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LETTER FROM FOUNDER
 Dear Cool the Earth Community,
I'm not sure about you, but I am definitely not in the mood. Not in the mood to go about my usual day. Not in the mood to think about climate change or politics. Not in the mood to write this newsletter.
The devastation and loss of life and property from "Frankenstorm" are overwhelming. Add to these the emotional and psychological tolls, as well. Years ago I lived through a "mild" hurricane in New York. The howl of the wind, the cracking sounds of trees, the hurling objects hitting the house are nothing less than terrifying. And then there's the absolute darkness.
What if you are a child? A parent trying to reassure your child, all the while knowing you're unsure yourself? An elderly person living alone?
I am filled with sadness, and a healthy dose of anger.
Business as usual? Not a peep about climate change from the moderator or the President or the town hall folks during the debates? Yes, one storm cannot be attributed to climate change. But three storms in two years? Sandy behaved exactly as climate scientists have projected.
I've seen enough to be more than convinced. I wonder if Sandy, a set of storms on steroids, will be a call to action?
Our actions must first support the relief efforts. Next, we must make our voices heard on election day.
Vote climate change. Join a phone bank. Go door to door. Get out the vote.
CARLEEN CULLEN
Founder and Executive Director
Cool the Earth
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT:
Deb Ross from Louise Van Meter Elementary School in Los Gatos, CA
 Deb Ross is the dynamo behind the highly successful Cool the Earth program at Louise Van Meter Elementary School in Los Gatos, CA, which completed its second year of CTE this fall. This mom of 2 boys, Sam (5th grade) and George (3rd grade), appreciated that CTE provided most of the elements necessary to run the program. She and a great team of parents gave their energy and creativity to make the program even more fun and engaging for the students and this year they exceeded their goal of 2000 actions.
After running the program last year, she worked with some other parents, including Clair Peszynski who has production experience, to create a fabulous video where the Green Team students presented a news cast about the CTE program at their school. They showed the video at a local "Green Summit" in their area last spring, and then kick-started the CTE program this year by showing the video to the whole student body-which really got them revved up! When it came time to put on the assembly, Deb jumped right in, put a polar bear head on, and played the role of Koda along with some other Green Team parents. (She now gets recognized around town by kids who are fans.)
She and her team came up with a creative incentive for turning in action coupons: each week of the program, they drew two coupons from their coupon collection box, and the lucky winners will get to go on a field trip to tour the local landfill and compost facility. A supportive principal and teachers assure that the program gets plenty of attention. The principal, Mrs. Adona, even offered to make weekly announcements for the rest of the year to remind the students about each coupon in this year's coupon book, so although the coupon collection has wrapped up for the year, they'll be encouraged to keep taking action.
Deb believes that the habits the kids are learning through CTE help support the school's other green efforts, like recycling and composting, and that it's important to establish these habits early so they become second nature by the time the kids get to middle school. |
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 TIP OF THE MONTH Commit to vote against anyone who denies climate science or who expresses doubt that attacking global warming is an urgent priority. The League of Conservation Voters maintains a useful scorecard of our Representatives and Senators' votes on the environment |
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THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS
We're thankful to our many partners and supporters who have enabled Cool the Earth to grow and reach the milestone of reducing over 170 million lbs of carbon.
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SUPPORT COOL THE EARTH
Cool the Earth engages kids and their families in climate change solutions, by increasing awareness about global warming, and inspiring people to take simple actions to reduce their carbon emissions. You can share in our commitment to inspire and empower kids and families to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through a one time or reoccurring monthly donation. For more information or to support our programs visit cooltheearth.
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 Total Actions 246,070
 Total Carbon 172,935,145 lbs
 Total Schools 383
 Total Students 94,938
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Sungevity Solar Home Specialists
Cool the Earth is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity with our solar partner, Sungevity.
Sungevity offers an affordable way to go solar with no money down and low monthly payments. When you lease solar panels for your home, Sungevity will give you $1,000 and Cool the Earth $500. Cool the Earth will donate $500 of that to a participating school of your choice!
- Zero $$ down solar lease
- Performance guarantee - so you know what to expect
- All red tape managed for you
- System maintenance & upgrades
Get your free iQuote Today!
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 | | Cool the Earth: Climate Change Assembly Program |
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