Welcome to ArticleXI.com!
We are a group of environmental advocates united in providing a one-stop source for Virginia's environmental news. We each focus on different issues, but share the vision of a Commonwealth that preserves and protects its natural resources. Please join us!
There's nothing like the startup of a promising new Virginia-focused environmental blog to bring me out of (semi-) blogging retirement! :) As many of you know, we spent a great deal of time and effort at RK (aka, "Raising Kaine") advocating for Virginia's environmental health, energy efficiency, and potential for clean, renewable power to our Commonwealth. We specifically focused on issues like the (dismal) health of the Chesapeake Bay, the threat to our coastlines posed by offshore drilling, the damage done to ecosystems and communities by mountaintop removal coal mining, the grave threat of greenhouse gas emissions, and the corporations (yeah, Dominion, I'm talkin' about you!) that apparently prefer making (boatloads of) money more than they care about any of these things.
Since the demise of RK, there has been a significant void in the Virginia blogosphere with regard to energy and environmental issues. Today, a top-notch group of people from a superb group of organizations - see the "Contributors" list at the left - is launching a new community blog with the goal of turning that situation around, BIG TIME!
What is "Article XI," you ask? Yeah, I'd never heard of it either. In fact it's the part of Virginia's Constitution dealing with conservation and protection of Virginia's environment and natural resources. Section 1 of Article XI is particularly relevant, and I quote it here (bolding added for emphasis):
To the end that the people have clean air, pure water, and the use and enjoyment for recreation of adequate public lands, waters, and other natural resources, it shall be the policy of the Commonwealth to conserve, develop, and utilize its natural resources, its public lands, and its historical sites and buildings. Further, it shall be the Commonwealth's policy to protect its atmosphere, lands, and waters from pollution, impairment, or destruction, for the benefit, enjoyment, and general welfare of the people of the Commonwealth.
Well, you can't get much clearer than that, can you now? :) And please note that this language is not in a "treehugger" organization's charter, it's in the Virginia constitution for ALL Virginians. That's right, it's not just for Democrats. It's not just for Republicans. It's not just for liberals. It's not just for conservatives.
Which brings up one of my major pet peeves in life: when and why did protection of the planet we all share - and that all our lives (and livelihoods) depend upon - become a partisan issue at all? Whatever the reason(s), it's time to change that situation right now, right here in Virginia!
Why should you care about Virginia's environment? Perhaps you're an angler, hunter, hiker, or birdwatcher who notices that the birds, fish, and/or other wildlife aren't as plentiful as they used to be? Perhaps you're a person of faith who believes that it is mankind's duty to protect God's creation?
Perhaps you're a businessperson who relies on tourism, fishing, boating, hunting, birding, or other outdoors activities for your livelihood and worries that it all could vanish as global warming, sprawl, runoff, and other environmental problems take their toll on the Chesapeake Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, Virginia's rivers, forests, and open spaces? Perhaps you're an entrepreneur who realizes the potential economic opportunities associated with "clean tech" and the "green economy?"
Perhaps you're a citizen with health problems related to pollution, or with concerns that air and water pollution could lead to health problems down the road for yourself or your loved ones.
Perhaps you're a politician who understands that on all of these issues, there is simultaneously a major vacuum of leadership as well as an opportunity for you to step up and be a leader (and even a hero)? Perhaps you realize that, in just a few short years, energy and the environment have become leading issues for Virginians from all parts of the state?
Finally, perhaps you're a taxpayer who realizes that Virginia tourism is a $19-billion-per-year industry that attracts 36 million visitors to our beautiful Commonwealth annually, supports 210,000 jobs and generates $1.2 billion in state and local taxes?
For any or all of the reasons I just listed, I'm hoping that you care deeply what happens to Virginia's environment. I'm also hoping that you share our vision of a Commonwealth that "protect[s] its atmosphere, lands, and waters from pollution, impairment, or destruction, for the benefit, enjoyment, and general welfare of the people of the Commonwealth." If you don't happen to share that vision today, that's ok; after a few months of reading Article XI, we're confident that you will! :)
In short, this blog aims to be a one-stop source for Virginia's environmental news, an environmental action center, and a community for lively discussion about Virginia's energy and environmental issues. Thanks for reading, welcome to our blog, and we look forward to your contributions in months and years to come!
User comments or postings reflect the opinions of the responsible contributor only, and do not reflect the viewpoint of the Sierra Club and/or the League of Conservation Voters. The Sierra Club and the League of Conservation Voters do not endorse or guarantee the accuracy of any posting. The Sierra Club and the League of Conservation Voters accepts no obligation to review every posting, but reserves the right (but not the obligation) to delete postings that may be considered offensive, illegal or inappropriate.
ArticleXI.com is paid for and authorized by
Virginia League of Conservation Voters PAC, 530 East Main Street, Ste. 410, Richmond, Virginia 23219, (804) 225-1902 and
Sierra Club VA PAC, 422 E. Franklin Street, Suite 302, Richmond, VA 23219, (804) 225-9113.
There's nothing like the startup of a promising new Virginia-focused environmental blog to bring me out of (semi-) blogging retirement! :) As many of you know, we spent a great deal of time and effort at 
