By: Colleen Heenan
Around this time of year I start to reminisce and think of people who are really important to me and things in my community that I am really thankful for. When it comes to the environment; we don’t always feel good about our achievements or impacts we personally make on it. Since I can sometimes feel intimidated, or overwhelmed by the seeming lack of progression, I thought I should try to be thankful for the achievements I have made on an everyday level.
I am so thankful that environmentalism is currently en-vogue. You can find clothing, shoes, reusable bag and many other fashionable products that are made out of eco-friendly products and produced in a sustainable way. By trying to buy things that are made sustainable with safe ingredients we are pushing for a new industry to a less elite crowd. There are other things I do that make me feel good when shopping. Shopping locally, when one can afford it. By buying from local venders you are helping your own economy. Also shop at thrift stores or consignment shops, you find plenty of nice cloths for a great bargain.
I am thankful for reusable bag credits, even though it is very minimal, I feel that I am setting a good example for others and reducing a demand for the disposable bags. Reusable bags get more use then just at the grocery store or farmers market, I use mine for a tote bag, or an overnight bag. They are my best tool and I am so thankful for them.
I am thankful for glass jars. I reuse my glass jars for everything. I put my dinner leftovers in them and bring them to work the next day and reheat the food in the jar (minus the lid). They are a much safer choice to store and reheat my food in verse the plastic Tupperware containers. I fill my excess dry rice and grains in jars and display them on my stove for both décor and convenience. I use them as change and pen holders. I also use them for candle holders. They are reusable before they can be recycled and I am so thankful for them.
I am thankful for baking soda and vinegar mixtures. This mixture cleans anything and everything from your bathroom tub to your carpet. As a natural disinfected and odor neutralizer and is the best new multipurpose cleaner choice. They are both cheap and easy to find at every grocery store. I am thankful for a clean house that is not filled with volatile chemicals.
I am thankful for my year-round farmers market. This is not always an option for everyone and there is not always produce offered year round. At the particular farmers markets I go to sells local breads, dairy, cheeses and meats. You can also find local honeys, jams and other canned goods (without the work). Another nice thing about the market is local vendors, which make jewelry and knitwear, are out selling their hand-made products –which can make great presents for people you are thankful for. I am thankful these vendors brave the cold all winter long, so I can reap local benefits year round.
I think this time of year we become very unselfish and focus on others. I just want to remind people to be thankful to them-selves for being ecologically conscious and remember that it also benefits the ones we are thankful for. Thanks for Reading!
I am Thankful for…
Green Flying
By: Sandra Stoner
As I packed and got things ready for my upcoming Thanksgiving weekend trip to Germany, I started thinking about how environmentally unfriendly airplanes are. We are told often that planes are the worse mode of transportation with regards to the environment, and yet here I was, a self-proclaimed environmentalist, planning a trip that used an airplane for over 8000 miles.
It has been documented that for every mile of air travel, a plane releases .97 pounds of CO2 emissions per passenger. This is beat only by sports utility vehicles and the average car being driven by a solo driver. Using this information I calculated that my trip to Nuremberg will make me personally responsible for releasing roughly 3,880 pounds of CO2 emissions each way!
It is no surprise then that the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimated that airplanes are responsible for 3.5% of global warming, and that by 2050 they could be responsible for up to 15%.
Scary statistics, huh? Too bad they aren’t stopping me, or over 750 million other US passengers, from flying every year. I know- it’s just so convenient to leave Chicago at 4 in the afternoon and be in Harrisburg, PA with my family eating dinner at 7. Not to mention it would be awfully difficult to get to Germany if I didn’t take the plunge and fly.
So after thinking this all through, I decided to change direction and try to discover just what the airline industry is doing to green their approach. Here is what I found:
Continental Airlines has replaced most of their fleet with more environmentally friendly planes. As a result, they are 35% more fuel efficient for passenger miles than they were in 1997. They also have reduced their ground emissions by 75% by using electric-powered equipment. Lastly, they are part of LEEDS, which is dedicated to environmentally friendly buildings.
