Go Green Newsletters
August 2011
Newsroom
Go Green! August 2011
IN THIS ISSUE:
Enviro-Tip of the Month
What You Can Do, What You Can Use
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
This Month in EPA@40
About This Newsletter
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ENVIRO-TIP OF THE MONTH
Allow grass clippings to stay on the lawn, instead of bagging them. The cut grass will decompose and return to the
soil naturally. Get more backyard composting ideas at http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/wycd/catbook/tip10.htm
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WHAT YOU CAN DO, WHAT YOU CAN USE
Look for "Most Efficient"! When shopping for appliance or other products, look for the new Energy Star designation
of "Most Efficient." Products with the "Most Efficient" designation demonstrate exceptional and cutting-edge
efficiency performance, representing approximately the top five percent of models on the market in that category.
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/names/hq_2011-7-14_energystarmostefficient
Be sun sensible! Learn more to protect yourself and your family from the sun's harmful rays. Sun overexposure can
cause skin cancer and eye damage during any time of the year.
Check your UV index: http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.html
Get the UV Index mobile app: http://www.epa.gov/enviro/mobile/
Reduce mosquitos! Around your home you can drain pools of standing water where mosquitoes breed. Drain water
from plastic covers, old tires, or other objects. Empty and change birdbaths at least once a week. Keep swimming
pool water treated and circulating. Read more:
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/mosquitoes/mosquito.htm
Summer is for ... renovating? Protect your family. Make sure you only hire a contractor who is in a Lead-Safe
Certified Firm. At present, almost a million children have elevated blood lead levels as a result of exposure to lead
hazards, which can lead to lower intelligence, learning disabilities, and behavior issues. Find a contractor near you:
http://cfpub.epa.gov/flpp/searchrrp_firm.htm
ONGOING:
Apps for the Environment. EPA is challenging the information technology community - students, colleges,
professionals - to create applications that use EPA's data and be accessible via the web or a mobile device.
Submittal deadline is September 16. C'mon, get appy!
http://www.epa.gov/appsfortheenvironment
Photo project. You can take a photo of the environment "as you see it" and submit it to the State of the
Environment Photo Project. Selected submitted photos will be used in a display during Earth Day 2012.
http://www.epa.gov/environmentphotoproject
-Try the "Locations" challenge!
http://www.epa.gov/environmentphotoproject/locations.html
Join the Greenversation - share your thoughts as EPA employees share their unique perspective on
environmentalism and personal experiences in protecting and improving our nation's water, land, and air.
http://blog.epa.gov/blog/
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UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
August
National Water Quality Month
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THIS MONTH IN EPA@40
In December 2010, EPA turned 40! Here are some key events and activities from years past that happened this
month:
Aug 2, 1978 - Leaking chemical containers found buried in Love Canal, NY. Federal and state authorities respond.
Aug 2, 1996 - President Bill Clinton signs the Food Quality Protection Act to tighten standards for pesticides.
PLEASE NOTE: We have tried to maintain links where
possible, but due to the archival nature of this list, some
links June have changed or be otherwise unavailable.
Go Green! August 2011 | EPA Newsroom | US EPA http://www.epa.gov/newsroom/gogreen/201108.htm
2 of 3 8/27/11 10:27 AM
Last updated on 08/01/2011
Go Green! August 2011 | EPA Newsroom | US EPA http://www.epa.gov/newsroom/gogreen/201108.htm
3 of 3 8/27/11 10:27 AM
Go Green! August 2011
IN THIS ISSUE:
Enviro-Tip of the Month
What You Can Do, What You Can Use
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
This Month in EPA@40
About This Newsletter
-----------------------------------------------------
ENVIRO-TIP OF THE MONTH
Allow grass clippings to stay on the lawn, instead of bagging them. The cut grass will decompose and return to the
soil naturally. Get more backyard composting ideas at http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/wycd/catbook/tip10.htm
-----------------------------------------------------
WHAT YOU CAN DO, WHAT YOU CAN USE
Look for "Most Efficient"! When shopping for appliance or other products, look for the new Energy Star designation
of "Most Efficient." Products with the "Most Efficient" designation demonstrate exceptional and cutting-edge
efficiency performance, representing approximately the top five percent of models on the market in that category.
