Green 101

Get rid of your clunker

2009-05-06T10:34:00.000-04:00

By Rachel Tanis

Finally it will pay off in a big way to do something good for the environment! Get rid of your old junky car that burns through the gas and oil and replace it with a newer more fuel-efficient and environmentally-friendly car and the government will reward you with cold hard cash!

Yesterday (Tuesday, May 5th, 2009), the Democrats in Congress and President Obama agreed on a new proposal affectionately called “cash-for-clunkers.” Under the program, which encourages car owners to trade in their older model gas-guzzlers for more fuel-efficient cars, consumers could get as much as $4,500 toward the purchase of a new vehicle. There is a slight catch: you must be upgrading your vehicle’s fuel economy by an average of ten miles per gallon, and your current vehicle must get less than eighteen miles per gallon (average for city/highway). For many college students or recent graduates driving hand-me-downs or road-side specials, meeting such an obligation might not be so hard. Lawmakers believe that they will be able to help out the auto industry with the sale of at least one million new cars as a result of the bill, making it a rare win-win for both the automakers and the environment.

It is important to support legislation and changes that were created in new, thoughtful and creative ways that support both domestic manufacturing and environmental causes. And what could be better than getting to see some green for going green?

For more on the deal check out the Wall Street Journal news article.

A Green Career Path

2009-04-29T16:42:00.001-04:00

By Rachel Tanis

Green jobs are everywhere these days. Presidnet Obama made them the center of his economic stimulus plan, claiming that the number of environmentally-friendly jobs added to the economy would change the way America gets its energy. They are advertised on all of the job-search websites and highlighted in front-page articles of newspapers across the country. Environmental law is surging in popularity at universities. Nearly every coastal community is looking for wind energy engineers. In this growing field it seems that green jobs will be the driving economic force of the future.

When I think about my career choice (teaching high school English) it’s hard to imagine what I can do to make the situation greener. Then, the more I ponder it, the more I come up with to change things.

For instance, maybe I can start a program to raise money for Kindles or some other electronic book system so that my students can be more aware of the number of trees it takes to print schoolbooks every year. I’ll definitely take all of our scrap paper to the local printer where it can be bound and used as memo pads. I’ll work to adapt whatever assignments I can to electronic ones, like tests and quizzes, to eliminate wasted paper. I’ll teach my students about the importance of recycling. I’ll take them outside more often for classes. I’ll teach them to appreciate the environment through literary examples. Yes, I can have an impact even if I’m not working in a green career.

With the growth of green jobs, I have been wondering if the environmental or economic payoffs have persuaded any of you to alter your career or educational paths. If you haven’t chosen an obviously green career (like me) have you second-guessed your choice? If not, have you thought about how you will improve your job to make things greener for you, your employees or your co-workers? Have you thought about how you can have an environmental impact at work, even if you didn’t choose a green career? If you did choose a green career, what motivated you to do so?

Share your stories and ideas with us so that we can inspire one another to begin greening up our cubicles and classrooms!

Generation Green

2009-04-22T16:39:00.001-04:00

By Rachel Tanis

When history looks back to define our generation I wonder what they will say. Were we on the cutting edge of technological development? Did we serve our country well with the advancement of equality and the end of racial divide? Did we rush in a return to patriotism? Were we the ones who finally stood up to rampant greed and worked to form a well-managed financial system? Or, were we the generation of people who took a stand for the environment, who didn’t just speak up for the earth but cried out for her? Are we the green generation?

To be the green generation we have to be the group that facilitates change that sticks. Sure, there have been green advancements in the past: recycling, energy conservation, clean water and park acts. These have all been great progresses but they have not been enough to define any previous generation. To be labeled the green generation we will have to completely overhaul our lifestyles so that those coming after us will not be faced with the hard choices. We will have to have been the ones who changed and took on the difficult challenges to make life better for the future.

It’s easy to say that you want to save the planet. It’s easy to buy the cloth bags to reuse at the grocery store. It’s easy to switch to energy-saving light bulbs. It’s even easy to recycle and compost.

It’s not so easy to make the harder choices like investing a great deal of money in solar heat for your first house, or choosing to buy and eat only locally-grown produce. It’s difficult to stop and think about energy consumption and how much you should really be using. It’s difficult to re-think travel plans or even your daily commute so that you are being more aware of your carbon footprint.

These are the little, and not so little, decisions that amount to a massive task facing our generation. The question remaining is whether or not we will step up and answer the call.

Will the generation after us already come into the world living their lives differently than we began ours? Will recycling and energy conservation be second-nature to our own children, even though we had to struggle through it? This will be the definition of our generation. If those that come after us are environmentally aware, not because of our preaching but rather our example, then we truly can claim the title: Generation Green.

I’m Lovin’ It

2009-04-15T08:23:00.000-04:00

By Rachel Tanis

Recently in Chicago, McDonald’s unveiled their newest restaurant design, aimed at countering all of the nasty attacks it has faced for not being green enough. McDonald’s has been the target of scrutiny for the litany of litter found scattered among highways and roadsides across America. It seems that popular sentiment finds it necessary to tag the nation’s largest fast food restaurant as the sole antagonist in the fight against roadway litter.

Never mind the fact that there are countless fast food restaurants, and even more businesses, which use similar bags and wrappers to enclose their goods. And never mind the fact that it is the patrons of the restaurant, and not the restaurant itself, that scatters the trash. All of this seems to be irrelevant when the media slams the fast food giant for its so-called environmental atrocities.

Lucky for the rest of us, the company chose to respond to these allegations, not with improved product packaging (since most of it is already made with recycled materials), but with an all-new store design that features environmentally-friendly features.

The store has green qualities like a heating source that runs off of the steam and heat captured in the kitchen. Water run-off from rain in the parking lot drains through the newly designed permeable pavement to an underground well that feeds the sprinkler system instead of relying on processed, filtered city water. The entire store is filled with equipment designed to maximize efficiency. Skylights adorn the ceiling of the dining room, while water-saving toilets can be found in the public restrooms. A green “vegetable” roof covers the top of the building. Special parking spots have been designated for hybrid and electric cars.

The Chicago store is the newest in a fleet of green restaurants that McDonald’s began constructing way back in 2000. The first environmentally focused building opened in Sweden that year. In 2009, the company plans to open green stores in Brazil, Canada and France. Each time they build a green restaurant the company stretches to reach new environmental initiatives, adding challenges to its previous designs to continue to improve upon its own designs. The company hopes to continue the green expansion around the globe and encourages its current stores to take steps to go green. Now that’s a plan that you can really sink your teeth into!

