JuanSky's Blog
I read an article in the Albuquerque Journal last week which informed me that Albuquerque residents are officially beginning to use the Rio Grande (25% of it for now that is blended with aquifer water) for our drinking water(Abq. Journal - sub). I visited many water treatment plants during my tenure as an environmental science student and definitely feel that they are capable of treating the water to get it clean and clear.
What I am not sure of is if this treatment process is taking out the pharmaceutical remnants and radionuclides that have been found in the water. The group Agua es Vida has already brought this subject to the surface, and I definitely would like to see the concerns on the levels of these contaminants, even if they are low level as claimed, brought up since we are going to soon be drinking this water.
From all my experience in studying water treatment systems; I've never seen the treatment process address low radioactive particles, such as radionuclides. In the journal article, nothing is noted as to how these particles can or would be taken out, but rather it is dismissed as them being in low enough levels to not be of concern. To be honest, the only low level of radioactive particles that I want in my drinking water is a level of absolutely none.
Besides the issue of these possible lingering contaminants in the water; what is being said about the 25% percent of the river water being used (I'm assuming this percentage will continue to grow throughout the years as well) and how this is going to affect our contribution to the Rio Grande compact. Not only that, another question I have is how is this going to affect our acequia systems. I would love to speak with some mayordomos in town about how they feel this is going to affect the amount of water that they will get. Read More »
What I am not sure of is if this treatment process is taking out the pharmaceutical remnants and radionuclides that have been found in the water. The group Agua es Vida has already brought this subject to the surface, and I definitely would like to see the concerns on the levels of these contaminants, even if they are low level as claimed, brought up since we are going to soon be drinking this water.
From all my experience in studying water treatment systems; I've never seen the treatment process address low radioactive particles, such as radionuclides. In the journal article, nothing is noted as to how these particles can or would be taken out, but rather it is dismissed as them being in low enough levels to not be of concern. To be honest, the only low level of radioactive particles that I want in my drinking water is a level of absolutely none.
Besides the issue of these possible lingering contaminants in the water; what is being said about the 25% percent of the river water being used (I'm assuming this percentage will continue to grow throughout the years as well) and how this is going to affect our contribution to the Rio Grande compact. Not only that, another question I have is how is this going to affect our acequia systems. I would love to speak with some mayordomos in town about how they feel this is going to affect the amount of water that they will get. Read More »
One of the hottest topics in America right now, besides the state of our economy, is a solution to that problem: green jobs. It's an exciting time to see many new, eco-minded legislators wanting to take this initiative on, and even our new president elect is putting a new energy economy towards the top of his To Do list.
Last year Congress passed legislation that will provide two building blocks essential to growing our economy in a sustainable and eco-friendly way: the Green Jobs Act of 2007 and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program.
The Green Jobs Act of 2007 aims to create a fund of $125 million for the states to fund studies of emerging green sectors, create green oversight committees, and fund green workforce training programs. A specific section of Act emphasizes pathways out of poverty via green jobs. Getting this legislation fully funded will help catalyze the new green economic movement.
The Green Jobs Act not only will help jump start our economy again, but also will lift many jobless and low-income people out of poverty, affording them a shot at a new life and well-paying careers.
Read More »
Last year Congress passed legislation that will provide two building blocks essential to growing our economy in a sustainable and eco-friendly way: the Green Jobs Act of 2007 and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program.
The Green Jobs Act of 2007 aims to create a fund of $125 million for the states to fund studies of emerging green sectors, create green oversight committees, and fund green workforce training programs. A specific section of Act emphasizes pathways out of poverty via green jobs. Getting this legislation fully funded will help catalyze the new green economic movement.
The Green Jobs Act not only will help jump start our economy again, but also will lift many jobless and low-income people out of poverty, affording them a shot at a new life and well-paying careers.
Read More »
The culmination of a month's worth of event organizing came this weekend on Saturday, September 27th, 2008. This day was a national day of action in which environmental and social justice organizers throughout the nation (there was at least one event in each of the 50 states) came together and organized a variety of events to nationally proclaim that we are ready for green jobs now.
