Volume 2 | Issue 1
CHANGING THE CLIMATE Climate Change & Waste Diversion
pg 2
An interview with the Sierra Club’s Rod Muir
Preparing for the Unavoidable
pg 3
Mark Hertsgaard and his latest book: Hot
Fighting Climate Change
pg 4-5
Special two-page infographic
Planting Trees
pg 6
How trees may be our best bet in fighting climate change
Win an iPad 2
pg 8
Take a quick online survey
2
NEWS THAT YOU CAN USE AGAIN
www.usagain.com | 800.604.9533 | info@usagain.com
& Interviews
News
Volume 2 | Issue 1
The Debate is Over. It’s Time for Action. Citizens, corporations and governments unite in the fight against climate change. For the climate, 2012 was a rough year. With 356 new alltime heat records and almost half the country in the most severe drought recorded in 50 years, plus flooding and super storms, the insurance industry believes that the world is entering a period of more frequent and severe weather patterns. As evidence they cite that ten of the twelve most costly storms struck the U.S. between 2004 and 2012. When Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc on coastal areas around New York in October 2012, it caused over $71 billion in damage, almost 3 times the insurance payouts after 9/11. So what’s going on with the climate? The science is clear; a warming globe produces more
violent weather, and 2012 is the hottest year on record so far. The average temperature in 2012 was a full degree higher than in 1998, which was previously the hottest year on record. One degree isn’t such a big increase, is it? One degree is hardly noticeable, right? Wrong. As measly as one degree may seem, it isn’t. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says we need to keep the global average temperature from rising more than 3.6 F to avoid catastrophic climate effects. Did your ears perk up when you read “catastrophic?” Ours did. To avoid climatic catastrophe, there are two things
we – everybody – must do. We’re talking about mitigation and adaptation. Mitigation addresses the root causes by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. An easy way to think of mitigation is avoiding the unmanageable. Adaptation means taking measures to cope with the climate change that has already taken place or will take place in the near future. Think of it as managing the unavoidable, or at best bracing ourselves for what is likely or certain to happen. Both mitigation and adaptation are key if we’re to successfully combat climate change. Climatic changes which have already occurred will greatly impact the next 50 years on Earth, and the effects,
like rising sea level and increasing global temperatures, are unavoidable. Reducing emissions and moving towards a decarbonized planet isn’t something that can be done unilaterally – governments worldwide need to take significant action. As individuals we can, however, make lifestyle changes that will go a long way toward a better future. Recycling is one such avenue for positive change. Everything we don’t recycle either winds up being incinerated or landfilled, both of which pose serious threats to the environment. Incinerators burn trash, which emits a significant amount of carbon dioxide. Landfills release methane, a greenhouse gas 72 times
more detrimental than carbon dioxide . Governments and industry alike are starting to realize action needs to be taken immediately. Portland, Ore. is at the forefront of green urban policy – the city’s Climate Action Plan requires greenhouse emissions to be cut 80% by 2050. The city also boasts the nation’s largest percentage of bike commuters at 7%. Corporations like Dell are taking steps to reduce emissions by 40% by 2015 and recycling all of its own products for free – as well as recycling competitors’ products. On the next pages of this newspaper you’ll discover an array of methods to combat climate change.
Strong Connection Between Climate Change and Waste Sierra Club Waste Diversion Campaigner Rod Muir provides simple steps to curb climate change. U.S. We use more energy making stuff than we do driving around in our cars, and heating, lighting and cooling our homes combined. No doubt, there is a huge connection between waste diversion and climate change. I’d argue that when we are asking people to take action – or what action they can take – waste diversion is the quickest, cheapest, and easiest means of mitigating climate change. A former marketing executive and the founder of Waste Diversion Canada, Sierra Club Canada’s Rod Muir brings a fresh perspective to the solutions and challenges of diverting solid waste. USAGAIN: What is the connection between waste diversion and mitigation of climate change? MUIR: The main greenhouse gas CO2 is produced through the burning of fossil fuels for the production of energy. Now, if you look at what we use this energy for, the facts surprise most people. Only 15% of energy used in the U.S. is used for personal transportation. Only 20% is used for heating, lighting and cooling your home. If you look at the amount of energy we use to make things – all the things we purchase, consume, and get rid of – it adds up to more than 40% of energy used in the
USAGAIN: When you reuse something, like a T-shirt, how does that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save resources? MUIR: Let’s talk in particular about a cotton T-shirt, and how energy, fertilizer and pesticide-intensive it is to grow cotton. If you can reuse that T-shirt, you have completely eliminated all the greenhouse gases that come from beginning to end – literally, what it takes to put that seed in the ground all the way to what it takes to get it to Wal-Mart. You have eliminated every single one of those energy costs. That’s in the case of reuse. In the case of recycling, an ordinary aluminum can takes 100 units of energy to make. If you recycle the can, so it’s melted down and made into another can, it only takes 5 units of energy to do this. The ratio of energy consumption is 20:1 in favor of recycling. I admit though, it’s the gold standard
for recycling. Paper is more typical with an energy consumption ratio of 5:1 in favor of recycling. But the impact is still quite tremendous.