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/names/hq_2011-7-14_energystarmostefficient
Be sun sensible! Learn more to protect yourself and your family from the sun's harmful rays. Sun overexposure can
cause skin cancer and eye damage during any time of the year.
Check your UV index: http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.html
Get the UV Index mobile app: http://www.epa.gov/enviro/mobile/
Reduce mosquitos! Around your home you can drain pools of standing water where mosquitoes breed. Drain water
from plastic covers, old tires, or other objects. Empty and change birdbaths at least once a week. Keep swimming
pool water treated and circulating. Read more:
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/mosquitoes/mosquito.htm
Summer is for ... renovating? Protect your family. Make sure you only hire a contractor who is in a Lead-Safe
Certified Firm. At present, almost a million children have elevated blood lead levels as a result of exposure to lead
hazards, which can lead to lower intelligence, learning disabilities, and behavior issues. Find a contractor near you:
http://cfpub.epa.gov/flpp/searchrrp_firm.htm
ONGOING:
Apps for the Environment. EPA is challenging the information technology community - students, colleges,
professionals - to create applications that use EPA's data and be accessible via the web or a mobile device.
Submittal deadline is September 16. C'mon, get appy!
http://www.epa.gov/appsfortheenvironment
Photo project. You can take a photo of the environment "as you see it" and submit it to the State of the
Environment Photo Project. Selected submitted photos will be used in a display during Earth Day 2012.
http://www.epa.gov/environmentphotoproject
-Try the "Locations" challenge!
http://www.epa.gov/environmentphotoproject/locations.html
Join the Greenversation - share your thoughts as EPA employees share their unique perspective on
environmentalism and personal experiences in protecting and improving our nation's water, land, and air.
http://blog.epa.gov/blog/
-----------------------------------------------------
UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
August
National Water Quality Month
-----------------------------------------------------
THIS MONTH IN EPA@40
In December 2010, EPA turned 40! Here are some key events and activities from years past that happened this
month:
Aug 2, 1978 - Leaking chemical containers found buried in Love Canal, NY. Federal and state authorities respond.
Aug 2, 1996 - President Bill Clinton signs the Food Quality Protection Act to tighten standards for pesticides.
PLEASE NOTE: We have tried to maintain links where
possible, but due to the archival nature of this list, some
links June have changed or be otherwise unavailable.
Go Green! August 2011 | EPA Newsroom | US EPA http://www.epa.gov/newsroom/gogreen/201108.htm
2 of 3 8/27/11 10:27 AM
Last updated on 08/01/2011
Go Green! August 2011 | EPA Newsroom | US EPA http://www.epa.gov/newsroom/gogreen/201108.htm
3 of 3 8/27/11 10:27 AM
July 2011
GO GREEN!
IN THIS ISSUE:
Enviro-Tip of the Month
What You Can Do, What You Can Use
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
This Month in EPA@40
About This Newsletter
-----------------------------------------------------
ENVIRO-TIP OF THE MONTH
July is UV Safety month: The UV Index predicts the strength of harmful solar rays. Check the UV Index - when you know how strong the sun's rays will be, you can take steps to protect yourself and your family from overexposure.
Sun safety action steps: http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/actionsteps.html
More about the UV Index: http://www.epa.gov/uvindex
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WHAT YOU CAN DO, WHAT YOU CAN USE
Urban Water Partnership. Eleven federal agencies formed a new partnership to create jobs, protect health, and revitalize urban waterways in (to start with) seven areas across the country.
-Read about what they are doing:
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/names/hq_2011-6-24_urban_waters
-Read about what you can do:
http://www.epa.gov/urbanwaters/whatcanido.html
-Share your ideas for protecting urban waters:
http://bit.ly/fDothT
Hot tips for a cool summer! Save energy in summer and fight climate change. Avoid overexposure to the sun and check your air quality.
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/names/hq_2011-6-30_uvheatsafety
-Reduce asthma triggers and actions you can take:
http://www.epa.gov/asthma/triggers.html
-Check your air quality before you head outdoors:
http://www.airnow.gov
-Check the UV Index to avoid sun overexposure:
http://www.epa.gov/uvindex
-Find ways to reduce your energy bills while keeping cool.
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat_cool.pr_hvac
-Even more summer tips:
http://www.epa.gov/epahome/hi-summer.htm
Get the right stuff! EPA's new "E15" fuel pump label will help you choose the right fuel for your vehicle and help reduce air pollution. When fuels having more than 10 and up to 15 percent ethanol are approved for the market (eventually; they aren't yet, as of this newsletter), you should start seeing the E15 label on those fuel pumps. Read more about this and check out a sample of the label.