The event that I had worked on all month long was an Environmental Solutions Fair. My vision for this event was to organize a fun and educational community event where people could come learn about green jobs, the New Mexico Youth Organized green jobs initiative, and sign the green jobs petition.
But as the month progressed, the event blossomed into something more. I began to contact people and organizations that were already doing things in our community. They were just as excited as I was to have them highlight all the good work that they've been doing in our community for some time now. Read More »
The event that I had worked on all month long was an Environmental Solutions Fair. My vision for this event was to organize a fun and educational community event where people could come learn about green jobs, the New Mexico Youth Organized green jobs initiative, and sign the green jobs petition.
But as the month progressed, the event blossomed into something more. I began to contact people and organizations that were already doing things in our community. They were just as excited as I was to have them highlight all the good work that they've been doing in our community for some time now. Read More »
It's always good to "get out there" and do something good for your community -- even if it's super hot outside and the work is a little bit more rigorous than you're used to. There's just something about the feeling you get after you're done, knowing that you got off your ass and instead did something positive for others. Add to that the fact this certain gratifying feeling can get addicting, and it usually makes it easier for you to roll out of bed that next Saturday morning and venture into the hot summer sun.
That's exactly what happened last weekend. I was in a deep sleep, dreaming about being somewhere cool and tropical when my alarm clock rang. "Man," I thought, "Let's just snooze it a little while longer." But then I remembered that my group, New Mexico Youth Organized, and myself had an obligation to join other volunteers at Joy Junction. There we would be helping to put a Mirrorseal roof on their family dorm.
Mirrorseal is a great product in that it's easy to apply to the existing roof surface and it is not petroleum based. Rather it's made from a salt-based resin that not only is environmentally friendly, but also is highly reflective. Because of its reflectivity, the roof bounces back most of the solar UV rays that hit it, thus drastically reducing the heat absorption by the building.
One last thing to note here is that this product is great for people who are using water catchment systems at their house, since the salt-based resin does not emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like tar roofs do. The water gathered from a Mirrorseal roof does not contain VOCs that can contaminate crops that you water with your catchment water.
Joy Junction has been making some great improvements at their facilities here lately. Very recently they built some new shower and restroom facilities that can accommodate the growing number of residents there. The family dorm also had been experiencing some leaks from the roof and that's where we stepped in. NM Solar Shield (the company we are collaborating with on this project) provided the Mirrorseal materials super cheap and NMYO (among other volunteers) is helping to provide the workforce for this project.
So members of NMYO jumped on that roof on an already hot Saturday morning and, despite being novices at this process, helped fix about a quarter of the roof on the dorm.
One great thing I took from this first date at Joy Junction was knowing that part of the roof we had just fixed was overlying a room where a grandmother and her grandchildren were staying. Knowing that I sacrificed my day to help them out made it more than a worthwhile experience.
All of the volunteers that day had a great time interacting with each other and learned new skills along the way. By the end of the day we were tired and covered in white stuff, but we were also expert Mirrorseal roof installers. I can only think of the other people living in that dorm and how I need to gather more people together to get this job done. I for one can't wait until next time, because, even though I may get sunburned, I will also be performing a great service for people in need.
NMYO will be out at Joy Junction continuing to work on this project on both August 16th and August 23rd from 9am until sometime in the afternoon. If you are interested in helping out give Juan at NMYO a call: 505-242-4036
That's exactly what happened last weekend. I was in a deep sleep, dreaming about being somewhere cool and tropical when my alarm clock rang. "Man," I thought, "Let's just snooze it a little while longer." But then I remembered that my group, New Mexico Youth Organized, and myself had an obligation to join other volunteers at Joy Junction. There we would be helping to put a Mirrorseal roof on their family dorm.
Mirrorseal is a great product in that it's easy to apply to the existing roof surface and it is not petroleum based. Rather it's made from a salt-based resin that not only is environmentally friendly, but also is highly reflective. Because of its reflectivity, the roof bounces back most of the solar UV rays that hit it, thus drastically reducing the heat absorption by the building.