for legislation to drive sustainable behavior by companies and individuals. Would you tell us more about it?
MUIR: After newspaper, food scrap is the biggest form of residential waste – almost 30% by weight. And the concern here is methane, the second most prevalent greenhouse gas after CO2. It is a much graver greenhouse gas, MUIR: I think it’s a com- with a warming potential over bination of things. One is the 100 times more potent by vol“been there, done that” men- ume than CO2. The fact is, othtality – that most of what could er than farm animals, landfills be recycled is being recycled are the single biggest source already. That is absolutely the of methane on earth. There farthest thing from the truth. seems to be a growing consenThere is just so much more we sus that we should be focusing could do. Secondly, a lot of it on methane reduction because also has to do with politicians, of its much greater potency who are the decision makers in the short term. There’s no when it comes to municipal question that the best way to diversion of waste. Most of reduce methane is to eliminate the influenthe landfilling tial ones have of materials that If you can reuse grown up in an produce methera when the ane when buried. that T-shirt, you importance of Sixty percent (by have completely environmental weight) of what eliminated all the issues wasn’t we bury in the greenhouse gases generally well U.S. has the pothat come from understood, tential to decomand hence, pose and produce beginning to end. were never inmethane, includgrained like ing most textiles! they are today. Finally, individual residents need to realize USAGAIN: Do you have the importance of reuse and any specific suggestions for recycling and care about it. what people can do to help the environment as soon as they USAGAIN: It seems you put down this newspaper? have consistently campaigned USAGAIN: Why do you think that textile recycling rates are stagnant at 15%? Why are we not seeing recycling rates going up for textiles? What is holding people back?
“
”
Rod Muir’s rule to waste diversion: Keep it all separate. Mixing it all together makes it garbage. You bought a can of beans, a cell phone and a banana separately, paid for them separately, put them in the bag separately, and consumed them separately. We are only asking you to keep them separate when getting rid of them.
MUIR: People need to look at their waste stream and find a way to increase their recycling and waste diversion. We need to get organics out of the waste stream, and we need to get the last bit of waste into the recycling stream. When you press on the gas pedal in your car, you get a sense of using energy. You watch that fuel gauge go down and you pull up to the gas station and pay $100 to fill up the car. There’s a sense of using energy. In the same way, you go into a room and turn on the light, the light comes on, and you have a sense of using energy. The problem is, if you throw out that soda can, or a perfectly fine T-shirt, or a banana peel, there’s no sense what-so-ever that you are using energy, and that’s what is missing.
& Interviews
News
Volume 2 | Issue 1
3
NEWS THAT YOU CAN USE AGAIN
www.usagain.com | 800.604.9533 | info@usagain.com
‘We Need You to Join This Fight’ Mark Hertsgaard on his book Hot: Living Through the Next Fifty Years on Earth, adaptation to a warming planet, and why trees may be our best bet in fighting climate change. Independent author and journalist Mark Hertsgaard has spent 20 years covering global warming for media outlets such as the New Yorker, Vanity Fair and Time. His latest work, Hot, is a blueprint for how people, communities, companies and countries can navigate the proverbial and literal winds of climate change.
Sahel in Africa. Can you tell us what you learned there and what some of the important benefits of trees are?
roots initiatives playing in the fight to protect us from climate change?
