Photo courtesy of coolskipper at Flickr.com.
A new study shows that 40% of the world’s oceans are “heavily affected” by human activity. But what does that mean?
Human efforts are turning mangrove forests into beachfront resorts, and creating dead zones off the coast of estuaries. There are even sections of the ocean where plastic debris blocks out sunlight. It’s time for a change.
Photo courtesy of milford cubicle at Flickr.com.
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12 Feb 08 |
Although Valentine’s Day typically looks like the Crayola factory exploded one day while producing red and pink crayons, we’ve decided to skip out on the mushy, glitter-covered card that is hard to recycle, flowers that can only die, and chocolates made with a mess of problems. This year for Valentine’s Day, we’re going green in our own practical way.
Photo courtesy of Michael_L at flickr.com.
Let’s start with the card. This should be easy since recycled paper is so in right now. Instead of stopping by the closest grocery store at the last minute on your way to see your Valentine, try going to a local paper supply or card boutique to find a card made from recycled paper.
Photo courtesy of Mat_the_W at flickr.com.
Or better yet, try making your own. Cut out letters and hearts from old magazines and paste them to some paper you have lying around. That way when your Valentine eventually tosses it, it will be easier to recycle.
Photo courtesy of ever_moire at flickr.com.
If you or your Valentine enjoys flowers, don’t buy flowers that are chopped off and stuck into a vase of death. Ok, we’re being a bit dramatic, but seriously, you spend loads of money on a bouquet of flowers that will only die. How does that make any sense? Try finding a florist that sends potted flowers (or even plants). If you can’t find one that does this in your area, consider delivering them yourself. Although your Valentine will have to maintain the plant, it’s a great way to keep them thinking about you at home or work.
For a cheesier option, make a bouquet of fake flowers. When you give the fake flowers to your Valentine, tell them you will stop loving them when the last one wilts. (Let it marinate…) Get it? They won’t ever wilt because they are fake, so your love will last forever. (Disclaimer: We can not be held responsible for immediate vomiting reaction this may induce in either party, nor for a break-up in two weeks. That was your promise, not ours!)
Another option is to buy flower seeds or bulbs to plant in your garden or window box. Make sure to find a type of flower that will prosper in the coming season in your area.
Photo courtesy of net_efekt at flickr.com.
And then there’s the much-desired-but-frequently-loathed Valentine’s Day chocolate. An easy way to show your Valentine you really care is to NOT purchase the chocolates in the gross, heart-shaped boxes that are glued to the hands of a poorly-made teddy bear. (harsh, but true) This year go for something less traditional and more supportive of the economies in need with buying fair trade chocolate(s). TransFair USA’s website has a helpful Where To Buy section that helps you find several fair trade products in any state, making fair trade chocolate easy to find! Also try looking for organic chocolate like that from Terra Norstra Organic or Dogoba Chocolate (both of which also happen to be fair trade).
And lastly, if all this seems too hard to do this late it the game, consider doing your part by staying at home for dinner. Cook up a romantic dinner (it doesn’t have to be complicated) for you and your Valentine, watch a cheesy romantic movie (there are too many to link to) and share a bottle of organic wine.
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It’s summer and organic gardening and farming is going on all over the world.
If you’re interested in an intensive, hands-on organic gardening learning experience, check out World-Wide Opportunities for Organic Farming (WWOOF) at http://www.wwoof.org. You can live on an organic farm anywhere in the world, and learn organic techniques firsthand. A great way to travel and add some practical experience to your resume.
Popularity: 6% [?]
6 Jun 07 |
The Bioneers is an innovative group of people whose theme is “Revolution from the Heart of Nature.”
The Bioneers host a national conference that invites ground-breaking people to present ideas based on the lessons of nature to create a sustainable future. They also have a radio show that often features speakers from the conference. You can turn in for the next few weeks on live streaming radio at KUNM at 8:30 am (Mountain Time) on Wednesday mornings.
I think there are only a few programs left, so check it out! This past week’s show featured a discussion on protecting old growth forests while still providing for the needs of humans. Of course, things came up like, “do we really need all those catalogs for crappy products made from paper pulp?”
I especially appreciate this program but it is generally quite optimistic, and also because it solutions and ideas, not just problems.
If you’re feeling pessimistic about environmental issues, this program can help give you a sense of hope.
If you can’t listen to the radio show, they have free audio downloads and lots of info on the Bioneers website.
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Here’s an internship opportunity for all you eco-cowgirls and boys.
Location:
The ranch is located in the small village of Kealakekua , along Mamalahoa Highway 10 miles from Kona on the Big Island . Boarding will be provided and participants will be able to access some great areas of the island.
Situation:
The ranch is being put into a conservation easement and includes the largest reforestation project in the state of Hawaii . The cattle are an important component of prepping the land for this and other projects, but need to be brought under control in order to accomplish project objectives.
These cattle have not been worked or gathered for over 20 years and therefore do not accept the presence of people, horses, corrals or the necessary procedures to gather them.
Skill Requirements:
Advanced cattle handling, including the ability to read cattle is required.
Must be an experienced horse rider, horses will be provided. Horsemanship classes & instruction will be provided for the participants.
Job Description:
Many hours in the saddle every day will be required. Participants will stay with the cattle to habituate them to human presence and to build trust. The cattle make every effort to get to the forest and hide, so good riding skills will be necessary to keep them in site.
Contact:
For more information contact Tim McGaffic at:
PO 416
Kealakekua, HI 96750
808-936-5749
tim@timmcgaffic.com
Popularity: 24% [?]
19 Apr 07 |
Today is your day to contribute your ideas to our readers!
We want to know the things that you’re doing this Earth Day to help improve the environment. Leave a comment below this post to tell us your Earth Day plans or any unique eco-friendly tips you may have. If you’re looking for an Earth Day event in your area, check out this website.
If you’d like, you can review our list of practical environmental solutions for some ideas on what to do, or check out our environmental resources page.
I plan on spending the day in the garden, and then heading over to a local Earth Day celebration here in New Mexico, where I’ll buy some organic veggies and check out alternative transportation booths.
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There’s a new green lifestyle site in the house, TheDailyGreen.com, which is run by Hearst Magazines.
Look for the launch of the site on Earth Day…here’s the info from the press release:
Launching as a Beta version on April 22, The Daily Green will feature daily eco-tips; the day’s key national and international environmental news; advice on how to enjoy a more sustainable life with smart energy and product choices; delicious recipes for meals and school lunches that are more hormone- and pesticide-free, compassionately raised and “as local-as-available”; and ideas for creating a more toxin-free home. While content will be an important element of The Daily Green, it is the community of followers of the green movement that will inform the sensibility of the site. For example, Weird Weather Watch, a user-generated photoblog of climate change snapped by backyard environmentalists and camera phone climatologists will be an important feature, as will user-submitted recipes and tips. In addition, the site will give a voice to the leaders of the country’s most important environmental organizations through blog postings and site links. It is planned that the full-scale site will go live this fall.
We’ll see what it looks like when it goes up. Hopefully it will be a decent resource with some good information and won’t put too many small blogs out of business. Just kiddin’!
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These organic dark chocolate minis from Equal Exchange are a perfect treat for those who want just a little chocolate to nibble on at a time. They are 55% Cocoa and have a very rich flavor. Not too sweet and not bitter either.
I had them out in a little bowl for guests to our house and they were consumed very quickly! They make great party favors as well. We’ve got several birthday parties coming up so I’m thinking of stocking up on more. They’re also perfect for the coming Easter holiday.
Instead of mass produced sugar gunk, try out these organic, Fair Trade chocolates and this Kid’s Chocolate Garden Seed Kit to stuff their Easter baskets.
Here’s a list of the Ingredients for the chocolate:
*Organic cocoa liquor, *Syramena™ Organic Raw Cane Sugar, *Organic cocoa butter, *Sucanat™ Organic Unrefined Whole Cane Sugar, Organic ground vanilla. Cocoa 55% min. (*Fair Trade Certified™)
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Ok, so I’m not sure this is “exclusive coverage.” I just wanted the opportunity to write that in a post. It makes me sound like a hip local news broadcaster. AWARD! WINNING! EXCLUSIVE! COVERAGE!
Anyway, this past weekend I attended the 12th Annual Water Conservation & Xeriscape Conference here in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Conference is hosted by the Xeriscape Council of New Mexico, Inc., a non-profit tax-exempt corporation.
It was an impressive event, bringing together some of the top innovators in the xeriscape movement from the southwestern U.S. and other parts of the world. Here’s some stats and info about last year’s conference from the Xeriscape Council’s website:
Our annual conference now regularly attracts over 400 participants from 12 primarily southwestern states. The recent conference welcomed delegations from both Japan and Mexico, making it an international event. The Expo now draws over 3,000 residents to a free day of seminars, demonstrations, and exhibits for both adults and children. The 2-day conference will continue to focus on more high-level water concerns and issues while the “open-to-the-public” day will deal more with practical “how to” educational sessions.
This year, the keynote speaker was Sandra Postel, the Director of the Global Water Policy Project in Amherst, Massachusetts, and Visiting Senior Lecturer in Environmental Studies at Mount Holyoke College. Other notable speakers included African biologist Allan Savory, founder of Holistic Management International, Edward Mazria, AIA, founder of Architecture 2030, and a long list of very talented people:
George Radnovich
Sandra Postel
Sid Goodloe
Matthew Schmader
Judith Phillips
Ron Pate
Carol Franklin
Jim Knopf
Joran Viers
Eileen Claussen
Marcia Tatroe
Ted Hodoba
Corva Rose
Stanley Crawford
One of the highlights for me was a great lecture from author and landscape designer Judith Phillips. She discussed “hardscapes” in xeriscape design, and how the hard surfaces of a landscape contribute to microclimates and how they can be used to channel and capture storm water. Other subjects of her talk included “green shade” versus “hard shade,” and the use of permeable hardscapes.
The idea with green shade is that areas shaded with plants have the additional effect of evaporative transpiration, which cools an area more efficiently that an area shaded with a hard structure. Hard structures and “green shade” can also be combined in unusual, vertical designs to cool and decorate an area. Permeable hardscapes allow some water to filter back into the soil. See this website for more info on using permeable hardscapes.
I also enjoyed browsing the booths of vendors, and saw some very cool and innovative products, including irrigation “ollas” (clay pots) which you plant in the ground and fill with water to slowly seep into the soil and water garden plants.
I’ll get to that in a later post! You can find more information about the Xeriscape Conference here.
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Global Solar and EarthToys have teamed up this month to present a cool contest called “Tips and Tricks for using Alternative Sources to Save Energy.”
If you submit your tips before the 25th of February of 2007, you could win yourself a Global Solar Sunlinq 12Watt 12V Portable Power Pack c/w Accessory Kit (MSRP = $195). Sweet!
Read more about the Alternative Sources to Save Energy contest, and sign up here.
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