Critical Art Ensemble is a group of five tactical media artists dedicated to exploring the intersections between art, technology, critical theory, and political activism.
In general the group's work highlights the dialogue between the natural world and the corporate world, and celebrates science and design as tools of the people. The weapons of their art, however benign, got CAE founder Stephen Kurtz subpoenaed under the Biological Weapons Anti-Terrorism Act, and then indicted for mail fraud by a federal jury in 2004. Charges against him were recently dropped.
GenTerra, a work-in-progress that addresses the creation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Collaborating with them is Beatriz da Costa, who describes herself as "a machine artist and tactical media practitioner." "The original idea was to try to do a participatory theater project that would get people hands-on involved in the production of these transgenic organisms," explains Kurtz. "Our feeling was that people seemed to have an unreasonable fear of GMOs and this is counterproductive in terms of resistance. There are some GMOs that are actually good, and others that are pollutants for profit. For us, the question was, 'How can we set up a sphere where people can sort through their feelings?' So GenTerra was all about creating those dialogues around policies that deal with transgenics."
I can see how such a career path would cause a great deal of controversy. Is it so wrong to experiment, investigate and delve into the unknown is hopes for a better understanding? There are a slew of job opportunities right now for those interested in this path. A simple google search brought up hundreds.
All the talk on green and conservation has led to more and more people delving into inventing new forms of solar energy. This one seems to be the most versatile of what I have seen lately because the panels are inflatable which means you could theoretically take them anywhere with you, right?
From ecofriend.org "An English company, IDC, has announced plans to mass-produce an inflatable solar panel and make it commercially available for less than $200. The SolarStore panels, which inflate from a backpack into a 2 meter square, are designed to replace hot water heaters, one of the primary consumers of power in most households. This means that you could just heat water anytime you want using these instantly inflatable solar panels."
It is capable of heating up to three full thanks. Impressive.
My son and his friends will be planting something at day care. He is super excited about that as they have been talking about planting and the environment all month in their lessons.
It is important to discuss the environment with your children every day all year round. They will learn and retain which means as adults they will be conscientious of the world around them.
On this day make an effort to visit Local Nature Preserves, parks and/or trails. GO out for a walk, enjoy the sunshine, put on some gloves and pick up litter nearby your home. There are many things you can do each day to help make our Earth a healthier place.
There is a site up right now called "Plant a Billion Trees" where you can donate just $1 in an effort to repopulate the Atlantic Forest. A wonderful fact in regards to this campaign, 246,715 trees have been planted since April 3, 2008 when this program started.
Be sure to check out the Earth Day Global Network for more information. The Earth Day Network "seeks to grow and diversify the environmental movement worldwide, and to mobilize it as the most effective vehicle for promoting a healthy, sustainable planet." And you definitely want to play a part in such a wonderful cause. After all, this is your home, too.
Is it true, can there be organic food out there that is cheaper than regular? TreeHugger seems to think so and they wrote about it on their site. Of course I have to share with you, but please check out the source.
Here is an exciting excerpt:
Take beans, for example, a staple of frugal cuisine. At a Safeway in Boulder, Colorado, a 15- ounce can of O organic black beans costs $1.05. On the same shelf, a 15-ounce can of Bush's Best black beans will run you $1.39. Down the street at Whole Foods, meanwhile--the store often referred to as Whole Paycheck—the supermarket-label 365 Organics brand black beans cost a measly 99 cents.
They do admit most organic fruits and vegetables are still more expensive, but hopefully we'll be seeing a trend going the other way soon. Lord knows we all need a way to eat healthier and save money!
Since humans first flew in space, nothing has captivated astronauts more than the view of home out the window of their spacecraft. In honor of Earth Day, April 22, NASA will make those views available to people here on Earth with an event highlighting imagery taken by astronauts and the science behind it.
For the first time ever, NASA Television will air a special hour-long broadcast of views of Earth taken in High Definition, or HD, by astronauts on past space shuttle and International Space Station missions.
The special HD broadcast will air between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. EDT on Friday, April 18, and replay at the same time on Monday, April 21. It will air every hour from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22.
Before visiting any of these endangered destinations, or traveling at all, consider the environmental impact of the trip. Travel responsibly in order to decrease the harmful environmental footprint a trip can leave behind.
Endangered Destinations:
-- Alaska, U.S. Due to its northern location, Alaska is warming five times faster than the rest of the planet. Glaciers are disappearing and remote villages are threatened as the ground literally melts out from under them.
-- Venice, Italy The city has been sinking for centuries, but rising ocean levels due to global warming have accelerated the threat. Protective barriers currently being built by the Italian government may not be enough to save the city.
-- Glacier National Park, Montana This famous park's name may soon be a misnomer. Its glaciers are projected to disappear within 30 years due to rising temperatures.
-- Great Barrier Reef, Australia Its colorful corals have already suffered several mass bleaching events due to rising water temperatures, over-fishing and coastal land use. Few reef-building corals will be left by 2050.
