Bring Me Up: The Environment

Eco-friendly driving

2008-08-08T06:50:00.004-05:00

This morning on the way into work I was listening to NPR and the segment was about how Sweden is making it mandatory for drivers to learn how to drive in a more eco-friendly way. I believe this is fantastic and should be incorporated in driver's education worldwide.

I found these tips extremely helpful because I'm not in the position to buy a more eco-friendly vehicle. All of the hybrid cars are so expensive and so I need to help the environment by using these techniques instead.

One of the tips I found most useful was to find a parking space at which you can pull out rather than have to back out on exit. When you back out of a parking space you end up pushing on the gas pedal twice; once to back up and the second time to pull forward. Common sense, I know, but I hadn't thought of it that way previously. Though I do tend to pull forward just because I have always felt it is easier.

Other tips included making sure you coast as much as possible if you see you'll be needing to brake down the road. You should drive in as high a gear as possible and try to avoid aggressive acceleration from a standing start.

Sweden has been making these efforts, and enforcing them strongly, because most of the people there drive gas guzzlers. Sweden is the home of Saab and Volvo makers.
Swedish driving instructor Lars Rembjer has two words of advice for his pupils, the first in the world to have to prove they can be kind to the environment to get their licences: think ahead. "Eco-driving is the future because there are only winners. The environment benefits and your wallet benefits," he says.

For more information on how Sweden is trying to become a green role model, click here.

Melting away and not coming back

2008-07-31T06:51:00.002-05:00

"A chunk of ice spreading across seven square miles has broken off a Canadian ice shelf in the Arctic, scientists said Tuesday.

Derek Mueller, a research at Trent University, was careful not to blame global warming, but said it the event was consistent with the theory that the current Arctic climate isn't rebuilding ice sheets."

"We're in a different climate now," he said. "It's not conducive to regrowing them. It's a one-way process."

While no blame is directly placed on global warming it is very clear the accusations are floating just below the melting ice surface. It wasn't until reading this AP article that I was able to visualize and more firmly understand the glacier dilemma. It is true glaciers have been under going changes over the last century. Pointing a finger at global warming could easily be refuted, but time line aside it is obvious. If massive pieces of ice are melting and breaking off mile wide glaciers one could assume the temperature is a factor. Then to further conclude ice is not reforming elsewhere...well I'll leave you to your own thoughts on that one.

The Canadian Press/AP took and captioned the included photograph.

"Ice drifts off Canada's Ellesmere Island on Sunday after separating from the Ward Hunt Ice Shelf. The shelf lost a sheet of ice that covers seven square miles. A scientist said the cause was a "different climate" that isn't rebuilding Arctic ice, though he stopped short of directly blaming global warming."

Check your smartphone to find a parking meter

2008-07-16T18:15:00.003-05:00

San Fransisco is installing a network of wireless sensors in the asphalt based on the "smart dust" technology to come out of UC Berkeley. Once in place, battery-operated "bumps" will not only relay information about open parking spots to drivers via street signs and smart phones, they'll also convey real-time information about congestion and traffic and flow to city planners.

Parking policy might seem like a minor matter, but the numbers tell a different story. Professor Donald Shoup, the godfather of parking reform, has conducted research showing that drivers cruising for parking are responsible for up to 30% of traffic in central business districts. In one small area studied, cruising burned an additional 47,000 gallons of gasoline per year.

Price increases inevitably encounter resistance from consumers. But if the promises of variable-price parking live up to the hype - reduced traffic, improved city services, and less time spent hunting for spots - this could end up being a change that residents demand.

SOURCE

A hybrid Ferrari?

2008-07-07T08:31:00.002-05:00

One clear sign that the search for alternatives to oil has reached a fever pitch is when Ferrari, one of the world's most renowned sports car manufacturers, announces its intention to build vehicles powered by biofuels and electricity, as well as hybrid drivetrains. Ferrari, of course, isn't doing this out of the goodness of its heart: it has to meet more stringent European emissions standards and the company has set a goal of reducing "CO2 emissions by 40 percent between now and 2012."

