond and Little River and the Beaver Brook Reservation. Enjoy the outdoors, both immediate and surrounding areas!
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*New Meeting Date*
Thursday, May 8
 May 8, Thursday, 7–9 p.m.
Flett Room, Belmont Public Library
We will discuss plans for Town Day, progress updates on the Green Communities application, future offshoots from the investigation into the potential Belmont Solar Challenge, and additional planning for the upcoming academic year.
Volunteer Request
We are seeking a volunteer to represent Sustainable Belmont by attending an upcoming meeting on Forming a Coalition for Environmental Tax Reform. The meeting is May 4th, 4-7 p.m. in Wellesley. Please contact Kate at sustainablebelmont@gmail.com if you would be interested in attending. Skills needed are the ability to listen, remember (or record) and share (piece o cake, right?). Ideally, this person would be able to attend our May 8th meeting as well, to share the information discussed.
Stormwater Working Group Meeting
Thursday, April 24 from 7–9 p.m.
Belmont Public Library
At this meeting, we will hear from Ralph Jones about lessons learned from state-of-the-art stormwater management work underway in Pennsylvania. Ralph pushed hard for the new stormwater bylaw during his six years of service as Belmont selectman. He is founder and Managing Director at The Cadmus Group, where his most recent focus has been on [water] asset management and financing options for water and wastewater infrastructure.
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May 7 - Walk & Bike!
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Regional Highlights
Unacceptable Levels
"A story about the chemicals in our bodies, how they got there and what we can do about it."
Film Screening
Tuesday, at 7p.m.
Watertown Memorial Library, 123 Main Street
Dr. Richard Clapp, Prof. Emeritus UMass Lowell will lead post-screeing discussion.
Check out these area organizations for their events:
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Sustainable Belmont is an all-volunteer organization that has regular discussions, workshops and presentations to enable the community to be environmentally sustainable. Meetings and events are open to the public.
Kind regards,
Kate Bowen, Chair
Darrell King, Co-Chair
John Kolterman, Adviser
In nature nothing exists alone. — Rachel Carson
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