The Next Generation of Green

2009-04-07T12:09:00.004-04:00

By Rachel Tanis

It always takes a while for something to catch on or fizzle out. It’s our job to make sure that the generations coming after us understand the importance of living a green life, and not think that this movement is a fad. Many companies and businesses are doing their part to ensure that the youngest among us are growing up green. Here’s how their doing it, and some suggestions for how you can help.

Nickelodeon will celebrate this Earth Day by asking its viewers to unplug and turn off energy consuming items that are not necessary for one hour on April 22nd. The kid-focused network is encouraging its viewers to turn off or unplug video games, lights, cell phones, anything that draws energy and can be done without. This is a great idea because it encourages little ones to have their parents help them go green. What a better motivator for a parent than his or her own child? In addition, at this year’s Kids Choice Awards, Nickelodeon will give away its first ever “Big Green Help Award” to someone who has done much for the environment: Leonardo DiCaprio.

The Disney Channel is not to be left out. Their green spokesman, Wilder Valderrama (aka – Fez of “That 70’s Show” fame) does several commercial-like announcements throughout the programming to promote everything from simple energy savings (like reminding little ones of the importance of turning off the lights when they leave a room) to more involved projects like gardening and recycling. Valderrama’s Spanish heritage helps him convey his message in a bilingual approach, telling his audience that he’s living “la vida verde,” or “living the green life.”

Groups like Green Kids Inc. travel the world putting on entertaining hours of shows that teach children about everything from global warming to being responsible for their carbon footprint – no matter how tiny their shoes may be right now! Green Kids will perform for any audience, but it specializes in elementary school performances.

The web is not short on green influences for children either. Websites like KidsBeGreen.org feature creative characters to help teach the principals of green living, printable worksheets and coloring pages, activity suggestions, and games focused on promoting the green life. More nationally recognized sites like National Geographic’s, have dedicated entire sections of their pages to children’s understanding of environmental causes. National Geographic’s site features stories and videos, many showcasing its zany Zipper the Chihuahua character, telling kids about simple green steps they can take to better green living and showing them what they are protecting. Most of the content here is upbeat and teaches children that our amazing world is worth keeping.

Many children’s books have been written and illustrated to get the message across as well. Children as young as infants can enjoy hearing stories like “William the Garbage Truck and Crew: William Is Going Green,” by James Martin II and Don Berry, while other ones might enjoy Julie Hall and Sarah Lane’s, “A Hot Planet Needs Cool Kids.”

No matter the medium used to expose kids to green living, none will prove more powerful than a living example. You are never too old or too young, too involved or uninvolved, to influence someone younger than you. Your example can be as simple as waiting to throw your trash into a can instead of on the road, or as elaborate as organizing a great of children to clean up a park. Remember that a big part of green living is making sure that it doesn’t end with you. Or your generation.

A Greener Vacation

2009-03-31T09:42:00.002-04:00

By Rachel Tanis

As the warm days of summer approach, my mind always turns to travel. I can’t wait to plan my next summer vacation and look forward to lounging away my time in some tropical locale. This year, I’m going to put a little more thought into my adventures and be sure to make the entire experience greener. That means that my green vacation starts before I ever leave home.

Before leaving home be sure to…

…turn off the air conditioning or heat if possible. If not, adjust to temperatures that will protect your plants, animals and plumbing, though this shouldn’t be the same comfortable temperature you’d want if you were actually home.

…turn your water heater to “vacation” or its lowest temperature setting. This means that the water sitting in your hot water heater will not be continually heated again and again when no one is using it.

…unplug appliances that won’t be used while you’re away so that they are not drawing a charge, unnecessarily.

…stop newspaper and mail delivery. You may be able to donate your newspapers to a shelter, nursing home or school while you are away. If you really want the papers, most companies will hold them for you. Stopping your delivery services means that you won’t come home to soggy mail or newspapers, in the event that it rains at home while you’re away enjoying the sunshine.

When planning your trip…

…check out travel books from the library rather than buying new ones. You’ll not only save money, but trees as well!

…plan your trip to include public transportation whenever available. Check for a website created by the municipality that you’ll be visiting for a link to their department of transportation which can usually provide you with maps, schedules and pricing for public transportation like buses, shuttles, subways and trains.

…take advantage of green technology like e-tickets offered by most airlines. A big plus of an e-ticket is that picking up your ticket at the airport makes it harder to lose or forget!

Businesses Going Green

2009-03-26T09:48:00.003-04:00

By Rachel Tanis

While the downsizing in the newspaper business is nothing short of traumatic if you work, or wish to work, in the industry, many publications are seeing black over green decisions. Choosing to operate in a greener manner by reducing print copies or switching their publications entirely to virtual formats (see the Detroit News and Christian Science Monitor websites for two such examples) is a move that is actually helping the businesses operate in a profitable state.

It can be argued that the newspaper move was one to save ink and not really an actual attempt at running a more environmentally-friendly operation. I have mentioned many times over the last few months in this blog several different business maneuvers, aimed at saving corporate dollars, which have doubled as an advantage for the environment. (You might remember the four-day work week or telecommuting policies at companies like Sprint). It might be impossible to distinguish motive from effect, but regardless, sound business decisions that have a positive effect on the environment are always a worthwhile investment.

Some companies have a reputation for going green. Ford Motor Company built a green roof on its Dearborn assembly plant in 2003, long before it was chic. The roof is actually 10.4 acres of a “drought-resistant perennial groundcover, planted into a specially layered bed,” that the company claims will last twice as long as a traditionally constructed roof. The roof soaks up rainwater and carbon dioxide, and reduces the plant’s overall energy costs by working as a layer of insulation protecting the assembly plant against the cold Michigan winters. The roof even earned the company a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest living roof.

Even though they passed on the cost to customers, businesses like Star-Kist have made environmental changes that are for the better. Star-Kist reacted to negative press that it received when customers learned that it was accidently catching (and sometimes harming or killing) dolphins in its nets while fishing for tuna. In response, the company moved its fishing operations for safer areas, even though the tuna was less plentiful there. (Lagace)

And, the return on the investment has been high for most of the environmentally-friendly changes that companies have made. For example, in 2004 General Electric (GE) invested $7.5 million dollars “into technology to reduce energy consumption and waste products.” In 2005, the company’s “Ecomagination” line (the one that you’ve seen all of those inspiring commercials about) brought in a handsome profit: “$10 billion in revenue, and an expected $20 billion by 2010.” (Voigt)
In this time of economic opportunity it is important for companies to remember that the new frontier is green, and so are the rewards!