Weehoo!

I have always wanted a red Ferrari Spyder. They are small, I don't need the speed I just like the look. Though I am sure it will be over $100K if it goes hybrid.

According to Andrew Posner who writes for Treehugger.com, "from Ferrari to Ford to Toyota, are looking to get around the high cost and environmental/geopolitical stigma of oil."

EnergyGlobe

2008-07-02T06:58:00.002-05:00

Whether or not this EnergyGlobe can actually do anything didn't matter to me when I first saw it because it's just so cool to look at, but it does have a purpose.

Teaming up with Intuity Media Lab GmbH, MESO Digital Interiors came up with this innovative yet informative projected dome with surrounding information terminals about climate change for EnBW.

The interactive project can show various scenarios concerning earth warming and CO2 emissions. This visualization is meant to enlighten people regarding the severity of our planet's environmental challenges.

Visitors are able to select different scenarios with four touch screens which are mounted on the surrounding panel.

Ethanol from garbage, eh?

2008-06-27T17:57:00.003-05:00

Today an official working on a special project in Edmonton, Alberta has told the media about their plans to make ethanol fuel with garbage. They have plans to turn 100,000 tons of plastic, cardboard and paper into the fuel starting in 2010.

The $69.3-million plant will produce 36 million liters of ethanol per year, making it the world's first industrial scale ethanol plant using waste as a feedstock, said Don Pierce of Greenfield Ethanol.

Having waste be the world's next source for ethanol production is an awesome prospect. Not only would we be more apt to recycle but we would also be alleviating the enormous demand for gasoline and/or typical feed crops.

It is ashame it has taken three decades for them to get to this point, but what do we say, better late than never, eh?

Green Your Grill

2008-06-25T07:31:00.003-05:00

Suzi Istvan recently wrote about how you can "green your grill" this summer. The entry went up on Posh Mama Magazine and then also on the Green Mommy Guide. Clearly she rocks!

One of the tips I found most helpful was "Replace traditional charcoal with natural hardwood lump charcoal which burns at a lower temperature and does not contain the worrisome chemicals of the former." I have known people to do this and it definitely "flaunts" their green and gourmet efforts of fabulousness. Can't beat that!

I have also heard it is important to avoid lighter fuel and self-lighting briquettes, which give off petrochemical volatile organic compounds. Eeek sounds scary doesn't it!?

Electric grills are very, emitting 99 percent less carbon monoxide than charcoal grills. But with the cost of electric I understand why these are not used often.

Gas grilling is one of the most energy-efficient methods and, if you use natural gas, the cleanest-burning fossil fuel, you'll release fewer harmful pollutants.

So it's up to you friends. Do your part in helping our environment while you have fun out in the sun for a summer BBQ.

Drop in vehicle miles and an Eco Dance Floor

2008-06-20T07:25:00.004-05:00

April 2008 saw another sharp drop in vehicle miles traveled according to the Federal Highway Administration's monthly report on "Traffic Volume Trends." This follows "the sharpest yearly drop for any month in FHWA history" in March.

This is not surprising at all I am sure. As far as I am concerned it is only a matter of time before businesses begin adopting more telecommuting opportunities just to be able to retain and hire new employees.

So I think it is HILARIOUS to read the oh-so-clever observation from our brilliant media reports: "Observers surmise a possible link between the declining number of miles driven and rising US gasoline prices."

ROFL!

Congratulations to those reporters who clearly received their journalism degrees from the University of the Obvious!

Anyway, the specific stats are as follows: "U.S. driving went down 4.5 billion miles in April."

And in other far more interesting news we have the new nightclub in the UK which is powered by dance floor energy!

Mr Charalambous, the head of a new climate change organisation called Club4Climate, said he hoped to use clubbing to inspire young people to tackle global warming.

"This is a new way to draw in the young generation," he said.

