Diseased Dogs Rescued From Dinner Plates in China

BEIJING - Hundreds of dogs who narrowly escaped the fate of being on a restaurant menu, received emergency vaccinations provided by the International Fund for Animal Welfare - IFAW (www.ifaw.org). At the same time, IFAW issued an open letter to the Chinese authorities, calling for enforcement of health and quarantine regulations to prevent the illegal, unsafe and inhumane inter-province transport of dogs for human consumption. On October 14, concerned residents intercepted a truck packed with more than 800 dogs in Zigong, Sichuan province heading to Guangxi for slaughter. The dogs were cramped into 100 cages without food or water for three to four days. Veterinarians conducted health examinations and found the dogs were not only suffering from various degrees of dehydration, fractures and trauma, but many were also infected with potentially lethal infectious diseases, such as canine distemper and Parvovirus and serious illnesses caused by fungi and mites. Twenty-seven dogs have died so far due to injury and disease. "The transport of live animals in urban and rural areas carries a high risk of spreading infectious diseases to both animals and people. It also brings great challenges to the prevention of epidemics," said Dr. Kati Loeffler, IFAW's Veterinarian Advisor. "It poses a direct threat to human health and public safety." IFAW questions the mishandling of the case by local authorities who failed to uphold existing regulations to ensure public safety. In a letter to authorities, IFAW appeals for strengthening existing regulation to protect companion animals from the illegal meat trade and advocates for the anti-cruelty legislation to protect all animals, including dogs and cats. "This is the second time this year that concerned citizens have intercepted companion animals headed for slaughter – showing that times are changing," said Grace Gabriel, IFAW's Asia Regional Director. "The Chinese public is speaking up and taking action against animal cruelty. IFAW's team on the ground will continue to call for China's laws to catch up with the growing desires of Chinese people for greater dog protection." About IFAW (the International Fund for Animal Welfare) Founded in 1969, IFAW saves animals in crisis around the world. With projects in more than 40 countries, IFAW rescues individual animals, works to prevent cruelty to animals, and advocates for the protection of wildlife and habitats. For more information, visit www.ifaw.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Melvin Wylie

Hawaii's 2012 State Teacher of the Year Receives Use of an Electric Car; Two Charging Stations

HONOLULU - With Hawaii focusing on the development of the state's abundant wind, wave, sun, geo-thermal, ocean-thermal and bio-mass energy resources, this year, an electric car (use for a year) was awarded to the 2012 State Teacher of the Year during ceremonies held at historic Washington Place, across from the State Capitol. Chad Miller, a language arts teacher at Kailua High School, received the prestigious designation as the 2012 Hawaii State Teacher of the Year during ceremonies hosted by the Hawaii State Department of Education. Miller will represent the state of Hawaii at the 2012 National Teacher of the Year program next year. The use of the Mitsubishi iMiEV was provided by Cutter Mitsubishi and was presented by Mitsubishi Motors North America president and CEO Yoichi Yokozawa, who said, "I believe the state of Hawaii is a great location for electric vehicles. The state can be an example to the world for zero emission cars. Hawaii can show others how to make it work." Two electric vehicle charging stations –one for the teacher's residence and one for the teacher's school parking space-- were provided compliments of AeroVironment, a Monrovia, California-based supplier of EV charging stations. Pat Ah You, general manager of Cutter Mitsubishi, reminded Miller that Honolulu allows free parking for electric vehicles at all City and County public parking facilities and parking meter stalls on streets and roadways throughout the island of Oahu. "The electric car presentation to the teacher is significant this year in that it demonstrates Hawaii's new car dealers' commitment to education, the new renewable energy transition, and to the next generation of young people who are customers in the future," said Ah You.

Melvin Wylie

26th Episode of GreenNews4U

Organically Grown Clothing In this episode of GreenNews4U I interview Sebastian with Right as Rain. Right as Rain is an organic piece of clothing grown and produced by mother earth. Now how can the earth produce a piece of clothing that a farmer from Scotland, now living in Italy, can harvest? Well you will have to listen to this episode to find out. You can find Right as Rain on Facebook and to purcahse their products go to their web page.