One last thing to note here is that this product is great for people who are using water catchment systems at their house, since the salt-based resin does not emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like tar roofs do. The water gathered from a Mirrorseal roof does not contain VOCs that can contaminate crops that you water with your catchment water.
Joy Junction has been making some great improvements at their facilities here lately. Very recently they built some new shower and restroom facilities that can accommodate the growing number of residents there. The family dorm also had been experiencing some leaks from the roof and that's where we stepped in. NM Solar Shield (the company we are collaborating with on this project) provided the Mirrorseal materials super cheap and NMYO (among other volunteers) is helping to provide the workforce for this project.
So members of NMYO jumped on that roof on an already hot Saturday morning and, despite being novices at this process, helped fix about a quarter of the roof on the dorm.
One great thing I took from this first date at Joy Junction was knowing that part of the roof we had just fixed was overlying a room where a grandmother and her grandchildren were staying. Knowing that I sacrificed my day to help them out made it more than a worthwhile experience.
All of the volunteers that day had a great time interacting with each other and learned new skills along the way. By the end of the day we were tired and covered in white stuff, but we were also expert Mirrorseal roof installers. I can only think of the other people living in that dorm and how I need to gather more people together to get this job done. I for one can't wait until next time, because, even though I may get sunburned, I will also be performing a great service for people in need.
NMYO will be out at Joy Junction continuing to work on this project on both August 16th and August 23rd from 9am until sometime in the afternoon. If you are interested in helping out give Juan at NMYO a call: 505-242-4036
I recently went and visited my family in Hobbs, NM for the Fourth of July. We barbecued, reminisced about old times, and later we went out that night to view the fireworks show. My brother-in-law had a "spot" that we went to via some oil field roads, and it took us to a great view of the glittery pyrotechnics. What I had not anticipated was parking off of one of these dirt roads only to land ourselves into a huge cloud of natural gas. I looked over to see pipes pumping up gas, yet it definitely seemed like some gas was leaking from the smell of things.
My youngest sister expressed how the strong smell was bothering her and was worried that all this leaking gas was dangerous to be around. As we were going back to our cars to look for a less gaseous location, my nephew tripped on two big pipes that ran in and out of the ground. My brother-in-law then told us that there are tons of these lines that run throughout the area and they transport oil and gas. We all commented on how much safer we'd feel if these lines were better taken care of and not above the ground where they could easily be run over and fractured.
I've seen these types of don't ask, don't tell situations in Hobbs growing up. I've found many unremediated drilling sites there throughout my childhood wanderings, and there have been many accounts of groundwater contamination that has affected the health of some my friends and their family.
There are large instances of drilling waters and muds being disposed of in on-site pits or they are just buried at the drill site. These drilling muds and produced waters are known to contain volatile organic compounds and heavy metals, and thus create yet another probable situation of land and water contamination in the region. This is possible because according to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, "drilling fluids, produced water, and other wastes associated with the exploration, development, and production of crude oil and gas. . ." are not subject to federal hazardous waste laws.
These are just a few examples of the loopholes and exemptions oil companies are allowed, not just in Hobbs, nor New Mexico, but throughout our country. This allows companies to pollute and not be held accountable for it, while also putting nearby citizens' health at risk through soil and water pollution.
With all these calls for opening up of pristine wildernesses and more of our offshore areas for drilling; I say we need to first update drilling laws to hold oil companies more accountable for their lack of oversight and the pollution at all of their drilling sites. We cannot allow for oil companies to get access to more land to drill on, especially areas of pristine wilderness and ones near ocean ecosystems, when they can't clean up after themselves on past and current drilling sites and take advantage of many loopholes that allow them to do so.
My youngest sister expressed how the strong smell was bothering her and was worried that all this leaking gas was dangerous to be around. As we were going back to our cars to look for a less gaseous location, my nephew tripped on two big pipes that ran in and out of the ground. My brother-in-law then told us that there are tons of these lines that run throughout the area and they transport oil and gas. We all commented on how much safer we'd feel if these lines were better taken care of and not above the ground where they could easily be run over and fractured.
I've seen these types of don't ask, don't tell situations in Hobbs growing up. I've found many unremediated drilling sites there throughout my childhood wanderings, and there have been many accounts of groundwater contamination that has affected the health of some my friends and their family.
