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The rest of the New England states, except Rhode Island, have gotten on the bus (public transportation). In fact, California, Nevada, Oregon, and Vermont already have 100% participation in a program designed to make the Democratic National Convention the most environmentally sustainable one in recent history.
It needs to go beyond carbon offsets and window-dressing, though. That is why we need a committee that is committed to making sure State Committee members carpool to meetings, whether they are from Pittsburg, Winchester, or Plaistow. We need to improve recycling at these events and minimize waste, procure greener bags (http://www.enviro-tote.com/ is right here in New Hampshire), double-side copies, reduce yard sign waste, etc. This stuff matters, but it cannot wait until November 5. We need some leadership now.
It is time for my Party--the party of Al Gore--to create a Green Committee. After a State Convention that was a near environmental travesty, leaders in the environmental movement here grumbled to me (as we gathered for lunch before a monthly meeting of different environmental organizations) that it was an embarrassment. I was a county chair and I assured them that I would do something.
Something needed to be done.
I decided I would ask Ray Buckley to appoint a Green Committee, so that we could address procurement, transportation, and other issues. I wrote to the whole State Executive Committee (roughly 43 people), but nothing has happened. Now overtures to meet and talk about why this and a passel of other issues are important have fallen flat.
As part of an ongoing effort to make the 2008 Democratic National Convention the most environmentally-sustainable Democratic Convention in history, House Speaker and Permanent Convention Chair Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Convention organizers announced the "Green Delegate Challenge," offering special rewards for the delegation or delegations that demonstrate the highest level of commitment to offsetting their carbon footprint from attending the Convention.
As part of the challenge, delegations with the highest percentage of members offsetting their carbon will be recognized in their seating section on the floor of the Pepsi Center during the Convention. Each delegate, alternate and super delegate from that state will also receive a limited edition "green" prize. Any delegate who offsets their travel will receive a unique wearable "green item" for Convention week, available only to these delegates, and be recognized individually on DemConvention.com.
