CHALLENGE #1: TAKE THE PLEDGE. As part of Greenovate’s continuing community support, we encourage you to make a commitment to local food. In conjunction with Local Matters’ Local Foods Week from October 2-8th, we’re kicking off the Eat Local Challenge and giving Central Ohio residents another way to support their region’s local small farms, sustainable [...]

Today (Tuesday, August 31) has been declared an Air Quality Action Day, with the AQI (Air Quality Index) remaining above 100. High levels of smog continue to make regional air quality “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” For more details, and to sign up for air quality notifications, visit airquality.morpc.org.

Sunday, August 29, and Monday August 30 have been declared “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” as a result of elevated smog levels. While air quality is forecasted to improve on Tuesday, the AQI (Air Quality Index) will only drop to 93 (from 111), or “moderate” conditions. For more details, visit airquality.morpc.org.

A recent New York Times video, “Toxic Waters: From Air to Water Waste,” examines growing concerns about health hazards linked to buried wastes from coal-fired power plants. A number of Ohio landfills accept such wastes, termed coal combustion wastes (CCW), produced by plants such as the AEP Generating Station in Conesville. To watch the NY [...]

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, a settlement is anticipated within the next several months for office workers who claim their illnesses result from exposures while working in buildings near Ground Zero following 9/11. The case involves approximately 1,300 employees who have sued various parties, including owners and contractors, responsible for 160+ [...]

Tickets are still available for the final workshop in the Room-by-Room: Green Building & Your Health series. The Sept. 2 workshop will focus on ways to create a more healthful garage with proper ventilation and safe disposal of household hazardous waste. It will also identify health hazards linked to automobile exhaust and benefits associated with [...]

As a result of forecasted high ground-level ozone, an Air Quality Alert Day has been declared for tomorrow (Aug. 19) in Central Ohio, with air quality classified as “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.” Light and variable winds are also expected to promote pollution build-up in the region. For more information, visit morpc.org.

A recent report by The New York Times details growing opposition to mountaintop removal mining in Appalachia, focusing on resistance to proposed mining at Coal River Mountain by Massey Energy. Local residents are proposing a large wind energy project in place of the controversial plans for a mountaintop mine. To learn more, visit NYTimes.com.

“A quick note of congratulations to Jerry Smith, USGBC-Central Ohio Chapter Board Member, on being inducted into the American Society of Landscape Architects’ (ASLA) distinguished Council of Fellows.  Fellowship is among the highest honors ASLA may bestow and recognizes the significant contributions these individuals have made to the profession and the public through their works, leadership and management, [...]

As a result of forecasted high ground-level ozone, an Air Quality Alert Day has been declared for Friday and Saturday (August 13-14) in Central Ohio. Light winds are also expected to restrict pollution dispersal. For more information, visit MORPC.org.