Ensuring the Future by Acting in the Present
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GardeningStay tuned for more information about this task force. Ā If you are interested in joining, please contact Lori.braunstein@sustainablecherryhill.org. Camden County Freedom Medal Winner Brings Sustainability Education to South JerseyFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For further information contact: Brenda Jorett, communications director for SCH Brenda@brendajorett.com Whatās Next Productions, LLC  Freeholder, Jeffrey Nash, SCH's Lori Braunstein and County Clerk, Joe Ripa Pennsauken, NJ ā Lori Braunstein, founder and executive director of Sustainable Cherry Hill (SCH) is one of 14 recipients of the 2012 Camden County Freedom Medal. Braunstein and all of the Freedom Medal recipients have made indelible and selfless contributions to communities throughout Camden County. Through Braunsteinās expertise and leadership, hundreds of people have taken steps to make sustainability an active part of their lives in an effort to reduce their impact on the planet.Ā Braunstein was nominated for the Freedom Medal by Camden County Freeholder Jeffrey Nash who said of Braunstein, “No one is more of a motivator for change for and to the community than my friend, Lori Braunstein. The community would not be what it is without her service and dedication.” Braunstein, 49, has led SCH since she founded the organization in 2007. The grassroots, non-profit group has grown to include many residents and business leaders from throughout Cherry Hill and other communities. SCH has become a well-respected organization under Braunsteinās leadership by helping educate citizens about issues affecting the environment. She has been instrumental in the sustainability efforts of Cherry Hill Township, the Cherry Hill School District and Camden County. “Serving one’s community is something that anyone can do, no matter your education, income level or age,ā says Braunstein. ā It is an honor to receive this recognition in the company of so many inspirational people.” The Cherry Hill resident, family, friends and supporters were among those attending the annual awards dinner during a week that honored the legacy of Martin Luther King Junior. Camden County has been awarding the Freedom Medal since 2001 to honor citizens who serve others in many ways. Braunstein also received proclamations honoring her service to the community from Cherry Hill Mayor Chuck Cahn, the township council and from the New Jersey state legislature. ### Courier Post: Ā CamCo honorees echo King’s spirit See more photos from the eventĀ here.
Climate Contradictions of a Warmer Planet
Here in North America, our weather is heavily influenced by the movement of the jet stream ā the high-speed air current about five to six miles above earthās surface ā which serves as the dividing line between cooler air to the north and warmer air to the south. As the jet stream shifts from day to day (and season to season), the result is a change in our regional temperatures as well as the track that storms take. In recent decades, researchers have observed two very important changes in the jet stream as the planet has warmed. The first is that its wind speeds have increased, which gives winter storms more energy to both form and intensify. The other change is that the jet appears to be developing more bendy ākinksā in its flow pattern, similar to the wave created when someone snaps their wrist while holding a jump rope. When one of these waves Ā drops down from Canada, the cold air it brings southward often sets the stage for snowstorms to form along the Atlantic coast. Ā So while global warming is generally making winters milder and less snowy overall, its effects on the jet stream are likely contributing to an increase in the occasional but powerful freak storms that can paralyze the region under a blanket of white. Just as winter has its topsy-turvy responses to global warming, so too does the summer season. Droughts and heat waves have become stronger and more persistent, such as the European heat wave of 2003 which is estimated to have killed tens of thousands of people. On the flip-side, heavy precipitation events have also become more common, as the warming oceans release more evaporation to the atmosphere to feed storm clouds. Here in the Northeast, the first half of summer 2011 was very hot and dry, but the second half was quite cool with August being the wettest month ever on record in Philadelphia. These distinct alternating weather patterns seem to be a more common aspect of our overall climate regime. Researchers have also noted that āmajorā hurricanes (Category 3 or higher) have become more common as they intensify over warmer-than-normal ocean waters, but that overall hurricane activity has actually decreased.Ā For instance, 2005 saw some of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record (such as Katrina and Rita), while the 2006 hurricane season was eerily quiet as a stronger-than-normal jet stream (a trademark of global warming) weakened tropical systems and pushed them away from North America. Itās important to keep in mind that not all of the weather effects of a warmer planet are necessarily negative. For instance, while snowstorms cost communities millions of dollars in clean-up and lost economic revenue, they can also provide a water supply buffer for the following summer. With winter being the season of the greatest above-normal temperatures due to global warming, heating costs are reduced as a result, saving millions in the commercial and residential sectors. Warmer overall winter temperatures may even encourage consumer spending, as more people are out enjoying natureās respite from the cold. When it comes to our warming planet, many of its effects are not just unpredictable, but also counter-intuitive. We should not assume that the climatic changes associated with global warming will always fit a neat, identifiable pattern. So the next time you are up to your knees in snow, or your lawn is lush green with summer rain, or you are experiencing a quiet hurricane season – remember that global warming just may be to blame. Paul Hanley is a long-time Cherry Hill resident, freelance writer and Environmental Science professor at the Community College of Philadelphia. Look here on Sustainable Cherry Hill for more upcoming blogs from Paul in the coming weeks. He can be contacted at phanley@ccp.edu.