In 2007 Lufthansa had reduced CO2 emissions by 30.3% below 1991 levels. The company also has an environmental strategy with many set goals and targets to reach.
Virgin Atlantic has already completed a flight using biofuel. Even more inspiring, since 2006 the company has used all of its profits to research and develop alternative fuels.
These are just a few airlines that stand out in terms of environmental research, but it appears as if most of them are trying to do their part. Even more exciting, just a few days ago (Nov. 19th, 2008), MIT won a contract to “design quiet, more energy efficient, and more environmentally friendly commercial airplanes” from NASA. So hopefully that UN prediction that airplanes will be responsible for 15% of CO2 emissions by 2050 will be wrong!
Green Packaging
By: Anikka Wattnem
I recently logged on to Amazon to check their price on an item and was suprized to find a message stating that they are working with manufacturers to reduce packaging. I was immediately elated! I forwarded the information to a friend who replied “That’s great but it won’t work everywhere”. His point was that most of the packaging is for display in the store. And it’s true innovative packinging does seem to draw my attention to a product. And any parent will tell you that toys are packaged so that the kids see and want everything on the shelf.
The EPA is having a conversation about the issue of overpackaging on its blog (http://blog.epa.gov/blog/2008/11/10/qotw-overpackaging/). The FTC apparently had a public workshop about claims of green packaging in April. There’s even a sustainasble packaging coalition. http://www.greenblue.org/activities_spc.html. A quick search on the Internet returned MILLIONS of pages about green packaging.
The issue seems to be clearly identified and hardly controversial. So how can we make it clear to manufacturers that less packaging is better? We can always put our money where our mouth is and buy products with less packaging. Or not use “optional” packaging such as plastic bags in the produce section. And there is certainly a movement towards using your own shopping bags in stores. You can write to manufacturers, but who knows if the right person will get the message.
My ideas to reduce your own packaging waste:
1. Reuse shipping materials such as boxes, “peanuts” and bubble wrap. You can even recycle buble envelopes if you open them carefully enough to be able seal them with tape.
2. Buy food in bulk and then repackage the items in reusualbe containers.
select packaging that is recycleable or ideally reusable by you
3. Buy from places that sell in flat packaging (these items often require assembaly)
Ultimately what most of us can really only control our own actions and influence those around us. Hopefully manufacturers will catch on!
Along for the Ride?
By: Megan McLaughlin
Public transportation; the most underused, underrated form of transportation? In some cities, public transportation seems to be lacking. For example, according to Wikitravel, “Residents of Los Angeles County spend an estimated 4 days of each year stuck in traffic.” Although public transportation may not be lacking in every city, you may wonder why it is not used more frequently. In the United States alone, “The vast majority of passenger travel occurs by automobile for shorter distances.” However, thanks to the rising cost of fuel (if that’s something to be thankful for), more people are turning to public transportation as a way to save. Fortunately, sites like http://www.publictransportation.org/ and organizations like APTA (American Public Transportation Association) are looking to encourage and support a wider use of public transportation in the U.S.
Not all of the news about public transportation is bad news. According to PublicTransportation.org, “In 2007, Americans took 10.3 billion trips on public transportation – the highest ridership level in 50 years.” Perhaps people are starting to face the facts; “Each year, public transportation use in the U.S. saves 1.4 billion gallons of gasoline.”
In an article found on APTA’s website, according to the National Business Coalition for Rapid Transit, “The public clearly values public transit: in the last five years, transit use has risen 21 percent.” The benefits of public transportation have become clear to the American people and with gas costs, it has become a necessity.
We can only hope that organizations like APTA and public information presented by sites like PublicTransportation.org will continue to aid in the overall encouragement to use public transportation in the United States. For now, it seems as though widespread use of public transportation is on the rise and most Americans can find a reason to ride instead of drive.
The Art of Composting
By: Anikka Wattnem
I have always been interested in composting and I recently decided that there’s no time better then the present to start. So I started doing research on composting and felt immediately like I had hit a wall.