HERTSGAARD: UnforHERTSGAARD: It’s the tunately, I think today what most hopeful story in HOT. most people have been told The Sahel region of Africa to do is make lifestyle changes right below the Sahara des- – change your light bulbs to ert is already more energy extremely hot efficient ones, Trees are about the and dry. As take the bus closest thing to a USAGAIN: You have dedi- climate change rather than miracle that we cated “HOT: Living Through advances, it drive a car – have in the fight The Next Fifty Years On Earth” will become and these are to your daughter Chiara. How hotter and drygood startagainst climate do you expect the first five de- er and become ing points but change. cades in her life to be different essentially unthey are by from your own? inhabitable. no means on And that’s where the trees the scale of this problem. The HERTSGAARD: Part of come in. Trees are about the things that are really going how it will be different has closest thing to a miracle that to create change are the big already been decided – sci- we have in the fight against cli- drivers of climate change and ence makes that clear. Much mate change. The farmers in economic polices in particuof it will also depend on what Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and lar; we need to put a price on we do, as citizens, and as par- neighboring regions planting carbon emissions. As long as ents. Science makes it clear trees are a perfect example it is free to pollute the atmothat we are already locked into of how they are fighting both sphere, people are going do a significant amount of tem- fronts in the climate crisis. it – corporations in particular perature rise, and with that, As the trees grow they inhale are going do it. So we have to a significant increase in ex- carbon dioxide and store it get involved in changing politreme weather. in their leaves cies and that means people will We are going and branches, have to get politically active. Much of it will also to see more which keeps it depend on what we events like the out of the atUSAGAIN: Unfortunately, 2012 summer, mosphere. But we hear very little out of Washdo – as citizens and which had the in the short ington on the question of clias parents. hottest July on term, what is mate change. Why do you think record and the much more this is? worst drought in the last 50 important is the adaptation. years. When you plant trees on your HERTSGAARD: The oil As I tried to argue in HOT, land, the trees first of all lower and gas industry has been so we need to change our way of the temperature in the field powerful in the U.S. for so long responding to the climate cri- because of the shade. And that it essentially functions as sis, and realize now that it re- second they increase the fer- the fourth branch of governally is what military strategists tility and above all the water ment. So, it’s not surprising would call a two-front war. We retentiveness of the soil. As the that big oil has in effect enhave to avoid the unmanage- leaves fall off they fertilize the joyed veto power over much of able and manage the unavoid- soil, they also provide fodder what the federal government able. We have to prepare for the for animals. If there is a hun- does. It’s very hard for any U.S. impacts that are now unavoid- ger crisis even people can eat president to take on the bigable – there will be more hur- those leaves. So there are a lot gest industry in history unless ricanes like Sandy, and there of advantages there is maswill be more droughts like the to the trees. sive pressure There will be more 2012 summer. We need to take It is actually a coming from hurricanes like steps to increase our commu- very old form the public in Sandy. There will be nities’ defenses and resilience of agriculture form of not more droughts like to those. But, at the same time, in that part of just votes, alwe absolutely have to reduce the world. The though that is the 2012 summer. the carbon that is up there in final point here important. You We need to take the atmosphere. If we don’t do is if these poorhave to do all steps to increase that, it’s not going to matter est people on the things that our communities’ how much adaptation we do, the planet can activists bedefenses and how much resilience we try to do so much gan to do last resilience to those. build-up. The World Bank just in the climate year when the said that a temperature rise of fight by plantKeystone pipe4 degrees Celsius would es- ing trees, we – who are so line looked like it was guarsentially create conditions that much richer and more com- anteed to be approved. After are incompatible with an orga- fortable – can find ways to do 15,000 marchers surrounded nized civilization. more of our share. the White House, President Obama backtracked and said USAGAIN: One example of USAGAIN: What different “we need to study this more.” grassroots action you describe roles do you see government, I guarantee you if those 15,000 in “HOT” is the greening of the private enterprise and grass- people had not been out there
Mark Hertsgaard and his daughter, Chiara.
“
”
“
”
“
”
Author Mark Hertsgaard considers his six-year-old daughter as part of a generation of two billion young people who will spend their lives coping with the effects climate change – “Generation Hot.”
the pipeline would have gone up. Going forward, we need to ratchet up the amount of citizen involvement by people who care about this issue. For the president to take on big oil he needs support from a really active, mobilized and outspoken general public.
a false premise – we can do a lot about this. Ron Sims shows us that, and farmers in Africa, in their own different way, show that it’s time for the rest of us to step up. USAGAIN: Any final words to our readers?