Sources:
Ford Installs World’s Largest Living Roof on New Truck Plant. http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=15555
Lagace, Martha. Going Green Makes Good Business Sense. Harvard Business School: Working Knowledge. http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/3015.html
Voigt, Kevin. Business sees green in going green. CNN: World Business http://edition.cnn.com/2006/BUSINESS/12/14/environment/index.html

Labeling the Grocery Store

2009-03-24T12:57:00.003-04:00

By: Rachel Tanis

Wandering through the produce aisle of my local grocer recently, I was surprised by the number of labels that are found on fresh fruit. An orange was labeled “certified organic,” while a papaya read “rainforest alliance.” A few rows over a sign hung over chocolate bars reading “made with fair trade certified cacao beans.” I wondered what all of this meant. What happened to the simpler labels like “use by Friday” or “made with fresh ingredients?” I thought that things were really getting sophisticated a few years back when I had to choose between regular eggs and those from free-range chickens. But, with all of these new labels popping up all over the grocery store, I thought that it was worth investigating the new lingo. Here’s what I found:

“Certified Organic” – means that the item was grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, and also on land that was free from such chemicals for at least the last three prior years. If you are looking to save money these days, choose which items you will purchase in their organic state, and which you will buy without the label. Since organic items tend to be pricier, purchase produce that you consume the skin on (apples, grapes, strawberries, blueberries) in the organic versions. Those that you peel the skin off of (like oranges and bananas) are less likely to have been directly affected by chemicals.

“Rainforest Alliance” – this group focuses on maintaining worker rights and welfare, forest sustainability and managing how farms manage their crops. This includes working with farms to ensure that they grow crops in such a way that they are careful to preserve the rainforest and its natural inhabitants.

“Fair Trade” – when applying this statement to a chocolate bar, you can be certain that your chocolate bar is making a political statement. Cacao beans purchased from “fair trade” farmers are paid at least .10 cents more than the current market rate. This means that the profits are to be invested in the farmer’s community through things like education and health care initiatives. The “fair trade” stamp also means that certain environmental standards are also met, which are similar to those followed by farms which are certified organic.

“Free Range” – by now, we are probably all familiar with this term. Legally speaking, only poultry can be certified “free range” by the USDA. However, even among free range poultry, the definition remains wide. Free range birds must be allowed outside to graze and feed during all of their life cycles, and are not to be fenced-in, or pastured, so that they are kept from eating a variety of plants and seeds. This is tricky though, because some farmers may allow their chickens to graze for a while before returning them to a pen, while others may never cage their birds. Either way, a free range farm must be certified by the USDA and is one certain way to ensure that your meal is well-rounded. Free range birds consume different plants and seeds which lead to a different flavor. Also, some argue that their muscle-to-fat ratio is different because of all of the additional roaming.

“Farm Raised” – those we are concerned with free range issues will likely raise their brows at “farm raised” game. Farm-raised game and fish are raised within pens so that they can be easily managed. Their diets are carefully prepared, often with limited exposure to the naturally-occurring foods that they would eat in their native environments. In addition, farm raised animals can be crowded which may raise toxin levels in their systems. However, let it be said that the USDA has strict rules on the amount of toxins (such as mercury found in fish, for example) permit able. So, while there may be no real health danger from consuming farm raised animals, you’re taste buds may prefer animals with a more natural appetite.

“Wild Caught” – we often see this label on fish, such as salmon. “Wild caught” means that the fish was not raised on a fish farm where farmers are sure to know exactly how many fish are swimming in each holding area, since it is all regulated by the USDA. Some salmon farms occur in the wild, but they are not considered “wild caught.” These “wild” salmon farms are man-made farms created in the ocean to raise many fish under more natural circumstances. Thousands of salmon unnaturally captured in the same ocean holding tank has destructive consequences on the environment around it. Fish excrements, found in abundance as they are in ocean farms, have been known to destroy wildlife and sea beds. Be happy though knowing that “wild caught” fish are actually caught out in the deep blue where the fish have lived a natural life.

Happy Eating!

Which Shade of Green Are You?

2009-03-12T09:44:00.005-04:00

By Rachel Tanis

When you hear the word green, you probably picture a color in your mind. Maybe it’s the color of a deep, rich emerald, or maybe it’s the color of a freshly mowed lawn. Maybe you picture a green that’s more reminiscent of the sea after a storm, or sliced scallions. Use the scale below to help determine which shade of green you are when it comes to your dedication to environmental causes. It will have you seeing green in a whole new light.

Not-Quite-Green-Yellow
• You co-wrote Sarah Palin’s infamous speech on climate change… or the lack there-of.
• You called the police on your neighbor’s “smelly and unsightly” compost pile.
• You have seen a recycling bin before, but never use one.

Pale Green
• You brag about the fact that you ingeniously re-used your old t-shirts as garage rags.
• You drew a little green planet on your calendar as a way to help you remember Earth Day next month, even though you’ll probably forget all about it.
• You planted a tree. Once.

Kelly Green
• You stopped your newspaper delivery service and began paying for their online version as a way to help save the environment.
• Your neighbors called the police on your “smelly and unsightly” compost pile.
• You grow your own vegetables and are researching how you can have your own sustainable kitchen.
• When your date asks you to pick up the movie from Blockbuster, you usually go for An Inconvenient Truth.

Emerald Green
• You own a signed DVD copy of An Inconvenient Truth.
• Al Gore is your friend on Facebook.
• You traded in your gas-guzzling Toyota Prius for a bicycle and two lawn-mowing/lawn-fertilizing goats.
• You’ve tried to make your own tofu.
• After biking around town in January, you signed up on the Chevy Volt waiting list!

Green Things for a Greener St. Patrick’s Day!

2009-03-05T09:50:00.004-05:00

By Rachel Tanis

St. Patty’s Day is just around the corner, and those of us living north of the Mason-Dixon are hoping that with spring greener and sunnier days are sure to follow. Celebrate the last big holiday of winter by taking steps to make it a greener celebration. Here are some ideas on how to make your good ole’ Irish holiday truly green, without dying an entire tributary of the Mississippi!

To celebrate the day give away green party favors, such as seedlings. Begin today by planting small trees (seedlings) in little terra cotta pots with some fresh potting soil. Take good care of them and remember to give your friends instructions on how to maintain them as well.

Don’t think you have a seasoned-enough green thumb to raise a mini-forest before St. Patty’s Day? Give away packets of seeds. Bonus points for completely green colored plants like herbs such as cilantro, parsley or basil.

Instead of wearing a green shirt, wear a greener green shirt. Buy a plain, organic cotton t-shirt and dye it green using natural dyes. Boil spinach leaves and use the concentrated water to dye your shirt pale green. Or, to make a golden green color, boil the peels of golden delicious apples with the spinach.

