|
|
|
ILLEGAL DUMPING CAMPAIGN
Dumping illegally is on the rise in North Carolina. Illegal dumps are not just ugly;
they also hurt the health of humans and pets, damage the environment, lower property
values and can discourage economic development. Tax dollars needed for other programs
are used to clean up and dispose of waste properly. Download the Unlawful Dumping
brochure in English
and Spanish.
ENVIRONMENTAL
HEALTH TEAM
The Environmental Health Team is focusing on system and policy changes impacting
asthma, air quality, and people running their cars while parked (also known as idling).
A no-idling campaign that targets the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County schools began
this spring. Team members have met with PTA, principals, staff, coaches, and teachers
at select schools. No-idling signs for schools have been posted, and parents dropping
off and picking up their children from school are encouraged to turn off their car
engines while waiting.
The no-idling campaign focuses on the 10 schools with the worst before and after school traffic problems: Union Cross, Sedge Garden, Southeast Middle, Meadowlark Elementary, Clemmons Middle, Jefferson Middle, Northeast Middle, Gibson Elementary, Latham Elementary, Downtown Middle and Speas Elementary.
Parents, take the no-idling pledge!
No Idling Flyer - English
version
No Idling Flyer - Spanish
version
THE COOL CITIES INITIATIVE
In
June, the Sierra Club recognized Mary Allen Joines and the Winston-Salem City Council
for putting Winston-Salem on the path to become a "Cool City." Mayor Allen Joines
committed to curb Winston-Salem's contributions to global warming when he signed
the Conference of Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement back in March 2007. In May,
City Council members passed a resolution to look at reducing the city's greenhouse
emissions. The city of Winston-Salem has begun to purchase some hybrid cars and
to use low-energy stoplights.
The Environmental Health Team of the Forsyth County Healthy Community Coalition recognizes that bad air quality is a major contributor to asthma and other health problems faced by adults and children in our community. Cool Cities across the country have committed to save energy and improve air quality at the same time.
The Cool Cities initiative is not only good for the environment, it can save money. "Any time we can reduce energy in our vehicles or our buildings, it'll translate into dollars that we're saving," said Joines.
For more information about Cool Cities, click here. For tips on reducing your own energy use at home or at work, click here.
Get involved and contact us for more information about this team.
Save Money, Save Energy
Earth 911
A Consumer's Guide to
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Simple Things You
can do to Reduce Global Warming
Conservative Values