Problem(s): Composts need to be warm and so that is part of the reason you are suppose to turn them frequently. Unfortunately I live in the Midwest, hours away from the Canadian border and winters here are very cold. I don’t have a garage and I would be concerned about the smell of having a compost in my basement. Insulated containers probably wouldn’t be enough to withstand the coldest of days and I worry that it would render my work useless. Plus containers intended for composting are expensive and just like many young people I don’t have a lot of money for things that aren’t necessities.
Another worry of mine is that in our house we don’t have a lot of food waste so I am not sure there is enough to compost on our own. I also worried about separating what I could and could not compost. That seems like a tricky task especially if we have guests. While I like to teach people new things I don’t want to be scolding people or digging foods out of the wrong container. You are also supposed to add yard waste but we live on a small lot. Much to our dismay there aren’t any trees so we don’t have leaves to rake up and throw in.
My solution: The city I work in has a composting program. On their site they list what items you can compost. They give the names of stores where you can buy compostable bags. And when you drop off a bag they will give you a bag. They do all the work of maintaining the compost piles and then sell it for a reasonable amount. They have numerous locations for drop off – some are restraunts that participate and accept compost bags when they are open. So although I live miles away there’s bound to be a drop off site near where I am going.
Frankly, I see myself going this route out of mostly convenience. The only cost will be some compostable bags and maybe some sort of sealable container to keep the scraps in. The process is relatively simple and they accept pretty much all food scraps. Everything is straightforward and I know I can call them with questions. I am excited that I have found a way to do something sustainable with little impact on my daily life.
Dry Cleaning vs. Green Cleaning
By: Colleen Heenan
Since moving to a metropolitan area I have witnessed many things that I only read about while living in the Midwest. One thing is the phenomenon of “green dry cleaning.” I was curious to find out just exactly what this means and if it is an industry worth supporting.
Traditional dry-cleaning, as we all know, is terrible for both humans and their environment. One of the main chemicals found in about 85 percent of all solvents used for dry-cleaning is called perchloroethylene, also known as “perc.” Perc has been identified by the EPA as a possible carcinogen and central nervous system depressant. It also pollutes the air and water and may cause holes in the ozone layer.
Since perc is harmful to both the environment and the people who reside in the same buildings as dry-cleaning businesses, the EPA has called for a ban of perc being used in buildings were people reside. Though, they have claimed little evidence has been linked to acute or chronic problems in humans by wearing these dry cleaned garments.
The new generations of dry-cleaners claiming to be “green” or “organic” are popping up everywhere. This would be good news if there were regulations in labeling a business as “green” or “organic.” There are no regulations on how you can advertise your dry-cleaning practices. For example, any product labeled as “organic” uses chemicals that have a chain of carbon, by definition, as their main ingredient. This being the case for a new solvent being produced and labeled as “organic”, known as DF-2000, which is a petroleum-based product that releases smog, generated by volatile organic compounds.
Another product being used at some “green-cleaners,” is called G5, a form of liquid silicon. Even though G5 practically breaks down to sand, to activate the silicone chemical the use of chlorine is needed. This combination has been shown to produce cancer in female lab rats as well as produce pollutants known as dioxins.
So far, evidence to a process called “wet-cleaning” using liquid carbon dioxide, is known as the safest method of cleaning delicate garments. The process involves using water and biodegradable detergents in a controlled environment where pH and agitation is highly regulated. The EPA has claims this method as a very effective medium when using a detergent.
The best way to ensure your being as green as possible is to ask your cleaners about their process and possibly search for a “wet-cleaner” near your home (perhaps walking distance). If you want to take the next step in your trips to your local cleaner, you can bring your own garment bags, reuse your old ones, or just opt out. Also, the reuse of your hangers, or swapping of yours from their hangers helps to reduce the demand or use of the disposable hangers. Green actions from clients create a demand for green businesses.
For more information check out: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/07/AR2008080702759.html
Emerald Cities
By: Megan McLaughlin
Let’s face it…you’re probably not thinking about moving anytime soon with the country's current economic state. However, perhaps you are planning a small trip or are just curious; which cities are the cleanest and greenest?