HERTSUSAGAIN: GAARD: We A lot of times people What were need you to despair and think some of the join this fight it’s all too dark. most surprising if we want to But that’s a false things that you have a livable premise – we can do learned while planet over the a lot about this. researching this next 50 years. book? We need as many people HERTSGAARD: One was as possible to get active. If you a terrible surprise, which was are a parent or a grandparent early in the book when we were I invite you to join the group covering the climate ordeal climateparents.org that is tryand the scientists were talking ing to give a voice to parents about these massive impacts on this issue. People can get by the year 2015. I was sur- involved with The Sierra Club, prised it would come so soon. Greenpeace, and others. You The other surprise was just absolutely have to get involved how much you can do about it. with changing the politics and I was surprised by what [for- economics around climate mer King County, WA, execu- change. You have to change tive and Deputy Secretary of those big drivers of the probthe U.S. Department of Hous- lem and that requires governing and Urban Development] ment action. You have to put a Ron Sims, the federal govern- price on carbon and shift subment, and the stakeholders sidies away from the fossil fuin Seattle and King County, els that are killing our kids’ fuWashington, have done. A lot tures, and lean towards green of times people despair and energy and energy efficiency think it’s all too dark. But that’s that can save our kids’ futures.
“
”
SPECIAL
NEWS THAT YOU CAN USE AGAIN
4
Volume 2 | Issue 1
section
www.usagain.com | 800.604.9533 | info@usagain.com
The Greenhouse Effect Surrounding our planet like a “blanket” to protect us from the freezing cold of the universe is a dense layer of water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane and other gases which help slow the escape of heat. Without this “blanket” the Earth’s average surface temperature would be 60 degrees cooler. As a result of human activities, more of these heattrapping gases are being created, increasingly warming our planet.
Global Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions SOURCE: WORLD RESOURCES INSTITUTE
3.6% 1.8%
Net deforestation
13.6%
Industry Transportation
13.6%
37.6%
13.8%
Some solar radiation reaching Earth is reflected back into space.
Electricity, heat, etc.
Agriculture Waste Other land-use changes
16.3%
A Warming Planet Nearly 70% of sunlight that reaches Earth is absorbed, not reflected. Over the past 100 years, Earth’s average temperature has increased 1.4 F and is expected to increase by up to 11 F in the next century. These minute changes in temperature can have a devastating effect on our climate, weather, transportation, economy, health, and much more.
Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap some solar radiation from reflecting back into space, warming the planet.
Adapting to Change Climate Change Indicators
SUPER STORMS Deadly storms of increasing power and devastation are on the rise. Hurricane Sandy in October 2012 hit the northeast coast of the U.S., causing 125 deaths and over $71 billion in damage.
Even though steps are being taken to mitigate the causes of climate change, adaptation will be necessary as the effects will be felt for years to come. Listed below are just a few ways people around the world are planning ahead to adapt to the impact of climate change.
FLOODING A large percentage of heavy precipitation and flooding comes in the form of intense single-day events. Duluth, MN, saw nearly 10 inches of rain fall in a 24-hour period, causing extreme flood damage in June 2012.
DROUGHT
HEAT
Nearly 62% of the contiguous U.S. was in moderate or greater drought in July 2012 – the largest area since the Dust Bowl of 1939 – causing crop damages of nearly $35 billion and record-breaking evaporation rates.
July 2012 was the warmest month on U.S. data record, with some states recording temperatures above 110 F. Combined with drought, wildfires burned 9.2 million acres in 2012, the third worst fire season in U.S. history.
Local Energy Production Changes in the climate will affect how energy is produced, delivered and consumed. Traditional power lines waste energy before reaching endusers and are vulnerable to extreme weather. Establishing local renewable energy production , such as wind, solar and geothermal, could make our energy consumption more efficient and reliable.
