GCBL was at Blossom Music Center on Wednesday as one of four local non-profit groups chosen for pop musician Jack Johnson’s All At Once campaign, a social action network that encourages fans to "discuss issues and events, explore nonprofit groups, and take action to make positive change in the local and world community."

GCBL and a few other environmental groups, hand-picked by Jack and his wife, Kim, set up shop in an area overlooking Blossom's lawn called the Village Green. The Village Green attracted fans looking to acquire ink stamps on a special passport. Completing a task listed in the passport earned a fan a stamp. Examples of these tasks included visiting and/or donating to a nonprofit, refilling a water bottle at one of many water coolers set up for the show, purchasing a CO2 offset, or carpooling to Blossom. Each fan who earned three stamps was entered in a drawing to join Jack Johnson on stage.

We didn’t get a backstage pass, but we did get to meet and snap a picture of Jack Johnson in one of our vintage EcoCity Cleveland T-shirts. He was also the first to complete the task we challenged our visitors - share a creative example of “How you reduce your climate impact.” (He supports local nonprofits all over the world and has taken a variety of steps to reduce the environmental impact of his Sleep Through the Static Tour). Jack's fans also gave us dozens of great responses, ranging from using a lunchbox to solar powered web-hosting. See all of the responses we received by clicking on one of the photo gallery links at the end of this post. (Click on the title to display the entire post)

Jack's wearing an EcoCity Cleveland t-shirt! Thank you for the support Jack!

During Cleveland Bicycle Week in May, organizers gathered information from area cyclists, learning what works, what doesn't and what people like about cycling in Northeast Ohio.

Here are some of their thoughts:

Fix the Roads!!: Cyclists care about good roads. No surprise there. Cyclists have historically cared about transportation, starting the "good roads" movement before there were cars. As we proceed through the 21st century, remember that in the 19th century, cyclists initiated the call for quality roads to serve the economy and population of a growing nation. So let's fix the potholes, clear the debris and glass that plague motorists and cyclists alike.

Who Rides?: Cyclists have a variety of goals, but the most frequent riders are commuters and those riding for recreation, health and fitness. The next largest groups were those on social visits and errands. People ride for their individual goals, but also, ride as a social activity. Cycling helps individuals and families have fun and enjoy the area's beautiful parks.

We Don't Fret About Motorists: Yes, many motorists don't seem to be aware of traffic laws that establish a cyclist right to use the roads, but it's a diversion to cite barriers between cyclists and motorists, at least from the cyclists point of view. Cyclists report they would ride more with safer bike lanes (82%), areas free from glass, debris and car doors, about 45% more than those who criticized motorists. Weather and poor road quality were cited by more than half of respondents, far more than those citing unsafe motorists.

Those cross-country cyclists working to raise attention for climate change and the need to address an issue of national and international impact are at it again, organizing a ride from New York to Washington, DC. They are asking concerned citizens and riders to plan on joining them in September for a five to Washington D.C.

The ride is to promote renewable energy and solutions to global warming: www.climateride.org and they will have cyclists from all over the country joining them, and they say it would be great to have representatives from Cleveland join us and ride to Washington. Here’s the release:

Join Brita Climate Ride 2008
September 20th - 24th
New York to D.C.
www.ClimateRide.org

Join Brita Climate Ride 2008 for the first multi-day supported bicycle tour where you pedal to promote renewable energy and solutions to global warming. Climate Riders will cycle 320 miles in five days from New York to Washington D.C., following scenic country roads and finishing on the steps of our nation's capitol, where we will make a statement about our country's need for action.

Along the way, expert speakers will educate and inspire Climate Riders and local communities about the science, the policies and the solutions to global warming. Our riders and the communities we pass through will learn how our government, businesses, and all Americans will benefit from a cleaner, healthier climate. This is a unique event--a fundraiser and climate conference on wheels, and an opportunity to meet people who are engaged in making a difference.

Each rider will be responsible for raising $2,250. Proceeds from the ride benefit Clean Air - Cool Planet and Focus the Nation, two organizations that lead the way in expanding climate change education, encouraging renewable energy policies, and promoting solutions to global warming.

A coalition of environmental groups including Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council, the Pew Environment Group and Audubon Ohio are extolling the virtues of market-based carbon legislation:

The Senate today started a historic debate on a first-ever legislation to implement a U.S. global warming policy.