Make invitations to your St. Patrick’s Day party by using recycled paper. Make your own recycled paper by following the directions found here. Be sure to include some bits of old green paper or dried leaves for color and effect!

Instead of drinking too much green beer, try “brewing” your own healthy, organic drink as a pick-me-up. Use a juicer, blender or food processor to combine organic vegetables. Try Dr. Oz’s (Oprah’s now-famous doctor) recipe for a green drink by blending together the following:

1 lemon (the whole thing if your appliance can handle it)
½ cup parsley, chopped
1 rib of celery
2 big handfuls of spinach
1 piece of peeled ginger
1 medium cucumber
2 apples, sliced and cored
Ice cubes to proper consistency (optional)

Best of luck to you!

Hyperlink for here: http://www.ehow.com/how_2163912_make-recycled-paper.html?ref=fuel&utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=ssp&utm_campaign=yssp_art

Spring Forward!

2009-02-24T10:54:00.005-05:00

by Rachel Tanis

You’ve probably heard it said that whenever you change your clocks, you should also change your smoke and carbon-monoxide detector batteries. It is a great suggestion that was put forth by fire departments years ago in an effort to improve the safety of the community. The idea was simple and the message was repeated often enough that everyone got the concept and remembered year after year.

One week from this Sunday, on March 8th, we will “spring forward” or advance our clocks one hour for daylight savings time. I think that it is a good time to think about our smoke detector batteries, as well as take a look around and think about how we can green up our own spaces. For instance, why not think about starting this spring a little brighter and better for the earth by making a list of things that you can do on a regular basis to improve the environment.

Take a cue from the fire department’s and make the events coincide with a date or event so that they will be easily remembered. Here’s a little list that I’ve started. Find things that you can add to make it your own and then share your suggestions with others here by posting a comment.

> Annual Basis: Review your accounts and check billing statements and options every year on New Year’s Day. Most of us are too mentally exhausted to do anything that’s very involved on New Year’s Day, but here’s something that I’m betting we can probably all handle. Review all of your accounts and make sure that everyone is sending you an electronic version of your billing statement or other important account information. It will cut down on the amount of paper mail being sent out, and lessens the likelihood that a stack of bills will get lost.

> Monthly Basis: On the first day of the month change your furnace filter. It is recommended that furnace filters are changed on a monthly basis to keep your furnace running at its highest efficiency.

> Weekly Basis: Take every ________ (fill in your favorite day here) night off from the television. Pick the day of the week when programming isn’t really to your liking anyway, and this will be a much easier transition. You’ll save on energy bills and consume less electricity. You might even just get a thing or two done on that night that you’ve been putting off for a while. Remember, taking a night off from television only counts if you aren’t replacing it with another energy-consuming time-passer like the internet or computer-gaming.

> Daily Basis: Stock up on energy-efficient replacements for batteries, light-bulbs and more so that you have greener options when something goes bad. By replacing an inefficient light bulb with a greener choice, or a standard battery with a rechargeable one, you are not only saving the environment, but also some serious coin!

Searching for a Better Commute

2009-02-24T10:39:00.005-05:00

By Rachel Tanis

In this rough economic season there is little to be happy about when it comes to discussing the job market. However, the recent turn of events that have resulted in lay-offs and pink slips is proving to be a plus for the environment in some ways, and may just perhaps change the workplace as we know it.

If you have had to drive into work or school lately you may have noticed that traffic is lighter because less people are commuting. For some, it is because they don’t have a job to commute to, but for others it is because they have worked out a deal with their employers that allow them to work from home and save the company money.

Many employers, like Sprint and several universities across the nation, allow their employees to telecommute. This means that they can work from their home computers and fax or email work in to the office, host meetings via Web Ex or their web-cam, or even operate a telephone answering service from their home line.

For employers, they find that they are saving money on everything from office space to paper to electric bills to coffee and Styrofoam cups. Employees, on the other hand, are given more flexibility and save on dry-cleaning bills, gas and car costs and much more.

The savings are not insignificant for either party and have prompted a review of many company’s telecommuting policies. The trend began about a decade ago when working mother’s begged for their employers to offer either on-site daycare or telecommunication options.

Several months ago when energy costs skyrocketed, companies moved at a lightening-fast pace to accommodate telecommuting. The results have been mostly positive for both companies and employees, which begs the question of whether this trend will continue even after the economy recovers.

At your next job interview, or at your current place of employment, consider asking about the company’s telecommuting policies. The answer might surprise you!

Jatropha’s a Win-Win

2009-02-10T12:36:00.007-05:00

By Rachel Tanis

Critics and skeptics alike are quick to put the kibosh on renewable energy sources like corn-based ethanol because they claim that growing food for energy diverts it from the starving mouths of underdeveloped countries. So, it is no surprise that amid the cries of environmental concern and the need to end our dependence on foreign oil, voices that fear change are heard louder than those who are considering what there is to be done about the problems.

Fear, after all, is a common ailment that we all empathize with, and in which resonates a tone that is audible to the youngest and oldest ears of our society. Fear is non-discriminating. Ideas, well, they are not so commonly shared. Good ones are hard to come by, and even great ones have a high rate of failure. Ideas are easily trampled and are often left to rot rather than given a second-chance.

Fear is the acid in a solution that dissolves new ideas before they are fully developed. That’s why you probably haven’t heard of many of the proposals and alternatives in the green movement: fear has gobbled them up, dissolving before they were aloud to blossom. But, here’s one proposal whose base is so good that I’m betting it gives acid like fear a run for its money.

Jatropha is a tree that grows and produces seeds rich in oil. Historically, the seeds were used to fuel long-burning oil lamps around the world. Recently, they fueled a 747 jet across New Zealand. What’s even more encouraging is that jatropha is not difficult to grow. Some even use the old euphemism, saying that it “grows like a weed.” It does not have to be re-planted year after year, and is currently being grown around the globe. Jatropha and similar non-edible bio-diesels are growing in popularity because they don’t take away from food supplies. The trees can also work to capture four tons of carbon dioxide per acre of forest.

(Padgett) An American-based company, My Dream Fuel, is currently growing the trees in Fort Meyers, Florida with incredible success. The climate there is so well-suited for the trees that My Dream Fuel’s crop may yield up to eight times as much oil as is reaped in places like India and Africa, where the harvest is already considered successful. (Padgett)In addition, poorer countries like many of those found in the Caribbean are benefiting from the goodwill spread by the trees that are donated to them from companies like My Dream Fuel.

