Environment

Earth’s Natural Force Rangers Show Kids Benefit of Protecting the Environment

WASHINGTON INFORMER — ENF reaches out to children between the ages of 5-12 through school and community performances, television broadcasts, and social media promotion. But be clear, there is plenty of Ranger work to be done, both in front of and behind the scenes.

Published

6 years ago

April 22, 2019

Lee Ross and Shantella Y. Sherman Special to The Informer

By Lee Ross and Shantella Y. Sherman

When Xavier Myles first saw the dance moves and uniforms of Earth’s Natural Force (ENF) Rangers, during an environmental program last year, the 7-year-old Northeast resident could hardly contain himself. Xavier’s mother said her son was so concerned about environmental abuses that he had single-handedly convinced the family to adopt recycling and neighborhood clean-up activities at home and in local parks.

“ENF Rangers made him feel right at home for loving the environment and wanting to preserve the wonderful greenery around our city,” Elaine Myles, Xavier’s mother told the Informer. “It is important to have environmentally-conscious young kids, especially African Americans, from your neighborhood, working towards a shared goal, especially when so many environmental issues disproportionately impact people of color.”

Myles’ enthusiasm demonstrates the power and reach of ENF’s mission to teach youth at very young ages and encourage them to take responsibility for the care and protection of the environment.

Raina Coleman, an ENF Ranger, has been with the organization since 2013. Now a freshman in high school, Coleman plays on the girls basketball team, is a visual artist, and a talented performer with the Rangers.

“Being an ENF Ranger helped me learn more about the environment and why it’s important to do things now before it’s too late,” Coleman said. “I have asthma and allergies and so I think we do a good job of teaching kids that the Earth wasn’t always like this and it’s up to us kids to take care of it now so there won’t be any more children being born with asthma and allergies.”

Coleman said that kids have the power to change the world, and with the right tools, they will be become the next line of defense against negative environmental changes.

ENF reaches out to children between the ages of 5-12 through school and community performances, television broadcasts, and social media promotion. But be clear, there is plenty of Ranger work to be done, both in front of and behind the scenes.

“I love performing in front of little kids because it’s really, cool to see them dancing along to our songs,” Coleman told The Informer. “We practice for weeks just for an hour-long show. It’s fun, but a lot of work. I’ve been performing with the Rangers since I was eight and believe it makes a tremendous impact on other young people.”

ENF encourages youth to stop littering, recycle trash and offers them an alternative way of looking at the world around them. They become, in essence, protectors and defenders of the natural world around them and what they call, their fellow “Earth-Mates.”

“We really want to impress upon schools and family participants the importance of doing their small part to save the planet – as small efforts turn into large movements,” ENF Founder and CEO, Allen C. Burriss said. “We’ve incorporated fun, games, and environmental displays and presentations into the day and we are sure it will have a phenomenal impact on attendees. We want our young people to understand they can be a force for good and they have the power to save the planet by being responsible citizens of the Earth.”

This article originally appeared in the Washington Informer.

Lee Ross and Shantella Y. Sherman Special to The Informer

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Alameda County

Electric UPS Delivery Fleet Coming to Oakland, Richmond, and SF

The project will replace the current Class 6 UPS delivery trucks with ZE battery electric vehicles. It will also install chargers at the Bay Area logistics centers. In total, 40 vehicles and chargers are coming to the facility near Oakland, another 10 in San Francisco and 10 more in Richmond.

Published

4 days ago

December 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Photo courtesy of the Port of Oakland.

The Richmond Standard

A total of 60 UPS delivery trucks serving logistics centers in Oakland, Richmond, and San Francisco will be replaced with electric versions as part of a partnership between the delivery business and the Port of Oakland.

The Port will use a newly announced award of $10.5 million in Environmental Protection Agency grants and $5 million from UPS to advance the fleet conversion.

The project will replace Class 6 UPS delivery trucks with ZE battery electric vehicles. It will also install chargers at the Bay Area logistics centers. In total, 40 vehicles and chargers are coming to the facility near Oakland, another 10 in San Francisco, and 10 more in Richmond.

The project will feature opportunities for green career pathways through workforce development and training.

“The Port of Oakland is grateful for additional investments to transition freight equipment and infrastructure to zero emissions,” Colleen Liang, the Port’s director of environmental programs and planning.

Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez said the “bold investment” will curb pollution, protect public health and provide good-paying green jobs.

“The City of Richmond welcomes this bold EPA investment in zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles,” Martinez said in a statement.

For more information, see the 2024 EPA Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle Grant Project.

Oakland Post

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California Black Media

Gov. Newsom Goes to Washington to Advocate for California Priorities

Gov. Gavin Newsom traveled to Washington, D.C., for meetings with senior Biden-Harris Administration officials and members of California’s congressional delegation. During the week, he pushed for increased resources to improve public safety and quality of life in California.

Published

1 month ago

November 26, 2024

Oakland Post

Gov. Newsom visits the White House on Nov. 14. Photo courtesy of Gov.Ca. Gov

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Gov. Gavin Newsom traveled to Washington, D.C., for meetings with senior Biden-Harris Administration officials and members of California’s congressional delegation.

During the week, he pushed for increased resources to improve public safety and quality of life in California.

“California is continuing our work to secure additional tools and resources to improve access to health care, clean air and water, and secure critical funding to support communities recovering from disasters,” said Newsom.

At the White House, Newsom met with President Joe Biden and key officials, advocating for disaster relief funding, healthcare expansion, and environmental protection. He also engaged in discussions with senior Biden-Harris officials, including Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, to address water quality improvements and the San Luis Dam project, which will support water supplies for two million Californians.

“Building on our strong partnership with the Biden-Harris Administration, California is working closely with the White House over the next two months to deliver the critical protections and resources our communities need,” Newsom said.

On Capitol Hill, Newsom met with California Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, along with other Congressional leaders, to emphasize the need to approve pending disaster funding, healthcare programs, and environmental protections. He also previewed California’s upcoming special session to proactively address potential federal challenges when President-elect Donald Trump is sworn into office.

Newsom’s discussions also focused on securing Medicaid waivers from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to enhance behavioral health services and reduce homelessness. The state seeks approval for the BH-CONNECT waiver, which would address behavioral health and homelessness, and the MCO Tax Waiver, which would provide over $20 billion for Medi-Cal to improve healthcare access.

Additionally, California is pushing for Clean Air Act waivers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which are crucial for enforcing air quality regulations. These measures are projected to prevent 11,000 premature deaths and provide $116 billion in health benefits over the next three decades, according to the Governor’s office.

Oakland Post

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Activism

LIVE! — TOWN HALL ON RACISM AND ITS IMPACT — THURS. 11.14.24 5PM PST

Join us for a LIVE Virtual Town Hall on the Impact of Racism hosted by Post News Group Journalist Carla Thomas and featuring Oakland, CA NAACP President Cynthia Adams & other Special Guests.
Thursday, November 14, 2024, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. PST

Published

2 months ago

November 12, 2024

Oakland Post

Discussion Topics:
• Since the pandemic, what battles have the NAACP fought nationally, and how have they impacted us locally?
• What trends are you seeing concerning Racism? Is it more covert or overt?
• What are the top 5 issues resulting from racism in our communities?
• How do racial and other types of discrimination impact local communities?
• What are the most effective ways our community can combat racism and hate?

Your questions and comments will be shared LIVE with the moderators and viewers during the broadcast.

STREAMED LIVE!
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