Melvin Wylie

Organica Sustainable Water on PBS (Huffington Post & National Geographic)

A few months ago I had the privilege of interviewing Melissa with Organica Sustainable Water. Since then they have been in the the Huffington Post and National Geographic. I'm sure with their publicity that many more news organizations will come forward to interview this great company that's on the cutting edge in dealing with our water crisis. This Thursday, November 17th the company will be featured and the centerpiece of PBS's Nightly Business Report. I hop you will support this great company and tune in! You can find the listings for PBS here.

Melvin Wylie

WATER: The Great Mystery

Amazing documentary about the power of the mind and the secrets of water.

Melvin Wylie

New Poll: 9 out of 10 Americans Support Solar

Survey by Kelton Research finds continued widespread public support for development of solar energy, federal incentives for solar, across political spectrum.

Americans overwhelmingly support the use and development of solar energy as well as federal incentives for solar, according to the 2011 SCHOTT Solar Barometer™, a nationally representative survey conducted annually by independent polling firm Kelton Research. For the fourth consecutive year, the survey found that about nine out of 10 Americans (89 percent) think it is important for the United States to develop and use solar energy. Support for solar is strong across the political spectrum with 80 percent of Republicans, 90 percent of Independents and 94 percent of Democrats agreeing that it is important for the United States to develop and use solar. The survey also found that more than eight out of 10 Americans (82 percent) support federal tax credits and grants for the solar industry similar to those that traditional sources of energy like oil, natural gas and coal have received for decades. Seventy-one percent of Republicans agree, as well as 82 percent of Independents and 87 percent of Democrats. "It's clear that solar has the strong support of the American people," said Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association. "Now it needs the support of U.S. policymakers in extending job-creating policies like the 1603 Treasury Program to make sure solar continues to work for America." Furthermore, when asked to select an energy source they would financially support if they were in charge of U.S. energy policy, 39 percent of Americans chose solar over other sources such as natural gas (21 percent), wind (12 percent), nuclear (9 percent) and coal (3 percent). "The fourth annual Solar Barometer shows that Americans overwhelmingly understand the benefits of solar energy for our country," said Tom Hecht, President, Sales, Marketing and Business Development, SCHOTT Solar PV, Inc. Eight out of 10 Americans (82 percent) think it is important for the federal government to support U.S. solar manufacturing, according to the poll. Also, a majority of Americans (51 percent) said they would be more likely to purchase a product if they knew it was made using solar energy.

Melvin Wylie

Dominion Virginia Power Proposes Community Solar Power Program

- Company would lease space for solar panels on rooftops of businesses, public facilities RICHMOND, Va. - Dominion Virginia Power, in continuing its exploration of alternative energy technologies, wants to lease rooftops and grounds of commercial businesses and public facilities for electricity-generating solar panels. The panels would generate enough electricity to power about 6,000 homes during peak daylight hours. The initiative would be part of a multi-year program designed to help expand the company's understanding of community-based solar energy, study its impact and assess its benefits. The company made its request for approval Monday to the Virginia State Corporation Commission. "To successfully implement solar energy projects, we have to understand how community-based solar energy will integrate in our existing distribution system," said Kenneth D. Barker, vice president-Customer Solutions and Energy Conservation. "In addition, the program would provide more renewable energy to our generation mix, support Virginia's renewable energy goals and further the goals of the commonwealth's energy policy." While specific locations have not yet been identified, at least four of the solar sites would be located in community settings, such as local government buildings, schools, community associations, neighborhood associations or nonprofit organizations. In all, the company plans to install solar panels on 30 to 50 sites in its service area. Participants would receive payment for leasing space for the solar panels. A Web-enabled monitor located at the facility would display information about the installation's output. Throughout the program, the company would report the study results of each project to the commission annually. The company would continue to own and operate the solar panels as generation facilities after a site has been operating for five years. The company's application also includes plans for a new rate under development in which the company would purchase solar energy from customers who have panels on their property. Additional information about the proposed program is available on the Dominion website, www.dom.com.

Melvin Wylie