 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?
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