My Dream Fuel donates trees to nations that would normally be forced to choose between growing bio-fuels or crops. Both are necessary to the struggling nation’s economies, yet both are also in short supply. Jatropha was introduced to scientists and investors at the annual National Bio-diesel Conference on February 1st, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Padgett)

I certainly don’t pretend to have the answers or even that jatropha is a magic wand that will erase all of our energy concerns, but let’s hope that there’s a solution out there that can neutralize fear and allow us to move forward in our search for a greener tomorrow. That process begins with listening ears that are able to turn down the streaming squawk of fear in favor of intelligent ideas.

Sources for this article include:

Padgett, Tim. “The Next Big Biofuel?” Time Magazine. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1874835,00.html(8 Feb 2009)

Padgett, Tim. “The Next Big Biofuel?” Time Videos.
http://www.time.com/time/video/?bcpid=1485842900&bctid=9561533001 (8 Feb 2009)

Redell, Bob. “Fruity Fuel is Hit at SF Conference.” MSNBC.com. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28996863/ (8 Feb 2009)

Sustainable White Green House

2009-02-03T09:59:00.001-05:00

By Rachel Tanis

This past week President Obama chose a new and somewhat unexpected assistant chef to help run the kitchen in the White House. The chef, Sam Kass, is a 28-year-old Chicagoan who fed the first family when they resided in the Windy City. Kass graduated from the University of Chicago and had some training in Europe before working at a trendy Chicago eatery and then moving on to serve the Obama’s. Kass also runs his own business, Inevitable Table.

Kass is a big believer in the sustainable food movement. He will serve the Obama’s (as well as any other White House guests) meals made with local, sustainable ingredients. Sustainable kitchens have become a big part of the green movement because they incorporate environmental initiatives with just plain great food.

Sustainable kitchens are supplied with fresh vegetables from locally grown gardens (preferably as local as one’s backyard) and local meats that come from real local ranches instead of commercial meat farmers. This cuts down on the amount of shipping that the food must go through before it reaches your cutting board. It also ensures that you know what chemical sprays or additives are or aren’t there.

Commercial farms have certainly changed the way that we eat, and impacted our economy. However, some would argue that commercial farming is detrimental to the average person’s diet as well as the environment. Commercial produce farms grow and harvest crops that are then shipped all over the world.

While it is convenient and nice to enjoy Florida oranges during a Michigan winter or Michigan cherries during a Florida heat wave, it is also costly to the environment. Huge tractors are involved in every facet of farming, which leaves a large carbon footprint. From there, semi-trucks and planes use oil-based fuels to ship the goods where they need to go.

The damage doesn’t just apply to produce. Farm-raised animals are also causing damage. Commercial dairy and meat farms often raise the most animals that can be fit onto a ranch, with little regard to what those close quarters mean to food quality. It is no coincidence that as commercial meat farms have increased, so has mad cow disease.

Many of the highest quality restaurants will only purchase “pasture-raised” animals. That’s a lot like saying “free-range” when talking about chickens. It means that the animals have room to roam and can enjoy many different varieties of vegetation, instead of just the limited diet provided to them. This provides leaner meat on animals that can roam, and tastier milk and meat on those that are aloud to consume different foods.

While it certainly would not be surprising now to see a vegetable garden at the White House, one must wonder if we’ll see chickens running around anytime soon!

For more on the sustainable White House, click on this link to hear or read an interview on NPR’s All Things Considered.

LINK: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98613372

Sources for information featured in this week’s post include:

http://www.startribune.com/politics/38589597.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUsT

http://www.ecorazzi.com/2009/01/30/barack-obama-eating-sustainable-local-food-in-white-house/

Superbowl Green Teams

2009-01-27T13:32:00.003-05:00

By Rachel Tanis

This week, Tampa Bay (and the rest of the world) is preparing for Superbowl XLIII. And, whether or not their dream team is playing in the big game, football fans are sure to be watching. No matter your stance – from die-hard fan to who’s playing again? - We can all take a little tip from the camaraderie of the sport. Team members rely on one another for issues both on and off the field. They work together to create accountability for personal and professional matters. So, adopt their tactics to better your own environmental goals. Build your own dream green team!

Get some friends or co-workers linked together (in either the real or virtual world), and start a way to create some accountability for your actions and carbon emissions. Green teams will help you by building a resource for green-living tips. They will hold you to new standards that you might have set for yourself as a part of your New Year’s resolution. They might even help to bolster your standing at a new job, or impress a boss - an unexpected, but welcome, bi-product.

Green teams can be created online through social networking sites like Facebook and Myspace, or even via a blog that can be emailed or linked to friends. Team members should pledge that they will make a conscience effort to keep fellow team members on target for their green goals. Each member should be encouraged to share some positive environmentally-friendly change that they implemented that day, week or month. By checking in with others, even those who are just starting to think about how they impact the environment are sure to stay on their new green path.

Share ideas for green living, ways to cut cost and simply your lifestyle, and even recipes for greener cleaning solutions and meals. Trade gardening or recycling tips with other green team members. Exchange thoughts on how you can improve upon or start green programs in your office. Be sure to link your green team to the Experience Green page, where you can find tips, blogs and much more on the green initiative.

Addicted to Oil?

2009-01-13T12:01:00.001-05:00

By Christopher Forestieri

When President Bush remarked, during his 2006 State of the Union address, that America is “addicted to oil,” many took it as a bold statement, especially from an oil man. In fact, just last week on CBS’s 60 Minutes, correspondent Lesley Stahl discussed that very phrase with Saudi oil minister Al-Naimi. (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/12/05/60minutes/main4650223.shtml)

“Politicians use this all the time that. We're addicted, addicted to foreign oil. And addiction has a dark connotation, because if you’re addicted, there’s a suggestion that there’s a drug dealer who’s trying to keep you hooked. And it’s in the air that you want to keep us hooked. Even President Bush, who's an oilman, even he has said we're addicted to this, and we have to get off this oil," Stahl noted.

Al-Naimi responded “There is nothing addictive about oil. If you look back 100 years, what would the world be without it?"

Maybe he has a point. Sure, if you look back in time you could point to many benefits the extraction and refining of oil has brought the developing world. But, aside from that, is oil addictive?

Stahl also makes a good point; the notion of addiction implies that the responsibility lies, at least in some part, with someone else. When you think of it that way, it is not such a bold statement, but a typical statement from an oil man who has been forced to recognize that his country is ready to move on and explore alternatives to oil.

When it comes down to it, America does have a national addiction: convenience. It’s not that we get a rush every time we fire up the transmission (motor-heads excluded), it’s the fact that we want to get where we’re going when we want to go there, without exception.

