Environmental Stewardship Award presented to Kutztown activist Karen Feridun
Environmental Stewardship Award presented to Kutztown activist Karen Feridun Reading Eagle
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Kutztown Borough’s Environmental Advisory Commission Presents Environmental Stewardship Award
The Kutztown Borough’s Environmental Advisory Commission (EAC) recently awarded Karen Feridun with the 2023 Environmental Stewardship Award for her ongoing contributions to environmental issues in and beyond the borough.
Recognition of Environmental Advocacy
The Environmental Stewardship Award is given by the Kutztown EAC to individuals or groups who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to preserving and promoting the environment of Kutztown.
In their announcement of the award, the Kutztown EAC stated, “Over the years, she has grown into an experienced, talented, and tireless environmental advocate who has helped the Kutztown community be better informed and more direct in efforts to protect both natural resources and families.”
Karen Feridun’s work encompasses a wide range of environmental activities, all focused on opposing threats to the natural and human environment, supporting clean and renewable energy, and raising awareness of climate change issues. Her efforts have a direct and indirect impact on Kutztown, Pennsylvania, and beyond.
The award was presented to Feridun by Kutztown EAC members Todd Underwood and Randall Wert during the Kutztown Borough Council meeting on August 15.
In response to receiving the award, Feridun expressed her gratitude and appreciation for the support she has received from her community’s government.
Environmental Activism and Achievements
Feridun’s environmental activism has spanned various areas and achieved notable successes. Some highlights of her work include:
- Coordinating collaboration between the Kutztown Planning Commission and the Environmental Advisory Commission to draft an Alternative Energy Plan for the borough, which was approved in 2011.
- Serving as the principal editor of the borough’s current Comprehensive Plan in 2012.
- Organizing a rain barrel workshop and screening a documentary about a controversial offshore wind farm as part of Earth Day activities in 2012.
- Leading a petition drive in 2016 to pressure the Department of Environmental Protection to hold a public meeting regarding a quarry’s request to revise its dewatering permit.
- Lobbying against the Water Accountability Act in 2021 to protect Kutztown’s water supply and resources in other small municipalities.
- Opposing hydraulic fracking in Pennsylvania and raising awareness of the public health dangers associated with the process.
- Banning the use of fracking wastewater brine as a dust suppressant and winter road treatment in Kutztown in 2022.
Community Involvement and Leadership
Beyond her work in Kutztown, Feridun has been actively involved in various organizations and initiatives:
- In 2010, she founded Berks Gas Truth, a grassroots community organization fighting to ban fracking and all shale gas infrastructure.
- In 2018, she co-founded and currently leads the Better Path Coalition, a statewide group advocating for clean renewable energy and responsive government.
- In 2019, she collaborated with representatives of Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Center for Coalfield Justice to initiate state studies on the health impacts of fracking.
- In 2021, she created and served as the lead organizer of the Pennsylvania Climate Convergence, a network of over 80 organizations advocating for climate action.
- She has served on the boards of the Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Association and the Berks Solid Waste Authority.
- She co-founded the United Sludge Free Alliance, an organization fighting the application of sewage sludge in Berks County.
- Feridun has also been involved in local politics, serving as the president of the Kutztown Democratic Club and representing Kutztown’s 2nd precinct on the Berks County Democratic Committee.
Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals
Karen Feridun’s environmental advocacy aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – Feridun’s support for clean and renewable energy contributes to the goal of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – Her efforts to raise awareness of climate change issues and push for government action align with the goal of taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
- SDG 15: Life on Land – Feridun’s opposition to fracking and her work to protect natural resources contribute to the goal of protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – Her advocacy for environmental protection and government accountability supports the goal of promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
Call to Action
Karen Feridun encourages individuals to get involved in protecting the environment and to support organizations like the Kutztown EAC. She emphasizes the importance of taking a stand and asking for what you want in order to drive meaningful change.
In conclusion, Feridun’s dedication to environmental advocacy and her significant contributions to the Kutztown community and beyond make her a deserving recipient of the Environmental Stewardship Award. Her work aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals and serves as an inspiration for others to take action for a sustainable future.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 15: Life on Land
The article discusses various environmental issues, including the protection of natural resources, clean and renewable energy, climate change awareness, and opposition to fracking. These issues are connected to the Sustainable Development Goals mentioned above.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.
- SDG 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
- SDG 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
- SDG 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.
- SDG 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.
These targets are relevant to the issues discussed in the article, such as improving water quality, increasing renewable energy use, reducing environmental impact of cities, raising awareness on climate change, and promoting conservation and sustainable use of ecosystems.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for SDG 6.3: Proportion of wastewater safely treated
- Indicator for SDG 7.2: Share of renewable energy in the total final energy consumption
- Indicator for SDG 11.6: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g. PM2.5) in cities
- Indicator for SDG 13.3: Number of countries that have communicated the strengthening of institutional, systemic and individual capacity-building to implement adaptation, mitigation and technology transfer
- Indicator for SDG 15.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area
These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. They provide specific metrics to assess the achievement of each target.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally. | Proportion of wastewater safely treated |
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. | Share of renewable energy in the total final energy consumption |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. | Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g. PM2.5) in cities |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning. | Number of countries that have communicated the strengthening of institutional, systemic and individual capacity-building to implement adaptation, mitigation and technology transfer |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements. | Forest area as a proportion of total land area |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: readingeagle.com
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