"It's a sexy and fresh approach as opposed to the way young people feel they are preached to by other more 'grown-up' charities.

"Our aim in opening the country's first ecological club is to get as many people as possible involved in saving their world.

"There is no greater platform than clubbing to reach out to young people. Having an energy-generating dance floor is a very exciting and interesting-idea that we have been talking to people in Rotterdam about. Such a dance floor could generate about 60 per cent of the building's energy."

There are batteries in the dance floor and they are constantly recharged by the movement from people dancing. Personally, I think, this is the most awesome contribution to storing energy ever!

SOURCE

No more vinyl shower curtain

2008-06-13T15:18:00.003-05:00

Hmm, I'm going to have to replace mine now.

Vinyl shower curtains can release as many as 100 chemicals. A new study was released by the US-based Center for Health, Environment & Justice (CHEJ) and the Environmental Defence and the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) titled "Volatile Vinyl: The New Shower Curtain’s Chemical Smell."

The study claims "PVC shower curtains contain many harmful chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), phthalates and organotins. Toxic chemical off-gassing from PVC shower curtains may contribute to respiratory irritation, damage to the central nervous system, liver and kidney, nausea, headaches and loss of coordination."

I know phthalates have been big in the news lately. They are in pretty much everything you can imagine, even in toys and make-up. They are harmful and yet many daily used items still contain the chemical.

Of course when Environmental Defense issues a study I tend to take it seriously, though I am aware statistics are often skewed. However, in this instance we're not talking about human error in study groups picked by other humans. We're talking about recording chemical releases over a 28 day time period. How can you foul that up?

Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

SOURCE

Flying High With Weed

2008-06-07T05:00:00.003-05:00

Air New Zealand is planning to fill one of the four engines of a 747 with weed and the remaining three engines with normal jet fuel to test the potential of using jatropha as a biofuel. JATROPHA is the weed we're talking about folks, so quit getting all antsy. lol.

I know, biofuel is not the right answer. It puts out tons of carbon emissions to make biofuel and you become dependent on a crop of some sort. It is great this isn't so much a crop, it is a weed. But this weed can only be found in India and Africa and so it is limited.

According to the article at flightglobal.com, "Jatropha refers to several plant families that are native of Central America and are renowned for producing seeds with high oil content.

The more hardy varieties, which tend to produce more oil, are now commonly found in India and Africa because they can cope with poor soil and withstand drought.

ANZ's spokesman says the jatropha trial is in response to the rising cost of jet fuel which now accounts for 30-35% of the airline's total expenses."

SOURCE

Solar Insect Theatre

2008-06-04T07:08:00.002-05:00

This is just so cool, I love it, I must own one and display for all to enjoy.

The Solar Insect Theatre attracts bugs by means of a sun-powered light which comes on automatically at dusk. Light-loving creatures will fly in, and though they can leave at any time, many should remain in the morning for your child to study.

There is an access door in the base, where branches or plant material can be added or insects removed to study.

The theatre is designed to be similar to a natural habitat, attractive to insects, though there are holes for them to exit as and when they please.

This beats those mesh bug collectors I had as a kid. My son would absolutely love it!

You can buy one at the Urban Garden Shop online.

They also sell other really cool scientific toys for your tots. =o) There is even a child's starter kit for gardening which my little boy would have loved but we had to buy each piece separately when he expressed an interest in helping us out in the garden.

We have ants

2008-06-03T13:37:00.004-05:00

The aisle was filled with bug sprays and traps and liquid bomb things. I opted into buying a spray which claimed to be safe inside and outside. I now know why it claimed to be safe. I'm convinced it is just water with a drop of something to give it a different smell. It does nothing. In fact, I think the ants like it, they are telling all their friends about the fancy water at 950. I should start demanding a cover charge.

Brian says we need to be extra careful about crumbs and such while we're in the family room because the ants seem to be coming in through the sliding door.

I've been doing some reading.