CNN’s Money Magazine rates the best places to live every year. You may be surprised, but the top two cities are located in California. According to Money Magazine, the cleanest place to live today is Novato, California. Novato, along with some of the others in the top listings had an Air Quality Index of 100.0%. This NoCal city boasts a relatively small population (it’s no San Francisco), but scores big on air quality. Novato also shows big numbers in housing costs; the median home price in this city is $633,000!
If you’re running low on cash, but still in search of something green, venture further down the list of cleanest cities and you’ll find more affordable cities like Kingman, Arizona and Richmond, Virginia. Kingman, Arizona may be clean, but the fun factor is pretty low. This tiny town in the middle of AZ as an arid desert climate; January highs are in the 50s, but the lows are in the mid to low 20s! Despite the ever-changing temperatures, Kingman’s median home price is only $172,900.
If you’re looking for some good, clean fun, head to Richmond, Virginia. Whether it’s for a weekend away or a permanent relocation, this East Coast gem comes in at #4 on the list. Not only that, its affordable and fun. Richmond’s median home price is $177,000 and their AQI is 100.0%, just like the rest of the top 10. Richmond has a humid, subtropical climate with moderate seasonal changes. It is full of history and life and is located about two hours from shore towns like Virginia Beach.
Whether you’re moving forever or just for the week or weekend, it may be helpful to know which cities are clean and green. We don’t know how these cities have become the cleanest, but we know why; the people who live there strive to create a safe and clean environment for themselves and those to come.
Eco-Friendly Cell Phones
By: Sandra Stoner
The other day I overheard a girl talking about how she was upset about the fact that her fiancé was refusing to leave his Blackberry behind on their wedding day. Wow, I thought. We really have reached the time when we are obsessed with our phones.
But can we really call them just phones anymore? The new Google phone comes complete not only with internet connection and a camera, but also the ability to make your own short movies and get turn-by-turn driving directions. It’s a complete technological package all rolled up into one.
Most people are totally aware of everything that these new super-phones can accomplish, but how many of us understand the ecological footprint that we are making just by making a phone call or watching a YouTube video on them? I’m guessing not many.
In fact, the Coltan used to store the power in our cell phones must be mined, and the majority of it is found in Africa’s National Parks. There has been large-scale deforestation in many countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo in order to export Coltan globally so that we can upload a picture text message of our best friend’s puppy.
Sadly, the mining and deforestation have drastically affected the human population in these areas (there have been outbreaks of civil wars over the resource), as well as animal populations such as gorillas. Some scientists have reported that up to 90% of gorilla populations living in Coltan-filled areas have decreased.
But green phones exist. We can use our phones to make a difference. For example, there is the Chinese HTW S116 Solar Mobile Phone, which doesn’t use a power cord to charge up but instead gets its energy mainly from the sun. Motorola too has recently patented a design to use solar cells on the front side of cell phones.
There is also the Solio Universal Solar Charger kit that can be used on sunny days to keep your phone charged. Sources claim that the battery charged solar charger can offer up to 8 hours of phone time.
Cell phone recycling centers have also begun springing up in stores such as Best Buy. These are important because the Coltan in them can be recycled and reused; which means less Coltan needs to be mined; which means there will be less of a need for the exportation of Coltan; which means less war, less deforestation….you get the idea. You can even specify that you want the proceeds to benefit gorilla conservancy projects so that they too can benefit.
This website lists these Eco-Friendly recycling centers:
http://www.eco-cell.org/locate_recycler.asp
So when your next 2 year contract expires with Verizon, or Sprint, or Cellular One, or whichever other cell phone supplier you use, look into purchasing an Eco-Friendly phone. Hopefully someday soon we can be more aware of Green Phones than “phones” that can email a friend and tell us to turn right on Mulberry Street.