This landmark piece of legislation will set up a "cap and trade" system to reduce global warming. Cap and trade places limits on the maximum level of greenhouse gas emissions, then creates a market for trading pollution between older, dirtier and newer, cleaner facilities. The net result is reduced pollution and a strong price incentive to use clean technology. This method has been road-tested and proven successful in reducing acid rain pollution. Ohio is ready to supply the country with the low carbon energy products of tomorrow and has created thousands of jobs manufacturing energy products like wind and solar.

The map below shows the companies in Ohio that are directly producing or are part of the supply chain for renewable energy manufacturing.

The environmental groups are encouraging supporters to call Senator Sherrod Brown (216) 522-7272; (202) 224-2315 and Senator George Voinovich (202) 224-3353 to support a strong global warming policy.

The Mayor of Charleston, South Carolina clearly sees the value of bikes and local infrastructure, taking steps to add more cycling access on area bridges. Earlier, the South Carolina state transportation officials added bike access to a federally funded bridge, a step ODOT refused to consider. The federally funded bridge has proven to be so popular, they have even hosted wedding groups. Building on the success, the Mayor announced more plans for bikes on bridges.

Here's the information:

Win for Charleston, SC: Old Bridge to Be Retrofitted: According to the Charleston Moves E-News, "Mayor Joseph Riley has announced the city's plan to add a cantilevered 10-ft wide bicycle and pedestrian lane to the southernmost of the two Ashley River bridges." The bridge is the primary conduit for travel between the downtown Charleston and West Ashley, but has been a roadblock to cyclists and pedestrians. Charleston Moves has actively championed access for cyclists and pedestrians to this important bridge. They report that the City of Charleston is now seeking funding for construction.

http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/may/14/create_better_bridge_links40740/

Kevin Cronin
ClevelandBikes : When ClevelandBikes, Cleveland Benefits!
www.clevelandbikes.org

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HOW MANY DAYS CAN YOU AVOID COMMUTING ALONE, DURING THE WEEKS OF July 20th – August 2nd?

Carpool - Find a partner, even for just 1 day a week, using our free service at www.OhioRideshare.org.

Bike To Work and To Do Errands - View or print a FREE county bike route map at www.noaca.org/bikemaps.html

Ride the Bus - Visit “Commuter Challenge” at www.noaca.org for all the regional transit links Walk - No additional equipment needed!

Telecommute (Work from Home) - First time? This is a good week to try it!

Compressed Work-Week - Work four 10-hour days and take a day off!

Please share your commute story at www.noaca.org and we will calculate the emissions you saved as a region!

Commuter Challenge 2008 is brought to you by the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency’s Air Quality Programs, Rideshare Program, and Bicycle Planning. NOACA is a regional transportation and environmental planning agency. For more info call (216) 241-2414 ext. 252 or 373.

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Habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and disease all threaten the amphibian’s survival. “Toad-ily Frogs” exhibit is part of the “Year of the Frog” initiative devoted to helping save amphibians from extinction.

Get an overview of amphibian biology, their habitat and the roles they play within natural systems. High-speed videos of amphibians feeding.

Despite rain and colder-than-normal temperatures, 363 students rode their bikes to school this morning on the first day of Bay High School Bike To School Month sponsored by Century Cycles. A total of 543 students at Bay High School have signed up to participate in the program, out of a total school population of 820.

Century Cycles and Bay High School (BHS) are teaming up to encourage BHS students to kick the car habit and ride their bikes to school during Bike To School Month on April 28 – May 23, 2008. Co-sponsored by Century Cycles and the Project Earth environmental club at BHS, Bike To School Month educates students on the environmental and health benefits of forgoing motorized transportation, plus it rewards them with prizes as they accumulate bike-rides to school throughout the month.

Inspired by a car boycott organized by BHS students last spring to protest high gas prices, Century Cycles owner Scott Cowan approached his alma mater with the idea for Bike To School Month. Cowan’s idea found an enthusiastic supporter in Eryn Whistler, a science teacher at BHS and adviser to the Project Earth environmental club, which will be administering the program at the school on a day-to-day basis, checking in the bicyclists and helping them redeem their prizes.