We need to move everything near the outside of the door away from it. Yes, and anything which holds water must remain away from the door. Ants love grease, sweets and water.

The Ant Institute, developed by the experts at BASF, is the Web's premier destination for learning about these common household pests. (I kid not, there is indeed an Ant Institute.) "Effective ant control begins by understanding the behavior of ants and working with a professional to apply effective solutions," says Bob Hickman, chief entomologist with the Ant Institute.

I think I'm just going to have to send Brian out to the pest aisle so he can pick something which will do a better job than the spray I bought. Because I can tell you right now I do not intend to check out ant web cams to learn about their behavior.

Plasma? Superstorms?

2008-05-30T17:37:00.003-05:00

The descriptors, the images, it's so Ghostbusters!

NASA scientists have uncovered new details about how plasma from superstorms interact with Earth's magnetosphere.

Violent activity on the sun, such as a solar flare, can produce a monster superstorm that releases plasma into the solar wind.

A CME can spew billions of tons of plasma away from the sun and toward Earth at speeds faster than 1.5 million mph. The plasma affects Earth and the vicinity surrounding Earth dominated by its magnetic field, called the magnetosphere.

As plasma from a superstorm interacts with Earth's magnetosphere, it can trigger spectacular displays of the Northern Lights, called auroras, interfere with communications between satellites and airplanes traveling near the North Pole, and interrupt global positioning systems and our power grid.

And while the folks at ScienceDaily understand all that jargon, I honestly have no clue what it means.

So what is a Superstorm?

A global superstorm is a severe consequence of global warming. Essentially, it is all the fun consequences of global warming and not just one precise event. This period of warmth is brief in the actual scheme of the planet. It ends when there are enough greenhouse gases in the planet's atmosphere to trigger another ice age, introduced by a superstorm. And then, the cycle goes on and that means another ice age.

The only way of delaying this time of thing would be to cut down emissions. We all know this, it is nothing new. But if we don't want to live "The Day After Tomorrow" we should probably try understanding this and so Ima gonna. =o)

So you're telling me vodka is green?

2008-05-27T07:06:00.003-05:00

Perhaps you have an enormous supply of vodka on hand and you want to know other ways to use it other than just drinking it?

Well, that is part of what "being green" is all about; finding several different ways to use one item.

According to thedailygreen.com, "Many people have reported that if they immediately pour vodka over an area that has contacted poison ivy, the alcohol will wash away the culprit, urushiol oil, and they won't experience an uncomfortable reaction. Some have said that the vodka needs to be at least 100 proof to work."

Another interesting thing you can do with vodka is to spray it on your clothes. Apparently spraying the alcohol on your clothes will keep them smelling fresh. Simply spritz your clothes, then hang to dry in a well-ventilated area. (Do a spot-test first to be safe.)

Vodka kills odor-causing bacteria, but doesn't leave a scent when dry.

Kind of makes you wonder who pondered and than tested these interesting rules of thumb. =o)

Read more vodka green tips here >>

DIY Cardboard chair

2008-05-25T05:02:00.004-05:00

Doubtful it will become a trend amongst parents, but I do think children will like this cardboard chair kit. "Finish Your Self Junior chair" by Dutch product designer, David Graas.

The cardboard chair is simply built up with some basic slitted shapes that can be slotted together. For children too young for more advanced furniture building, this is perfect. And perhaps they'll take good care of it because they put it together with their own hands.

Kids will like it because it is a hands-on activity. They get to build their own chair and it is absolutely functional, though you might want to suggest they sit on a pillow or chair pad instead of the rough slots.

One thing the parents might like is the fact that once their children are done building, playing and sitting they can recycle what is left because it is 100% recyclable.

Maybe you don't need the kit, but I think it is better than cutting cardboard boxes apart because that materials isn't as sturdy as this corrugated cardboard.