SOURCES: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, THINKPROGRESS.ORG, and THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
is REAL. The scientific evidence behind climate change is overwhelming. Average global temperature has increased 1.4 F since the Industrial Revolution, and with it has come change in precipitation patterns, storms, and other natural extremes. The result is a planetary transformation into a world that’s becoming less habitable for humans and other species. Thousands of organizations around the world agree on the occurrence of climatic warming, in-
cluding the Environmen- coastlines and islands at tal Protection Agency and serious risk of flooding or the National Climatic Data being submerged entirely. Center. Such organizations Depreciating snow coveragree that the tempera- age has also contributed ture increase of the past to rising global sea level. 130 years Higher sea carries levels lead Arctic ice is rapidly to increased very seridisappearing with storm surge ous consethe regions’ first quences. when landice-free summer T h e fall occurs, expected by 2040. g l o b a l which can sea level mean inhas been rising at a rate creased damage in terms of 1.7mm per year due to of dollars and human life. the melting of polar iceIncreased greenhouse caps and glaciers, putting gas emissions can’t be
“
”
Flood Control With sea levels rising and extreme weather events becoming more common, coastal communities are planning ahead to keep their homes above water. Some states, including North Carolina, Maryland and Virgina, are re-evaluating their shorefronts in order to bolster resilience to future sea level rise.
solely blamed for climate change, but they are the major factor. Research from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows that solar radiation has not increased, which means human activity has been integral in climate change. Curbing our wasteful habits, and recycling and reusing as much as possible can all help the long-term sustainability of our climate.
Agroforestry Combining trees and agricultural production on the same plots of land can increase crop yields, improve soil and water quality, increase biodiversity, and lower greenhouse gas emissions through carbon sequestration. In Malawi, maize yields have increased up to 280 percent1 when they are grown under the canopy of a Faidherbia, an indigenous African acacia tree known for its nitrogen-rich leaves. Local Food Production Agriculture is one human endeavor most vulnerable to climate change. The average meal travels 1,200 km from farm to plate.2 Growing and buying food locally would reduce transportation emissions, support local farmers, decrease the need for processing and reduce spoilage. 1
www.trust.org
2
www.davidsuzuki.org
Volume 2 | Issue 1
SPECIAL
NEWS THAT YOU CAN USE AGAIN
section
5
www.usagain.com | 800.604.9533 | info@usagain.com
Regional Effects of Climate Change in the U.S. Great Plains
Midwest
Increased temperatures, evaporation, and drought will lead to water scarcity issues, putting stress on agriculture, ranching and natural lands.
Northwest
Heat waves and air quality problems will increase. Great Lakes water levels will lower, affecting shipping, infrastructure, beaches and ecosystems. Flooding and water deficits will increase. Diseases and invasive species will threaten native fish and wildlife.
Northeast
Declining snowpack will reduce summer streamflow, straining water resources including those needed for hydroelectric power. Increased water temperatures will threaten salmon and other fish species. Land will be lost due to sea-level rise. Increases in wildfires, insects and species-shifts will alter ecosystems.
Declining air quality and increased heat will pose health risks. The production of milk, fruits and maple syrup will be adversely affected. Flooding due to sea-level rise and storm surges will increase. Lobster and cod fishing will be adversely affected.
Northwest Great Plains
Northeast Midwest
Southwest
Southeast
Southwest
Southeast
Scarcer water supplies, increasing temperatures, drought, wildfires and invasive species will cause tourism and recreation opportunities to suffer. Rising temperatures would threaten the Southwest’s ability to produce a significant portion of the nation’s food supply, as well as temperaturesensitive specialty crops like wine grapes.
Increased air and water temperatures will decrease water availability, affecting the economy and natural systems. Increased sea-level and hurricane intensity will cause serious impacts and severe weather events will affect coastal communities. SOURCE: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
7.0
0.17%
99.8%
Scientists Agree
Did You Know?
According to a recent study, out of 13,950 scientific peer-reviewed papers published between 1991 and November 2012, only 24 clearly reject global warming or endorse a cause other than CO2 emissions for observed warming.
For every ton of material reused or recycled, textiles account for more greenhouse gas savings than paper, plastics and glass combined.
Tons of Greenhouse Gases Prevented 2.8 0.3 Glass
1.6 Plastic
SOURCE: WWW.JAMESPOWELL.ORG
Carbon Sequestration Removing carbon from the atmosphere is an important tool for mitigating the effects of climate change. While some facilities are being developed to store carbon emissions underground, a tried and true method already exists. Trees can be a crucial natural partner in our fight against a changing climate. By planting new forests, and avoiding the destruction of current forests, CO2 can be removed from the atmosphere and converted into trunks, branches, roots and leaves when combined with the sun’s energy via photosynthesis. A tree planted in the tropics sequesters an average of 50 pounds of carbon dioxide yearly.