Four Prinicples of Sustainability
By: Anikka Wattnem
In being green we often lose sight of what we are striving for. We try to do things to be “greener” or to be environmentally friendly. However the ultimate goal is really sustainability. Sustainability is defined by Webster’s dictionary as:
2 a: of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged
I recently had the opportunity to learn about The Natural Step framework. I, along with several coworkers, am attending trainings in order to find ways to make our non-profit organization more sustainable. The interesting thing about the Natural Step Framework is that it does not tell you exactly what to do. Rather it gives you 4 principles of sustainability as well as a method for looking at your actions and considering whether or not they are violating those 4 principles. The Natural Step is a non-profit organization whose training materials are used around the world. Their system has been used by major corporations such as McDonald’s, Home Depot and Ikea. I am learning about it in the Midwest from Natural Step Canada Associates.
4 Sustainability Principles (paraphrased)
1. We are not extracting substances from the earth at a rate faster then they can be restored and/or allowing them to build up on the earth’s surface.
2. We are not subjecting nature to man made chemicals that cannot be broken down.
3. We are not physically degrading the earth.
4. People are able to make their basic needs.
I am starting to use these principles on a regular basis to examine my decisions and how “green” they are. Although it may be difficult, or even impossible, to lead a completely sustainable lifestyle a step towards meeting these principles is a step in the right direction.
Gobble Gobble!!
Tis’ the season to honor the turkey, this meaning people stuff their faces with them on November 27th and enjoy turkey sandwiches several days afterwards. If that is not honoring a piece of meat, I don’t know what is!
This will be my first Thanksgiving away from home and away from the related abuse. By abuse I mean, I receive a slew of friendly insults from my three meat-eating brothers because I do not eat meat. I will miss the insults greatly, but I still will not miss the turkey dinner.
This does not mean I frown upon people who consume the flesh of Turkey (or any meat at that) -especially on a day to give thanks for family, friends and food. But, I will gladly give some advice to those who are eco-conscious and want to enjoy a “green” Thanksgiving.
Since we are already talking about the Thanksgiving centerpiece, the bird, let’s look at a few green options. There have always been more then the frozen butterball turkeys to choose from, some of those other turkey choices are just now becoming more of an mainstream option. Let’s take a look:
Local Pasteurized Turkey: These birds are raised locally, which means less traveling for a fresher piece of meat and you support to the community farmers. These birds are usually raised on a diet of bugs and grass. They are able to roam free and are relatively lean in fat. A lot of these local farms will let you meet the bird and choose which one will be joining you on thanksgiving.
Organic Turkey: Most of these turkeys are approved by the USDA for their organic requirements. They are raised with hormone free and are usually feed grains that do not come from GMO crops. But these turkeys are packaged and travel many mile to get on your plate, which is not good for you carbon footprint. Also since these birds are grain fed, you have to wonder about the traveling time of the grains as well.
Heritage Breed: These mail-order birds are making a comeback. These almost-endangered birds have been being reintroduced to the dinner table. They are more delicate to raise, which means they need land to roam, a more primitive diet of bugs and grass and lots of sunshine. They also take a longer time to grow which could be why some prefer their more fatty taste. This does not mean the farmers raise their birds organically or sustainably. One must research where the bird comes from and what they eat.
None of these birds taste like the traditional frozen butterball turkey you were raised on, but they are worth a shot to try. But there are many other things that can fill you table with to make it a “green” Thanksgiving.
In season produce such as winter squash and potatoes can make many fabulous side dishes. Also, you can still find the remains of apple to make a tasty dessert with. And last but not least, a vegetarian Thanksgiving is always a green thanksgiving. It is nice that we have so many options for food; just remember to be thankful for the other great things in your life.
Protect the Non-Native Species
By: Sandra Stoner
The other day, Friday, November 7th to be exact, the pond at the South End of Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago witnessed a tragedy. All of the fish that had been living in it went belly-side up. Daytime strollers and joggers viewed hundreds of fish floating in the pond and many quickly alerted authorities that something was fishy (forgive the pun).
