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Earth Policy Release
August 13, 2013
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We love hearing about how our publications inspire others to take action and share their stories on our website. From the classroom to the political arena, people are spreading the word about Plan B and EPI’s work to create a roadmap to sustainability.  In 2007, Dr. Bonnie Winslow-Garvin, a school psychologist and long-time fan of Lester’s work, gave her husband Michael Garvin a copy of Plan B 2.0. Garvin was so inspired by Lester’s call to action that he left his national security consulting work to focus on moving the world to a carbon-free energy economy. In 2009 they founded RENAIS, a renewable energy technology and financing consultancy specializing in wind power, in their home state of Iowa.
Garvin also wanted to act internationally. He decided to begin with
the Caribbean, a region heavily dependent upon fossil fuel imports, where highly-polluting diesel generators dominate the electricity sector. With contacts in Curacao’s utilities and government, including former Prime Minister Gerrit Schotte, Garvin is encouraging retrofits of the country’s diesel-fueled vehicles and power stations to boost efficiency and cut pollution, using “hydrogen hybrid” technology from Canadian firm dynaCERT. Garvin, focusing his longer-term efforts on alternative energy production combined with battery storage, envisions Curacao becoming the first zero-carbon energy economy. More broadly, he plans to play a consulting role as the 15-nation Caribbean Community (CARICOM) implements its recently-agreed Regional Energy Policy, which emphasizes conservation, efficiency, and renewables as key for long-term energy security. | |
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Dear Larry,
Democracy and the environment are the cornerstones of a prosperous future. But our federal government doesn’t see it that way. How many of us have watched, astonished and sick at heart, as Prime Minister Harper’s cabinet gutted our environmental laws, muzzled our scientists, and violated our free speech rights? Moments ago, ForestEthics Advocacy (FEA), represented by my friend Clay Ruby, launched a lawsuit in the Federal Court of Canada against the Harper Government. Clay believes the Harper government overstepped its authority when it established rules that dictate who can speak at National Energy Board (NEB) hearings AND what exactly they can say. Your partnership and support in getting us this far has been incredible. It takes courage to stand up to a powerful adversary. Now we must all step up again. The start-up fees for this lawsuit will cost $150,000. ForestEthics Advocacy is currently raising funds to cover these expenses and two generous donors have offered to help by throwing out a $25,000 challenge match. |