SOURCE

Energy data

2008-05-21T10:51:00.003-05:00

The Energy Information Administration reported yesterday:

U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels increased by 1.6 percent in 2007. Factors that drove the emissions increase included weather conditions that increased the demand for heating and cooling services and a higher carbon intensity of electricity supply.

Total U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide emissions have grown by 19.4 percent since 1990. Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions account for over 80 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

I found these stats to me particularly interesting and alarming. Though I will admit you cannot always believe what you read. Statistic especially can be skewed depending on the target audience and the presenter.

Even more interesting is what President Bush said about this topic last year after the EIA released data for 2006, "We are effectively confronting the important challenge of global climate change through regulations, public-private partnerships, incentives, and strong economic investment." lol.

SOURCE

Reboot pod house

2008-05-14T07:11:00.003-05:00

Vetterlein has exceptional visions of a conceptual house for the future. Named as Reboot, it seems Victor has been inspired by the Jetsons for conjuring up this pod house.

Breaking all the norms of today's architectural notions, this high-tech futuristic stands out for being totally self-sufficient and environment friendly. The pod-like house makes use of solar cell paint, wind turbines and rainwater collection to harvest energy.

The internal environment is digitally controlled and operated by voice activated sensors, remote controls and touch pads or remotely from a mobile phone or computer.

The building is constructed with a space frame, and the outer skin increases structural strength through double curvature. The skin system consists of a vapor barrier, dense foam insulation, and metal sheathing where the exterior face is glazed in solar cell paint. The surface of the building serves as a solar energy collector.

Reboot is computer operated, fully automated, and wired to the max. The household living environment is managed by a direct digital control (DDC) system that oversees support networks such as lighting, heating, cooling, music, entertainment, and security. The user operates this system through voice activated sensors, remote controls, and touch pads.

Wow! Sign me up. I think the only worry I would have is on how hot it must get. First of all, we know heat rises, secondly it's painted in some sort of formula which attracts and stores the solar-ness. I also don't know where it would be able to be built considering the large top and narrow/long base. But I suppose as a concept house it's all about dreaming big.

SOURCE

18,645 buried in town near quake epicenter

2008-05-13T06:48:00.007-05:00

My heart goes out to all those affected by the recent earthquake in China.

I have to admit I'm getting nervous about all the massive tragedies happening across the globe recently. With the recent quarantine in Canada, deadly tornadoes in the states, the cyclone which kills tens of thousands in Myanmar and now the 7.8 scaled quake turning large sections of China into rubble. These things happen, I know, but in succession and in such large scales? I suppose I should stop fretting and just try to do my small part in helping.

News of the quake has been alarming. At least 8,500 people died in the Sichuan province alone after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit their region. And again much like in Myanmar, the government is welcoming and asking for aid but also stating aid workers are not allowed. Wang, the disaster relief official, said international aid workers would not be allowed to travel to the affected area. "We welcome funds and supplies, we can't accommodate personnel at this point," he said.

Chinese media says 18,645 buried in town near quake epicenter. You would think they would want all the help they can get for rescue efforts.

At this point in time I am unaware of specific places to donate money to the cause. The only fund set up appears to be with the Red Cross and unfortunately I feel they don't always give enough of the donations to the cause at hand. Every little bit helps of course.

Those of you more local to the quake site are encouraged to donate blood to victims. There is a definite shortage at this point and government officials are requesting blood donations from as many as possible.

There is a charity, Love Without Boundaries, which gives specifically to children and orphanges. You can donate money to their charity, choose the earthquake from the drop down of where you would like the amount to go.

Mercy Corp has set up an area to read the updated news about the earthquake and donate to the cause. The link will bring you right to the donation page.

China Mobile and China Unicom have also set up a service that allows mobile phone users to donate 1 or 2 kuai to the Red Cross Society of China by texting the number "1" or "2" to 1069999301.

The Beijing City International School has also launched an appeal for the victims of the May 12th earthquake, details of how to contribute available on their website. Also, we've just heard via a colleague who paid a visit to Lan at lunch that 1 kuai from every meal eaten at Lan and South Beauty nationwide will be donated to Jet Li's One Foundation earthquake relief fund.

