Emagazine just published an article announcing last weeks release of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) document corroborating the facts that greenhouse gas emissions cause health problems to humans. As stated in the article by Vickie Patton of the Environmental Defense, “This is a long-awaited EPA analysis that has been kept under wraps by the White House. It’s of critical importance because it looks at the

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extensive body of science demonstrating that global warming threatens Americans’ health and well-being.”

My first reaction to this was a mixture of sarcasm and giddy laughter. Come on now, how is this groundbreaking news that the federal government is finally ‘acknowledging’ an issue that the American public and global communities have ‘realized’ long ago? I tend to desensitize and find the humor in situations, as my adjusted response over the years to disappointing circumstances and discouraging actions of American leaders. But, behind the humor is an underlying sense of hope and feeling that things are really changing in the United States. Maybe it’s due to the fact President Bush is leaving office soon - or maybe Al Gore’s rigorous climate change campaign has finally made a dent in the most obtuse of subjects - well, for whatever reason that the federal government is exhibiting ‘change’ clearly reflects an encouraging possibility that the tides are changing for environmentalism in the United States. How much more effective it will be if the federal government supports the American community and local organizations in OUR efforts.

In response to Al Gore’s ‘Challenge to Repower America‘, what better time to introduce a solution than now. Last week, Mr. Gore challenged Americans to become carbon-independent within the next ten years. Of course, the first response from many people is that this challenge is ‘too ambitious’ or that ‘it can’t be done’. Well, my response is that it CAN be done and plans have ALREADY been progressing in San Francisco to implement measures that can achieve Mr.Gore’s goal.

Since October 2007, a sustainable tourism program has been brought forth as one such solution for San Francisco. Tourism is the largest industry in San Francisco, that also directly and indirectly reaches EVERY other industry sector. In addition, San Francisco is world-renown for its innovative and progressive environmental conservation programs. However, no direct measures are taken to incorporate the tourism industry with the municipal conservation programs. But, by integrating the conservation and tourism sectors, the result is a sustainable industry with far-reaching impacts on the success of environmental programs. In addition to tourism’s cross-sector influence, the nature of tourism provides outreach and grassroots opportunities to impact and instill change among tourists and residents. Therefore, no other industry provides an all-encompassing opportunity to catalyze change on the scale that Mr. Gore has presented to the American community. By making San Francisco’s tourism industry sustainable - it can in turn make San Francisco a 100% clean-energy city. San Francisco has the capacity to be the city to catalzye change in the United States’ tourism industry and meet Mr. Gore’s landmark challenge.

To date, the proposed sustainable tourism program, Travel Tree, has been presented to key stakeholders such as the SF Mayor’s Office and The San Francisco Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (SFCVB). Stanford’s Center on Ecotourism and Sustainable Development (CESD) has partnered with Travel Tree, in providing support to research and develop the program for San Francisco. If you are interested in finding out more or supporting Travel Tree, visit www.traveltree.org or contact Rosalyn at rsalters@traveltree.org.

This week, from July 7th - 9th, Japan is hosting the 2008 G8 Summit. World leaders will be brought together to discuss the best approaches in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the year 2015. Main topics of the Summit will include; environment and climate change, Arican development, world economy and peacebuilding in targeted regions of conflict.

In consideration of climate change and other environmental issues, Yasuo Fukuda, the Japanese Prime Minister, ensures that the preparation and operation of the Summit is environmentally friendly. Eco-friendly measures range from waste management, meeting materials, ‘green’ building procedures of the main facility, clean energy shuttle buses for participants and carbon offset measures.

To date, numerous advances have been made to collectively achieve the MDGs. For example, Millennium Promise is mobilizing a global networks of partners to achieve the goals. In partnership with Sumitomo Chemical, one of the world’s largest multinational chemical companies, about 330,000 anti-malaria bed nets have been distributed to Millennium Villages.  Additionally, the partnership with the Japanese non profit, Table for Two, provides assistance for the school meal programs in Malawi, Rwanda and Uganda.

The answer lies not just in the hands of our world leaders and corporations, but also in the efforts of citizens and communities. We can all make a difference, so support an organization today!

What causes people to change their actions or state of impassiveness? Well, if nothing else, we change when circumstances are forced upon us. For example, let’s take a look at the unceasing rise in gas prices from a more personal point of view. When I moved to San Francisco in 2002, the cost of gas was slowly rising even at that time. As the price per gallon reached $1.89, we were astounded that it would soon surpass the $2.00 mark! Ironically, today that $2 mark doesn’t seem such a hefty amount after-all.

As noted throughout the world, the rise in gas is not a condition experienced only by Americans. After living in the UK for a year and spending some time in the Caribbean, Africa and South Pacific regions, I saw firsthand the inflation of gas and issues occurring as a result of this imbalance. When I returned to San Francisco, I was greeted with an astronomical sight and gas is now exceeding $4.50 per gallon!

Well, what do we do about it? After we dish out $75 to fill up our tank and complain about it in the process, we go about our business in a sullen mood.  The rise in gas has only added to the financial stress of daily life and business, making the situation appear out of control and future outlook bleak of only getting worse. Recent findings of the CSI/CLEAN survey corroborate the fact that 74% of Americans are ‘angry’ about the rise in gas prices. As a result of this dreadful situation, 85% of Americans are now strongly in favor of a national clean energy strategy. We are now all aware that by supporting clean energy policies, not only do gas-alternatives surface but the climate change crisis is addressed in a more proactive manner.

Endless statistics and reports are available indicating evidence that alternative energy sources provide tangible solutions. However, this post is merely food for thought and to instill a bit of hope in citizens. As Americans are forced to become aware of the circumstances, we can also acknowledge that solutions are available. We don’t have to ‘accept’ any situation that we don’t want to experience. The technology, services and providers exist so we don’t have to be reliant on gasoline anymore. We CAN buy cars that operate on alternative sources of energy. We CAN travel with airlines who foster sustainable tourism and can offset our emissions. We CAN increase workplace and home efficiency, by decreasing emissions and implementing more sustainable applications. We CAN improve our health by biking, walking and carpooling. The amount that we CAN do grows everyday, so feel empowered to make simple steps to change your life and the world for the better. And if you don’t know what to do, you can always ask!