This Month: > Renew Virginia > Help Engage Children on the Issue of Climate Change > A Look at Prospects for Federal Action in 2009 > Upcoming Events > Renew Virginia Taking action on his promise to make 2009 the year of the environment, Governor Tim Kaine announced details of his Renew Virginia initiative on December 11th. With Secretary of Commerce and Trade Patrick Gottschalk as the lead, an Interagency Task Force for Energy Project Recruitment will work with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership to produce thousands more renewable energy-related jobs in Virginia by 2025. The task force will include state agencies, university research centers, and federal laboratories based in Virginia. Kaine unveiled on December 30th plans to distribute $500,000 toward the preservation of farmland within 11 communities in Virginia as part of the yearlong Renew Virginia program. Kaine is expected to announce legislative recommendations shortly. At VCI, we are thrilled that Virginia continues to offer leadership to move our country forward. We hope that our congressional leaders will follow Governor Kaine's efforts and enact cap and trade legislation which will further encourage green jobs and address climate change. > Help Engage Children on the Issue of Climate Change Future generations will undoubtedly inherit the task of combating climate change and working to achieve greater energy efficiency. It only makes sense then to engage children on the issues now. Nickelodeon is doing just that in its "The Big Green Help Global Challenge." The Challenge, which launched December 14th, is designed to help kids learn about the environment while having a bit of fun. In addition to online multiplayer games, the site includes daily green tips and a quiz. > A Look at Prospects for Federal Action in 2009 Happy New Year from all of us at VCI! With President-elect Barack Obama promising a "new chapter" on climate change, 2009 is poised to be an active year for climate change issues at the federal level. The year will wrap up with an international conference in Copenhagen in December where world leaders will negotiate a new treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol. We promise to keep you up-to-date on all climate change and energy related issues throughout year. Watch President-elect Obama's vision for the environment and read about Environmental Defense Fund President Fred Krupp's reaction. > Upcoming Events VCN Conservation Lobby Day        January 19, Richmond: Centenary Methodist Church CBF Rally for Clean Water        January 26, Richmond: Virginia State Capitol Making Green by Going Green        January 30-31, Richmond: Marriott Hotel Climate Change and its Impact on Northern Virginia        March 11, Alexandria: Huntley Meadows Park Visitor Center Ecosystem Services: Marketing Environmental Solutions        March 12-13, Charlottesville: Omni Hotel 20th Annual Environment Virginia Symposium        March 31-April 2, Lexington: Virginia Military Institute

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