But even seeing that as an addiction is problematic. The notion of an addiction, in a sense, is shield to hide behind. It’s not our fault, we got hooked. No responsibility need be taken. They offered us something that was addictive and we can’t help it if we can’t stop.

The fact is, refined oil was a pretty great development, at face value. It helped us mobilize and gain access to otherwise remote corners of the world. It helped transform infrastructure, provided light and heat for many, and presented countless opportunities which would not have otherwise been available.

The fact is we abused it. It wasn’t enough to just drive 15 miles to work and back, we had to drive down the street to MacDonald’s, and we had to do it in an SUV.

We didn’t get addicted, we got greedy.

New Year’s Resolutions

2008-12-22T14:55:00.019-05:00

By: Melinda Toussaint

Around this time of year many of us sit down and make a deal with ourselves to loose weight, save money, or to quit smoking but a month into the next year most of us have broken down. This year I urge you to add living green to your list of New Year's resolutions.

But living green is a very broad idea so I suggest choosing ways that are actually attainable for you. To recap our group's blogs from this semester here are ten ways to fulfill your green resolutions:

Use reusable shopping bags. Buy a couple and keep them in your purse or your car so you never forget them.

Keep your shower under two minutes. "Every two minutes you save on your shower can conserve ten gallons of water," according to The Green Book by Elizabeth Rodgers and Thomas M. Kostigen.

Buy a Brita water filter to eliminate buying bottled water. Bottled water not only takes up fridge space but it puts more plastic into the environment.

Switch to organic health and beauty products that will be better for your skin and the environment. Buy makeup, body wash, facial cleansers that were organically made which have become easily recognizable at your local drug store.

Look into shopping for organically made clothing. It may be hard to find a variety in organic clothing but the more you support the cause the more products will come. Visit www.factorygreen.com for a start.

Make a composting jar to recycle all your homes scraps. Everything from egg shells to coffee grounds is recyclable. And when it's full sprinkle it over your garden to help it grow. Soil can get a lot of nutrients from the scraps you put in your composting jar.

Reduce your dependency on electricity and gas. Make notes if necessary to remember to turn all lights, televisions, and especially your computer off at night or when not in use. A computer on standby wastes a lot of energy so turn it off and wait the extra minutes it takes to turn on in the morning. If you do this enough you'll notice on your electricity bill.

Recycle everything possible. Don't just stick to plastic and aluminum. Buy a couple more recyclable containers to separate your recyclables into plastic/aluminum, paper, and electronics. This will make it really simple for you to recycle everything from your bills to batteries.

Eliminate all unnecessary consumption. When you are shopping ask yourself 'Do I really need this?' 'Can I live without this?' Most of the time the answer should be that you don't need it. This will save you money and the environment in the long run. Cutting out cost for clothing, accessories, and food that you don't need creates a lower demand for that product and eventually the company won't have to produce as much.

Visit www.treehugger.com or www.thegreenguide.com to keep updated on new green ideas and keep you inspired to stay true to your green resolutions.

Don't set yourself up for failure by setting goals that you can't meet. Keep it simple and abide by your goals you've chosen everyday. These next couple decades are crucial to saving the environment so everyone has to do their part. Make 2009 a very green year and make this the year that your resolution sticks! If you get this down, who knows? Maybe loosing weight or quitting smoking aren't that far behind.

Climate Talks Stall as UN Ponders: Who’s Rich, Who’s Poor?

2008-12-18T08:59:00.003-05:00

By Christopher Forestieri

The last decade has seen the notion of man-made climate change evolve from a liberal “myth” to a widely accepted scientific fact. Well, OK, there are still some who disagree, but regardless of its cause, there seems to be a consensus that global warming is a condition which must be addressed. But how?

While there has been a lot of talk (and action) in Europe and the US about lowering emissions, creating alternative fuels and reducing our carbon footprint, the fact remains that there is still a significant portion of the world which is either financially unable or unwilling to address climate change.

Recently in Poland, the current site of UN’s annual climate negations, talks have stalled due to a disagreement between rich and poor countries. Essentially, wealthy countries like the U.S. are putting pressure on less developed nations to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions which is vital for any kind of realistic solution to our current climate crisis.

The problem is not a new one -- the countries in question do not have the resources to lower emissions and want richer countries to foot the bill. But there may be an even bigger obstacle?

According to Michael Levi’s recent article on Slate.com, “the list of who's rich and who's poor that would be used for any final agreement is hopelessly out of date.”

The list, created in 1992, is just another example of how the products of bureaucracy can impede any prospect of real change. The list puts Ukraine (which at the time of the list’s creation was part of the Soviet Union) as a rich country. At the same time it has Singapore listed as a poor country. The problem is, Ukraine now is ranked 97th among the world’s wealthiest countries while Singapore now ranks 6th.

Levi says, “Unless the climate regime overhauls its wealth labels, a country like Singapore could reap the benefits of financial aid, while Ukraine would be burdened with emissions caps. Needless to say, that kind of nonsensical setup won't get you very far in international talks.”

If there is ever to be a viable method of curbing global warming, a significant portion of the world must get on board. While counties such as the U.S. do emit a large amount of greenhouse gases, many poor countries which cannot afford to take even small steps, such as getting old, poorly functioning vehicles off the road, make a very significant impact.

While my hope is that the UN is ultimately able to solve this problem, the situation they are currently facing reinforces my belief that we should be looking to entities in the private sector with no government ties for a viable solution . . . at least while the leaders of the world figure out what they’re doing.

A New Resolution

2008-12-17T11:54:00.001-05:00

By Rachel Tanis

When we consider what we should do to save the environment we have three options: the first is to do nothing; the second is to do everything; the third is to make small changes and then continually improve. Under the first option, one takes no responsibility and completely turns his or her back on the environmental issue as a whole. Even those that aren’t so sure that they believe in global warming must admit that doing nothing to make the world a better place for its future inhabitants is irresponsible. Under the second option, radicals work to change their entire lives. This would mean that we have to go back to the days of horse and buggy, no electronics, no batteries, all wind power, no real quality of life that we enjoy today. Clearly this is not a viable, nor sane, option. So, that leaves the third option. Under the third option, we all have to work – making concessions – toward a better world. This means that we have to sacrifice some things, give up products that we’ve become accustomed to, and perhaps even change our lifestyles. Those who are genuinely concerned about the environment are usually on this third path. They are somewhere along the path – maybe they have just decided to switch to cloth or canvas reusable shopping bags instead of throwing away the plastic ones after each shopping trip. Perhaps they are much further down the road and they are now contemplating moving so that they can reduce their travel to work, thus reducing their carbon footprint. But, no matter where you are on the path, you can never stop making improvements. You can never stop working to make your life greener.