There are large instances of drilling waters and muds being disposed of in on-site pits or they are just buried at the drill site. These drilling muds and produced waters are known to contain volatile organic compounds and heavy metals, and thus create yet another probable situation of land and water contamination in the region. This is possible because according to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, "drilling fluids, produced water, and other wastes associated with the exploration, development, and production of crude oil and gas. . ." are not subject to federal hazardous waste laws.
These are just a few examples of the loopholes and exemptions oil companies are allowed, not just in Hobbs, nor New Mexico, but throughout our country. This allows companies to pollute and not be held accountable for it, while also putting nearby citizens' health at risk through soil and water pollution.
With all these calls for opening up of pristine wildernesses and more of our offshore areas for drilling; I say we need to first update drilling laws to hold oil companies more accountable for their lack of oversight and the pollution at all of their drilling sites. We cannot allow for oil companies to get access to more land to drill on, especially areas of pristine wilderness and ones near ocean ecosystems, when they can't clean up after themselves on past and current drilling sites and take advantage of many loopholes that allow them to do so.
It was early morning on a beautiful spring Saturday. Despite it being clear and sunny, "Spring Storm" was about to hit the city. Every year during spring UNM students gather at the football stadium and contribute a part of their Saturday to go out and do community service. New Mexico Youth Organized was lucky enough to be one of the groups that students joined in a community action.
The Sigma Chi fraternity was assigned to help us, and, I can't lie, having just graduated from college, I had my preconceptions about "frat boys". Yet, I was already impressed that this group of young men were not only volunteering, but they were also sacrificing a beautiful Saturday morning and afternoon.
They had already put a dent into my long-held stereotype.
So they joined us on our bio-diesel powered school bus, and we all drove out to Alamosa Park in the South Valley. From the street the park doesn't look that dirty, but upon closer inspection we could see shards of glass dispersed amongst the sand in the playground and lots of trash throughout the grassy areas. Read More »
The Sigma Chi fraternity was assigned to help us, and, I can't lie, having just graduated from college, I had my preconceptions about "frat boys". Yet, I was already impressed that this group of young men were not only volunteering, but they were also sacrificing a beautiful Saturday morning and afternoon.
They had already put a dent into my long-held stereotype.
So they joined us on our bio-diesel powered school bus, and we all drove out to Alamosa Park in the South Valley. From the street the park doesn't look that dirty, but upon closer inspection we could see shards of glass dispersed amongst the sand in the playground and lots of trash throughout the grassy areas. Read More »
This is Juan Reynosa's eyewitness account of the recent Dream Reborn Conference held in Memphis (April 4-6).
Day 1
Up to this point the Dream Reborn has not really been a conference. Rather, it more resembles a revival since the amazing array of first day activities had us dancing to African rhythms, clapping and singing along with the Memphis Job Corps. Youth Choir, hugging our neighbors, and chanting together the mantra created for this event: We are the Dream Generation, We are the Dream Reborn.
Speakers on the first day then set the tone for this movement with their eloquent words that were mixed with strong messages. For instance, Afeni Shakur told us that green jobs will not matter unless we also strive to inspire and uplift the youth in our communities and turn them away from negativities like drugs and suicide. "Mr. Civil Rights", D'army Bailey blessed us with his presence and told us that this movement is just like the Civil Rights Movement that he fought through in his early years, yet that it is also ecological. He insisted that talk and theorization mean nothing unless there is action to save both our people and our earth. And finally, Revered Lennox Yearwood Jr. from the High Hop Caucus gave a refreshing sermon about how this social and ecological struggle has no boundaries. His energizing sermon spoke of how all ethnicities, all class levels, all sexual orientations, and all religions need to unite in love to fight for civil and environmental justice. Read More »
Day 1
Up to this point the Dream Reborn has not really been a conference. Rather, it more resembles a revival since the amazing array of first day activities had us dancing to African rhythms, clapping and singing along with the Memphis Job Corps. Youth Choir, hugging our neighbors, and chanting together the mantra created for this event: We are the Dream Generation, We are the Dream Reborn.
