So Earth Day was yesterday - hope you were able to celebrate in some way! My plans have been postponed a week, but I'm excited to get involved in more volunteer opportunities as the weather gets warmer. Here are your ideas from this week:
Speak Up:
Label GMOs (action.fooddemocracynow.org/sign/obama_signs_monsanto_protection_act_time_to_label_gmos/):This petition urges President Obama to introduce mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods, which he has previously promised farmers, consumers, and environmentalists. I admit to not knowing very much about this issue other than the very basics, but my friend has recommended King Corn, a documentary available on Hulu, for more information.
Invest:
Solar Cookers International (solarcookers.org): This organization does amazing work by providing solar cookers and teaching about their use to people in need. The amount of fuel and carbon these cookers conserve is astounding, as well as making cooking an easier process for many people for whom time is a precious and dwindling commodity with regards to taking care of their families.
Charity: Water (charitywater.org): This organization spends 100% of its donations on its actual charity projects - a rarity in the charity world, unfortunately. They are committed to working on clean water projects in the developing world.
Mary says: "These two charities might be ones you would consider when making a donation in memory of a loved one or as a birthday gift for someone who has everything." Also, because charities are very complicated, when considering donations, GiveWell (givewell.org) is an organization that rates charities on effectiveness and responsibility.
Support:
Tradesy (tradesy.com): Another resource for used clothing! You can also sell your own items on this site. They even have a section for wedding dresses!
Everyday Living:
Garden with coffee grinds: If you are lucky enough to have a garden, and it includes azaleas or rhododendrons, spread your used coffee grinds around them. The acidity helps them grow stronger, and instead of rotting away in a landfill, your coffee grinds will be put to good use!
Travel sustainably: Travel is a fact of life for a lot of people, and sometimes it just seems inevitable that you'll use a lot of energy. However, there are MANY, MANY RESOURCES to make sure you can arrive, stay at, and depart your destination while still being as green as possible. At gstcouncil.org/resource-center/responsible-travel-tips.html, you can find a great checklist for being not only an eco-friendly traveler, but just a friendly traveler in general. Then, all the rest of your green traveling needs can be met by the great link list at travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/sustainable/travelers.html. Hotels, tours, volunteer opportunities - you name it, National Geographic links to it. Lastly, there's greenvacationhub.com, which has a map of green lodging available around the world. And of course, spread the word! If you know people who travel more than you do, let them know about these resources.
Green pets (aspca.org/pet-care/pet-care-tips/go-green-for-pets.aspx): This link provides a great checklist for green pet ownership, from donating old supplies and using tap water to using vinegar for messes and more. An excellent resource for all the pet owners in your life!
DIY and Spring Cleaning: For you students out there, hopefully you'll (and I'll) be getting some more free time in the summer. The internet is full of green DIY projects. The site Earth Techling (earthtechling.com) has ideas for greening your home, interesting DIY projects (algae powered nightlight!), and a lot of information about green technology.
Pick up trash: For Earth Day/Week/Month/whenever you want, taking it upon yourself to do a street cleanup is always a good idea. Leah, who was in the thick of a lot of the craziness in the Boston area this week (and is thankfully fine, as is her family!), says: "I'm going to do a little street cleanup of trash leftover from all the reporters and police and SWAT teams, and my son has been asking me to bring a bag next time we walk on the bike path so he can help pick up trash!" Any large gathering of people - most of which hopefully will not involve SWAT - will leave behind trash, and picking it up is a great way of improving your community.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Earth Week!
Six days until Earth Day! Here are some of your ways of celebrating:
Support:
Charity Miles (charitymiles.org): Okay, so this one is pretty exciting. Hannah writes: "So I just downloaded this app called Charity Miles to my phone (http://www.charitymiles.org/ Android and iPhone) that gives you the option of doing green things while also increasing your life expectancy and while possibly being green by commuting in a non-gasoline or electricity sort of way. If you use the app to track when you walk, bike, or run, it will donate a certain amount of money (depending on the type of exercise) to the charity you choose. There are a ton of different ones; the ones that most closely relate to the environment and the earth are the Nature Conservancy, Nothing but Nets, and the ASPCA. One thing to remember - you need to set the app to track you when you start your exercise - you can't just sit on the exercise bike at the gym and then try to enter in that you just rode 11 miles. I tried that and wasn't able to do it. But if you tell it you've started and then click back when you're done, it will allow you to make your calorie burning count, so long as you share what you did with friends on Facebook or Twitter." I love this idea! I have very few apps on my phone, because I am an 80-year-old technophobe at heart, but I'll definitely get this one.
Toilet Dams: Flushing toilets use up far more water than is actually needed to do the job. However, toilet dams can save up to a gallon of water per flush. There seem to be many models, but check out the one at usalandlord.com/toiletdam.html. They have a bunch of other conservation products listed in the sidebar. Cheap and efficient - definitely a great find! I had never heard of these before, but I'm glad I have now.
Green Edge Supply (greenedgesupply.com): Another home improvement/development site! All of these great projects make me wish I were a homeowner, which is such a grown up desire that it weirds me out. Elizabeth says: "They also issue a 'green living' blog with simple tips (turn video game consoles off)! There are some useful things for the home-building-illiterate like me: ideal temperature for setting your refrigerator and good stuff like that."
Everyday Living:
Use cold water: So much of our everyday energy usage is linked to hot water. Therefore, cutting your hot water consumption is one of the number one things you can do as an average citizen to shrink your carbon footprint. We highlighted Seventh Generation laundry detergent several weeks ago, and there are many other brands, like Tide Cold Water, that are specifically designed to be highly efficient in cold washes. Most clothes absolutely don't need to be washed in hot or even warm water. Another way to cut hot water usage is to take shorter showers, which I'm working on - I know that's a hard one! But even a few minutes off of your time can make a world of difference.
Keep toilet flappers current: Since water and toilets seem to be a theme this week, make sure you don't have a running toilet! If you hear it start to flush itself, you might need a new flapper. They're sold everywhere, including Home Depot, and are quite cheap (under $10).
Last toilet entry, I swear - Use most efficient toilet: If you have multiple bathrooms, one of your toilets may use less water than the other. Check out the tank size for a good indicator. Also, newer toilets are typically more efficient than older ones.
Make your fruit last longer: Grocery stores often seem to package food in quantities greater than one person can eat before it goes bad. Here's a way to make your produce last longer, which will cut both food and packaging waste (since you'll have to buy it less often). This tip had to do with strawberries, but I'm assuming it works for other fruit, as well. Add one tablespoon of white vinegar to a bowl of water, submerge fruit for about a minute, and then dry thoroughly. The vinegar kills bacteria, which stops mold from growing. (After the last few weeks, white vinegar is clearly a green household must-have!)
Buy as little packaging as possible: Contrary to many companies' belief, every serving of food does not need to be individually packaged. Buy bulk or loose food products as often as you can. I've been doing this for a year now, and it's a lot easier than you think to limit your packaged food intake. It often turns out much cheaper, too! For bulk items, you can often bring your own containers, as well.
Cut yard work energy: If you have a yard to tend to (she writes from her apartment. Someday, though!), then try to avoid using gas-powered lawn mowers, leaf blowers, and trimmers. Obviously the greenest way to take care of leaves in your yard is with a rake! If that's impossible, though, invest in an electric mower with rechargeable battery instead of a gas-powered one.
What to do if you forget your reusable bags?: Studies have shown that by themselves, plastic and paper bags are about as environmentally unfriendly as each other. However, the impact can be mitigated by how you're going to use the bags you get. Don't just throw them away! Plastic can be used as small garbage bags in bathrooms, and paper can be used to collect recycling (and they can also be recycled themselves). Paper bags also have the benefit of being used as wrapping paper or craft materials. Tracy says: "My boyfriend uses one to cover the sink when he shaves so his beard hairs don't clog up the drain!"
Compost: This isn't feasible for everyone, depending upon your living situation, but if you've got a bit of space, time, and money, composting can be a great way to get rid of your organic waste. Check out wholefoodsmarket.com/blog/home-composting-get-right-bin?sf11642780=1 to see what option could work for you!
Support:
Charity Miles (charitymiles.org): Okay, so this one is pretty exciting. Hannah writes: "So I just downloaded this app called Charity Miles to my phone (http://www.charitymiles.org/ Android and iPhone) that gives you the option of doing green things while also increasing your life expectancy and while possibly being green by commuting in a non-gasoline or electricity sort of way. If you use the app to track when you walk, bike, or run, it will donate a certain amount of money (depending on the type of exercise) to the charity you choose. There are a ton of different ones; the ones that most closely relate to the environment and the earth are the Nature Conservancy, Nothing but Nets, and the ASPCA. One thing to remember - you need to set the app to track you when you start your exercise - you can't just sit on the exercise bike at the gym and then try to enter in that you just rode 11 miles. I tried that and wasn't able to do it. But if you tell it you've started and then click back when you're done, it will allow you to make your calorie burning count, so long as you share what you did with friends on Facebook or Twitter." I love this idea! I have very few apps on my phone, because I am an 80-year-old technophobe at heart, but I'll definitely get this one.
Toilet Dams: Flushing toilets use up far more water than is actually needed to do the job. However, toilet dams can save up to a gallon of water per flush. There seem to be many models, but check out the one at usalandlord.com/toiletdam.html. They have a bunch of other conservation products listed in the sidebar. Cheap and efficient - definitely a great find! I had never heard of these before, but I'm glad I have now.
Green Edge Supply (greenedgesupply.com): Another home improvement/development site! All of these great projects make me wish I were a homeowner, which is such a grown up desire that it weirds me out. Elizabeth says: "They also issue a 'green living' blog with simple tips (turn video game consoles off)! There are some useful things for the home-building-illiterate like me: ideal temperature for setting your refrigerator and good stuff like that."
Everyday Living:
Use cold water: So much of our everyday energy usage is linked to hot water. Therefore, cutting your hot water consumption is one of the number one things you can do as an average citizen to shrink your carbon footprint. We highlighted Seventh Generation laundry detergent several weeks ago, and there are many other brands, like Tide Cold Water, that are specifically designed to be highly efficient in cold washes. Most clothes absolutely don't need to be washed in hot or even warm water. Another way to cut hot water usage is to take shorter showers, which I'm working on - I know that's a hard one! But even a few minutes off of your time can make a world of difference.
Keep toilet flappers current: Since water and toilets seem to be a theme this week, make sure you don't have a running toilet! If you hear it start to flush itself, you might need a new flapper. They're sold everywhere, including Home Depot, and are quite cheap (under $10).
Last toilet entry, I swear - Use most efficient toilet: If you have multiple bathrooms, one of your toilets may use less water than the other. Check out the tank size for a good indicator. Also, newer toilets are typically more efficient than older ones.
Make your fruit last longer: Grocery stores often seem to package food in quantities greater than one person can eat before it goes bad. Here's a way to make your produce last longer, which will cut both food and packaging waste (since you'll have to buy it less often). This tip had to do with strawberries, but I'm assuming it works for other fruit, as well. Add one tablespoon of white vinegar to a bowl of water, submerge fruit for about a minute, and then dry thoroughly. The vinegar kills bacteria, which stops mold from growing. (After the last few weeks, white vinegar is clearly a green household must-have!)
Buy as little packaging as possible: Contrary to many companies' belief, every serving of food does not need to be individually packaged. Buy bulk or loose food products as often as you can. I've been doing this for a year now, and it's a lot easier than you think to limit your packaged food intake. It often turns out much cheaper, too! For bulk items, you can often bring your own containers, as well.
Cut yard work energy: If you have a yard to tend to (she writes from her apartment. Someday, though!), then try to avoid using gas-powered lawn mowers, leaf blowers, and trimmers. Obviously the greenest way to take care of leaves in your yard is with a rake! If that's impossible, though, invest in an electric mower with rechargeable battery instead of a gas-powered one.
What to do if you forget your reusable bags?: Studies have shown that by themselves, plastic and paper bags are about as environmentally unfriendly as each other. However, the impact can be mitigated by how you're going to use the bags you get. Don't just throw them away! Plastic can be used as small garbage bags in bathrooms, and paper can be used to collect recycling (and they can also be recycled themselves). Paper bags also have the benefit of being used as wrapping paper or craft materials. Tracy says: "My boyfriend uses one to cover the sink when he shaves so his beard hairs don't clog up the drain!"
Compost: This isn't feasible for everyone, depending upon your living situation, but if you've got a bit of space, time, and money, composting can be a great way to get rid of your organic waste. Check out wholefoodsmarket.com/blog/home-composting-get-right-bin?sf11642780=1 to see what option could work for you!
Dispose of lead-acid batteries responsibly: Patti says: "It's illegal to dispose of lead-acid (vehicle) batteries in the trash. Stores selling lead-acid batteries must accept, free of charge, up to two used batteries per month from any individual and must post a sign stating they accept batteries for recycling."
Earth Day:
It's less than a week away, but why confine your efforts to April 20? Special thanks to John of Viridian Energy (viridian.com) for letting us know about Viridian's Earth Month events at liveviridian.com/site/id/earthmonth2013.asp. I'll be putting up little posts throughout the week about local Earth Day events, including the ones on this list. Please let me know if you'll be doing anything, too!
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Earth Day on the Horizon
Let's make the entire month of April green, not just April 20th! Check out this week's submissions:
Follow the Honey (followthehoney.com): This one's for the Bostonians and Bonston-adjacent folks like myself. In response to last week's tip about honey, Leah found this local business near Harvard Square. They even have a couple honeys on tap, which means you can bring your own container! I can't wait to check them out. And seriously, that seasonal allergy tip is doctor-approved.
Green Party Supply (greenpartysupply.com): If you're having a party and need to have disposable plates and utensils, check out the biodegradable options from Green Party Supply. Made from things like sugar cane or potatoes, these products will make sure that even if you're holding a huge event, your impact will still be small.
Everyday Living:
Eat locally: Once again, we have a great submission from Leah! She says:
"One way to reduce your carbon footprint is to consume goods that are produced locally - it cuts down on the fuels needed for and emissions caused by shipping product from one place to another. If you're trying to be mindful about where your food comes from, eating locally, and eating seasonally, maybe you already hit the farmers' market on weekends and are ready to commit to a seasonal culinary adventure. You might be ready for the next step, and if so, maybe joining a CSA is right for you. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is cool not only for the locally-sourced foods, but because it supports farmers throughout the year. Basically you buy a share of one farm's crops ahead of time (one chunk of change for a whole season's worth of fresh food), and then once the season starts, every week you drive to the pickup location and collect your box of fresh fruits and vegetables - whatever was harvested that week. You're eating locally, you're eating seasonally, and you're eating food grown by people you can actually get to know through your weekly pickups.
Sometimes your pickup might have things you don't like. Sometimes it will have your very favorite thing. Sometimes it will have something you've never even heard of. These are all fascinating aspects of CSA-membership - you have to figure out what to do with ALL THIS FOOD and challenge yourself to cook new things. Definitely a plus for the adventurous eater!
This link will help you find details on family farms that offer CSA shares ("farm shares" is another common term) all over the United States.
www.localharvest.org/csa
Things to consider when selecting your farm - initial cost, of course, but also what each particular farm grows. Do you like the majority of their crops? Then you're golden. Some farms also offer meat and dairy shares, and I expect more types of homegrown goods to be made available through share-systems like this as CSAs become a more popular option. Happy eating!"
Loose tea: If you're a tea addict, ditch the teabags for tea leaves. I'm not a tea drinker (and therefore a heathen, according to my mother), so I'll let Karen handle this one. She says: "Many local grocers and even chain stores sell bulk tea leaves, and you can get a cute tea ball infuser and then compost the leaves when you're done." Check out some infusers at pinterest.com/rochellebuckley/tea-bags-and-tea-infusers/.
Clean with vinegar: Who needs to buy multi-ingredient cleansers when this natural one works so well? For toilets, use one cup of vinegar and 1/4-1/2 of a cup of baking soda. Let sit for a few minutes and then brush. For windows, use one part white vinegar in nine parts water (and then wipe off with old newspapers!).
Share: You don't have to buy things only for yourself! Buying bulk food is more environmentally friendly as well as being cheaper. Share with roommates, neighbors, or coworkers if you eat at work. Do you need large amounts of supplies for your job? Share a space and buy for everyone. And, as previously mentioned on this site, sharing clothes and tools and books - anything, really - saves money, materials, and energy. There are online networks for sharing as well as good old fashioned asking around. So tell me, One Green Hour, how do you share what you have?
Save containers: Why buy tupperware when so much of our food comes in containers? Store leftovers, pack lunches, organize your kitchen or coins or craft projects - the possibilities are endless!
Use your drapes: The forecast finally has warm weather on the horizon for my area, so keep in mind that having drawn curtains or blinds during the hot days to come will give your thermostat a break. If it's still freezing near you, then do the opposite and let in as much sun as possible! This not only saves money, but saves energy, as well.
Bonus section: Earth Day!
Earth Day will be on Saturday, April 20. I think that we should all do something to celebrate! If you're at a loss for what to do, visit epa.gov/earthday/events.htm to find an event near you. If you're in the Boston area, there's an annual Charles River cleanup that I'm thinking of participating in: crwa.org/cleanup.html. Most of the city areas are full up, but there are still some places open. Let me know if you'd like to look into this with me! Also, for next week, if you have any particular Earth Day ideas, be sure to include them in your submissions!
Bonus section: Earth Day!
Earth Day will be on Saturday, April 20. I think that we should all do something to celebrate! If you're at a loss for what to do, visit epa.gov/earthday/events.htm to find an event near you. If you're in the Boston area, there's an annual Charles River cleanup that I'm thinking of participating in: crwa.org/cleanup.html. Most of the city areas are full up, but there are still some places open. Let me know if you'd like to look into this with me! Also, for next week, if you have any particular Earth Day ideas, be sure to include them in your submissions!
Also, if you're looking for more Everyday Living ideas, check out the TV show Stuff Happens with Bill Nye. Obviously, Bill Nye is just an awesome person, and this show talks about the environmental impacts of everyday activities. Find DVDs at your local library or just fall down a YouTube black hole.
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