Take steps this New Year to commit to positive changes for the environment. If you are at the beginning of your path to a greener world, start with baby steps. Make a commitment that you can and will actually keep. In other words, don’t decide that you will reduce your carbon emissions to zero within twelve months if you have previously made no other changes to help the environment. If you are a little further down the path, consider stepping up even more in 2009. Maybe that means relocating, maybe it means something as radical as changing your career so that it aligns with your environmental beliefs.

One of the worst things to come out of 2008 are corporations which sell a package that claim to offset your carbon footprint. In other words, these companies tell you that if you are too busy or too selfish to make changes yourself, they will make them for you – for a nominal fee, of course. These companies plant trees, subsidize windmills and generally work to improve the quality of our environment with the monies that they receive, which all sounds wonderful. However, they do more harm than good by allowing people to skirt around responsibility and continue in their excessive, environmentally-harmful lifestyles.

2009 is sure to be a historic year with many changes to come. Be a part of history and take a stand for a better, greener world. Do it yourself for two reasons: you will feel like a part of the good and you never know who will be moved to action by your good example. Happy Holidays!

Winter Break Can Be Green

2008-12-17T11:45:00.002-05:00

By: Melinda Toussaint

The end of school means packing up, finishing term papers, and completing finals but it can also mean something green. The end of the semester is stressful enough so do something good for the Earth that will make you feel good as well.

Recycle. Instead of throwing out all your old school supplies make sure to use them completely and then recycle them. Most people throw out their notebooks and folders when that class is done- but if it’s not filled up, use it next semester. You’ll save paper and money by using every piece of your notebook. Also ask your professors for your papers or projects back so that you can recycle them. So much paper is wasted by assignments done by students, so better yet suggest to your professors that all assignments be sent electronically through email. It is harder for them to read and grade yes, but it means that paper is not wasted. Imagine if all college students in the country eliminated hard copies of their papers? Just how many trees would be saved? I can not provide you with the number but the impact would be outstanding.

Clean Up. By cleaning up your apartment for Winter Break you might realize that you don’t need to buy some supplies. You might just find pens, note cards, or folders that you didn’t even know you had. Save money by looking before buying. Why stop there with your cleaning? Take it a step further and clean out your closet, drawers, and bookshelves. Any clothes, accessories, and/or electronics that you haven’t used or didn’t even know you had you can probably live without. Donate them to friends or family or better yet Goodwill. Someone in the world needs those things more than you do, so let go. Every break from school is a great time to clean up your life and start fresh.

Volunteer. It’s also a great opportunity to give back to the community by volunteering or working for companies that care. You’ll be rebuilding the Earth and building your resume. Do job searches for volunteer opportunities in your town. Visit http://www.volunteerinamerica.org/ and search for jobs in your state and in your area of interest. Other helpful sites are http://www.volunteermatch.com/ or http://www.smartvolunteer.org/. Or if you can’t afford to just volunteer visit http://www.jobs.care2.com/ to find a job with a company that is socially responsible. Spending time giving back to others means a great deal and perhaps it will provide you with a new perspective on your life. Hopefully when you go back to school you can appreciate everything you have and realize what you can live without. Giving up things you don’t need is a great start to a greener life.

So when you are preparing to say goodbye to school and hello to family, friends, and holiday fun think about ways to make a green impact as well. If winter break isn’t the right time, sit down and plan out ways to make next semester the greenest one yet. Join a club, cut back on your spending, or start your own blog or project to share your green ideas. Help yourself and the Earth by inspiring others around you to do the same. You are affected by many people in college and in turn you change… make that change a good one… a green one. However you decide to green your winter break, now is the time to do it.

“Be the change you see in the world!”

Addicted to Oil?

2008-12-12T15:05:00.000-05:00

By Christopher Forestieri

When President Bush remarked, during his 2006 State of the Union address, that America is “addicted to oil,” many took it as a bold statement, especially from an oil man. In fact, just last week on CBS’s 60 Minutes, correspondent Lesley Stahl discussed that very phrase with Saudi oil minister Al-Naimi.

“Politicians use this all the time that. We're addicted, addicted to foreign oil. And addiction has a dark connotation, because if you’re addicted, there’s a suggestion that there’s a drug dealer who’s trying to keep you hooked. And it’s in the air that you want to keep us hooked. Even President Bush, who's an oilman, even he has said we're addicted to this, and we have to get off this oil," Stahl noted.

Al-Naimi responded “There is nothing addictive about oil. If you look back 100 years, what would the world be without it?"

Maybe he has a point.Sure, if you look back in time you could point to many benefits the extraction and refining of oil has brought the developing world. But, aside from that, is oil addictive?

Stahl also makes a good point; the notion of addiction implies that the responsibility lies, at least in some part, with someone else. When you think of it that way, it is not such a bold statement, but a typical statement from an oil man who has been forced to recognize that his country is ready to move on and explore alternatives to oil.

When it comes down to it, America does have a national addiction: convenience. It’s not that we get a rush every time we fire up the transmission (motorheads excluded), it’s the fact that we want to get where we’re going when we want to go there, without exception.

But even seeing that as an addiction is problematic. The notion of an addiction, in a sense, is shield to hide behind. It’s not our fault, we got hooked. No responsibility need be taken. They offered us something that was addictive and we can’t help it if we can’t stop.

The fact is, refined oil was a pretty great development, at face value. It helped us mobilize and gain access to otherwise remote corners of the world. It helped transform infrastructure, provided light and heat for many, and presented countless opportunities which would not have otherwise been available.

The fact is we abused it. It wasn’t enough to just drive 15 miles to work and back, we had to drive down the street to McDonalds, and we had to do it in an SUV.

We didn’t get addicted, we got greedy.

Beat Wall Street, Go Green!

2008-12-09T10:19:00.001-05:00

By: Rachel Tanis

If the ever discouraging economic headlines has you feeling blue, change your tune and go green! It can seem overwhelming to hear all about the perils and woes of our economy, especially if you are in the job market or new to your company. However, going green can actually save you some serious coin. Consider these green solutions and watch your savings climb, even if Wall Street’s isn’t…

-Bundle Up! Turn the thermostat down and bundle up. Nothing is more romantic than snuggling with your special someone under a pile of blankets, while the snow outside blankets the ground. Take advantage of the season and turn down your costly (and un-eco-friendly) furnace. If you can’t admit that you’re doing it for the environment, blame it on your love-life!