Reuse & Recycle Reducing, reusing and recycling curb greenhouse gas emissions by conserving energy. Recycle your plastic, paper, aluminum, electronics and textiles, reducing the amount left to sit in landfills, and saving energy that would be used during the extraction, manufacturing and disposal of these products. In fact, reusing one pound of cotton prevents the emission of 7 pounds of CO2. Composting food and yard waste will reduce methane emissions from landfills while enriching the soil of your home garden.
Renewable Energy Developing and using electricity generated from renewable sources – wind, solar, geothermal or biomass – is an effective way to reduce our carbon footprint. While windfarms and other new technologies can be expensive to develop initially, the payoff will be greater; affordable electric power for generations with little to no carbon emissions as a byproduct.
Paper
Textiles
6
& Interviews
NEWS THAT YOU CAN USE AGAIN
News
www.usagain.com | 800.604.9533 | info@usagain.com
Volume 2 | Issue 1
Over 200,000 Trees to be Planted in 2013 USAgain partners with Trees for the Future in an effort to curb climate change. Climate scientists believe that human-induced global deforestation is responsible for 18-25% of global climate change. Organizations such as the U.N. and The World Bank also recommend planting trees as a quick and affordable method for mitigating the effects of climate change. In response USAgain is launching a treeplanting campaign, which will result in 200,000 trees being planted in regions of Ethiopia, Kenya, and Honduras in 2013. A reason for planting trees in the tropics rather than in more temperate climate zones is to maximize the global cooling benefits from the trees. Trees grow three times faster in the tropics than in temperate zones; each tree in the rainy tropics removes about 50 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year. Tropical forestation also has a larger net cooling effect,
because it increases cloud for- shade, expansion of the water table, and increasing fertility of mation. The trees will be planted nearby soil. Trees also serve as in partnership with Trees for living fences, which offer shelthe Future, an agroforestry re- ter from wind, fire, and other source center based in Mary- forces of nature. USAgain’s tree-planting campaign will land. Trees for the Future works serve to advance three major areas - carbon in developsequestration, ing nations to environmental create sustainUSAgain is funding the rehabilitation, able land-use planting of 550 trees per day in 2013. systems. Their and livelihood development. integrated Carbon seapproach qu e s t r at i on , of combining trees and commonly referred to as shrubs with 50 pounds of CO2 are sequestered terrestrial secrops and liveby the average tree each year. qu e s t r at i on , stock allows for a healthier is the longLearn more at: www.usagain.com/trees ecosystem, term storage or www.treesforthefuture.org of carbon in as well as increased economic viability for trees and plants. A single tree planted in the tropics stores, local participants. Planting trees carries a on average, 50 pounds of carmultitude of benefits, includ- bon dioxide for each year of its ing: topsoil stabilization, life. By funding the planting
of 200,000 trees, USAgain will contribute to the sequestration of 5,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year, equivalent to taking 5,000 cars off the road. The planting of 200,000 trees will also lead to environmental rehabilitation in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Honduras. In Ethiopia and Honduras, efforts will be focused toward reforestation of degraded watersheds on communal land. Kenyan tree-planting will work toward reforesting degraded land in Mount Kenya National Park, an area desecrated by illegal logging in recent years. On all three fronts, other trees and plants in the area will benefit from USAgain’s reforestation efforts. The USAgain tree-planting campaign will also contribute in the area of livelihood development. Trees will be planted on both communal and private land, but regardless of lo-
cation, the people planting the trees will be the primary beneficiaries of said trees. This will ensure that the trees are wellmaintained, since the wellbeing of local residents will be tied to them. In all three regions, USAgain’s tree-planting campaign will provide useful nontimber forest products that will either be consumed by local residents or sold for additional income. By limiting carbon emissions and revitalizing ravished ecosystems, the USAgain treeplanting campaign will help cool the planet, reduce the effects of climate change and bring environmental justice to areas where there has been little. In addition, the treeplanting program will forge meaningful relationships with people who need environmental sustainability but are unable to provide it for themselves.