Operation Blessing is a Christian charitable organization based in Beijing. They also have an office in Chengdu and are helping to coordinate any efforts to provide aid for victims of the earthquake victims. They work with the China Charity Federation and China Foundation in collecting funds legally and coordinating disaster relief activities.

Material upcycling

2008-05-10T03:22:00.002-05:00

Take this table for instance, the materials used to make it include reclaimed and upcycled wood and repurposed composite materials. Even the steel base has been "upcycled." The designer calls them "eco-art" and I agree with statement. He says what is reclaimed and incorporated into these designs should never have been discarded.

The designer of these functional pieces of upcycled artwork is Michael Yonke. His profile says upcycling is achieved by repurposing the materials into objects with higher end use value that will endure and inspire for centuries.

However, I admit he lost me completely when I saw the prices for the items in his store. I'm certainly not spending nearly $3,000 for a 3' table unless of course it cleans itself or tells me the winning lottery numbers. But I do like idea of upcycling.

Outreach: Myanmar Cyclone

2008-05-06T20:32:00.006-05:00

While many, if not all, realms of media are reporting on the tragedy which has killed over 20,000 people and left a million homeless, I thought I'd report on how each of us can reach out and help.

"Our biggest fear is that the aftermath could be more lethal than the storm itself," said Caryl Stern, who heads the U.N. Children's Fund in the United States.

ADRA International
Myanmar Cyclone Fund
12501 Old Columbia Pike
Silver Spring, MD 20904
(800) 424-ADRA ext. 2372
http://www.adra.org
Action Against Hunger
247 W. 37th St., 10th Floor
New York, NY 10018
(877) 777-1420
http://support.actionagainsthunger.org/donate
American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
JDC: Myanmar Cyclone Relief
P.O. Box 530
132 East 43rd St.
New York, NY 10017
(212) 687-6200
http://www.jdc.org
American Jewish World Service
45 W. 36th St., 11th Floor
New York, NY 10016
(800) 889-7146
http://www.ajws.org
American Red Cross
International Response Fund
P.O. Box 37243
Washington, DC 20013
(800) HELP-NOW
http://www.redcross.org
American Refugee Committee
430 Oak Grove St., Suite 204
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 872-7602}
http://www.arcrelief.org
AmeriCares
88 Hamilton Ave.
Stamford, CT 06902
(800) 486-4357
http://www.americares.org
Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team
6810 Tilden Lane
Rockville, MD 20852
(301) 984-0217
http://www.amurt.net
Baptist World Aid
Myanmar (or Burma) Relief
405 North Washington St.
Falls Church, VA 22046
(703) 790-8980
http://www.bwanet.org
CARE
151 Ellis Street N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30303
(800) 521-2273
http://www.care.org
CHF International
8601 Georgia Ave., 800
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(866) 779-2CHF
http://www.chfinternational.org
Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC)
2850 Kalamazoo Ave., S.E.
Grand Rapids, MI 49560-0600
(800) 55-CRWRC
http://www.crwrc.org
Church World Service
28606 Phillips St., P.O. Box 968
Elkhart, IN 46515
(800) 297-1516
http://www.churchworldservice.org
Concern Worldwide U.S.
104 East 40th St., Suite 903
New York, NY 10016
(212) 557-8000
http://www.concernusa.org
Direct Relief International
27 South La Patera Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93117
(805) 964-4767
http://www.directrelief.org
Episcopal Relief and Development
815 Second Ave., 7th Floor
New York, NY 10017
(800) 334-7626
http://www.er-d.org
Food for the Hungry
1224 East Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85034
(800) 248-6437
http://www.fh.org
Habitat for Humanity International
Cyclone Nargis
121 Habitat St.
Americus, GA 31709-3498
(800) HABITAT
http://www.habitat.org
International Medical Corps
1919 Santa Monica Blvd.
Suite 400
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(800) 481-4462
http://www.imcworldwide.org
International Relief Teams
Attn: Myanmar Cyclone
4560 Alvarado Canyon Road, Suite 2G
San Diego, CA 92120
(619) 284-7979
http://www.irteams.org
International Rescue Committee
(Note on checks: Myanmar)
P.O. Box 96651
Washington, DC 20090-6651
(877) REFUGEE
http://www.theIRC.org
Latter-day Saint Charities
50 East North Temple, 7th Floor
Salt Lake City, UT 84150
(800) 453-3860, ext. 23544
http://www.lds.org
Lutheran World Relief
P.O. Box 17061
Baltimore, MD 21298-9832
(800) 597-5972
http://www.lwr.org
MAP International Donor Member Services
Myanmar Assistance
P.O. Box 7020
Albert Lea, MN 56007-9931
(800) 225-8550
http://www.map.org
Operation USA
Memo "Myanmar Cyclone"
3617 Hayden Ave., Suite A
Culver City, CA 90232
(800) 678-7255
http://www.opusa.org
Project HOPE
255 Carter Hall Lane
Millwood, VA 22646
(800) 544-4673
http://www.projecthope.org
Relief International
1575 Westwood Blvd., Suite 200
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 478-1200
http://www.ri.org
Save the Children USA
54 Wilton Road
Westport, CT 06880
(800) 728-3843
http://www.savethechildren.org
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)
3019674 Myanmar Emergency
P.O. Box 9068
New York, NY 10087
(800) 554-8583
http://www.umcor.org
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
UUSC-UUA Burma Cyclone Relief Fund
P.O. Box 845259
Boston, MA 02284-5259
(800) 388-3920
http://www.uusc.org
U.S. Fund for UNICEF
125 Maiden Lane, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10038
(800) 4UNICEF
http://www.unicefusa.org
World Concern
19303 Fremont Ave. N.
Seattle, WA 98133
(800) 755-5022, ext.7706
http://www.worldconcern.org
World Emergency Relief
P.O. Box 131570
Carlsbad, CA 92013
(888) 484-4543
http://www.worldemergencyrelief.org
World Vision
P.O. Box 9716
Federal Way, WA 98063
(888) 56-CHILD
http://www.worldvision.org