Speakers on the first day then set the tone for this movement with their eloquent words that were mixed with strong messages. For instance, Afeni Shakur told us that green jobs will not matter unless we also strive to inspire and uplift the youth in our communities and turn them away from negativities like drugs and suicide. "Mr. Civil Rights", D'army Bailey blessed us with his presence and told us that this movement is just like the Civil Rights Movement that he fought through in his early years, yet that it is also ecological. He insisted that talk and theorization mean nothing unless there is action to save both our people and our earth. And finally, Revered Lennox Yearwood Jr. from the High Hop Caucus gave a refreshing sermon about how this social and ecological struggle has no boundaries. His energizing sermon spoke of how all ethnicities, all class levels, all sexual orientations, and all religions need to unite in love to fight for civil and environmental justice. Read More »The Green Jobs movement has great potential to reduce our carbon emissions and create millions of new environmentally related jobs, yet it also has an even greater potential to unite Americans once again around a progressive, social advancement. Many are looking at the creation of nationwide green jobs as the "New Civil Rights Movement."
The first civil rights movement in America brought people of all mixes together to help African-Americans fight racial oppression, and the Green Jobs movement is now bringing together people, groups, and even industry together to fight environmental oppression of many of our citizens, especially the low-income, low opportunity citizens. We are now at a moment when we all need to come together to help our future generations to realize a prosperous and green future.
Memphis Conference: King's Legacy Grows Green Read More »
The first civil rights movement in America brought people of all mixes together to help African-Americans fight racial oppression, and the Green Jobs movement is now bringing together people, groups, and even industry together to fight environmental oppression of many of our citizens, especially the low-income, low opportunity citizens. We are now at a moment when we all need to come together to help our future generations to realize a prosperous and green future.
Memphis Conference: King's Legacy Grows Green Read More »
This year we have the chance to start taking the necessary first steps to address the growing crisis of global warming. Together we have the opportunity to make good choices that will directly affect the lives of generations to come.
We believe that America can - and must -- lead the new energy revolution.
What is 1Sky?
1Sky is a national campaign to pass meaningful climate legislation in the United States by 2010. Americans must unite behind a clear vision and a compelling platform -- solutions appropriate to the immense scale of crisis we face.
And we believe that New Mexico can establish itself at the forefront this historic endeavor by charting a new direction for energy policy for the entire nation.
1Sky New Mexico is working to:
We believe that America can - and must -- lead the new energy revolution.
What is 1Sky?
1Sky is a national campaign to pass meaningful climate legislation in the United States by 2010. Americans must unite behind a clear vision and a compelling platform -- solutions appropriate to the immense scale of crisis we face.
And we believe that New Mexico can establish itself at the forefront this historic endeavor by charting a new direction for energy policy for the entire nation.
1Sky New Mexico is working to:
- Create new jobs and new opportunities by developing high-paying clean energy jobs in urban and rural New Mexico, and
- Invest in a new energy future by cutting global warming emissions and improving the efficiency of our homes, vehicles, and communities.
We can come together to secure a Clean Energy Economy for our children.
In Washington DC, there are many energy and climate plans competing for attention. It's time to step up and speak out!
We at ClearlyNewMexico.com invite you to sign the 1Sky Pledge that will be delivered to Congresswoman Heather Wilson's office this Friday March 28th. The pledge states certain fundamental principles upon which we all can unite:
I support the solutions to global warming that will protect our society and future generations from climate change and will create a new energy economy.In particular, I support:
The creation of five million new green jobs;
A science-based reduction of emissions of at least 25% by 2020; and
A moratorium on all new coal-fired power plants nationwide.
1Sky NM will be working to get the entire New Mexico Congressional delegation to sign this pledge.
We have only 1Sky and 1 Planet, but with your help we can move forward now to meet the global warming challenge for our children's sake.
Here's the 1Sky petition.
We'll keep you posted on our progress!
- Juan Reynosa
Our Clearly NM correspondent, Juan Reynosa, reports on the Good Jobs, Green Jobs conference: Read More »
Posts By Month
PostsHighest Rated Posts