Think Pink Live Green: Reducing your risk of breast cancer
Join us for an evening of discussion with two of the region’s top breast cancer experts on the topic of environmental factors and breast cancer.
Speakers: Generosa Grana, MDĀ Director, Cooper Cancer Institute This program is offered free of charge, but registration is required here. Wednesday, February 8- 6:30pm Cherry Hill Public Library
Sponsored by: Cooper Cancer Institute, Breastcancer.org and Sustainable Cherry Hill
Dynamic Sustainability: The Role of Diversity in Creating a Sustainable World
Speakers at the event, ranging from community organizers to academics, will describe how our communities, workplaces, economies and planet benefit from diversity, using real-life examples to show how diverse systems interact to create a stronger whole. Following the presentations, stay for an interactive, small group discussion that will further examine the ideas of diversity and sustainability. Who: Anyone interested in Diversity and Sustainability When: Sunday, Februrary 26th, 2-5pm Where: UrbanPromise Sanctuary. Located at 3700 Rudderow Street, Pennsauken, NJ 08110 (After arriving at the Urban Promise campus, enter the building that looks like a church). Registration: Event is free, but registration is required. To register visit http://conta.cc/diverseworld or contact Lori Braunstein, Sustainable Cherry Hill, at lori.braunstein@sustainablecherryhill.org, 609.238.3449 Panelists: Rev. Eric Dobson – Co-director, Organizer and Public Relations ā Fund for an Open Society Emilio Panasci ā Co-director and Urban Planner- Fund for an Open Society Dr. Margaret Lewis Associate Professor of Biology, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Dr. Kevin Lyons Co-sponsors: Congregation M’kor Shalom The Center for Environmental Transformation The Unitarian Universalist Church of Cherry Hill (UUCCH) UUCCH Social Justice Committee Community Planning and Advocacy Council Soul of Camden South Jersey NOW–Alice Paul chapter
Announcing Teen Expedition to Costa Rica with the Earthwatch Institute this summer!Cherry Hill Spanish teacher and Earthwatch Fellowship Recipient, Inez Korff tells us more… I am pleased to invite Cherry Hill students and friends to participate in the Earthwatch Institute’s Costa Rican Coffee from Community to Cup Teen Tour, from July 14-21. http://www.earthwatch.org/exped/chandler_teen.html As an Earthwatch Teacher Fellow in 2009 and 2011, I participated in two amazing (AND FUN!) expeditions that tapped into my passion for environmental stewardship.Ā These experiences were so transformative, I wanted to bring them to my community. Students do not have to be studying Spanish (or be future science majors) to take part; this is a fantastic experience for any student interested in environmental preservation, service learning, sustainable economic practices, and enjoying the great outdoors! Participants on an Earthwatch expedition engage in hands-on fieldwork with conservation scientists.Ā Rather than merely learning about environmental preservation, participants are actively working to create a better world — conducting research that is used to make decisions about the future of the planet. You’ll experience a slice of life in Costa Rica that is not generally available to tourists, working with farmers and community members. Students work as a team, gaining hands-on experience that can be used for college applications and into the job market. Fees payable to Earthwatch are tax-deductible! The cost for our group expedition is $1995 + flight (approx $600 round-trip through STA).Ā Earthwatch will coordinate flight arrangements. The expedition is open to students 15 -17 years of age, and will be limited to 12 students. Ms. Korff will be meeting with students at Cherry Hill West on Wed, Jan 18 at 2:45pm; Cherry Hill East on Thu, Jan 19 at 2:45pm. An evening information session for interested students and their parents willĀ be held at 7pm Thursday, January 26 at Cherry Hill East.Ā James Fry, from the Earthwatch Institute, will be on hand to answer questions. For more information, contact Inez Korff at ikorff@chclc.org
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Hello Brooke,
I’ve been a member of SCH since inception. Haven’t done much lately due to illness. Would love to hear more about this task force. I am currently a full time student in Nutrition Science/ Dietetics (2nd career). We Had a beautiful organic vegetable garden last 2 years and would like to see if there is anything I can contribute to this committee. Previous career was as a graphic artist and manager of IT dept. Never want to go back but I’m great on the computer!
Tracey Lucas