USAgain Tree Planting Project Sites 7
8
6
tre 5,0 pla es to 00 nte be d.
tre 5,2 pla es to 00 nte be d.
tre 5,0 pla es to 00 nte be d.
Ethiopia
Kenya
Honduras
Watershed Restoration in Duraite and Lehaite Villages of Konso
Reforesting Mount Kenya National Park
A semi-arid, mountainous region in southwestern Ethiopia, Konso is the site of USAgain’s tree planting partnership with Trees for the Future, helping to expand two watershed restoration projects in the villages of Duraite and Lehaite. Since 2010, Trees for the Future has been helping to reverse systematic agricultural and overgrazing failures in the area, working to prevent the highly erosive soils in both villages from washing away each wet season. Community nursuries were established in both Lehaite and Duraite where seedlings of native and naturalized species are raised for planting in watersheds, fields and gardens nearby. To-date, nearly 200,000 seedlings have been planted in the area, restoring most of the Duraite watershed and allowing native animals to return to this once inhospitable region.
Due to illegal activities, including timber harvesting, charcoal production, and fuel wood collection, Mount Kenya National Park experienced massive deforestation in the 1980s and 1990s, resulting in reduced river water flow, the endangering and extinction of animal species, changing weather patterns, widespread wildlife habitat destruction, and human food scarcity. In an effort to reverse the negative effects deforestation has left on the region, nearly five million trees have been planted in and around Mount Kenya National Park, with USAgain contributing an additional 85,000 trees to be raised in six local nurseries. These trees will be planted in water catchment areas, along riverbanks and in degraded forest areas to increase groundwater levels and provide the necessary habitat for animals in order to reduce unecessary human contact.
Reforesting Water Recharge Areas and Stream Courses in Corralito Wildlife Reserve and Las Lajas Municipality Two areas in Honduras have been selected for the USAgain tree planting project. An important watershed, source of irrigation and a stop for migratory birds, the Corralito Wildlife Reserve will receive 20,000 seedlings in 2013. Las Lajas, a major hydroelectric resevoir that provides more than 40% of the electric power for Honduras, will receive 45,000 seedlings of various native species in a project meant to reforest the surrounding area. Timber producing trees will also be managed in the local nurseries to provide wood to the rural community. Trees will be planted along stream banks, the water recharge zone and where there are agreements with local land owners to reforest stream banks.
Volume 2 | Issue 1
& Interviews
News
7
NEWS THAT YOU CAN USE AGAIN
www.usagain.com | 800.604.9533 | info@usagain.com
2012: A Year in Review
USAgain diverted 58 million pounds of textiles from landfills in 2012, preventing 406 million pounds of CO2 emissions, conserving 81 billion gallons of water, and saving 332,000 cubic yards of landfill space – the equivalent of 13,257 garbage truckloads of waste. lbs of 1,600 ted in r e v O lec o, es col cloth San Mate t. f n City o cling eve y c CA, re
Homec o Goes Gr ming een dre ss giveaw ay even t.
Picasso Preschool (El Grenada, CA) First place winner, Earth Month Contest 12-yearold E Erek ” Ha rek “Econ ners wit sen parth USAga in t collect 3 ,600 pair o s of shoes fo r recyclin g and reus e!
Rev. Alfredo Lewis y, CA) n Academy (Daly Cit Mt. Vernon Christia t Earth Month Contes Second place winner,
de s ma na h gain nme “USA g enviro y... as l bein friend ossibly tally s I can p ” a e. easy imagin
Principal Manolo Garcia, acaville, CA) tary School (V en em El am est winner Edwin Markh Day school cont es cl cy Re a ic er First Place Am
“USAgain’s pro is a blessin gram g for the communit y.”
Donating winte r coats to Boys & Girls Clubs in te n states.
Randy Hodges, Prin cipal Larsen Middle Scho ol (Elgin, IL)
ns in bi ly a g A US real “The r school erve s u at o better ity.” p l he ommun c the
Third pla
y, Teacher Diane Hart in, IL) (Elg dle School Abbott Mid ycles Day Contest c America Re ce winner,
“Startin gt every da oday, y will be Earth Da y at Middle S Larsen chool.”
8
NEWS THAT YOU CAN USE AGAIN
www.usagain.com | 800.604.9533 | info@usagain.com
& Interviews
News
Volume 2 | Issue 1
SCHOOLS:
Recycle & WIN.
Celebrate EARTH MONTH this April 2013. This April, join USAgain in celebrating Earth Month, raising environmental awareness beyond Earth Day while diverting clothes, shoes and other textile waste from landfills. The top five collecting schools will win cash prizes:
$1,000
$750
$500
$250
$100
– First Place –
– Second Place –
– Third Place –
– Fourth Place –
– Fifth Place –
USAgain invites schools to participate in Earth Month, a monthlong green, educational, no-work, no-cost contest and fundraiser, earning cash for each pound of clothing and shoes collected. Throughout the month of April 2013, hundreds of schools will participate in this friendly competition to collect clothes, shoes and other textiles for reuse and recycling, diverting them from landfills, while raising funds for school activities, supplies, technology and more. It’s a fun and educational way to raise textile recycling awareness and win prizes for schools. “Our school environmental club signed on to the program two years ago and has never looked back,” said Diane Har-
ty, science teacher at Abbott and host a USAgain bin can site: www.usagain.com/earthMiddle School in Elgin, IL. sign up online at www.us- month The U.S. EPA estimates that “During our first year, our club again.com/earth-month, or won second place in the Earth over the phone by calling 800- 11.1 million tons of textiles end up in the landfills every Month contest thanks to col- 604-9533. year. If collected, these leagues, students, and trashed textiles are in a the community.” Get started in 3 easy steps: condition to be reused This year, schools as secondhand clothwill compete to win up at www.usagain.com and 1 Sign ing by people in the cash prizes – $1,000, we’ll place a USAgain bin U.S. and abroad, or re$750, $500, $250 and Your school raises funds for every 2 purposed for use as in$100 to the top five pound of textiles collected dustrial wiping rags, winners, respectively. top five collecting schools win insulation or furniture All participating 3 The bonus cash prizes schools can view their stuffing, among other uses. ranking and collecA Certificate of Sustions on www.usagain. com Downloadable promotion- tainability will be awarded to While current USAgain- al materials, including posters, all schools, acknowledging partnered schools are auto- handouts and flyers designed their participation and proudmatically entered to take part to help you spread the word in ly displaying the environmenin the Earth Month contest, your school’s community, are tal impact of their collection schools looking to participate available on USAgain’s web- efforts.
In 2012, 520 schools participated in the Earth Month contest, collecting over 210,000 pounds of textiles, saving 1,202 cubic yards of landfills space and preventing 1,472,534 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. “We’re proud to support local education through our Earth Month Contest,” said Mattias Wallander, CEO of USAgain. “USAgain fundraisers are a great way to educate students and the community about the need for textile recycling and reuse.” Learn more or sign up at: w w w.u sagain.com/ear thmonth
Missed Earth Month? Learn about our ongoing school fundraiser – USAgain’s Greenraiser – at www.usagain.com/schoolfundraisers
Sandra Ke Past USA il gain iPa d2
Contest Winner!
Employment
About This Newspaper
USAgain is a dynamic and fast-growing company offering opportunities for talented, value-driven, difference-making team members. A variety of exciting careers are available at USAgain. Please check our website for the most current job offerings.
News That You Can Use Again is a bi-annual newspaper published by clothes collection company USAgain to highlight environmental issues and the benefits of recycling textiles. USAgain (use-again), a green for-profit company, was founded in 1999, and now operates over 10,000 collection bins in 18 states. Our mission at USAgain is simple: to provide consumers with a convenient and eco-friendly option to rid themselves of used clothing, which we divert from wasting in landfills for resale here in the U.S. and abroad. In 2012 alone, USAgain collected 58 million pounds of discarded clothing. A profitable venture headquartered in Chicago, USAgain has over 200 employees nationwide. For more information, please visit www.usagain.com.
Check out our latest job openings: www.usagain.com/careers
USAgain Corporate Office: 1555 W Hawthorne Ln, #4W West Chicago, IL 60185 www.usagain.com • info@usagain.com • 800-604-9533 facebook.com/usagain
twitter.com/usagaintweets
©
2013 USAgain all rights reserved. Printed on 50% post-consumer recycled newsprint.