National Sustainability Monthly Holidays
Endorsements for the Monthly Holidays
Green Megatrends presents 12 of the top sustainability and renewable energy trends to help planet Earth. By consulting with top environmentalists and associations, we were able to determine the best month to celebrate each category. Focusing on one category each month can help bring great publicity to that category.
Green Megatrends is based upon 5 top reports, supported by over 50 articles written within the last 2 years, that examine the holistic approach needed to help reduce climate change. The reports emphasize the need to include all categories for renewable energy to help make a difference.
One month for each category will demonstrate the holistic approach needed to help reduce climate change. If environmentalists support not only their category but the aspiration of all the categories, it could inspire the American public to strongly request and implement more sustainable practices in the USA.
Supporting each other is like E Pluribus Unum found on the Great Seal of the United States; “Out of Many, One.”
On the Great Seal of the United States an Eagle is holding 13 arrows, representing the 13 colonies. This image was inspired by a Native American legend. One arrow can be easily broken. However, many arrows bundled together are difficult to break.
The National Sustainability Association® is a 501(c)3 public charity, whose activities include National Environmental Hall of Fame®, Green Megatrends™, National Green Museum® and National Green Museum® Exhibition.
The 12 Green Megatrends naturally fall under 12 months.
We received input and endorsements from top environmental associations and environmentalists before creating the National Sustainability Monthly Holidays. Please see Endorsements.
January
National Renewable Energy Month
Including Renewable Energy Planning
When businesses and individuals are making their New Year pledges, it’s an ideal time to plan the year for their renewable energy needs.
February
National Sustainable Cities Month
Including Community Renewable Energy
The Kyoto Agreement was signed February 16, 2007. This was the date the US Climate Mayor’s Agreement started, which now has over 1,000 participating cities.
March
National Sustainable Agriculture and Forests Month
National Geothermal Energy Month
The first planting is a good time to launch Sustainable Agriculture and Forests Month. Agriculture and forestry combined is referred to as Agroforestry (please see definition in Wikipedia).
Many technologies have been developed to take advantage of Geothermal Energy — the heat from the earth. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) performs research to develop and advance technologies for the following geothermal applications: Geothermal Electricity Production (Generating electricity from the earth’s heat); Geothermal Direct Use (Producing heat directly from hot water within the earth); Geothermal Heat Pumps (Using the shallow ground to heat and cool buildings).
April
National Climate Change Awareness Month
National Water Conservation Month
Earth Month is the ideal time to have Climate Change Awareness Month.
Florida has adopted April as Water Conservation Month.
May
National Wind Energy Month
Including Large and Small Wind Energy
The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) has its annual convention in May, a very windy month.
June
National Solar Energy Month
Including PV and Quantum Processes
Solar Energy is a twin to wind energy, which is why they are back to back. The days are longest and the sun is at its highest apex in June. June 18 is International Solar Energy Day.
Photovoltaic (PV) refers to solar energy on homes, buildings and small-scale solar farms. Wikipedia says quantum dot solar cells are an emerging field in solar cell research that uses quantum dots as the photovoltaic material.
July
National Green Transportation Month
National Energy Independence Month
Including Sustainable Biofuels
Energy efficiency is the twin pillar of renewable energy, therefore, we have reserved three months for energy efficiency; July, September and October.
Green Transportation includes energy efficiency in all modes of transportation.
$500 Billion a year in the USA goes to importing foreign oil, which fuels our transportation. Having Energy Independence Month in July will naturally be tied in with July 4 Independence Day. Independence from foreign oil would naturally include Green Transportation.
Sustainable Biofuels refers to fuels from non-food cellulosic biomass and algae.
August
National Water Quality Month
National Hydropower Month
Water quality includes oceans (which cover most of the planet and are acidifying and being trashed and trawled), lakes, rivers, the water table and all water bodies large and small.
The EPA has declared August to be National Water Quality Month.
Water concerns are most problematic in the month of August. Problems in Darfur and Yemen have originated from water quality and scarcity. According to Lester R. Brown, author of Plan B, water tables in the Middle East and throughout the world are in great jeopardy. Droughts in the southwestern US have created the largest fires ever recorded in Arizona and Texas in 2011.
According to Wikipedia, hydropower encompasses hydroelectricity and marine energy. Marine current power captures the kinetic energy from marine currents.
September
National Green Business and Buildings Month
National Sustainable Buildings Month
Including Energy Efficiency in Buildings
Energy efficiency is the twin pillar of renewable energy, therefore, we have reserved three months for energy efficiency; July, September and October.
Labor Day honors workers so it seems a good fit. Business owners are most receptive to making changes in their sustainability. We want to include green buildings in green business certification.
“Buildings in the U.S. alone consume approximately 40% of all energy, and within buildings, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems account for approximately 35% of energy use.” Quote from American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).
Businesses and buildings go together. Because this is so important to the USA’s energy needs, there has been a request from the building industry that we have a separate month just for buildings.
October
National Green Homes and Schools Month
National Sustainable Education Month
Including Energy Efficiency in Homes and Schools
Energy efficiency is the twin pillar of renewable energy, therefore, we have reserved three months for energy efficiency; July, September and October.
A thousand energy efficient homes is the equivalent energy savings of one large wind turbine.
Students start participating in school environmental clubs in October. However, we want to provide an opportunity for all students. They could help participate in Tier 1 level of energy efficiency for homes and schools.
November
National Environmental Stewardship Month
Including Species Preservation and Pollution Mitigation
Included will be:
1) Oceans (which cover most of the planet and are acidifying and being trashed and trawled);
2) Endangered species (extinction is forever);
3) Toxic pollutants; etc.
The month for Thanksgiving is the ideal time to show our gratitude and be an environmental steward for planet Earth.
December
National Green Giving Month
The month of giving to others is the ideal time to replace energy inefficient products with energy efficient products.