At the Ecology Center
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June/July 2000
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Features
Cleaner Air Coming to Detroit
Henry Ford Hospital to Close Incinerator
by Mary Beth Doyle
Selling Their Future Short?
Engler Panel Ignores Doctors' Advice
by Dave Dempsey
Recycling Land
Brownfield Redevelopment is a Balancing Act of Priorities
by Mike Tolinski
Dumbing Down the Children
Michigan, Other States Ignore Federal Lead Testing Law
by Peter Montague
Columns
Tiny Township Turns Down GM
Rural Milan Residents Reject Rail-Car Yard, by Aretta Schills
Diet, Health, and the Environment
An Interview with John Robbins, by Rachel Shaw
Healthy Home and Garden
Energy Star Products Save Cash and Power, by Kristi Jacques
Huron Valley News
Webster Township Holds Sprawl Forum, by Ernie Becker
Science for the People
Pesticides Linked to Decreased Fertility, by Mary Beth Doyle
Honda, Toyota, and General Motors Earn Clean Car Salute
At the North American International Auto Show in January, the Clean Car Campaign honored Honda, Toyota and GM with the Clean Car Salute, for particular innovative actions to manufacture vehicles which will promote a cleaner future for the planet. Ecology Center Auto Project Director Charles Griffith and Michigan Environmental Council President Lana Pollack presented the awards.
The Clean Car Campaign is a coalition of the Ecology Center and state, regional and national environmental organizations working to promote a clean revolution in the motor vehicle industry.
The Clean Car Salute recognized actions that meet and/or exceed the coalition's Clean Car Standard criteria of: 1) 50 percent higher fuel efficiency, 2) California's stringent SULEV tailpipe emissions standard, and 3) clean manufacturing which uses nontoxic, recyclable materials.
Honda's Insight is the first U.S.-marketed hybrid-electric vehicle; it exceeded the Clean Car Standard for improved fuel efficiency and has made progress toward the campaign's tough SULEV tailpipe emissions standard. The Insight currently meets California's ULEV standard.
Toyota's Prius is the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle (in Japan since 1997) with U.S. market introduction planned for summer 2000; it meets both the fuel efficiency and tailpipe emissions criteria set forth by the Clean Car Standard.
General Motors' PVC Ban. GM is the first automaker to change its engineering specifications to eliminate polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a toxic and difficult-to-recycle plastic, from auto interior panels.
Shop Online and Support the Ecology Center
If you shop on the internet, you can now support the Ecology Center almost every time you make an online purchase. We recently joined an internet retail charity site, called CharityMall.com, which donates a portion of your purchase price to your designated participating nonprofit organization.
Here's how it works: CharityMall has over 170 participating online retailers, including popular sites like Amazon.com, Whole Foods, and others. When you want to shop at one of their sites, you begin your shopping at CharityMall.com, and specify the Ecology Center as the receiving charity. CharityMall charges their web retailers an affiliate commission (typically 3-30% of the purchase price), and sends 100% of the commission to the Shop Online and Support the Ecology Center Center. There's no additional cost to you, and you help the Ecology Center every time you make a purchase from the site. CharityMall.com is one of about nine internet retail charity sites that pay a commission to the shopper's favorite charity, but one of the few that passes along 100% of the commission. If you would like more information about it, please contact Denise Flynn at (734) 761-3186 x110 or denisef@ecocenter.org.
Help Wanted
EcoRide Volunteers
Although June 4 is still several months away, we are lining up volunteers both for day-of-ride and pre-ride jobs. So even if you think you might be able to help, let us know and we'll contact you closer to the event to confirm. Riders are welcome to volunteer too - we'll schedule around your ride! Contact Sarah at (734) 761-3186 x105.
Front Desk
Like to talk on the phone? We need help answering ours! If you can help out one afternoon a week, please give Denise a call at (734) 761-3186 x110. She'd love to talk with you! You could also email her at denisef@ecocenter.org.
Special Event Volunteers
We need some help at the Ann Arbor Earth Day Festival, during the afternoon of Sunday, April16, and at our Compost Bin Sale on Saturday, May 13. Please contact Rebecca at (734) 995-5888 x115 or at rebecca@ecocenter.org.
Writers and Artists
We're looking for writers and artists to work on this
publication and other educational materials. Please call
Mike at (734) 761-3186 x104 or by email at michaelg@ecocenter.org.
Newsletter Volunteers
We need folks to help with distribution, mailings, and other projects related to From the Ground Up. Please contact Mike at the number above.
Wish List
Computer Deskstand
We could use a small deskstand for the office. Contact Denise at (734) 761-3186 x110 or denisef@ecocenter.org.
Storage Shelves
We need one or two metal storage shelves for storage. Please contact Rebecca at (734) 995-5888 x115 or rebecca@ecocenter.org. We could also use some free-standing wood shelves. Contact Tracey at (734) 663-2400 x109 or tracey@ecocenter.org.
Plastic Jugs
We could use one-gallon plastic jugs with lids. Please contact Rebecca at the number above.