Why should you help? Because I am sure you would hope for the same kindness if in a similar situation.

State radio said most of the 22,464 dead, as well as the 41,000 missing, were in the densely populated Irriwaddy delta, home to 6 million people. It said 671 were killed in the Yangon area. Brig. Gen. Kyaw San, the information minister, said most fatalities were caused by tidal waves.

The death toll is the highest from a natural disaster in southeast Asia since the tsunami of December 2004 killed 229,866 people in Indonesia, Thailand and other parts of southeast and south Asia.

Take Back the Filter

2008-05-04T09:29:00.010-05:00

Clorox has joined the "green" movement and made it publicly known. So why do they continue to make and profit from carbon filters?

Here is a statement from Clorox, "With the aim of creating a practical way to green your home without making trade-offs, each product contains over 99% natural ingredients that are biodegradable. Green Works cleaners are not tested on animals and use recyclable packaging."

Interesting.

Brita filter cartridges consist of activated carbon housed inside a plastic body which cannot be opened by the consumer for refilling or recycling. The plastic body must be land filled or incinerated each time the filter is changed.

There is currently no way to recycle or refill Brita filter cartridges in North America at all.

Time to do your part, folks. Sign the petition to persuade Clorox to make a change. I signed it. It's your turn.

Geotechnical Engineers

2008-04-28T08:46:00.003-05:00

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.

Anywho, just something to think and chat about.

SOURCE

Inflatable Solar Panels

2008-04-24T08:26:00.005-05:00

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.

Earth Day is 38 years old!

2008-04-22T07:48:00.003-05:00

Today we celebrate Earth Day!

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.

More news about organic food

2008-04-19T17:51:00.003-05:00

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!