OntheWilderSide

Kimberly writes:

Don Hassig–a green activist, who enjoys celebrating nature through poetry, art and dance–will be performing an environmental dance at the State University of New York, Oswego on Monday, August 24, 2009.

I have known Don Hassig for many years. I think of Don as a citizen, philosopher-scientist for environmental health. He has a wonderful spirit, and a beautiful commitment to connecting to nature. Don opened my eyes to his simple, yet mind-expanding theory, that government agencies should do more to educate people about how to best avoid pollution and chemicals in their everyday lives. (Did you know that you should teach young children NOT to touch the outside of a car?) Don’s focus for this performance will be on celebrating the Open Fire ban, and hoping that it will be enforced in the most healthy and beneficial way possible.

An Environmental Dance Performance and News Conference in Celebration of Healthful Air, Activism, and Good New York State Government

Monday, August 24, 2:00 pm

State University of New York (SUNY) Oswego’s Tyler Art Gallery; lobby of North Gallery

During the first days of September the New York State Environmental Board will be considering Part 215, Open Fires.  Following approval by the Board the new regulation will be posted in the Environmental Notice Bulletin.  Thirty days from the date of this posting the burning ban will take full effect.

The NYS DEC statewide ban on open waste burning is a work of good government.  It is the reasonable action of those who are knowledgeable regarding the damages to health caused by open waste fire dioxins and dioxin-like compounds.  Educating all state residents upon these matters can be accomplished by a joint effort of community groups and government.  We are hopeful that NYS DEC will follow the establishment of the burning ban with the creation of an education program that adequately funds such an endeavor.

“When Part 215, Open Fires goes into effect (estimated finalization October 2009) New York State will have a wonderful opportunity to move strongly toward the elimination of open waste burning.  Those that see the trash burning and smell the plastic fumes will soon have a powerful pollution prevention tool.  I believe that New Yorkers love the Earth enough and are strong enough to make full use of this soon to be born ban.  My dancing is the strengthening of this belief.”-Don Hassig, Director, Cancer Action NY and Cancer Action Network

We have learned a great deal about dioxin exposure and cancer risk during the past decade.  The elimination of open waste burning will depend to a large extent upon how effectively education and ban enforcement are conducted.  Public education on dioxin exposure cancer risk is a critical element of eliminating the open waste burning dioxin source.  “It is truly wonderful how learning, education and change are an ever expanding, ever circling thing.  This is what I will be dancing.”

For further information:  Don Hassig, Cancer Action NY and Cancer Action Network; 315.262.2456; www.canceractionny.org

Donald L. Hassig, Director
Cancer Action NY
www.canceractionny.org

Filed under: activism, Ecology, Environment, green, nature, New York State Politics, News, progressive politics Tagged: | cancer, cancer prevention, dance, dioxins, Don Hassig, Ecology, Environment, healthy air, modern dance, new york, NY State DEC, open burning, open fires, open waste burning, Part 215, Part 215 Open Fires, plastics, pollution, SUNY Oswego