Authorities though were well aware of the situation. In fact, it was they who had caused it. On Thursday, the day before, Zoo officials had poured Rotenone, a deadly poison that kills fish, into the pond’s water. Rotenone prevents oxygen from reaching fish’s lungs, thus ultimately suffocating fish in their own living space.
Thus, zoo officials, who based on their job description work towards protecting and caring for animals, willingly wiped out the species living in the South Pond.
Why would they do this? Well, there is a $12 million dollar restoration project taking place that is to be completed in 2010 and the fish that were living in the Pond as of last week were apparently not considered to be part of the future.
Instead, officials want to turn the pond into “a model Illinois freshwater habitat.” This means eradicating the animals that live in the habitat and replacing them with natural species.
Natural habitats are all the rage right now. We as a society are very angry at non-native species, also known as invasive species. It is true that once introduced into another environment some of these plants and animals have taken over the habitat by killing the original inhabitants, but most of these introductions have been caused or premeditated by humans.
The fish in the South Pond of the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago were mostly there because of humans. There were goldfish and Koi that pet owners had released into the wild. There were also black crappies and largemouth bass that are not considered to be natural to Illinois habitat but found their way to the Pond nonetheless.
Even more striking for this particular erasure of “non-native” species is the fact that the South Pond in the Lincoln Park Zoo was man-made. It was created in 1865 to beautify the lakeshore.
It’s a shame that we are so focused on restoring nature to its original context that we don’t mind killing the types of fish that have occupied the Pond for over 140 years.
What can you do to help stop situations like this from happening again? I believe that prevention is the key. More focus needs to be aimed at making sure non-native species are not introduced to new environments by humans. Check out the following websites for some ideas; it’s important to become aware of the non-native species (or potential for them) in your area so that you will be able to preserve your environment and prevent the mass-murdering of non-invasive species in the future!
http://www.muni.org/salmoninthecity/invasive.cfm
http://www.enviroliteracy.org/article.php/40.html
http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/council/actionb.shtml
Going the Extra Mile
By: Megan McLaughlin
Whether you’re made of money or not, you’re probably looking for ways to save on gas – who isn’t these days? Although gas prices are dropping to a much more affordable price, people are still becoming increasingly interested in fuel efficient vehicles. It seems as if every major company is coming out with their own hybrid for 2009, but some are taking fuel efficiency a step further and introducing revolutionary concepts; zero emission, hydrogen powered vehicles.
What is a hydrogen powered vehicle? Basically, it is a car that runs purely on hydrogen. Chemical energy is converted to mechanical energy through combustion or electrochemical conversion in a fuel-cell. Learning more about fuel-cells and how they work is complicated, but actually very interesting.
The FCX Clarity is Honda’s newest gem; the “zero emission sedan of the future.” Complete with a clean and quiet hydrogen tank, a fuel cell stack which generates electricity and an electric drive motor to power the vehicle, you really can’t go wrong with this car. The FCX is said to be both user-friendly and very modern, too.
Whether or not this technology really catches on or lasts is unknown. What we do know is that it works and it is certainly another step in the right direction. This technology has you saving money in the long run and saving the environment too. With manufacturers going the extra mile to ensure fuel efficiency is here to stay, we no longer need to fear going a few extra miles on the road.
Staying Creative When Being Green: A Story of Compost Cooking
By: Colleen Heenan
Does it sometimes seem stressful to be ecologically conscious? Does it seem over-whelming to always try to be green in every aspect of your life? And doesn’t it always seem like no matter what you are wasting water when washing, energy when cooking, and guilt-stricken when you travel to a chain grocery store? Well, I know someone who has beaten one of the eco-blues; energy use.
One of my friends has a very creative brother-in-law that is a chef. One day this chef was stirring his mulch/yard clipping compost pile and was blown away by the amount of heat emerging from the decomposing pile. He immediately ran to his house to grab his thermometer and checked the internal temperature of his compost pile. With the temperatures around 165 degrees F, the compost pile is the exact temperature needed to heat a piece of pork up to when barbequing. So this creative chef took his raw pork, threw it in a burlap bag and buried in the compost pile.
