Prototype Issue
Eco Roundup
By Kate Lutz
(page 2 of 2)“With today’s air-quality issues, the siting of a new power plant has to be challenged by the people most affected by the emissions,” Cabrales says. “You have to ask yourself: Where is the accountability to everyone who breathes?”
CBE provides area residents with legal advice and other information regarding the proposed power plant and its projected effects on their community. The organization continues to challenge the city of Vernon and government agencies charged with deciding whether the plant will be built.
“Our goal is to let agencies know that we don’t want them fooling around with our health,” Cabrales says. “We will stay on this until the final decision is made.”
For information on Communities for a Better Environment, visit www.cbecal.org.
Earth Angels
At 18, Sara Laimon ran for city council in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, only to lose by three votes. Now a teacher at Environmental Charter High School in Lawndale, Laimon has turned her students into Green Ambassadors, educating them on critical environmental issues and teaching them the leadership skills to share their knowledge with other youth.
In April, the Green Ambassadors were honored with an Environmental Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for their work educating others about biodiesel, conservation and the banning of plastics. After hearing the Green Ambassadors’ presentation on clean fuels, the mayor of Hermosa Beach contacted the students for information on promoting biodiesel use in his city.
Nearly 70 Green Ambassadors from all over LA have appeared at multiple speaking engagements, educating audiences about some of today’s biggest eco-challenges and recruiting new Green Ambassadors. (Laimon’s students are asked to recruit at least three youths in each community they visit.
In May, the Green Ambassadors hosted their first summit, passing on their environmental-leadership skills to other students.
Says Laimon: “When students learn about other youth doing amazing things, it inspires them to do the same.”
After raising $24,000 for environmental causes, a group of Green Ambassadors recently traveled to Pantanal, Brazil, the world’s largest freshwater wetland. “The Pantanal could literally disappear in 45 years if the human impact is not slowed down,” Laimon warns. “I want kids to see firsthand the reality of this world, discover how to protect it, and then take part in conservation and sustainable-living practices.”
Laimon believes that as the Green Ambassadors grow in number their influence will help to strengthen our fragile ecosystems and promote participation in climate-change solutions. For more information, visit www.greenambassadors.org.
Discussion