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/names/hq_2011-6-28_E15_pump_label
ONGOING:
Apps for the Environment. EPA is challenging the information technology community - students, colleges, professionals - to create applications that use EPA's data and be accessible via the web or a mobile device. Submittal deadline is September 16. C'mon, get appy!
http://www.epa.gov/appsfortheenvironment
Photo Project. You can take a photo of the environment "as you see it" and submit it to the State of the Environment Photo Project. Selected submitted photos will be used in a display during Earth Day 2012.
http://www.epa.gov/environmentphotoproject
-Try the "Locations" challenge!
http://www.epa.gov/environmentphotoproject/locations.html
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UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
JULY
Month
UV Safety Month
National Water Gardening Month
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THIS MONTH IN EPA@40
In December 2010, EPA turned 40! Here are some key events and activities from years past that happened this month:
Jul 17, 1997 - EPA issues tough new air quality standards for smog and soot.
More at http://www.epa.gov/40th
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ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER
America is shifting to a "green culture" where all 300 million citizens are embracing the fact that environmental responsibility is everyone's responsibility. "Go Green!" is a monthly newsletter from the US EPA with information about activities and events that everyone can use to make a difference in their homes, communities, and offices.
Want more news? Sign up to receive daily EPA news releases on topics that interest you.
http://www.epa.gov/newsroom/email_signups.htm
This service is provided free of charge by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. If you have any questions or problems about this service, please contact contact support@govdelivery.com for assistance.
June 2011
IN THIS ISSUE:
Enviro-Tip of the Month
What You Can Do, What You Can Use
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ENVIRO-TIP OF THE MONTH
Prepare for a hurricane before it strikes. June 1 marks the beginning of hurricane season in the US. Individuals, communities, and businesses can find out more about avoiding or minimizing disaster by planning ahead for shortages and storm cleanup.
http://www.epa.gov/naturaldisasters/hurricanes/
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WHAT YOU CAN DO, WHAT YOU CAN USE
Hot tips for a cool summer! Save energy in summer and fight climate change. Get tips to reduce energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions.
Don't Fry - Any Day! With the start of the summer season, remember to avoid overexposure to the sun's harmful "UV" rays. Put on sunscreen, wear a hat, sunglasses, and a t-shirt. Melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, is on the rise in America and is the most common cancer among young adults aged 25-29. Read more about how to protect yourself.
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/names/hq_2011-5-23_dontfryday
-Check the UV Index where you live or get the web widget:
http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex
New Vehicle Label. Starting with model year 2013, an improved fuel economy label will be used on all new passenger cars and trucks. Learn more about how this label will let shoppers compare conventional gasoline-powered vehicles with "next generation" car types such as plug-in, hybrid, or electric.
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/names/hq_2011-5-25_fueleconomylabel
-Watch the video about the label:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMtdlZFucp4
Rachel Carson Contest, entry deadline June 10! Teams of two or more persons, a young person and an older person, can express their "Sense of Wonder" for the sea, the night sky, forests, birds, wildlife, and all that is beautiful to your eyes.
http://www.epa.gov/aging/resources/thesenseofwonder
Help Build Asthma Awareness. Learn what you can do to reduce indoor air asthma triggers in homes and schools. One out of every ten school-aged children is affected and approximately 13 million people have reported having an asthma attack in the past year.
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/names/hq_2011-5-3_asthmaawarenessmonth
Check for drinking water violations. You can check whether the drinking water in your community has met standards required under the Safe Drinking Water Act, or for serious violations in drinking water quality.
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/names/hq_2011-5-16_sdwaecho
-Search the data base:
http://www.epa-echo.gov/echo/compliance_report_sdwa.html
Photo Project. You can take a photo of the environment "as you see it" and submit it to the State of the Environment Photo Project. This photo project builds on Documerica, a collection of thousands of photos of the 1970s American environment. See the old collection, and find out how you can submit photos (through Flickr) to the new collection. Selected submitted photos will be used in a display during Earth Day 2012.
http://www.epa.gov/environmentphotoproject
-Try the "Locations" challenge!
http://www.epa.gov/environmentphotoproject/locations.html
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