After several hours of “cooking” the pork, the meat came out ready to be slathered with sauce and grilled to perfection. Though it did take a bit longer then conventional cooking, the compost’s heat slowly cooked the pork to a safe meat-cooking temperature with zero energy needed. This creative cooking method made me wonder, what else could be cooked in a compost pile? Just some fun food for thought!
Help the Polar Bears!
By: Sandra Stoner
This has been an exciting yet tense weekend for several reasons. Most of us celebrated Halloween Friday night (and maybe Saturday night as well?), we all turned our clocks back to enjoy an extra hour Saturday night, and hopefully ALL of us are gearing ourselves up to vote on Tuesday in one of the biggest presidential elections of our lifetimes.
But, how many of us heard the news that scientists have proved that the rising temperatures in both Polar Regions has definitely been caused by humans? This is some of the biggest news yet- we can finally say to those non-believers of global warming that it IS happening and it IS because of us.
Computer models showed that the effects we are witnessing in both Polar Regions are “not consistent” with natural climate changes and instead relate well to factors caused by humans, such as greenhouse gases.
And what are these effects?
Most importantly, both Polar Regions (Antarctica and the Arctic) are warming at much faster rates than other areas of our globe. So global warming is affecting these areas earlier than it will be affecting where you and I live. The ice is melting at alarming rates, breaking off and disappearing into the ocean. Many of you may have seen the consequences of this in Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth.
Polar Bears are suffering as a direct result of the rise of temperature. This year, on May 14th, Polar Bears were officially added to the list of threatened species. Check out this website for information on what Polar Bears face as well as ways that you can personally help.
Lastly, and perhaps more seemingly important to most readers, our own communities face devastating storms and extreme weather conditions due to the overall rise in global temperature.
Thus, the most important outcome of this wonderful scientific break-through is that we can finally move past the initial debate of whether or not global warming is caused by humans or not, and start to do something about it! It is easy to find national and international organizations dedicated towards making a difference…. http://www.globalwarming.net/
http://www.stopglobalwarming.org/
http://www.worldviewofglobalwarming.org/
…but what about local organizations that you can attend? Global Warming Meet-Up groups are everywhere so you should definitely check out your local meeting.
Most importantly, spread the word! It is likely that a lot of people are unaware of these scientists’ findings, what with Halloween, Daylight Savings, and the Election upon us. But after Tuesday we won’t have to talk about the polls anymore, so use your extra conversation time to throw in the fact that global warming is definitely caused by humans.
Solar System
By: Megan McLaughlin
Solar power is an interesting concept that is being adopted by many families and businesses across the nation. Home systems and fans and ventilation are a few ways to incorporate solar power into your life. Other accessories such as iPod chargers and indoor and outdoor lighting are using solar power too!
Before you go decking your whole house out with solar powered equipment, you should do a little research. “Solar energy is the light and radiant heat from the Sun that influences Earth's climate and weather and sustains life. Solar power is sometimes used as a synonym for solar energy or more specifically to refer to electricity generated from solar radiation.” Here are some other ways to power your home. Try reading about renewable energy in the Solar Power section of this site. Still unsure of how and why solar power is a great alternative to powering your life? Check out Solar Power, Inc., the leading manufacturer of alternative electricity means, to see exactly what products and services may be available to you.
Once you’ve learned that solar power is a great energy alternative, you can learn about products that interest you the most. Start small, or go big; at Solar Home, you can shop for tons of different solar powered items. From solar home systems, right down to a solar iPod, Solar Home offers many ways for you to start a solar-powered lifestyle.
Even if you don’t choose solar power, it is interesting to see what great new devices and systems are available to consumers today. Next time you are driving around town, see if you can spot any solar panels on homes in your area; they are springing up everywhere! If you are interested in solar panels to power your home or business, Solar Home can point you in the right direction. They offer a list of providers and some FAQs to get you started. Whether it’s the panels or just the iPod charger or lights, you will be making a step in the right direction.
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