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Clean Charles 2005
MIT is a founding member of the Clean
Charles Coalition (the "Coalition"), which is a voluntary
association of industries, academic and research institutions, public
interest groups and other entities ("organizations") that
have joined in support of a fishable and swimmable Charles River
by 2005. The Coalition seeks to leverage the resources of its membership
through the implementation of well-defined projects with clear and
measurable environmental benefit, maximizing opportunities for outreach
to others in the watershed. Member organizations will work within
the existing regulatory structure to attain these goals, from time
to time utilizing the resources of governmental agencies as independent
technical advisors. The Coalition will not be used for commercial,
advertising or other purposes unrelated to the goals and objectives
stated below.
Back to top Clean Charles Boat
In 1998 Environment, Health, and Safety purchased a boat to support
the efforts of the Clean Charles Coalition. Originally intended
to assist in trash clean up, to date the boat is primarily used
for water sampling. Water samples of the Charles River are currently
taken by the Charles River Watershed Authority (CRWA) to ensure
that the water quality is high enough to host many of the recreational
activities on any given day between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
The boat is also used by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
for various river projects aimed at improving the Charles.
EHS is now looking to incorporate a program that will expand the
usage of the boat so that its use will be maximized for the greater
good of the river. In this effort we plan on offering training
to interested student groups that would like to use the boat to
pick up trash, do independent or class studies on the water, and
even host field trips based on the efforts to conserve this watershed.
EHS is also picking up the water sampling for the CRWA during the
Fall and Spring seasons, some of the most heavily used times of
the year for the Charles. For more information on this and other
related topics please contact the Environmental Management Program
in the EHS Office.
Back to top Climate Change Initiative
City of Cambridge - Climate Protection Information
( site
)
The City of Cambridge has made a commitment to respond to the problem of global
climate change. The activities being undertaken in the City of Cambridge
are described on this Web Site. MIT makes up a large portion of to the City
of Cambridge community and supports its efforts to achieve the goals outlined
on this Web Site.
Massachusetts Climate Action Network ( site )
Massachusetts Climate Action Network (MCAN) is dedicated to halting the threat
of global climate change. They are striving to reduce emissions of greenhouse
gases, principally carbon dioxide (CO2), in our communities and the state.
Cities for Climate Protection ( site )
Cambridge is also a member of Cities for Climate Protection (CCP), which is
a campaign of the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives
(ICLEI). The CCP is a performance-oriented campaign that offers a framework
for local governments to develop a strategic agenda to reduce global warming
and air pollution emissions, with the benefit of improving community livability.
Five hundred local governments are participating the Campaign, representing
8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and the numbers are growing.
Back to top Local and State Environmental Organizations
Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs ( site )
The Executive Office of Environmental Affairs is a resource for your environmental
literacy. The goal of this governing office is to reconnect people to the
natural world, and to inspire a sense of responsibility in the public.
Massachusetts Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) ( site )
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is a state agency
responsible for protecting human health and the environment by ensuring clean
air and water, the safe management and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes,
the timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills, and the preservation
of wetlands and coastal resources.
Cambridge Conservation Commission (CCC) ( site )
Offers a listing of Web Sites of environmental, regulatory, or conservation
interest in the Cambridge and Boston area.
Earth Share of New England ( site
)
Founded in 1992, the Environmental Federation acts as a service
organization for its members, sponsoring workplace giving campaigns
and encouraging volunteerism on behalf of its 38 members.
WasteCap of Massachusetts ( site )
WasteCap of Massachusetts is the statewide, non-profit, public/private partnership
working with the business community to develop and implement cost-effective
recycling, buy recycled, reuse, and waste reduction programs.
The Chelsea Center ( site )
The CHELSEA CENTER FOR RECYCLING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT was launched by the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1995 to create jobs, support recycling efforts,
and help the economy and the environment by working to increase the use of
recyclables by manufacturers.
Back to top
National and International Environmental Organizations
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ( site )
EPA's mission is to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment
- air, water, and land - upon which life depends. For 30 years, EPA has been
working for a cleaner, healthier environment for the American people.
Earth911 ( site
)
It is the mission of Earth 911 to empower the public with the community-specific
resources to improve thier quality of life. Through the use of this website,
you can access community-specific enviromental information by zip code.
Earth Day Network ( site )
Add a half billion participants, one Internet, and stir vigorously. Get involved,
and rattle the ramparts of complacency.
Earth Share of New England ( site
)
Founded in 1992, the Environmental Federation acts as a service
organization for its members, sponsoring workplace giving campaigns
and encouraging volunteerism on behalf of its 38 members.
National Wildlife Federation ( site )
NWF focuses its efforts on five core issue areas (Endangered Habitat, Water
Quality, Land Stewardship, Wetlands, and Sustainable Communities), and pursues
a range of educational projects, and activist, advocacy, and litigation initiatives,
within these core areas. ELM is the Massachusetts affiliate for NWF.
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