Why 350? Scientists say that 350 parts per million CO2 in the atmosphere is the safe limit for humanity – we are currently at 387. The intent is to use community photos collected from around the world to advocate for a reduction in CO2 emissions.

Jennifer Mathis, the founder of The Little Green Bag Project, is has created Lowcountry 350 – an opportunity for all of us to participate in this global event. On Saturday, October 24, head down to the Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park via alternative travel (walk, run, bike, skate, swim, row – just don’t drive!) for the Lowcountry 350 Climate Action Day Photo <- RSVP on the Facebook page. The event starts at 3 p.m., and the photo will be taken at 3:50 p.m. Hope to see you there!

The Sustainability Institute

The Coastal Conservation League, who is celebrating their 20 year anniversary, is working hard every day to preserve our beautiful Lowcountry coast. They have a wide range of programs that are making a lasting impact on our community. The Coastal Conservation League is fighting bridges to small marsh islands, protecting freshwater wetlands, fighting port expansion, and watching out for our rivers just to name a few. With all of these active programs, plus a major effort to get local residents involved, their legacy can been seen throughout the Lowcountry.

Be sure to check them out online, get involved, and make a donation!

• April 18 – Charleston County Earth Day Festival
• April 18 – Green Village Tour Run
• April 19 – Kiawah Island Resort Greenival
• April 22 – Keep Charleston Beautiful Earth Day Celebration
• April 22 – Sustainable Seafood Initiative Dinner
• April 22 – Sea Island Habitat Wetland Planting
• April 24 – Go Green Night at The Charleston Battery
• April 25 – Sewee Center Earth Day Celebration Nature Tour
• April 28 – Green Day at MUSC

The SC Says NO movement is bringing environmentally-minded organizations, business, and residents together from around the state to advocate for cleaner energy sources. You can help by signing the online petition urging state regulators, the Governer, and the Santee Cooper Board of Directors to exercise their authority and discontinue plans for this coal plant. 

Sign the petition »

The Battery organization has done a great job working sustainable practices into the stadium. They have a massive solar array (which can be tracked online), ample recycling, and alternative dining products. Go check it out on December 4th, at 5:30 p.m.

“We hope that new riders will consider trying CARTA on National Dump the Pump Day, which will highlight transit nationally,” said Howard Chapman, executive director of CARTA. “We’ll do the same locally by offering free rides—reinforcing that CARTA is a way for people to save money and also help save the environment in a small way.”

CARTA ridership is up 20% from last year, so let’s keep that trend going. Get out and ride those buses, and let CARTA know that we will use public transportation if it is there. The more we ride, the more they will try to improve the system – which will hopefully include better bus stops and more routes throughout the area.

If you want see how much power the panels are actually producing, check out the real time data feed. To learn more about the Charleston Battery solar array, check out our previous posts here and here, or see the panels in action at the Charleston Battery’s May 9th Go Green Game Night (more info in a future post.)

My favorite part of the demonstration was the appeal to people who happen to walk by. Students were asking walkers if they would “like a new coal plant”, while handing them a small flower pot filled with chunks of coal. Enevitibly, each walker would say “No thanks,” and everyone would cheer, “They don’t want a new coal plant!” Good stuff.

I thought Carly Sothoron (rainbow wig) dig an amazing job speaking to the crowd, as did Ian Sanchez and Dr. “other guy” (sorry, I forgot your name…I’m just a blogger!) All in all, a great effort – keep up the good work APE!

Check out all the photos after the jump >>

My boys and I are outside. Our excursions almost always involve outdoor activities. We love the county parks, and visit them at least weekly. Charleston County Parks provide wonderful playgrounds and scenic trails that families can enjoy together. And while walking through wooded trails, don’t forget to ask, “Who lives in the forest?”

Observing wildlife is an important factor in learning about nature. The South Carolina Aquarium provides multitudes of natural settings with beautiful marine life. As a coastal community, we need to show our children who else is living here with us.

Francis Marion National Forest is home to many endangered species. The Sewee Visitor and Environmental Education Center in Awendaw is wonderful. They provide hands-on educational programs, and the freedom to walk their trails and observe wildlife, including Red Wolves.

There are many resources for our children about ecology and global warming. There are many interactive sites on the Internet. Cooper and I have browsed EPA’s Climate Change site for children, then headed outside!

I am firm in my desire for my children to have a bond with nature. I have always had a profound respect for nature, and I want to share this with them. Playing in natural environments ensures that they will have an ample understanding and appreciation for the outdoors.

The meeting kicked off with a 30-minute presentation from Mike Arendt, a local fisheries biologist. He walked us through national solar and wind energy trends, home energy efficiency 101, and a case study on his own solar hot water installation. He is a data-driven guy, so he had wonderful facts to back up his talking points. I really liked his view that when discussing energy initiatives, the kilowatt is the base unit – not the dollar.

The second half of the meeting was an informal around-the-room discussion on various topics. I enjoyed learning about radiant barriers, the Sustainability Institute’s green home, and Andy Cohen’s used vegetable oil extraction and filtering business. Overall, it was a well-rounded, smart group of people all working towards the common goal of a sustainable future.

While this is my first meeting, I already want more. If we continue to meet like this, we’ll certainly learn a lot – but what will actually happen? I would like to see this group take action, and advocate on behalf of all Lowcountry residents to push for solar, wind, wave, and nuclear power options (instead of the massive coal plant being built in the Peedee). This is an amazing collection of minds, and I think our goal should be output, not input!

Cheers to Ian for setting this up each month – no easy task with his busy schedule, I’m sure. But he does it for the same reason we all go – passion for this planet and a desire to do more. If you feel the same way, the next meeting is on February 20th. I hope to see you there!