-Share! Remember the saying that everything you needed to know you learned in kindergarten? In economically challenging times, the saying couldn’t be truer. Begin a program at work or school in which you and your colleagues bring in books, CD’s, DVD’s, even VHS tapes and exchange them. Not only is the service free but it’s also eco-friendly since there is no added miles to run to the video store.

-Stay Home! Want to impress your boss? Approach him or her with an ingenuous idea, as long as it suits your line of work. Ask to have a day when you and your colleagues work from home. This can be as often as everyday or as little as one day a week or month. The company saves money since the doors are closed and lights and heat are off, while helping employees reduce their carbon footprints by shutting down the commute. Plus, who doesn’t want to go to work in the pajamas?

-Pack It! If you’ve ever worked in a cafeteria or the food service industry you know just how much plastic and preservatives it takes to get a meal from the supplier to the kitchen to your table. The same is true of your lunch. So, pack your lunch in re-usable containers that cut down on your waste and the un-green chemicals. Not to mention, packing your lunch will make your wallet much greener!

Green Computers

2008-12-09T10:17:00.000-05:00

By: Melinda Toussaint

With Christmas, the New Year, and the switch to digital in February many are contemplating buying their first or new laptop. Now is a good time! Technology has caught up to the eco-friendly community and has provided green alternatives.

Apple is at the forefront of the eco-friendly computers with their new Mac Book. The “greenest notebook ever” is helping the Earth in four major ways:
1. Energy Efficient:
-made to have hardware and software work together earning the Energy Star certification
- Hard drive and processor spin down when not in use
-LED backlit display uses 30 percent less power
2. Harmful toxins removed:
- Mercury-free LED technology
- Arsenic-free glass
- removed brominated flame retardants and PVC from computers’ parts/cords
3. Recyclable:
-made from one solid piece of aluminum
-recycled glass used for display
-all other raw materials are removed
4. Reduced Packaging:
- 41% smaller
- 25% more computers able to be shipped reducing CO2 emissions

Dell Computers are also helping the green cause by making 2/3 of their products have LED (light-emitting diode) backlit standard by Dec. 15th, 2008 with 100% of the computers with LED backlit displays by 2010.

No matter what computer you buy you can also consider giving back through a company called Powered Green. They take money (sponsorships) given to them and use it to buy new wind turbines to produce the same amount of energy used by your computer. Clean renewable energy offsets polluting energy (caused by fossil fuel plants) causing more than 1,000 pounds of CO2 never to reach the atmosphere.

You can make your computer “carbon neutral” by spending $16 for 690 kilo-watt hours of certified renewable energy. This energy will offset the lifetime energy consumption of your computer. Co-founded by Ted Durkee and Brandon Gador this initiative will offset our community’s attachment to energy consuming technology. To learn more or sponsor their efforts visit http://www.poweredgreen.com/.

So when you are shopping for a new laptop, think about your contribution to the environment. Paying more money for a computer that is helping the Earth is a great investment to make. Visit http://www.apple.com/ and http://www.dell.com/ for more information.

Gifts for a Green Holiday

2008-12-09T10:16:00.001-05:00

By: Rachel Tanis

Before you head out to finish up your holiday shopping this year, keep in mind that you can make eco-friendly choices in this consumer-driven season. Before buying a gift consider how it will impact the environment. This is often easier than you might think. Take, for instance, one of the hottest buys this year: a digital camera. Digital cameras are great for the environment. Remember the old 35mm’s? You know, the kind were you actually had to get the filmed developed before you could see the picture that you’d taken? Think about all of the waste that created! Now, you can click away and only keep the pictures that you want. What’s even better are some of the accessories that go along with it, such as rechargeable batteries and digital photo frames (which means no printing at all!). Thinking these sorts of things through can help you to make better buying decisions. In case you are short of ideas, here’s a few that are on my holiday shopping list this year:

1. SIGG Bottle: Okay, these are so hot that they can be difficult to find, and may even be backordered, but you don’t have to have this brand to have the same impact. This reusable water bottle is not a new concept. I have seen similar items for sale at Wal-Mart and Kohl’s for under $10! The idea here is that the user will stop purchasing and then throwing away plastic waterbottles and will instead use this dishwasher-safe model again and again.
2. Bulbs: Energy-efficient lightbulbs are great, but they're not the type of bulbs I am talking about here. For my garden-loving friends, and those that are aspiring green-thumbs, I plan on buying inexpensive bulbs to be planted in the spring. Now that’s instant green!
3. Bamboo Cutting Board: Bamboo is a green-lover’s dream. It is easy and cheap to grow. It is also very easily replenished. Buy the foodie in your family a bamboo cutting board and tell them to quit buying the plastic ones!
4. Virtual Magazine Subscriptions: Just about every mainstream magazine these days has an electronic version available for purchase. The same goes for newspapers. If someone on your list wants a gift subscription, call or email to inquire about virtual ones.
5. Cloth Shopping Bags – Okay, it might not be the perfect gift for everyone, but it might just be the perfect way to wrap everyone’s gifts. Fabric, reusable shopping bags can be purchased from nearly every retailer these days from Target to Home Depot.

Happy Shopping!

My Reusable Bag Payday

2008-12-03T10:12:00.000-05:00

By: Christopher Forestieri

I have been bringing my own bags to the store for the last few years. It’s paid off in many ways. First of all, I no longer have mounds of plastic bags piling up in cabinets and drawers around the apartment.

Also, with the extra durability the canvas bags provide, I am able to carry all of my groceries home from the store in just a few bags without the fear of leaving a pile of eggshells in a puddle of milk on the sidewalk.

There are many other reasons for bringing your own bags to the store. Of course, you will eliminate a large amount of waste. Not only will your shopping habits be less taxing on landfills, but you’ll also be saving oil.

That’s right, plastic is a petroleum byproduct and by using less of it, we are able to lessen the amount of petroleum consumed.

There is also the simple fact of durability and convenience. As I mentioned before, plastic bags are not durable whatsoever. They may, in fact, be the most worthless way to carry heavy items such as orange juice containers or milk cartons. One small tear can lead to a lot of wasted groceries.

Canvas bags allow you to carry more in one trip. Years ago I lived on the third floor of an apartment. I used to make at least three trips up with my many half-filled plastic bags, and usually something would rip or fall out. With canvas bags, I could have carried all my groceries up in one trip without disaster.

Now, after a few years, I have finally been rewarded for my use of reusable canvas bags. Trader Joe’s, a grocery store which I go to often, has a weekly raffle for a $25 gift certificate. To enter, you must bring reusable bags. This week, I finally won. So tonight, when I return from the store, armed with my full canvas bags, I’ll be eating for free . . . at least for a few days.