-- The Alps, France and Italy Scientists predict that most of the glaciers in the Alps could be gone as soon as 2037. Decreased snowfall levels have already put some local ski resorts out of business.
Philadelphia today was the first stop on the East Coast of a cross country tour by the 150 mpg Extreme Hybrid SUV developed by AFS Trinity Power Corporation of Bellevue Washington.
The XH-150 stopped in Philadelphia on its way to being featured at the 38th Earth Day on the Capital Mall in Washington, D.C. April 20. In January, when it was introduced at the North American International Auto Show, CNN and others said the XH-150 could be the "car of the future".
"AFS Trinity is in Philadelphia with our XH-150 to help get the word out that fast, economical plug-in hybrids can be built now," said AFS Trinity CEO Edward W. Furia. "It is a personal pleasure for me to demonstrate the XH-150 in the town where I was raised. After Philadelphia we will make the Extreme Hybrid available to be driven in Washington D.C. by environmental leaders, government officials and members of Congress starting on Earth Day April 20."
Concern about the environment and global warming is not only influencing how consumers live their lives, but also impacting their buying habits.
In a consumer survey taken in advance of Earth Day (April 22) by BuzzBack Market Research, 72 percent of those asked said they used energy efficient light bulbs and 57 percent said they purchased recycled products. But much work still needs to be done to change attitudes among consumers as less than 10 percent say they buy products only from "green" companies.
My guess is they buy what they can afford to buy. It is understandable to know you need to buy items which are better for your health and better for the environment, but those products are not always better for your pocket full of lint.
My husband and I have been trying our best to buy organic, buy green, eat healthy and turn off electric items which are not being used. When you see your bank account drop to 98 cents you sort of have to rethink things.
When it comes to using products to improve the environment, US consumers say they do the following more often than not:
-- 72% use energy efficient light bulbs -- 70% turn down the thermostat -- 71% recycle paper -- 68% turn off electric appliances rather than leave them on stand-by -- 67% take more showers than baths to conserve water -- 57% recycle glass -- 57% purchase recycled products -- 55% purchase recycled paper -- 51% purchase refill products -- 38% use less household chemicals -- 36% walk short distances rather than drive -- 31% buy organic fruit or vegetables -- 20% take fewer flights -- 15% buy organic meat -- 6% only buy products from companies they consider Green -- 4% use a hybrid car
Following the unceremonious axing a few months ago of a proposal that would've banned outright the use of plastic bags, several L.A.-based state legislators are once again girding for battle over the introduction of a bill that would impose a 25-cent fee on the use of the offending bags. AB 2829, sponsored by Mike Davis (D-Los Angeles), would use the proceeds from the fee to fund litter prevention and reduction efforts.
A competing bill, AB2058, introduced by Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys), would only support voluntary reduction measures; as Emerald City's Siel points out in her post on the fee, this meeker measure closely resembles a voluntary plastic bag reduction measure that was enacted by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors.
Keith Christman, senior director of packaging for Progressive Bag Affiliates of the American Chemistry Council, is skeptical. "I don't think the public will pay 25 cents a bag," Christman said. "Grocery stores will start handing out paper bags. They will go back to paper bags. Paper bags require 40 (percent to) 70 percent more energy, double greenhouse-gas emissions, increase waste by 80 percent and dramatically increase water use."
He brings up a good point. But what can you do. Paper, plastic, canvas? I leave the store with like 10 bags and I certainly don't have 10 canvas bags. Oy these lifestyle changes are tough.
EnergyHotwire.com is the first fully comprehensive web site that teaches Americans how we can be energy-independent with a well-diversified team of experts led by Environmental Scientist & Energy Consultant Bill Lauto.
This Earth Day, April 22, the all-new version of EnergyHotwire.com will be launched, focusing our nation on step-by-step goals to help lower energy bills up to 60% without sacrifice! "We have the technology; we can be energy independent," Lauto has stated for over ten years.
Along with learning how to lower energy bills on topics such as Appliances, Cooking, Cooling, Heating, Insulation, Lighting, Shrubs, Solar, Water, Windows, and Doors, viewers can email EnergyHotwire.com with specific energy-related questions.
Right now the site is a mess, but it should be put together by the 22nd.
Sprig.com, has compiled a list of the top 10 "eco-hunks" who have been busy lending their time, money and talents to protecting the environment. These guys don't just look good -- they're busy doing good for the planet.
They haven't yet published the list but we happen to know who at least five of those guys will be:
- George Clooney. He has become a champion of sustainable energy and works to decrease U.S. dependence on oil-when he's not saving Darfur or acting as a UN Messenger of Peace, that is.
- Adrian Grenier. Grenier resides in an eco-home in Brooklyn, which he greened himself using recycled denim insulation and solar panels; Adrian's currently filming a show for Discovery's Planet Green called The Green Life.
- Edward Norton. He has successfully campaigned with Friends of the Highline to save and rebuild much-needed green space in New York City. Also, because of Norton's BP Solar Neighbors Program, every time a celebrity purchases a BP Solar Electric system, BP provides a similar system for a low-income family in South Central L.A.
