Seems like hardly a day passed this summer without hearing some sort of horrible news about the environment. First, it was the BP nightmare in the Gulf, which dragged on and on and on with one terrible tidbit after another. And then—closer to home—nearly a million gallons of oil somehow spilled into the Kalamazoo River and could potentially be on its way to Lake Michigan. What the hell??? Nothing like endless images of dying birds and otters covered in oil to really piss you off, especially when it’s very nearly your own backyard. And then on July 23rd, Congress, living up to its ineffective reputation, announces that the Climate Bill is dead. How does the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history not have any effect whatsoever on our legislation? Oh wait, this is Congress. I should know better.

In the middle of it all, my company Mightybytes co-sponsored (with Chicago Filmmakers) the Chicagoland theatrical premier of the movie Gasland as part of the Andersonville Green Week festivities. If you haven’t seen this movie, you really should. It’s intense. It’s sad. And it will piss you off to no end. For me, it was all the impetus I needed to get off my butt and actually do something, so earlier this month I signed up for the Brita Climate Ride.

It’s 320 quad-busting miles of California hills in the name of environmental sustainability. If you have read this far then you should probably just get out your credit card and sponsor me since it’s for such a good (and relevant) cause. I have to raise $2,400.00 before they’ll let me get on my bike in Fortuna, CA and start the trek. Any help you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

The Climate Ride benefits the following great organizations:
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is working to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines, particularly in metropolitan areas. By promoting trail development as part of local, regional, and national Active Transportation planning, RTC is committed to enhancing the health of America’s environment, transportation, economy, and neighborhoods.
1Sky is solely dedicated toward shifting federal policy toward the prosperity of a sustainable clean energy economy. It is the largest collaborative climate and energy campaign in the United States.
Green America is a national organization that creates socially just and environmentally sustainable programs and resources that help mobilize consumers, investors, and businesses toward a greener economy. They actively combat corporate irresponsibility and work to build sustainable communities in the U.S. and abroad.
Every little bit helps, and I thank you in advance for considering a donation to this critical cause. If you cannot make a donation yourself but think you know someone who can, please consider sharing this blog post.
And if you haven’t seen Gasland yet, search it out. It’s the best movie I’ve seen this year. Here’s the trailer: