Participating in a public forum is a great way to be politically active in your community. On September 8, U.S. Representative Keith Ellison (MN-D) will hold a Clean Energy Jobs Forum to discuss ideas and polices on more clean energy jobs available for all Minnesotans.

Speakers include Representative Ellison, science policy director J. Drake Hamilton from Fresh Energy, and keynote speaker Phaedra Ellis - Lamkins, CEO of Green for All. The event is free to the public.

          

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Using trees and other organic matter for energy is smart, right? It absorbs carbon dioxide and other global warming emissions as it grows, offsetting the gases emitted when burned--producing a net neutral impact on the environment plus electricity as a bonus. What's not to love? Turns out it's not that simple. A recent analysis by the Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences reveals just how complicated the answer really is. Tom Zeller Jr. posted a fairly comprehensible Q and A blog post with Manomet staff about the report in the New York Times.

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When you leave the house in the morning, you probably make sure the lights are off and the faucet's not running. You don't want to waste energy, right? Unfortunately, many of your home electronics are using energy all day, every day, even when you're not using them, just because they're plugged in.

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The Gulf oil spill probably has you thinking about ways to use less oil. But if you need even more motivation to leave that car in the garage, Bike Walk Week is for you. It's seven days of activities throughout the Twin Cities designed to get you out and about under your very own person-power. Check the Bike Walk Week website for events, workshops, courses, and more.

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You know electricity is generated by wind turbines or coal or nuclear plants. And you know that the light turns on when you flip the switch. But have you ever wondered how the electricity gets from the generation source to your lightbulb?

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Minnesota (and the Twin Cities area in particular) is teetering on the edge of unhealthy levels of several types of air pollution that have a direct impact on human and environmental health. But making a few small-and pretty painless-lifestyle changes can have a big effect. In fact, what you can do to improve local air quality is similar to the actions you're already taking to reduce global warming pollution...because clean energy is good for your health as well as the planet's. (Need help getting started? Check out our list of resources.)

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Want more information on how to protect the air we breathe? Here's a list of resources-from bike routes to buying guides-that will keep you breathing easy. (You can track Minnesota's air quality by signing up to receive air quality alerts by email.)

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St. Paul's Amherst H. Wilder Foundation does great work - you've probably heard of the organization's impact on affordable housing and on the health and well-being of older adults. Another main focus is of the foundation is programs and services for youth, including the Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI). Fresh Energy got to experience first-hand the rewards of the YLI's efforts.

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In the Minnesota Public Radio story, "After the ethanol bubble," Fresh Energy Science Policy director J. Drake Hamilton talks about biofuels, tar sands, global warming, and the government's role in driving innovation with Keith Johnson of the Wall Street Journal and Matt Hartwig from the Renewable Fuels Association.

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The good folks over at the Reality Campaign set the Coen brothers on the "clean coal" industry. My favorite line: "Clean coal harnesses the awesome power of the word clean."

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