- Kelly Slater. Slater donates his time to the Surfrider Foundation, a non-profit that helps fight coastal pollution, and has worked with the Carbon Fund to offset the carbon emissions he amasses while traveling with the pro tour in search of the perfect wave (and his next trophy).
- Adam Levine. For their 2007 world tour, the band teamed up with Global Cool, a charity organization that promotes sustainability and energy efficiency, in attempts to green as many aspects of their trek as possible -- including driving around in a biodiesel tour bus whenever possible.
You'll have to keep making sure to stop by Sprig.com for the rest of the list.
In celebration of Earth Day, Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market today announced its 61 stores will bag groceries with free reusable "bags for life" for customers on April 22nd. The company encourages customers to reuse these bags and lessen their impact on the environment.
The "bag for life" is larger and more durable than standard grocery bag and, if damaged, Fresh & Easy will replace the bag for free, forever. These bags are made with recycled material and are 100% recyclable.
Fresh & Easy only sells energy efficient light bulbs, uses LED lighting in external signs and freezer cases, offers plastic, aluminum and glass recycling, and they provide preferred parking for hybrid vehicles.
Wow. I wonder if the hybrid parking spots are next to the handicap spots...
The Earth might seem like a big place to a small child -- it would, after all, take more than 131 million steps to walk around the Equator. But a new brand of eco-friendly toys teaches children that taking just one small step each day can help them celebrate the spirit of Earth Day throughout the year, not just on the April 22 commemoration.
I have noticed in my spring time shopping there are more toys available for children to work outside. My son has a small wheel barrel, shovel and rake. He also has "Go Deigo" garden gloves. How wonderful it is to not only teach him to work outside and be a helper, but also in wanting to pay attention to his environment.
Idbids is headquartered in Atlanta and creates fun toys that teach children "iddy biddy steps make a biggie big difference" in keeping our Earth happy, healthy and green.
Iddy Biddy toys are meant to remind children they need to be good to their environment. One of the toys is "Waverly, the bright blue water drop" and as you might surmise, Waverly is deeply concerned about protecting the Earth's water resources and keeping them clean. Your child will learn to care for Waverly and then also will be more educated and pay more attention to water resources around him. Teaching your children to turn the water off while brushing their teeth is one easy way for them to learn about saving water...or Waverly. =o)
Attractive feeders can become ecological traps, encouraging birds to settle in an area that cannot support them once supplemental feeding has stopped.
You know I never thought of it that way but it does make sense.
Some people have said bird feeders not only cause birds to flock, but also cats which would be a bad thing for the birds obviously. But research has shown the presence of feeders has been associated with lower levels of predation by domestic cats.
Another issue is the misconception of bird feeders always being helpful to the birds. You think you're doing a good thing feeding your fine feather friends, but studies show it can cause a decrease in healthy bird breeding. This is based on the act that birds are less likely to rear children next to a popular bird feeder and it also means they are eating more food which would be unnatural for baby birds.
Most of the results were not very fruitful however. Robb and Bearhop say that the wide variety of outcomes they discovered in their work point to a real need for more comprehensive research on the topic. This is mostly based on the need to study cases in urban and suburban yards which apparently doesn't go over too well with neighborhood associations. (Just guessing).
I suppose the best thing you can do would be to space your feeders out and make sure they are located close to a treeline. I'm not sure, but it's seed for thought. ha.
PUR Water Filtration is partnering up with model Cindy Crawford to help promote the use of filtered tap water and reduce consumption of the bottled kind. The campaign, which is launching this May, is called "Thirsty for Change" and will include Crawford designing her own eco-chic reusable water bottle - with all proceeds from the sales going towards Children's Safe Drinking Water; a program which is dedicated to providing safe drinking water to impoverished children around the world. Said Crawford,
"Like me, many moms today are concerned about the environment. We all want to live a little greener and do our part for the planet and for the health our families. The good news is that even small changes can make a huge impact on the environment. And that's great news for my family because changes that fit easily into our hectic routine are the ones that are going to stick.
That's why I would like to share some easy, green tips for other moms out there. They've worked in my house. I have learned that getting the whole family involved shows the kids that being eco-friendly can be fun!"
I didn't know about this program for safe drinking water, so being inquisitive, as I am to a fault, I looked it up.
According to their website, "To date, the Children's Safe Drinking Water Program (CSDW) has provided enough product to produce more than 500 million liters of clean drinking water for children and their families in need around the world."
Isn't that a fantastic number!? It was established in 2003 and has already helped so many children in impoverished countries.
Millions of children die each year due to drinking water from lakes and rivers contaminated with pollutants, parasites, and viruses. Studies show the PUR water can reduce diarrheal illness in children by up to 50 percent.
If you would like to donate to this cause, or learn more about it please click through to CSDW.org and see how you can get involved.
All the talk on green and conservation has led to more and more people delving into inventing new forms of solar energy. This one seems to be the most versatile of what I have seen lately because the panels are inflatable which means you could theoretically take them anywhere with you, right?
